You can buy reasonable computers for less than $500. A smart phone has to be replaced more often and has the reccuring expense of data. You could argue that you home internet is recurring, but you can do much more with a computer (e.g. make a good resume). A smart phone is not necessity unless your job explicitly says so. 

I don't dispute you need internet, but you definitely don't need a smart phone and you don't even need *home* internet. My in laws live in the middle of nowhere and the cheapest internet is &gt;$100/month. For a long time they had no data, they would just go to the library. 

If your job requires you have a smart phone, then they either
1) pay you enough to own one
2) provide one
3) give you money for one