How to Improve Your Home With Tech Stuff If You are on a Budget?

By: John Garcia | Date Posted: January 24, 2022

Improve Your Home With Tech Stuff

Technology has become such an integral part of our daily lives, that many people feel like living in a high-tech home is more of a necessity than a luxury. At the same time, many people also believe that to have a home full of technology, it needs to cost a lot of money. However, there are plenty of ways to improve your home with tech stuff even on a budget, and here are some of the more effective ones.

  1. Use Coupons And Promo Codes

Just like with any other kind of shopping, using coupons and promo codes is the first step to getting exactly what you want when it comes to tech, for much less. As evidenced by the various options on https://dealdrop.com/tv-store-online, you can find significant discounts for TVs, computers, laptops, and many other devices. You want to look for websites that will not only provide you with coupons but will also make it easy to see the different offers and redeem your coupons with one click.

In most cases, all you need to do is sign up for an account – although some websites don’t even require you to do that, look for the promo codes that will interest you (for example, if you want to buy a TV set, look for the TVs category), pick your offer of choice, and copy-paste it when prompted to get the discount. You can even install a browser extension that will apply the coupon for you automatically once you get to the register – as a bonus, that means you’ll also start getting your other online purchases at a discount, and that means your budget will expand.

  1. Buy Used Electronics

A lot of people buy new devices and other electronics as soon as the next-gen is out. That means that a good portion of them sell their old ones at a much more affordable price point – which is great news for you. Instead of buying completely new electronics and subsequently overpaying for what you’re getting, you can search for a website that will offer you a ton of used electronics instead. Look through all the different categories and search for what you’re after, whether it’s a laptop, a phone, or even kitchen appliances – chances are you’ll find something great.

In most cases, buying used also means there is no warranty attached to the device, which is why you need to be extra careful when buying. However, if you pick your transaction carefully and make sure everything is clear from the get-go, there won’t be any problems. You can do this either by inspecting the item in person if the seller is somewhere near you, asking for video proof of the condition it’s in, or choosing a website where the seller has to make a profile that other users can leave reviews on. That way, you’ll know who’s a reliable seller practically at first glance.

  1. Don’t Go For The Latest Model

Don't Go For The Latest Model

As mentioned briefly earlier – the newest models are typically overpriced for what they offer. Not only that but with the latest-gen tech, you can’t be sure what you’re getting. Will it function as expected, will it fail immediately after the warranty expires, and will you be able to find a replacement for a critical component if it malfunctions? Additionally, there’s a high likelihood of encountering hidden issues later because technology constantly evolves and undergoes continual improvement.

For that reason, it’s generally a good idea to hold off on buying new devices until the next-gen is out, and you can see what works better – do that by following some of the biggest tech news sites online. If you want something fresh out of the oven, choose a reputable brand known for product quality and excellent customer service.

  1. Alternative Brands/Products

While there’s no denying that certain items are well worth their price, a lot of the time, what you’re paying for is the brand name. A great way to tech up your home on a budget is to do some research and find out about reliable brand alternatives for different electronics. For example, if you’re after a new laptop, instead of going for a brand-new Apple product, go with a Lenovo device. You’ll get the same experience and a lower price to boot – it’s killing two birds with one stone.

Another way to do this is by using an independent review website that will list all the pros and cons of different products, not only giving you information about the product itself but also how other people who have already tried it feel about it. This will give you an idea of what to expect when buying said product, so you know what you should be paying for.

  1. Sell For Parts And Reinvest

Once you’ve got a device that’s gotten to the end of its life, instead of throwing it away and buying a new one, try selling it for parts. It may sound weird, but some people buy old tech equipment as well as broken ones for various reasons – one popular example is to use old hard drives for data recovery or even building their computers. So, if you’ve got an old phone or laptop lying around that doesn’t work anymore, go on eBay and see how much it’s worth as a parts unit. If the price is right, you might even consider selling all of its components separately (especially if they’re still in good condition) to maximize your profits.

  1. Opt For Open-Source Software

Using open-source software is also a great way to save money on tech equipment. A lot of these programs are just as good as their expensive counterparts, but without the high price tag – a lot of them have paid and free-of-charge versions, and allow you to do the things you need them to with ease in both cases. Not only that, but they allow you to modify the code to suit your needs better, which means you can get more out of open-source software than you can out of a regular paid one. Of course, you need to know how to code in the first place to be able to do that, but if you can’t or don’t have the time for it, the paid versions are still a lot more affordable than the competition.

Being smart and frugal when it comes to tech stuff can allow you to get everything you need and more without having to break the bank. Even if you go all-out with top-of-the-line equipment, it’s always a good idea to supplement your investment by making sure that your home has the functionality that will make these technological advancements useful. However, as long as you follow these 6 tips, you’ll find that your budget stretches a lot further than you’ve previously thought it might.

Thank you for reading!

John
 

John is the founder and chief editor of Homienjoy. With over 15 years of experience in the home improvement industry, John is passionate about helping homeowners confidently tackle their projects. Holding a civil engineering degree and working as a contractor, project manager, and consultant, John brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Homienjoy community.

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