Teens & cell phones: I stand corrected.

[Texarkandy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Proud ..... I still say that Nords has done well, his daughter has made the financial decision and is requiring her to foot the bill... that is the way I think I am going to be going..... but I might be outvoted 1 to 0 when the time comes... (as you can see, I don't get a vote and I KNOW it )

re: financial responsibility -
mine wanted an upgraded phone over the one that came free with the plan - so she ponied up the extra $50 herself (a decision I think she now regrets, but hey, that's a lesson) - as to the monthly $10 bill, she doesn't really have a lot of money-making opportunities due to her age, where we live, etc - & we want her to have the phone for other safety related reasons as stated in my previous post.
It's also a big convenience for us as parents that she has a phone in coordinating pick-up/drop-off times/locations from various functions, being able to call her & make sure things are OK, etc.

She's also aware that any text charges, mp3 downloads, etc are coming out of her money - interestlingly there have been darn few of those over the last couple years (she seems to be a lot freer with our money than her own

As to the being "hip" thing - I still maintain there's nothing wrong with wanting to "fit in" when you are a 13 y/o girl - it's not a matter of trying to act like you are better than anybody. She doesn't want to go to school in overalls & brogan shoes either - & I accomodate that because I can - she doesn't get $150 Nike's, but I will buy her a $40 pair of Vans every once in a while.

"fitting in" is not the overriding rationale in our decision anyway - as I indicated it's just an added bonus for her personally - and I think that's OK.

I think some adults like us (40's, 50's) are not exactly up to date with the idea that cell phones are no big deal for kids anymore - unless of course you don't have one.

She never asked (begged/whined/whatever) for the phone - it was our idea.

I don't see a problem & think parents who can afford it and have responsible kids over the age of 10 or 12 are being bit unfair to deny them a cell phone. It's actually a small thing nowadays.

Little things like being able to let my responsible kid have her own cell phone (shared with me sometimes) or a trendy pair of shoes once in a while is one of the reasons I have slaved for 25 years & strived to make good decisons to make a financially good life for me & my family.

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dex I would be curious if she equates the cost of texting with how long she has to work for it. I used to do that. If she nets $4.00/hr (after taxes, transportation ect) - that is only 16 text messages. An hour of work for 16 (usually) trite text messages! Do you pay for incomming and outgoing text messages? I had them cancel my text messaging service when I found out I had to pay for the incoming text messages.

We make that comparison all the time. The math is compelling since she works about 10 hours/week (including Saturday morning) for $9.25/hour, so those little luxuries add up pretty quickly.

I know she pays the 25 cents for outgoing and I suspect she also pays for incoming from other cell-phone networks. I'll have to ask.

Just participating in all these "But what if...?" discussions with her has reaffirmed my personal commitment to cell-phone freedom.

[Khan]

Quote:

Quote: Originally Posted by Khan Right now my desktop computer is downstairs where there are windows; I'm planning on moving it upstairs into the bedroom, then I won't have to worry about what I wear. If it was a laptop then you wouldn't even have to get out of bed...

True.

I use the computer downstairs during the day because it's where I can look out the windows and watch the critters; and it's near the kitchen so I can post while stuff is cooking or the laundry or dishwasher is running.

[bright eyed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nords We make that comparison all the time. The math is compelling since she works about 10 hours/week (including Saturday morning) for $9.25/hour, so those little luxuries add up pretty quickly. I know she pays the 25 cents for outgoing and I suspect she also pays for incoming from other cell-phone networks. I'll have to ask. Just participating in all these "But what if...?" discussions with her has reaffirmed my personal commitment to cell-phone freedom.

most plans you pay incoming and out - so even if she does little, - her teeny bopper friends might flood her phone - unless she can block incoming text's somehow...

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bright eyed most plans you pay incoming and out - so even if she does little, - her teeny bopper friends might flood her phone - unless she can block incoming text's somehow...

Yep... and the best thing about it is that it's still not my problem!

She has a $25 balance that she recharges occasionally. If the teens start texting her to death and her balance vaporizes overnight, I bet she turns that feature off right away.

I'm glad that she's working out all these kinks before college. I wouldn't mind subsidizing a more fully-featured phone from her college fund, and this will help her decide what's important.

[bright eyed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nords Yep... and the best thing about it is that it's still not my problem!

i see you doing the dance of joy as you type this part...

[packrat44]

My daughter got a cell phone 4 years ago when she turned 24. DW and I got one less than 2 months ago and dropped our land-line (63 & 55 yo). Son got his 1 month ago (29 yo) and dropped his land-line.

When I was growing up as a kid, my friends that ran into financial problems early in life were the ones from families that spoiled them with money, cars, etc. Those that receive too much too early often have little appreciation of value which can lead to problems later when their wants exceed their purchasing ability.