We are spending too much money

as a country according to the economists. Our productivity is down and our expenses are up. Taxation has risen and wages have risen to try and cover the increased cost of living. And all that leads to inflation. 

I think anyone who thinks about these things knows that. 

My bank balance plummeted yesterday. I bought a new mobile phone. It is not something I wanted to do but the old one has died. It will no longer work. 

I liked that phone. It was an old "flip-top" phone. It was about sixteen or seventeen years old. As it was working on "4G" I tried putting a new battery into it but that did not solve the problem and "the man at the phone repair booth" eventually shrugged and said, "You need a new phone."

I sighed and went off to an actual shop. I went with Middle Cat as she knows a great deal more about these things than I do. Yes, I had done some hours of "research" online but it had left me more confused than connected. 

Part of the problem for me is the fact my fine motor skills are quite definitely not as good as those of most people. I explained this to the nice young and enthusiastic salesman in the shop. I also explained I did not want to go into debt for the next one hundred years. He gave me the sort of look which said, "Yes, I know what you want but it does not exist - yet." 

But, he really was a nice young and enthusiastic salesman. He actually smiled and actually said, "There is no need to spend thousands but you do need to spend a bit - unless you want this."

He produced a small, Barbie-pink phone. His smile told me he knew I would not want that. "We sell a few of these to younger teenagers he said. Now, what do you want your phone to be able to do?"

Middle Cat and I explained about the upcoming trip away but, apart from that, I really only need a phone for making and receiving calls. I do not want to spend my time outside my sleeping mat in looking at a screen. I hope I never want to do that. 

He listened. He was also sensitive enough to let me try the "touch" of several screens and showed me a slightly easier way to do something. "It's a trick most people don't know about."

I ordered what we thought would be best and today I might just be in possession of a new phone. It seems more like a mini-computer to me but I am told there are much more complex phones. 

To me the cost of this was high. I would have stayed with the old phone if that had been possible but I had the money in the bank. I could pay for this new "toy" outright. I did not need a loan and I will not be paying an exorbitant amount of interest. If I had needed a loan and been able to get one I would still have bought a phone because there is no "land line" here. It is, for safety reasons, desirable to be able to get help if I need it. It is, for reasons of mental health, good for me to be able to make contact with my family and friends - and to make sure that some people I know are okay. 

What it is not like is spending a lot of money on something I really did not need. I know the trip overseas in September seems like that but I have budgeted and saved for that. It has been more than twenty years since I even had a holiday and Middle Cat and I need some time away.  My BIL wants both of us to go. Brother Cat has said, "About time you went." I am trying to see that, and the phone, as something I really need.

What I won't need, even if I could afford it, is a five start hotel and Michelin rated restaurants. Even if I could I don't think that is any way to enjoy myself. It is just a pity our national and state governments seem to think differently - and that they are still pursuing the impossible dream of an economically and environmentally responsible "net zero".