apple Archives - Our Bill Pickle

I can see why a post about buying a MacBook on a budget may seem strange. MacBook and budget are not words you see together in a sentence often.

If you’ve purchased a computer — or any product, honestly — from Apple, you know they are expensive and they don’t go on sale.

I know this from first hand experience. I have been using Apple products almost exclusively for the last 10 years. In fact, it was only last year that I traded in my iPhone for an Android device (more on that here. One year later, I still don’t have any regrets) and it should be noted…I still have my old iPhone and use it as a music device.

Apple products are pricey but the user experience is enough to keep me coming back. And as a result, I’ve learned a few things that have saved me a few dollars along the way.

(Also, it likely goes without saying but this post is in no way sponsored by Apple. There are no affiliate links in this post or anything like that. These are just some honest thoughts from my experiences buying Apple products over the last 10 years. In the unlikely event that ever changes, I’ll update this and let you know)

Should your cell phone be included in your debt total?

I got my first cell phone when I was 16 years old.

Back then – more than a decade ago – cell phones were just that: phones. My first device was a silver flip phone on a pay-as-you-go plan. I used it for two things: calling and texting (using a T9 keyboard. Yeah. It was old school).

The phone had a web browser but I never used it because of the price associated with it. I can’t remember exactly how much it cost, but I do know there were many times where an accidental click would result in frantic efforts to close the browser before it could load.

I loved that little phone so freaking much and used it right until I went to university.

The logic behind getting a phone on a contract was that it would be good for me to have a bill in my name. At least, that’s what I told myself. In reality, I really just wanted a Blackberry Pearl (in pink, because duh).

This marked my first foray into the world of smartphones. After reaching the end of its life, I traded in the Pearl for a Blackberry Curve. And when my trusty Curve bit the dust, I jumped over to the iPhone. I’ve had an iPhone ever since.

Until now.

In November, I finished paying off my iPhone 6s.

In December, I upgraded my phone – to an Android device on a new contract.

It probably seems counterproductive – this is supposed to be a blog about paying off debt, not adding more, right? – but I promise I had good reasons for making the switch (and a good reason for why I don’t consider my new phone as part of my debt total).

Tips for buying a MacBook on a budget

I upgraded my paid-off phone (and I don’t regret it one bit)