I thought I wanted an iPhone...

...until I did the math! :)

So, it's time for me to get a new cell phone. Mine is about 3 years old, and is getting more and more unreliable as the weeks pass. So, like everyone else, I've been reading up in the new iPhone 3G and had fully planned on getting one. The price of the phone itself is about the same as if I were to upgrade with my existing carrier. I'm not locked into a contract right now, so there wouldn't be any fees for breaking a contract, etc. However, today I did a little more research into the rate plans and that's looking to be a deal breaker.

The cheapest plan I found for the iPhone 3G includes 450 anytime minutes, 5000 nights/weekends, as well as unlimited email and data for $69.99 a month. It's an additional $5 per month to add 200 text messages, totally about $75 per month before taxes and fees. It's an additional $20 to get 900 anytime minutes, so $95 before taxes and fees. Right now I'm using between 500-800 minutes per month.

My current plan is 1500 anytime minutes, unlimited nights/weekends, and free roaming for $49.99 a month + $2.99 for 300 text messages. So $53 a month before taxes. The plan is no longer available at this price. It's about $10-15 more now than when I got it. To get the iPhone I'd spend anywhere from $22-42 more per month, depending on the plan. I can afford the jump, but it would reduce my ability to repay debts by that much. Over the course of a year, that's a pretty substantial amount. Unfortunately, there really aren't any other phones on the market with my current carrier that wow me in the same way...so I have to decide how BADLY do I want an iPhone?

My First Setback

So I was one of the lucky ones that didn't have a major setback after joining the WIRR board. Here I am, just past my 1 yr mark and I'm having my first unplanned setback. I went to the dentist this morning and the news is not good. Some of my teeth that have older dental work on them have weakened even more and are on the verge of cracking. So in the end, I have to have 6 crowns put on, and some other minor restorative work...to the tune of $5,500!!! But I've already come up with a plan and a solution...thanks to my new WIRR attitude. Yes, I will be adding to my debt load, but with a 0% loan for 18 months. My car will be paid off in 5-6 months, so I will be able to add that money onto my dental loan money to get rid of it faster. Luckily I've got about 2 months before the payments kick in, so in the mean time I can take care of some other things. :)