In my circle of friends, I'm known as a complete gadget geek. I'm the kind of person who buys tech stocks, keeps up with industry news, and camps out in front of stores to make sure I get the newest products as soon as they hit the shelves. In short, I'm an early adopter, which is why my friends and family always come to me when they want advice about the trendiest consumer electronic goods on the market.

I'm especially knowledgeable about the latest cell phones, so it's no surprise that most of the questions I field are about these products. I have at least 3-4 different handsets at any given time, and try to upgrade to newer models several times per year. I'm not partial to any particular brand, so you're liable to see me carrying the latest cell phone from manufacturers like Samsung, Motorola, Nokia, LG, or even Sony Ericcson. Of course, if I find a unit that I really love, such as the Apple iPhone or Blackberry Pearl, I'll hold onto those far longer than usual.

Some people wonder how I can afford to have the latest cell phones at all times. Well, I wish I could say that I have some sort of secret connection to an industry insider, but that's not the case at all. It simply comes down to something as boring as shopping around for the best deals. Most stores will take trade-ins, and since I always have a recent model to exchange, I don't pay as much as you'd think. Plus, I know that I can always find awesome discounts and deals when I shop for the latest cell phones online, so it doesn't cost all that much to be a trendsetter.

Finding the right mobile calling plan is also an important part of the equation. After all, it doesn't do me any good to have the latest cell phone if I can't use it whenever I want! Fortunately, most of the major carriers offer a wide variety of calling plans with a range of features that can be customized to meet my specific needs. So I have one plan for my business calls, another for friends, and a third for family. This works out great for me, and almost justifies my need for so many of the latest cell phones.

Even if you don't share my all-out obsession with trendy gadgets, there might come a point in time when you find yourself wanting the latest cell phone. When that happens, you'll be glad you read my advice!