We are extremely lucky to live in a world where smartphones like the Galaxy and the iPhone are readily available. It is also a privilege to have tablets like the Kindle and the iPad available as well. Truly this is a world where we have instant communication and information at our very fingertips. But there is a huge price to pay for this technology and it’s usually in the $300 to $800, depending on how many gigabytes you desire.

Knowing the high price of technology, coupled with the need to have this technology part of our everyday lives, it can take its toll on our pocketbooks. So how do own both a tablet and a smartphone and still pay for our rent?

Ask yourself this: Do you really need both? There was an argument that the iPad was basically a large version of the iPhone. They both served your basic online needs: email, social media and viewing media. The only difference being everything was bigger on the iPad. I will admit that all of my music listening and photo taking are done with my iPhone. In that case, advantage: smartphone. But on the other hand, all my book and magazine reading as well as my Internet viewing are done with my Kindle. Advantage: tablet.

Here’s another issue to resolve: data contracts. In purchasing both a smartphone and a tablet, you might be subject to data fees. You have to pay to be in the network, 3G or 4G or whatever comes out next. You are constantly paying and are obligated to pay for Internet services specifically for those devices. Now ask yourself this: Do you use the tablet mostly at home while using your own home WiFi? If so, then paying extra for a network is not really worth it. Another thing is that your home ISP may have its own complimentary WiFi network that you can log into. I know sometimes you have to get that email or you have to make that Facebook post, but it can be done mainly with one of your devices.

I find myself addicted to both devices equally but my tablet usage is mainly done at home with my own home WiFi. No data contracts needed nor wanted for that device. On the other hand, I pay a monthly handful for my smartphone and its data network. My iPhone is compact and easy to travel with, thus it becomes my defacto email client and my web browser in emergencies. My tablet, on the other hand, is a luxury item to watch HD movies and play puzzle games for hours. The choice is clear with me, smartphones are worth the price of the data contract due to convenience while the tablet can be best used with your own Wifi or when a network is free and available.

Image credit: Domenic K. on Flickr