Speaking of recurring service fees. What happens when people can no longer afford them? There will be a point when people will need to chose between phones and things like food, gas and mandated healthcare. Regardless of what the media reports, the economy is not improving. The U6 numbers are still too high. Wages are sputtering. There will be a cliff soon when personal discretionary spending will significantly change.
We are seeing this here in Arkansas in a bit of a different way - our Lottery sales have fallen for 4 consecutive months. The lottery folks seem baffled, even despite putting out some “new” games and incentives.
It’s simple - even the die-hard lotto-heads run out of money. And with the growing layoffs, ever-increasing taxes, and looming economic troubles still on the horizon - people just don’t have the $$$ to throw in the toilet on the Lottery.