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).