I keep things simple when it comes to hardware — practical, affordable, and efficient. Right now, I use two iPhones in rotation: both iPhone 12 minis, one with 64 GB of storage and the other with 128 GB. The 128 GB isn't any faster — it just has more room and gives me another computer to work with. Plus, the battery lasts a lot longer when it's not constantly searching for a cell signal, which is a big deal in this one-bar town.

I buy all my phones renewed and unlocked on Amazon. It saves me a ton of money and gives me the flexibility to switch carriers or repurpose devices whenever I need to.

I stick with Mint Mobile as my carrier. It's inexpensive, reliable, and keeps things flexible. I've learned that saving money on the boring stuff means I can spend it on what actually matters — like good software or supporting the creators and podcasts I love.

I also have an iPad — an older one my brother passed down — and it still gets the job done. I know how to make slower hardware work for me. I turn off automatic updates, keep things lightweight, and don't rush to the latest version of iOS. I'll upgrade eventually, but I like knowing how my devices behave.

For me, technology isn't about having the newest toy — it's about using the tools I trust to create, learn, and connect. If it works, it works.

Switch to Mint Mobile and stop spending so much on your wireless plan. Use my referral link to get $15 in renewal credit — then use the money you save to buy me lunch or something (as a thank you). If you sign up using my link, I may hopefully receive some free service too. 👉 http://fbuy.me/uRVfM

Originally written by Bryan Scott Gruver on October 16, 2025. Edited by ChatGPT. Title created by ChatGPT.