If you have been dreaming about a home full of the latest technology but think that it’s out of your reach, you may be wrong. While you may not be able to afford all of the top brands and equipment, you can find great deals on lower-priced products that still have staying power and do everything the other guy does.
Smartphones
Everyone wants an iPhone, but they are probably one of the most expensive smartphone options out there. While iPhones have apps available to them that aren’t available on Android phones, Android is still a good alternative for those that can’t afford an iPhone.
You may also be interested to know that some of the pay-as-you-go companies, like Net10, now offer iPhones. So if a contract isn’t your thing, and you want to save some money on your monthly bill, look into getting a phone this way. On the other hand, if you get service with a contract you may be able to get a discounted price on an iPhone.
TVs
When it comes to televisions there are many options. Some are better than others. You may want to look into a buying guide online to find information about the different types of TVs and what each of them offer.
Once upon a time, plasma TVs were all the rage, but they are basically extinct now. Now you get to choose between LED and LCD, both of which have come a long way since their initial introduction. It really depends on how big of a TV you want and how much you want to spend.
You can look for lower cost brands, with names you may not have ever heard of before. Vizio is a great middle-of-the-road brand, which you can save some good money on, no matter what size or style you’re looking for. If you’re in the market for an HDTV, January is the month to shop.
TV Accessories
TV accessories everyone should have include a great gaming system (if you’re into that) and a Blu-ray player. As far as Blu-ray goes, the cheaper you buy the shorter the life of your player. This means you should buy maybe at least the middle priced option. LG is a good option at this price point. Make sure you get one that has Wi-Fi capabilities built in so you can instantly watch your favorite Netflix movies and YouTube videos without hassle.
When it comes to gaming systems, if you get something like the PlayStation 3 or 4 that connect via Wi-Fi and can also play Blu-ray movies, you won’t need that separate Blu-ray player. Maybe you’d prefer the newest Wii and all of their games that help you get fit. The savings here comes by buying an older version once a newer version comes out when prices drop.
Computers and Accessories
Computers are much cheaper these days than they once were. And there are so many more options as well. You can go all out with a desktop computer, or spend around $400 for a good laptop. If you don’t need the CD-ROM on your laptop you can save even more by getting a Netbook, like the HP Stream.
If you only use your computer to get online and aren’t worried about fussing with documents on Word, you can save even more by only paying around $150 for a Chromebook. It’s basically a Google extension, putting the internet in easy reach.
If you want to find the best deals on any computers, back to school time in August is the best time to find the greatest sales and bargains. Keep an eye out for accessories like headphones and speakers at this time as well.
Cable and Internet Services
Once you have your ideal TV and computer you’ll need to get internet and cable services, or what’s the point? Do some research on the companies available in your area, whether it be cable services or satellite.
For example, if you live in the Seattle area, you can find some great deals, like internet service through http://frontierinternet.org/internet/washington/seattle/. They offer lightening speeds for a great price and even bundle your internet and phone services together. You may also be able to find deals on combined services of internet and cable, depending on which companies are available in your area.
Shop for the best package deals when it comes to TV as well. You want a cable or satellite company that is going to give you the channels you want without costing you too much. You may be able to get good prices for 6 months to a year, and then have the option of dropping certain packages. This is good if you find you don’t watch certain channels as much as you thought you would.
