Should you buy the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9?

I know what you're thinking: You have a smartphone with a powerful camera that you can carry in your pocket, so why would you want an instant camera to carry around?

While our iPhones and Android smartphones are great cameras, it's not the same as having a Polaroid-like camera with a classic twist. For many, the satisfaction with an instant camera is not the end result, but the fun involved with getting the snapshot and then watching it develop onto a print right before your eyes.

Sure, you need to get the shot "perfect" since there's only one chance for every print (and it's not cheap), but part of the fun is the setup. Plus, even if you mess up or it's not perfect, it's still a memory that you can laugh about later down the road. These are the best kinds of memories, honestly.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 comes in five basic colors that are available at all retailers that sell the camera: Cobalt Blue, Flamingo Pink, Ice Blue, Lime Green, and Smokey White.

There are also four colors that are exclusive to specific retailers. You can find Smokey Purple and Mint Green at Best Buy. Urban Outfitters also exclusively carries Marigold and Lavender.

While the camera itself doesn't cost too much, the film that it uses ends up costing more in the long run.

For the Instax Mini 9, all film comes in packs of 10 sheets per pack, and cost about $1 per sheet, depending on the kind you get. The basic white film usually starts around $13-$14 a pack, but you'll often find it in twin-packs for about $20 or less if it's on sale. Different color options, such as Monochrome B&W, Rainbow, and limited edition designs are slightly more expensive.

It's best to keep an eye out for sales and deals on film for the Instax Mini 9, and then stock up then. Sites like Thrifter are great for this.