By Shaan Shivdasani
Imagine yourself in this scenario: you’re walking down the aisles of your local Best Buy, eyeing all the shiny, new and expensive gadgets, dreaming of buying this season’s latest tech.
We’ve all been there, but we can’t always justify such an extravagant purchase without some sound reasoning behind it. Not every purchase needs to be throwing money down the drain; some gadgets are certainly worth spending on, and some can even save you money.
People are always looking for ways to save money while shopping, but sometimes it’s the things you buy that result in savings. Whether it’s a device that serves multiple functions or simply an energy saving measure, here’s a short list of money-saving gadgets.
1. Invest in a Power-Friendly Laptop
- According to Energy Star, laptops consume as much as 80% less power than desktop PCs.
- The portability of a laptop means you can use the same computer at home and at the office, saving you from buying two expensive gadgets.
2. Use your Smartphone as a Camera
- The cameras on smartphones are at a point now where they rival many standalone digital cameras, often eliminating the need to invest in two expensive gadgets. Check out this infographic from FrugalDad, which shows just how well smartphones match up with digital cameras.
- If you’re feeling adventurous, try ImpulseSaving with Instagram; it’s a fun way to share photos and save on the go.
- Our brand new mobile app is yet another reason to upgrade to a smartphone. It’s currently available for the iPhone with more platforms coming soon.
- If you’re still hesitant, here’s a great post from LifeHacker on how to save over $1,000 by going prepaid instead of signing a contract!
3. Recharge your Batteries
- Pick up a charger and a pack of rechargeable batteries. This is one money saving gadget you can’t pass up.
- Rechargeable batteries may cost more upfront than their disposable counterparts, but the cost is recovered over the life of the batteries.
- New technology allows some batteries to be recharged as many as 1,500 times, so it’s a fantastic way for families to save money!
4. Fill your Home with Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs)
- Each CFL saves an average of $6/year in energy costs. Just think how many light bulbs you have in your house!
- In order to be labeled by Energy Star as a CFL, the bulb must last at least 6 times longer than standard bulbs. Think about all that time saved not changing bulbs! For more tech products to help you save time, check out this post from our friends over at WiseBread.
5. Charge with Solar Power
- Invest in a solar charger for some of your favorite electronics; not only is it a conversation starter but it’s a fun way to save money.
- There are solar chargers for every gadget imaginable. Check out this universal charger that’s sure to fit everything in your arsenal.
So next time you’re out shopping, skip the expensive gadgets and look for some ways to save money while shopping. Whether you use one or all of these fun ways to save money, don’t forget to ImpulseSave the savings along the way.
