Cell Phones--Complicated Fancy Gadgets--An Editorial
I remember the day I got my very first cell phone. That was back in 1999. I held this bulky, flip-flop machine in the my hand for the longest time coming out of the store. I just couldn't take my eyes off it. My chest was a few inches higher with pride from owning this fancy gadget. It didn't matter that I just paid a hundred dollars for it and then signed away my life for another two years with a $50 per month contract. Nothing mattered at that point except that I actually owned a cell phone that everyone was going so gaga about. I was the first female to own a cell phone in my family. And I couldn't wait to show it to my sister. I celebrated the occasion taking my son for a pizza and boasting all the way through the meal about it.
Back then my phone had limited features. Just basic stuff like calling, call forwarding, voice message and call holding. I had a 250-minute limit and anything over that cost me. Text messages were a luxury I couldn't afford because I had to pay extra per message. Incoming calls cost me extra money too. Two years later when I upgraded the phone I paid another hundred dollars over the discounted price for a better phone with extra features that included limited text messaging, fancy colors and keys, and ring tones to download that went way over my budget. I could listen to music and I got the ear plugs for that for an extra few dollars. As usual I was excited and showed it off to everyone. The problem with me is that I am a gadget junkie. I thrive on owning and playing with these gadgets.
After 20-some years, I am still a gadget junkie. Technology has gone so far as to include so many features that even I couldn't keep up with them all. Eventually between my family and me, we figured out a way to save money while having the phones we wanted. We started signing up for family plans which at first began with 4,000 minutes for the entire family and now we have unlimited minutes except for internet use.
Recently, I went back to the store for a new upgrade for my phone. And boy, was I in for a surprise! You see, two years ago my phone was given to me as a surprise birthday gift by my kids so I really didn't choose it.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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