55. Don't buy a phone every time a new model comes out.

Longer battery life? Yes. Better photos? Sure. Bragging rights, status sy EV! MNmbols, and impressing that attractive neighbor/colleague/person-on-the-treadmill-sweating-next-to-you? Um… is the answer to this question ever a ‘no’? While there is value in using what you have, the allure of a shiny new distraction device (a.k.a. phone) makes this ‘simple’ suggestion, really hard and rather un-appealing.

There are 162 new phones that come out each year (I made up this stat), so you can run through a lot of phones. I also read that the Gov’t is looking to ban frequent phone purchases to help stem this wasteful urge (also made up). What’s not made up is the human need to connect, impress and serve and phones/distraction-devices help humans pursue these goals, even if they’re purchased once a year or once every decade. 

To help you 'Don't buy a new phone every time a new model comes out' here’s a simple 2-step process:

Try to resist the urge

Break down and justify this purchase by rationalizing how often you use and based on cost per use per day, it's mere pennies. 

Your Future You left us a voicemail message referencing 'Don't buy a new phone every time a new model comes out' because he/she said you should save your money and use it to buy a human a drink IRL. We're not sure this argument is compelling enough. 

P.S. - It's been reported that Corporate Housing promotes 'Don't buy a new phone every time a new model comes out' because, corporate housing is about renting, and therefore buying just feels so…permanent, even if done once a year.  The flexibility of temporary living with your temporary phone. Just to think this all started with Gordon Gekko. See what the 'greed is good' mantra gets you?

Why does this ‘Future You’ Series exist? What’s it about?  

Promote easy, quirky sustainable practices that are NOT preachy, or guilt-ridden and without a focus on the ‘saving the planet’ (hint: the planet is going to survive no matter what we do). 

A playful post of simple ways to sorta improve our lives, and the lives of those we love. And improve our future lives… by doing stuff today. 

Still reading? Cool. We think you’re amazing and full of joyful zest. 

This series is based off ‘105 Simple Sustainable actions’ - from Stephane Omsanski’s article in Parade from 2021.

https://parade.com/1300935/stephanieosmanski/ways-reduce-carbon-emissions/

55. Don't buy a phone every time a new model comes out.

There's a shiny new model of smartphone at least once a year, but if you're willing to resist the temptation, it's the more sustainable choice to stick with the phone you have. The longer you hold onto your phone—so long as it work