The High Costs of a Digital Life.

I remember back when I would watch movies that would depict the future and what it would be like, all the digital services around the home, home automation, information everywhere and I used to think, boy that would be cool but its going to cost a fortune. Then as these things started coming to realization I started to think some more about how cool this stuff is but its never going to be all over because who's going to keep paying for more and more services.

Present day, I for one pay for more and more services!

Keep in mind we're talking digital life services here, most of these things you can most certainly do without. Which means they are already above and beyond those we already pay for, you know things like water, heat, electricity and sewer bills. Those types of services are not even thought of anymore you just simply budget and pay them. So are digital services becoming the same way?

Most people may already include cable or satellite TV into a service we simply pay for or how about cell phones everyone's got one of those these days right? Yet think beyond those to things like pay per view, HBO, text messaging, email and Internet on your phone. All those are becoming just as important. Broadband Internet service is another modern day service that you pretty much must have, but at what speed? How much are we willing to pay and can we do without it?

Between my cable/ Internet bill, my cell phone bill and the home security bill I pay allot for services, but those are the ones I feel are commonplace and I've become numb to the payments. Sure they are the first to go if money ever got tight but for now I'm not sure what we'd do without them. Then there are things like my WOW subscription and Xbox Live and not to mention my Blockbuster account and things start to add up.

Which is why today I started scratching my head as I began to want an Apple TV, high def rentals, sign me up (of course I already have that service with Xbox Live and have never used it).

But the one thing that holds it all together is the fact that I feel I'm not spending money on entertainment and services "just to have them", they all generally get used. That is the most important part to me, the cost = the value.

That and lets face it, we never go out, but is it because we don't want to, or can't afford to!

The cost of a digital life may be high, but if you can afford it and you enjoy it, there is allot to be enjoyed. Just make sure the bills are paid first, you can't enjoy much digital life sitting in a cold room with no electricity!