If you live in America (especially), you are bombarded with ads, commercials, consumer branding in movies, and so on…

This is a fact of Life, but…

It appears that many of us succumb to the influence and brainwashing tactics of the big corporations and the big media.

Take the iPhone, for example. Now, Apple, Inc. is one of the most successful corporations ever, and they have hired the best marketing and consumer branding people to get their message across to consumers. Surely, they have great products that are well designed, and its elegance and sophisticated design technology has produced the iPhone.

Of course, people pay a hefty price for the latest iPhone (in this case the iPhone 4S), and the unlimited data plan is irresistable. Imagine being able to surf the web, interact on your favorite social networking sites, pay your bills online, listen to your music, videos, etc… and do just about anything and everything on an iPhone.

iPhones are, of course, smartphones.

They are capable of handle dozens of important tasks in todays technologically advanced society.

The fact is… it’s possible to live without all this technology.

It just depends on how frugal you wish to go with your lifestyle.

Did I make a mistake, being a professed frugal person, in buying an iPhone 4S?

I’m paying a bit more each money for a family plan that includes unlimited phone, texting, web access. And, I bought the iPhone 4S for $199.99.

But, if I break down all the tasks that this iPhone can accomplish in my day-to-day routine, perhaps getting a smartphone was a worthy investment. And, that’s how this type of purchase should be treated, as an investment.

If I would count all the savings made with other purchases (a very in-expensive HP desktop computer, for instance) then perhaps things even out with regard to my computer and home office purchases.

I know of a person who, for years, lived without a phone, mobile or home. Now he has a mobile phone.

Maybe, there is a certain need to keep up (just a little bit) with the technology. Before my iPhone 4S, I had a Blackberry Curve that didn’t have web or email access, and just functioned as a phone. I had this for 4 years, and for me that was a good example of frugality.

Maybe I did have a need for an iPhone 4S, or maybe I had succumbed to the brainwashing tactics of Apple, Inc. For they seemed to have convinced me that I do have a need for this technological wonder.

We live in a definite “me” driven era…

And perhaps part of this phenomenon is rampant consumerism, which always promotes the idea and notion that the individual is entitled to whatever consumer goods and services they supposedly are entitled to.

Do I need all that expensive electronics gadgetry? Can I really afford all that expensive electronics gadgetry?

If I am into all that expensive organic foods (i.e. free range, grass fed, whole foods) can I really afford it?

These are questions one must ask.

What is your monthly budget?

What can you really afford without having to break the bank?

Myself, I’ve been a big spender in the past. I’ve been into all sorts of interests, hobbies and passions that have cost me quite a bit of money, financially speaking.

Nowadays, saving and investing is a passion. Helping to let your investments make money for you passively.

Along with living a more frugal lifestyle and getting by on less, it is essential for everyone to save their money and let your money work for you for a good retirement.

Don the cap of the frugal master, then all else will fall into place.