近来，互联网开始引入一种前所未有的“团体”理念。邻居、朋友、亲戚甚至陌生人可以齐聚一堂，通过社交媒介一起体验游戏，谈天说地、互相了解。但这种网络社交活动是否增加了用户的经济负担？尽管社交媒介无需收费，但这些流行网络商品可能令玩家的荷包在不知不觉间大幅度缩水。

Social Media

1，团购

这算是一种最直接刺激消费的社交营销活动。Groupon, LivingSocial和Eversave网站会以团购之名打出关于购物、住宿和餐饮等各种服务最低可到1折的优惠活动和各种商品如新餐厅礼券或节日礼品等。哪怕用户本来并没有购物欲也很难抵抗折扣的诱惑。面对这种情况的最好解决方法是：不管是手工太妃糖或者奢华睫毛膏，凡是不需要的商品，哪怕再多人买我们都不能为之所动。

2，Facebook礼物

比起购买不必要的商品更浪费的一件事就是购买不需要的“虚拟”商品和服务。2009年，Facebook为了证明用户购买游戏虚拟商品确有其事，谣传其虚拟商品销售额高达1000万美元。如果在自己的经济能力范围内，偶尔互相送礼并没有坏处。但要注意人们有时候很难杜绝这一习惯。朋友和家人总是我们互相送礼的第一人选——我们也同样期待收到回礼。

3，手机数据包下载

随着手机基本功能不断扩大，用户的手机账单金额也跟着水涨船高。有些手机用户会每月计划好呼叫时长和短信数量，降低自己的手机费用。但更多的用户则没有任何计划地下载各种工具。这样一来，但凡是有网页浏览器、电子邮件和社交媒介平台功能的手机每月费用账单可轻松达到80到150美元。因此，人们在购买支持以上功能的手机的同时，要注意将这些功能费也算入每月消费中。其实家中的台式电脑是我们登录Facebook和Twitter账户最实惠的终端。

4，游戏

很多社交媒介网站向用户提供各种免费游戏让夜猫子网迷们消磨时间。但不幸的是，很多热门游戏的免费活动是有期限的，可能在24小时或7天的试用期后收费高飞猛涨。尽管社交网站上的游戏一般操作简单，可供消磨时间。但玩家如果想保持一定的游戏优势，就必须购买各种特权，如升级工具等。

总结

网上交友其实并不需要太多花费，但有时休闲社交网友们会进行各种体验。因此，在我们加入这些所谓的“免费团体”前，应该先估量其可能给荷包带来的影响，并根据自己的经济情况挑选社交活动。（本文为游戏邦/gamerboom.com编译）

The internet has allowed for a sense of community where there wasn’t one before. Neighbors, friends, relatives and even strangers can get together and chat, share advice, play games or learn more about each other via today’s social media opportunities. But are they also spending more cash? While social media may be free, these popular online commodities may be prompting you to blow your budget in a big way. (For more, see From The Printing Press To The Internet.)

1. Coupon Groups

This one’s more social marketing than social media, but it can really encourage you to spend. One of the hottest new ways to purchase just about anything is with the power of a group, and sites like Groupon, LivingSocial and Eversave have made headlines with their attention-grabbing offers of up to 90% off on shopping, restaurant and specialty merchandise purchases. While they are a great opportunity to buy a gift certificate for a new restaurant you were already going to try, or to stock up on gifts for the upcoming holiday, the temptation to buy things you don’t need (or won’t use) is high. The alluring price point, often presented in a percentage off the regular price, is made even more attractive by the brief purchasing window.

The moral of this story is clear: Don’t let a ticking timer pressure you into $50 in handmade taffy or a luxury eyebrow wax if it wasn’t in your budget to begin with – no matter how many other people are buying.

2. Facebook Gifts

The only thing more wasteful than buying goods and services you don’t really want is to buy “virtual” gifts and services that you don’t really want. In 2009, Facebook made a rumored $10 million in its business of selling virtual tokens via the site’s games and applications, proving that users are buying, whether they can afford to or not. It’s perfectly fine to partake in the gifting, provided it’s within your spending allowance. Just be aware that it may be a hard habit to avoid. Friends and family are usually the first to gift – and often expect to be gifted in return.

3. Cell Phone Data Packages

As the functions of the basic cell phone have expanded, so has the bill for its particular data plan. Some customers are adept at sticking to the minimum in coverage, getting basic plans for their call minutes and enough text messages to get through a month, but even more demand the tech tools that only an unlimited data plan can provide. This can push the monthly bill for a smart phone with web-browsing, email and instant access to social media accounts easily into the $80-$150 range.

Before investing in the phone that does everything, be aware of the cost for such capabilities. Your home computer might still be the most affordable place to check those Facebook and Twitter accounts. (For more, check out 6 Tips For Getting A Good Cell Phone Plan.)

4. Games

Many social media sites offer users the chance to play games for free, giving those late-night web fanatics something fun to pass the time with. Unfortunately, many of the most popular (and addictive) games are free for a limited time only. After a 24-hour to seven-day trial, for example, the price goes up dramatically to $20 or more for the pricier versions.

In addition to simple arcade-style games that help burn away minutes on your lunch break, RPGs (role playing games) offer free play but may require paid privileges to remain competitive. Vacation time, upgrades from the light version and specialized gaming tools are all examples of ways gamers can spend money for a better outcome, encouraging a “pay to play” model even within a free game. (For a related reading, see Play Video Games; Become A Millionaire.)

The Bottom Line

Finding friends online shouldn’t cost much, but it can often cause social media fans to dig deep for an optimized experience. Before getting too involved with any “free” community, take time to learn how your budget can be affected, and adjust your activities accordingly. (For more, check out 6 Ways To Save Online.) （Source：SfGate）