Yeah. I said it.
I am barely a few years from 50, so maybe I sound like a cranky curmudgeon yelling at kids to get off my lawn.
But I just don’t get apps. Or paying for apps.
Many of you may disagree and point to examples of useful apps.
There are innumerable apps that may be helpful considering your profession and its use.
But let’s face it – most of us buy apps to play games.
Yes, they start out as free. About 98% of all apps are free.
However, like toner for Xerox machines or gasoline for gas, there is always a catch to get you to pay for play.
Free apps are limited in function, feature unimpressive graphics, and almost always require subsequent payments to unlock in-feature extras.
Some apps require monthly payments of $7 to $50 to maintain.
And what do we get out of them?
If you enjoy playing video games, more power to you.
But do you just collect apps, use them once or twice, and then never again?
Also, if you don’t pay attention to the fine print, your credit card could be automatically charged for monthly maintenance fees.
It’s a waste of time and money.
One thing I am learning as an adult is that free time should be used to learn new skills or perfect personal finance plans.
Or learning how to budget better. Budgeting is a skill that must be continuously perfected.
I just think that adults should have better things to do with their time than to play with apps, especially if they do so to distract themselves from their life problems.
There’s An Extra Charge for That
The closest I ever came to buying an app for was a laptop version of a mobile game called TRACON! several years ago.
It’s essentially a simulator that helps train airline traffic controllers to do their job. (Hey, there’s an
app for everything, right?)
The game retails for about $35. However, there is only a limited number of airports in the game to practice air traffic controller skills.
I would have to pay $5 to $10 per city to open up new air traffic controlling practicing opportunities.
Do you have any idea had grandly stupid it is to dedicate a percentage of one’s personal finance for such a thing?
No, I didn’t buy it (It’s probably cheaper to just become an air traffic controller). But the experience helped me to understand how the economics of apps work and how the creators of such get paid.
I am not denying you your right to leisure time as you see fit.
However, as it did with cryptocurrencies, Popeyes chicken sandwiches, and the Gangnam Style dance, unreasonable cultural crazes subside, and people eventually come to their senses.
Unless you have a substantial need for an app, or use it often, you’re just wasting time and money.
If you use budgeting apps, make sure they are free. Otherwise, you’ll have to budget money to pay for an app to tell you how to budget money.
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Allen Francis was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years with no money, no financial literacy, and no responsibility when he had money. To him, the phrase “personal finance,” contains the power that anyone has to grow their own wealth. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including focusing on your needs instead of your wants, asking for help when you need it, saving and investing in your own small business.