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Is Buying A Smartphone Case Frugal?

By Frugaling 9 Comments

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Is Buying A Smartphone Case Frugal?

Scared By Another’s Cracked Phone

My friend pulled out his black iPhone 5 and began typing into his screen. Something appeared askew, different then I remembered it. I glanced over the phone and blanched at a nasty crack along the glass face. Immediately, I thought, “I need a smartphone case.”

As a budding frugal man, self-identified minimalist, and spendthrift, buying a new iPhone 5 was probably financially irresponsible. With nearly $40,000 in debt, the latest gadgets are hardly necessities. My one excuse: I purchased the device before I started this journey to tackle my debt and improve my financial future.

Frugal Without A Case?

I developed a strong focus toward spending cuts (my own austerity) and smart financial moves. My iPhone 5, an homage to a bygone spending era, stuck with me. The phone was purchased, and the reasoning was that I would make this one count – this would last me more than a two-year contract cycle. I wasn’t going to fall prey to the lock-in tactics of major wireless carriers.

Despite this vestige to out of control spending, I left it naked, without a case. Somehow, as I entered the frugal world, it didn’t seem financially smart to buy more. Part of me was right. The other part was scared by what had happened to my friend.

Motivated by fear, I quickly purchased an iPhone case with a special discount (a Lifeproof case, in case you’re interested). Despite the sizable bargain, it was still nearly $40. Admittedly, the swift purchase was motivated by fear. I worried I would soon share a similar fate. But was it fiscally responsible?

Why Buy?

A cracked phone can cost hundreds of dollars to replace screens professionally. Even if you do it yourself, you’re looking a supplies and materials that can cost a small fortune. Suddenly, a $40 case seemed far more frugal. Even though I never dropped the iPhone or suffered such consequences, the threat of lost resale value is an important consideration.

Cases are a form of insurance. You’re lessening risk of loses with a smaller investment. With an expensive cost for accidents with these glass-heavy devices, it’s important to protect them. That is, if you’re going to own them at all. Because the reality is that it’s far more frugal to get a cheap, prepaid flip-phone.

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Comments

  1. Kat says

    August 8, 2013 at 4:52 pm

    That’s what I’ve got. An old (one of the first ones) silver flip tracfone. It’s awesome. I still feel like Captain Kirk every time I open it. 🙂 I love your posts ! 🙂

    Reply
    • Sam says

      August 9, 2013 at 1:07 pm

      Kat,

      Thanks for following along! I love your support.

      Flip phones are the perfect, frugal device. Cannot be more supportive of it. 🙂

      All the best,
      -S.

      Reply
  2. mrutopia says

    August 9, 2013 at 10:03 am

    Keen observation about a case being a form of insurance. With other types of insurance, though, the fancier and more costly your policy is, the greater coverage you get. With a phone case, they all pretty much do the same job so get one as cheap as possible! My wife found an iPhone 5 case online (shipped from somewhere like Singapore) for $8 and it works just fine.

    Reply
    • Sam says

      August 9, 2013 at 1:08 pm

      Mr. Utopia,

      You’re right. You hardly need to $40-100 on a case and suddenly your insurance seems even more worthwhile. Although, with a case like mine, you can actually add resale value and sell the case afterwards.

      -S.

      Reply
  3. Nick @ AYoungPro.com says

    August 9, 2013 at 10:57 am

    I don’t have a case for my iPhone and I haven’t for a year. I like to live dangerously. 😉

    Reply
    • Sam says

      August 9, 2013 at 1:08 pm

      Haha. Love it, Nick!

      I used to live so dangerously, but then I saw the light. 😉

      Reply
  4. Stefanie @ The Broke and Beautiful Life says

    August 9, 2013 at 1:54 pm

    I had my android for a year before dropping it with considerable force while gesturing animatedly in a slightly inebriated state. I cracked the screen. That was 4 months ago. Since then, even minor spills cause it to crack more and if I try using the phone in the rain it becomes completely useless- freezing, shutting off, etc. Definitely get a case. Praying I can get through the end of my contract without this one totally falling apart 🙁

    Reply
    • Sam says

      August 9, 2013 at 2:47 pm

      Stefanie,

      Haha. That can definitely happen! Heck – people should get cases for this very reason!

      Hope your phone lasts you and great work holding back,
      -S.

      Reply
  5. Andrew@livingrichcheaply says

    August 13, 2013 at 2:32 pm

    Yea I’m with Mr. Utopia…iPhone cases are cheap. Don’t buy those $40 ones at the store.

    Reply

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