Disclosure

“I don’t want those backless trendy shoes.”

“I will never EVER E.V.E.R. own or drive a mini van.”

“I have no need to upgrade to a fancy-shmancy “smart” phone.”

These are all three phrases I muttered quite loudly over the past few years. I own the shoes, we just bought our second mini van and I swear by my iPhone.

My attitude about things change once I try them out or sit down to evaluate the pros and cons. When the iPhone came out with FaceTime, I really saw past the novelty and saw the connectivity value of it. We shared a cellular plan with my mother-in-law, who shared my prior “no-smart-phone-needed” attitude. DH called her up and described the ability to watch the kids open presents on their birthday, to hear them perform in the talent show and to see her granddaughters grow before her eyes – all from halfway across the country. Acknowledging the personal value is all it took and our family joined the smart phone revolution.

As time went by, I loaded more and more apps and found more and more uses for my smart phone. FaceTime as well as sharing online were only a small fraction of the use. I found myself saving a lot of money with digital coupons and promotions for stores, activities and restaurants while comparing prices on products. My mother-in-law who used to carry a camera EVERYWHERE, now relies primarily on her iPhone for taking photos. She also started texting and using Find-a-Friend to track us when we traveled to see her. She recently said she seldom turns on her computer any more. The more we have smart phones, the more uses we find for them. It isn’t about having a toy, it is about having something that improves the quality of life.

Along the way, I’ve lost track of how many people I have converted with “you want an iPhone, you just don’t KNOW you want an iPhone.” I’m not exaggerating. At least two neighbors and a few more at the gym that I can think of off the top of my head. We even caved in and decided to get an iPhone for our 11 year old daughter. We’ve been surprised by how much we have come to rely on her having it!

U.S. Cellular offers great plans, an awesome coverage area with 4G LTE and even offers workshops on learning to use your phone. While device workshops are offered around the country, our local U.S. Cellular even goes the extra mile to visit the Center for Active Seniors of Iowa and teach them how to use their phones. That incredible personal attention is one of the reasons I’m excited to be a U.S. Cellular Blogger Brigade member. That’s also why I’m thrilled to be able to offer this phenomenal giveaway for a U.S. Cellular iPhone 5s.

While the phone is locked to U.S. Cellular, it doesn’t disqualify you from entering to win. You may be in the U.S. Cellular coverage area and didn’t even realize it! I still regularly hear people say they have no need for a smart phone but I think they just don’t know what all it is capable of. It connects families, encourages photographing the world around you, allows you to save money and get organized.

If you don’t want a smart phone, what is your reason? Enter to win one and maybe you’ll realize how awesome they are!

iPhone 5s from SahmReviews.com & U.S. Cellular

