A truly "smart" phone plan

A truly "smart" phone plan!

I used to pay too much!

My old cell phone plan was a $35/mo. prepaid service from Virgin Mobile, which ran on the Sprint network in my area. It worked well, and I liked Virgin Mobile just fine. The service in my area was seamless, and the price of $35 per month (plus tax) was pretty good. The phone itself was well-made, and I became a fan of HTC!

But when I moved to an area that Virgin Mobile did not service, I knew I'd have to switch. And, considering that my old phone (an HTC One V that cost me $80 in 2013) was getting painfully slow, it was a good excuse to upgrade.

How to Shop for a Laptop

How To Shop for a Laptop 

The smart way to determine what you need and how to get the best value

Your Next Phone

Your Next Smartphone

What to get for your next mobile device? With so many choices, it can be tough to make up your mind! When you consider all the possible options, you might get a facial expression like this guy:

Water balloon toss guy...the original image is hilarious! See it here: 

http://s191.photobucket.com/user/Gooey_GUI/media/water-balloon-toss.jpg.html

And, of course, the hype about the new devices being revealed at this year's Mobile World Congress (and the slew of commercials that are sure to follow) will muddy the waters for anyone looking to get a good deal on their next phone.

Here's a pro tip: If you haven't already done so, let your cell carrier's contract run out, get an unlocked phone and an off-contract plan, and enjoy paying under $50 per month--probably less than half of what you're currently paying!

There are a ton of devices out there for any budget...but not all of them are worthwhile! How can you tell which phones are a good deal and which are junk?

Never fear, the Froogal Stoodent is here to point you toward some of the best options for any budget!

Around the web 2/28/2015

Not all lottery winners are financially irresponsible. Take this woman in Ireland, for example, who is investing her lottery winnings into her hometown (and charities), to provide opportunity for others:
http://www.celebritynetworth.com/articles/entertainment-articles/unemployed-woman-wins-46-million-lottery-jackpot-gives-2-million-away/

Antoine Walker, however, had to learn his lesson the hard way. He now advocates the importance of saying "no." Walker plans to spread this message in his forthcoming book and documentary about his personal financial struggles. (This book and documentary will probably make him another windfall! It seems that he's learned his lesson, though--perhaps he'll hang on to his money this time around!)
http://www.celebritynetworth.com/articles/entertainment-articles/antoine-walker-blew-110-million/


Think Bill Gates is the richest person ever? Think again! Time for a history lesson:
http://www.celebritynetworth.com/articles/entertainment-articles/deeper-look-life-mansa-musa-richest-human-ever-lived/

This is why I prefer Android over iOS...and, really, why I don't recommend buying Apple products: http://www.techtimes.com/articles/35889/20150227/googles-sundar-pichai-calls-out-apple-irresponsible-charge-much.htm
To be clear, I think Apple makes quality products. I also think they charge too much for their quality products, and--like the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright--don't trust their customers enough.

Excellent advice on how to build a Warren Buffett-like portfolio that puts your money to work for you: http://www.dividendmantra.com/2014/10/create-your-own-miniature-berkshire-hathaway/

And, if you've ever wondered what $1 trillion would look like in $100 bills (US), there's a rendering here: http://www.celebritynetworth.com/articles/entertainment-articles/1-trillion-dollars-look-like/

Premium Laptops 2015

Premium Laptops 2015

This is an old article and will no longer be updated. Please see my latest version here.

Being Froogal doesn’t mean you can't have nice stuff! The trick is to allocate your resources effectively. If you can justify the purchase of a higher-quality, more expensive item because you need it for work or a hobby and you can afford a premium item, you can still get a great value!

The Great App Debate

Confused about the debate over Apple's locked-down ecosystem vs. Google Play or Windows Store's open--but potentially more hazardous--ecosystems?

Here's the deal:

Developers for apps must go through a laborious and slow process to develop an app or program for iOS or OS X. The app is reviewed by programmers at Apple, and may be denied permission to go on Apple's app store. Apple uses this process because it ensures a better user experience and ensures stability in the operating system (assuming Apple's programmers review the programs carefully, which they generally do).

However, this approach limits developers who may want to do something that Apple doesn't allow. It also limits a user's choice, as some reputable developers or companies do not release their app for iOS, due to the extra time and effort it takes to go through their screening process.

Microsoft, on the other hand, essentially didn't screen admissions to their app store, resulting in many buggy--or just plain dishonest--apps and programs. Microsoft is working on cleaning up this mess, but it's going to take time. Google strikes a pretty good balance with Android, as there are more apps on Google Play than there are on Apple Store or on Windows Store, and the majority of the apps for Android are useful and honest.

People often complain online about Apple's "locked-down ecosystem." It's essentially a philosophical complaint more than anything. Apple will restrict others' freedom in order to ensure that their products work well. Google and Microsoft allow a much greater degree of freedom for both developers and users, but the tradeoff is that users have to know a little bit about computers (and scammers!) to take advantage of that freedom.

Personally, I balk at someone telling me what I can and cannot do, particularly if they're trying to sell me really expensive stuff like Apple does. But there is a good argument to be made for Apple's procedure (for example, Microsoft's messy Windows Store. There's a good article about it here: http://www.engadget.com/2014/08/28/microsoft-explains-windows-store-crackdown/).

Okay, nerdy tech talk for the week complete.