A recent article here on The Gadgets Blog told you about ten gadgets that can help you save money. But how do you save money on gadgets in general? Here are seven tips for getting the gadgets that you want without spending more than you can afford:
1. Create a budget and stick to it. The number one way to make sure that you don’t overspend on gadgets is to make sure that you have a family budget and that you don’t exceed it.
2. Be a second wave adopter. It is certainly fun to be an early adopter of new technology (the new iPad anyone?) but this also means that you’re going to pay the highest price for the product. Wait a couple of months and most gadget prices will go down.
3. Don’t be afraid to buy used gadgets. Those early adopters that do pay a lot for their new products often try to recoup their losses by selling their gently used gadgets to others. You can often get a like-new item for a much lower cost. Always make sure that you shop with reputable sellers and get information on warranties when buying any gadget online.
4. Sell the gadgets that you aren’t using anymore. Every time that you replace one gadget with another you should sell the old one. This offsets the cost of the new purchase.
5. Choose gadgets that serve multiple purposes. Single-function gadgets are fun but they are often a waste of money. Get products that do more than one thing. For example, get a smartphone that doubles as a digital camera and a GPS and you don’t need to buy those other items separately.
6. Use promotional codes when shopping online. There are discount codes for most gadgets that you’ll want to purchase. Take the time to find one that will reduce the cost of your purchase.
7. Buy gadgets with a good rewards credit card. Get a good cash back rewards card and pay off the purchase immediately to avoid interest charges. Many cards offer higher rates of cash back on seasonal categories so hold out until the season when you get the most back on gadgets and do your buying then.
7 Tips for Saving Money on Gadgets
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Krishna
