[tomjen3]

You very rarely need an iphone.

With a car you have to take into account whether it can be assumed to improve your likely hood of getting a better job/getting any job/keeping your current job or otherwise make you money.

A cell phone may very well be necessary to get a job. It likely doesn't have to be an iphone, but it may be the cheapest option if you can get one subsidized, especially since it allows you not to have to pay too much money right now.

In general debt can be a very good thing iff you can reasonably expect to make more money than you did before.