Technology (iPhones/smart phones/iPads/tablets blah blah) is now the way of the world, I don't particularly like it but with teens, I have to put up with it.
My kids MUST have a laptop or tablet for ebooks for school. (School rules)The licence for the ebooks lasts 12mths and is only about $15 dollar cheaper than the book itself in some cases, I suspect eventually this will come down when they figure out what to do with all the businesses that print these school books (and constantly bring out new editions with bugger all updates to keep the money coming in but that's a different topic...sorry!)
We were prepared to buy a dell or equiv. one daughter wanted a mac book, we made her pay the difference and it was her Xmas gift, yep, I am that miserable!
The next daughter was happy with the standard laptop as she wanted to hang onto her money. Also a Xmas gift. As are 10 professional driving lessons. Heck if we are giving up 70hrs of our time to teach them driving, it is more a gift for us but hey, thems the breaks!,
The next two will have to have them next year and same deal.
They get pocket money. Some of their chores are compulsory, they are part of the family after all but they can earn extra for extra jobs. They buy their own credit with those jobs or go without and use wifi.
Eldest daughter got a P/T job and bought phone on contract, 'sold' her other phone to us and we changed the screen, replaced the battery and gave to another child as a birthday gift etc etc.
We also need to get the two younger ones phones this year as it's a new school, much further away and I need to contact them, same deal, this is what we will buy you, you pay for your own credit with extra chores and if you want a better phone you pay the difference.
I still think we are spoiling them!!! ...but they have manners and know how to behave on the upside, on the downside, it doesn't seem to make them any more careful, even when they are having to replace their own screens from dropping them! (Or if we replace them it is generally a birthday gift with a movie ticket for them and a friend to soften the deal!)
It is tough for parents trying to keep a balance, and keep up with the way the world is going.
Investor, my advice would be to decide what you are prepared to do and let your daughter meet you some of the way. You could say you were prepared to get her an 8gb but are going to a 16gb because of recent events but if she wants 32gb she does xyz to make up the difference (part cash/part chores) and do a deal on phone credit. I personally prefer the tel-stra pre paid set ups, they are good value and more reliable coverage if that is an issue.
