Whoa Technology! - Pocketbooks Influencing Consumer Appetite for Tech

There was a time when my hunger for technology could never be satisfied. Not even with a Snickers. I found joy in purchasing the latest gadgets and having them before all my friends. Free cell phones, with a multi-year ball and chain contract, were similar to the "free" t-shirts handed out by credit card companies for signing your life away to their banks. As the economy of the United States, and the World for that matter, shrinks back to reality, more and more people are choosing to be happy with what they have, and not upgrading to the latest and greatest.

Envy was the name of the game for the technology industry. Through marketing, any product could be made sexy, or make the user feel like they could harness the power of all of the information flying around through the air around them. The envy could last as long as the average consumer had enough money in the bank, or credit on the card, to buy whatever was thrown at them. I'm guilty of this myself. In 2007 when the PlayStation 3 was released, if I was made to choose between being one of the first to own the PS3, or having to buy food, I would have passed on the food and eaten cardboard.

So recently, I have been eligible for an upgrade of my cell phone. I started looking, and after seeing seventeen phones with $500 or more price tags, and don't forget the required data plan, I decided that upgrading wasn't that important. Plus the idea of a multi-year contract seems so 2003. There was a time in my life when this would have been a must for me to upgrade and have the latest gadget. I mean, even my 13 year old gets tired of her brand new phone in two weeks and wants a new one. So did I teach my kids that upgrading every five minutes to the latest and greatest is better than just being appreciative of the things you have?

When your pocketbook shrinks one thing starts to happen, bargain hunting. I decided to research and find out how to get around a cell phone bill. I didn't realize that an iPod touch could be used as a phone, without jail breaking, and without paying a single dime. What? No contract either? Nope, not a penny needed. So why would I upgrade? This is where technology should lead anyway. To a place where consumers lives are made easier and less expensive, and not to a place where we are all slaves to contracts just to appear cool to a small group of friends.

I decided to look at my television too. As the economy shoots down the drain, my television looks better and better and the newest models I see on commercials are looking like expensive anchors. Television service, even HD channels can also be received for free over-the-air. Yes, even with the conversion to digital, the digital signals are still sent out for free over the air. Most of the time, your old antenna will still work depending on the frequency. So looking at my television and my satellite bill, no I don't think I need to upgrade my television, or add another 100 channels for $30 more per month.

More and more, these upgrades just look like more monthly payments and more debt. Most importantly, it appears that one of the oldest secrets to finding happiness in life is to be happy with what you have. Learning to just sit back and let the world fly past you is a beautiful thing. Also, patience can save you a fortune if you just can't stop the technology addiction. Just waiting one month can save you hundreds of dollars. Obviously retailers jack the prices of brand new items up when they first come out. Delaying purchases saves money, it is a fact.

Until the bug bites me again, I will be living with my current cell phone until it falls apart in my hand. I'll be driving my car until the wheels fall off and the engine gives out. I'll be watching my TV until I can't tell what team I am rooting for anymore because the colors are all faded. I will enjoy the freedom that comes, with not trying to have the same electronics as the Joneses anymore.