That's my situation now. Since they announced the lineup of Blackberry phones a year and a half ago, I've had it on my mind. I chose to forgo upgrades to favor this new phone that was delayed 3 times and is finally scheduled to come no later than June (unless they reschedule it--again). Now that I have saved the $650 for it to pay full price since I can't opt for the subsidy, I am having some doubts.I'll confess I don't want to spend that much money on it. The phone is pretty much all that it promises to be. It's 10+ times better than my current phone, which is 4 generations below. However, this long wait time has resulted in several "sleep on it before making a big decision" nights. The phone itself is as fantastic as it promises to be... and it's not even out yet. It has its pluses, it has its minuses.
To appease my mind that needs to have options, even if it's not real options, I've been looking at the previous generation, the Blackberry 9930. Without getting technical, this phone is a whole lot better than mine, but the Q10 (newest coming out with a physical keyboard) definitely beats it hands down. To put it in perspective, it's like going from Windows 98 to Windows 7. And I do like Win7.
I'm not going to stick with the purchase just out of spite, but I think I'll wait it out to see how the phone works for a month or two after it is launched. If I don't think the extras are worth it, I may just get the previous generation for $150~$200 out the door.
What do you do when you've been working so hard for a want, only to find out you may not want it as much as you originally thought? Or specifically, that you really do not want to spend the money you saved so hard for it?
I would probably think on it like you're doing. I can't imagine spending more than $100 on a phone so I can't really give you advice on this. However, if I was saving up for something gardening related, I would evaluate if the lesser option would make me as happy in the long run. If it wouldn't, I would spring for the more expensive item and not feel guilty because I saved the money.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I am hoping I find. I do think I'd be ok with the older version, unless the newer exceeds expectations. I use my phone a LOT.
DeleteAs someone who has a no-contract, $25 a month phone, I'm with you on the waiting LOL.
ReplyDeleteHaha, understandable!
DeleteI don't think I could ever spend that much money on the phone :) But then I'm going to a few - hour concert this week that almost cost half of it for 2 tickets :) You sacrifice so much in your life (and often for other people) that, I think, if it's something you REALLY want, than go for it. As long as it doesn't jeopardize your other goals, like traveling. I personally just got to the stage of life when I much rather save for experiences than things. Like Bon Jovi concert:)
ReplyDeleteYup, they're completely different budget jars, and using or not using the money doesn't affect anything (well, other than if I were to funnel that extra money into other jars). I would love to go for experiences, but it's kind of boring going to those by myself.
DeleteI think I would really look at why you wanted the phone....is it because it truly has features you will use (I am a firm believer that most of us have way more technology than we actually use), or was it because it was the newest?
ReplyDeleteI think your idea is great....wait it out a little longer, and if you decide on the less expensive one, then you have a $400 start on your next goal.
It is definitely for the features and not because it's the newest. That it just happens to be the newest is almost a coincidence. Considering that Blackberry hasn't released a new phone in over 3 years to be fair, that's what happens. My phone is mostly for texting or emailing, and the new phone is striving to make it easier and faster. The previous generation is a step up from my phone and also an improvement, however.
DeleteI think that is part of the beauty of saving. You save up for something you want, which gives you time to think on it. While saving, you get time to think about and evaluate the upcoming purchase. Sometimes, you come to realize that the cheaper option might make you just as happy for the simple fact that it is almost the same and it lets you keep some of the cash you worked so hard saving.
ReplyDeleteJust like you, I can understand dropping $650 on a smartphone. I also know BB should have released the Q10 first sadly. I think you have a great plan though; wait it out a month or so and check out the reviews.
I actually have a similar dilemma with purchasing the nexus 7. Now that I have the money to purchase it, I am really considering if it is really worth it or if I can do without it.
Stick to your plan though, wait a month and then decide. One last thing, as attractive as the older model is, you have to keep in mind that the Q10 will be more future proof; you won't need to upgrade as fast as if you purchase the 9930.
They totally should have released Q10 first. It was a bad play for the books, but they still think it isn't so. The idea of future-proofing is very interesting, though.
DeleteI've definitely been there and done that! I think now it's not just the money that you're considering, but also the considerable sacrifice that it took to save up that money. And it's hard to just go and spend all of that on one thing.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I have very good advice. I've saved up money before for something I didn't want anymore by the time I saved it up, and I have agonized over purchases that I was happy with once I pulled the trigger.
Just remember that you're better off where you are with having the money saved than you were before you started!
Definitely!
Delete