I'll have to double check the quote, since a friend told me it was in the hard copy version of the Albuquerque Journal this morning, but the Journal takes an "in-depth look" at the financial impact on today's people thanks to technology, "can't live without" yoga classes, Starbucks for coffee, etc.

The writer, Andrew Webb, mentions early on that it is in part a result of technological advances that people think they can't live without (Internet access, cell phones, digital cable and the like). I can see his point in a way. But one of the things he forgets about is that when someone gets a cell phone and a cable modem, they don't need a landline. And if you make a lot of long distance calls, like I do, then the cell phone is actually cheaper than a landline as long as you know to say in your minutes, etc., etc.

But what of the incessant ringing? Of people being able to call you all hours of the day? I'd never want to be a slave to my cell phone, the technophobes say.

Then you turn it off. That's the beautiful thing about cell phones. They have a little button that allows you to turn the battery off. Then it doesn't ring. Amazing how that works.

"Sorry boss, my cell phone must have been off."

In addition to that, Webb also mentions that people are spending more money at the gym with a personal trainer, or on that morning cup of coffee at Starbucks, or paying for kids to go to private schools.

If you really want to spend money on a personal trainer, might I recommend studying at T-VI's Fitness Technician program? It's amazing what you'll learn to help you get in shape, and the classes are free! All you pay for are the school fees and books, plus they have a small fitness facility that you can work out in also, and you learn more than a lot of trainers in town!

Or, since I love powerlifting, you can drop that $100 a fortnight on me and I'll put you through a workout.

Starbucks... Starbucks... Oh well, I knew there was a reason I went to Satellite Coffee instead. ;-)
Private school? Oh yeah, that must be nice... (this is where I'm tempted to say "Then you don't have kids! More to spend on yourself..") ;-)

But it's in most people's nature to want their children to have better than they did, to improve their lot in life, so to speak. It was true with my parents and us kids, and I'm sure it'll be true of any kids my siblings or I have.

It's a matter of trading money for time. In business classes they teach us that your two main finite resources are just that, money and time. You only have so much of either, and if you want more of one, you have to have less of the other. If you want life to be more convenient, to have more time, then usually you have to spend the money on that quick cup of coffee, if you don't want to take classes at T-VI then go ahead and get a trainer. It's a trade off, and I think most people recognize and accept that.

I like the irony that you get to read about how much more expensive technology is helping to make our lives from the Journal's Web site.