New and Improved. Whether You Need It Or Not. That's the American way. Or at least it used to be. Perhaps it's high time for a new scaled-down, smartened-up approach to consumerism. Consider this before your next unnecessary upgrade. We've been brainwashed into thinking it's cool to have the latest version of everything, with all the new bells and whistles. But ask yourself and answer honestly: how many of these applications and features will you really use? Studies show that most consumers tend to overbuy; we wind up never using a lot of the applications. Manufacturers love it when consumers spend money, but more times than not, the basic model is all most people really need.
A few examples to prove our point:
1. You can buy a basic laptop computer for about $600. Desktop models are even less. A basic computer has enough memory and hard drive space for most users. Unless you really need all the multimedia extras for gaming, video editing, or other functions, DON'T SPEND THE MONEY.
2. High Definition TVs can run into the thousands of dollars. There are 2 different levels of picture resolution 720p and 1080p. Most HiDef Channels use the lower resolution, and differences to the naked eye are not that noticable, especially if the TV is 37-inches or smaller. However, the price difference will run you several hundred dollars more. DON'T BUY WHAT YOU DON'T NEED.
3. According to recent studies, average Cellphone Users use less than 20% of the gadgets on their phones. Do you really need a Smartphone? Must you get your emails instantly? Do you really need to be connect to the Internet at all times? Are you so busy that you must have your calendar and contacts with you at all times? Come on, guys, most of you know the real answer to those questions is no. There was a time in the not-very-distant past when these options weren't available, and we got along just fine. We checked our messages at home, and we used phone machines. We know that some people spend most ofo their time on the road, and these applications may come in handy and improve job performance....but answer honestly: Are you one of those people? Do you realize what all this unlimited access is actually costing you? BUY WHAT YOU NEED....FIND ANOTHER WAY TO IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS.
4. Digital Cameras are another example. Are you an amateur photographer? Do you just want to point and shoot? If the answer is yes, what are you doing with a 12-megapixel camera? Unless you're a pro or have some great need to blow up your pictures to poster-size, 6-megapixels should be plenty. Do you realize that all those additional megapixels add alot of money onto the cost of the camera? BE A MEGAPIXEL MISER....BUY ONLY WHAT YOU NEED. YOU'LL STILL TAKE GREAT PICTURES.
5. Everybody's gotta have a GPS there days. Nobody knows where they're going anymore? Get real. Ever heard of a map? Or stopping at a gas station for directions? Or Mapquest? Just a basic GPS isn't good enough either. Do you really need access to bluetooth and weather and points of interest? Don't you just need to know how to get from Point A to Point B? If you wanna know the weather, here's a thought. Open the damn window and stick your hand out! Do you really need a GPS at all? Probably not. COLUMBUS GOT HERE ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE ATLANTIC WITHOUT A GPS. OF COURSE, HE THOUGHT HE WAS IN INDIA. BAD EXAMPLE. STILL, DON'T BUY YOU DON'T NEED.
Must we remind you that we're still in tough economic times? As always, Team CHEAPIOSITY reminds you: Save Your Money. Be An Educated Consumer. Stick to basics. Or Don't Buy At All.
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