“Was that really a smart financial decision?” a friend asked after I bought the
By Andri Sadlak · October 5, 2026 · Curated by George's Blog
“Was that really a smart financial decision?” a friend asked after I bought the iPhone 18 Pro Max on release day.
Fair question…
I thought I’d do a little weekend mental exercise to challenge my own consumerism.
I buy my phones outright.
→ My previous iPhone 13 Pro Max 512 GB cost around US$1,149 refurbished. I used it for 4 years and 7 months, then traded it in for $320.
($1,149 − $320) ÷ 1,692 days = 49 cents a day.
→ Using a rough $950 refurbished estimate for the comparable Samsung S21 Ultra 512 GB, that’s 56 cents a day before resale (are they worth anything after 4-5 years?).
49 cents feels reasonable for something I use constantly. Of course, that explains my old phone. Not whether I needed a new one 😂
I love Apple’s design and cameras. I use a Mac for its screen quality, and having everything in one ecosystem makes life easier.
Their branding gets me too. As a creative, I feel they know exactly how to speak to me.
Their “Surprise and shine” presentation... ah! Clear storytelling works magic!
The real challenge? Keeping this one just as long 😂
→ What purchase have you caught yourself doing mental gymnastics to justify?