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[allhailtheramen]

Share internet with your neighbor, if neither of you do crazy downloads or both stream Netflix at the same time. That's what I do - it cuts my bill in half.

[klaradeb]

I bought the cheapest Nokia around four years ago for about $50 - it's still going great, with a battery that lasts for almost a week, and I spend about $45 a year on pre-paid cards. I use it to send sms to my partner, in case of emergency, and so my parents can call me if necessary. Otherwise, I use skype, but I don't call a lot in the first place. I'm at home or at the office most of the time anyway, and when I'm out and about the last thing I want is to read student e-mails. I also have a Kindle 3G/WiFi (the keyboard version, I dislike touchscreens), which goes everywhere with me, but I rarely use the wireless. Internet at home is paid for by the university because I (mostly) use it for work. I got a MacBook Pro from my parents as a graduation gift years ago (my dad's employer reimburses a computer every three years), and so far I don't feel the need to change it, but when I have to I'll definitely get something cheaper.

Technology is like cars - you really can spend as much or as little as you want on it, and sometimes just doing without is the best solution. I know grad students in my program with an iPhone and a car (public transportation and bike lanes are excellent in GradCity) who keep whining about being poor, and it's really hard to take them seriously.

[professorpaint]

I think my solution is going to be to upgrade to an iPhone 4S or whatever the new version is, from my current outdated iPhone 3, but to get onto a family plan with my significant other and to get a discount on our plan through my employer. As someone pointed out upthread, I'm paying for a phone upgrade every month because the cost is built into the monthly charges so it doesn't make sense to not upgrade to a new phone. Plus, my current phone is getting draggy and seems to be having trouble handling the updated OS. Anyway, just thought I'd follow up. And of course, is really helpful use natural light instead of an iPhone when possible.