Modern technology has allowed us to do much more than when we didn’t have our electronic gadgets and devices. These devices have become a necessity in our daily lives and we have many options to choose from.
Initially, these gadgets are major expenses. But with a little research, we can make the right gadget choices so we can still enjoy their convenience while saving money in the long run.
Here are 10 gadgets that can help you save money. Some of them will cost you a big chunk of your budget initially when you purchase them, but they will make-up for their cost with the money you save for the months, and even years that you will be using them.
1. Rechargeable Batteries or High-Capacity Power Banks
We all know the inconvenience of running around with a gadget low on power. Having rechargeable batteries or a high-capacity power bank while on the go saves you the hassle of looking for an electrical outlet just to make an important call on your mobile phone. You can also use these devices to charge your gadgets even at home so you don’t need to suck up electricity each time you need to charge your device. The good thing is; there are high-capacity power banks that can power-up more than one device at a time, even your laptop. Some of them even have designs that are cute or sleek so you won’t be too embarrassed lugging them around.
2. LED Lighting
LED lighting are designed to last longer while consuming less electricity. So gradually replace your old light bulbs or fluorescent lights with LED lighting to enjoy a brighter home without the added cost. LED lighting is also available for other home fixtures such as desk lamps. Some even have dimming functions so you can switch between day light and night light; or white light for working and yellow light for reading.
3. Energy Star Appliances
When buying new appliances, be sure to check for the Energy Star logo. According to their website:
ENERGY STAR products are independently certified to save energy without sacrificing features or functionality. Saving energy helps prevent climate change. Look for the ENERGY STAR label to save money on your energy bills and help protect our environment.
This goes for kitchen appliances such as oven toasters, microwave ovens, refrigerators, even washing machines, as well as lighting fixtures like Christmas lights. So be sure to check the labels on the appliance or ask the sales person for products and brands certified with an Energy Star logo. This is one way to save on electricity in your home.
4. Smart Power Strips
One of the biggest energy leaks in the home and office are gadgets that are plugged in but not in use. Many of us often leave our mobile phone chargers still plugged into the electrical socket even if we are not charging our phones.
A smart power strip allows you to turn off the power for a particular gadget without having to pull it out of the socket. So you can just click a button to turn it on again if you need to use your kitchen appliance or to charge your device.
5. Tablet
Tablets can save you energy as well as money. Many of your favorite books have digital versions so instead of carrying around the actual book, you can have easy access to a ton of books as well as audiobooks with just your tablet. This means being able to carry more books with you on a lighter load. You even help save on paper and conserve trees! Plus, you can also carry scanned copies of your important documents with you and do many other things with your tablet that you can do on a desktop and your mobile phone.
6. Laptop
Just like a tablet, a laptop can also help you save money. It can do many of the things that a tablet can do but in a greater volume and capacity. Nowadays, when our busy schedules don’t allow us to sit in front of a TV screen to enjoy our favorite shows, a laptop is a great way to download your favorite videos and watch them later on. Newer laptop models also feature longer battery life and a ton of upgraded functionalities to help you work faster and accomplish more tasks throughout the day.
7. Vacuum Sealer
If you hate wasting food, then vacuum sealers are your best friend. Together with a ziplock bag and your refrigerator, you can extend the life of your favorite foods. You can cook a big batch of home-cooked meals and freeze them for future meals. This is one way to stretch your food budget.
You can also use a vacuum sealer for bagging your baon or bento to work or school. This ensures that you keep your food fresh and lessens the possibility of food spoilage due to bacteria build-up especially in warm temperatures.
8. Blender
Blenders are a great way to cut down on chopping veggies. You can also use a blender to make your morning smoothies for breakfast-on-the-go or to make soups out of your veggies.
You can also preserve food with a blender. For example, you can place a small amount of water into the blender and put in your peeled garlic. Blend for a bit for a course consistency or blend some more for finer pieces. Then store everything in a jar and keep in the fridge. You can just pull-out the jar and scoop out the required amount of garlic for your recipes. Also works with other spices like ginger, turmeric and onion. You can also use olive oil instead of water for herbs like basil, parsley, and other herbs.
9. Food Processor
For even more variety to your recipes, a food processor is a great kitchen companion. It can chop food finer than a blender and mixes ingredients better. You can also use it to make purees of fruits and veggies for baby food, chop vegetables finely as well as some meats for making veggie balls or meat balls and a host of other foods including ice-cream! It’s especially helpful for baking recipes.
10. Efficient Shower Head
You can also save money even as you shower! When shopping for a shower head, make sure to ask the sales person for a low-flow shower head. This type of shower head can save you gallons of water use per year and thus lower your water consumption bills in return.
Start saving more money now starting with these gadgets. There are many more gadgets that can help you save money; just do your research. They will cost much more but the initial investment will be worth the savings in the long run.
Updated. First published on Pinoy Smart Living on 2018.09.26.
Feature Image: Original Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash.