Comments on: Cutting Out Information Overload & Focusing On Things that Improve Your Life

By: Sherri

Sherri — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 16:22:07 +0000

I have a phone with an unlimited data plan right now that I have to have for work, paid for by work. I hope someday to go back to a regular phone and do away with all the distractions that I have on there: email, & facebook being the 2 biggest time-wasters. I try to be a good example for friends, and not pick it up at all when I’m with them, but they all seems to always be on theirs. And I often am the one sitting there just sipping my drink looking around while they are all looking at their phones… (and I’m 46 with several friends in their early 50’s, but many in their late 20’s and 30’s). I often long for the days before smart phones and facebook. Love your post and that you got rid of yours. It sounds so FREEING!!!

By: Kayla @ Red Debted Stepchild

Kayla @ Red Debted Stepchild — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:43:50 +0000

Wow! Now that is a change. I too feel that I am using my phone too often, usually to fill short 2-3 mintues bursts of inactivity. But why? I could live in the here and now more often and enjoy things around me more if I didn’t pick up my phone every time there is a short pause in things going on around me. We all need to at least reduce our data dependence.

By: Jayson @ Monster Piggy Bank

Jayson @ Monster Piggy Bank — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 09:27:55 +0000

I also had a bigger amount of phone bill which I was not expecting at all. Since then, I cut it off and just used promo provided by line subscriber. Until now, I am using that means just to control my phone expenses because I only subscribe to promos whenever I need it the most.

By: dojo

dojo — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 17:34:46 +0000

I was THE ONLY known blogger in my city (and country) to NOT have a smartphone. I purchased one 2 months ago (will change carriers and the old one had to be ‘unlocked’, which was an useless costs for a 5 year old phone anyway). Got myself a very cheap LG (about 150 bucks – with no plan, so the ‘full price’ was paid), which has data and wi-fi. Have disabled 3G and use the wi-fi, sporadically. I have my wi-fi at home, where I also work as a web designer. If I am off my laptop, I am offline and won’t bother with the internet 😀

By: Steph (@ 20 Years Hence)

Steph (@ 20 Years Hence) — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 15:33:53 +0000

When my husband and I returned to Toronto following our 2-years of traveling, one of the first things we debated was getting a cell phone plan (our phones are unlocked, so we would just do month-to-month pay as you go), but to be completely honest, once we saw the price of plans here in Canada we were absolutely flabbergasted and just couldn’t justify the cost. The truth is, most people are used to getting in touch with us via email these days and chatting with us via Skype and the like, so every so often we borrow one of my parents cell phones with have talk minutes and texting and that’s more than enough. Would I like to be able to jump on our phones when we’re out and about looking for a place to eat? Sure, but I actually enjoy being unplugged, given that I spend most of my day in front of the computer, and I agree that once you have that easy access to the web, it’s all too easy to get tangled up in it. It’s generally not too terribly difficult to find free WiFi if we really need it, but I always remind myself that 10+ years ago, hardly anyone even had a cell phone and we all managed to survive!

By: Cari @ The Thrifty Yankee

Cari @ The Thrifty Yankee — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 15:11:02 +0000

Great post – you’ve come to the realization that many people are now coming too; phone’s are a time suck. I’m guilty too. I no longer use my iPhone as a phone, just as an iPod Touch when I’m on wifi which is just about everywhere and it’s cut back on the amount of time that I’ve spent filling my mind with crap.

I still could improve a little though. My BF doesn’t have a phone and it drives him crazy and rightfully so when I pick it up in the middle of a conversation with him. It’s rude.

I’m trying to pick up an actual book now when I have a few minutes to spare.

By: Marie @ The Money Template

Marie @ The Money Template — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 11:26:18 +0000

I installed FB, Twitter and IG on my phone and tablet and I can even find myself in the middle of the night still reading peoples’ status and looking at their pictures. I know, it’s not really right and I need to control it. Btw, I can’t wait for your honeymoon!

By: Zee @ Work-To-Not-Work

Zee @ Work-To-Not-Work — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 06:11:49 +0000

It’s all those reasons that you mentioned that I never wanted a smartphone in the first place. Yes I realize that you can actually get work done on them, but at the same time I get more frustrated when I’m out with people and they are engaged with their phones and not the people that they are actually out with.

I’m sure someday I will probably get one, but it’s not something I’m rushing towards.

By: Kara

Kara — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 20:22:06 +0000

This reminds me of one of my New Year’s resolutions to leave my phone alone more often. It’s gross how mindlessly I reach for it sometimes! This post is a good reminder! 🙂

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 17:33:27 +0000

It’s all clear now – haha sorry for the out of context recommendation on cheaper data… you don’t want any data!

By no means am I some monk in total control, but I feel like I have a handle on my smartphone and it’s mainly used as a tool rather than time-sink-blackhole.

I average around 500mb data a month with wifi at work and home. If you ever decide to get back into having some data, hit me up. Kodoo prepaid is amazing (the pre-bought data never expires).

Congrats on eliminating a time waster in your life!