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Friday
March 19, 2010 Since 1922 |
Minimizing spending on technology
By Aaron Barbee
Contributor Published October 10, 2009 It seems the latest catchphrase is “with today’s economy” and then someone talks about how to save money with product ABC. I’m guilty of doing that with my businesses. Instead, I’m going to say, “It’s smart to simplify and pay only what you need to.” After all, you should save money even when the economy’s doing well, right?
That brings me to the topic of this particular column– using free or cheaper technology to simplify and replace similar technology that costs. Things are changing and we as consumers have more choices than ever on different technology. It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle and end up spending money on something you don’t really need or something that has a free alternate solution.
A few weeks ago I finally got rid of my home phone. I still feel like I’m a bit behind the times, though. For years people have been dropping their home phone line and using either their cell phone exclusively or free Internet phone services.
Now I know what you’re thinking, the cost of multiple cell phones will most likely cost more than a home phone line. That is true. However, most people have cell phones already, even young teens. Even if you don’t have cell phones at all, there are very cheap (if not free) Internet services out there that will still provide you with a home phone. Two of the major providers that come to mind are Skype (skype.com) and Vonage (vonage.com).
Another alternative solution you may not have considered is getting rid of your subscription television service. I found that I only watch a few shows on television, and those shows are available free over the Internet. If you go to the network provider’s main Web page, you’ll be surprised at how many of their full episodes are available online.
I always turn off my television during the summer time because I don’t want the kids to veg in front of the TV. This year, I just didn’t turn it back on. So far, it’s worked out well. My kids griped about not being able to watch a couple shows and I found them online. They’ll usually appear online a day after it airs, but it’s ready whenever you are. No recording and it’s in high quality.
It just seems that nickel-and-diming the consumer is becoming more rampant. We’ve got to minimize our spending. It’s easy to get caught up in the storm of adding this small service, and that small service. Pretty soon we’re paying way too much without realizing it and sometimes we, as consumers, have to stand back and look at the overall picture and simplify.
Check out my Web site www.TexasComputerGuru.com for supplemental information and previous articles as well.
Aaron Barbee owns Texas Computer Guru, a local computer services company for on-site business and residential needs. He can be contacted at 281-628-5099. E-mail questions for Aaron to sunnews(at)baytownsun.com.
Contributor Published October 10, 2009 It seems the latest catchphrase is “with today’s economy” and then someone talks about how to save money with product ABC. I’m guilty of doing that with my businesses. Instead, I’m going to say, “It’s smart to simplify and pay only what you need to.” After all, you should save money even when the economy’s doing well, right?
That brings me to the topic of this particular column– using free or cheaper technology to simplify and replace similar technology that costs. Things are changing and we as consumers have more choices than ever on different technology. It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle and end up spending money on something you don’t really need or something that has a free alternate solution.
A few weeks ago I finally got rid of my home phone. I still feel like I’m a bit behind the times, though. For years people have been dropping their home phone line and using either their cell phone exclusively or free Internet phone services.
Now I know what you’re thinking, the cost of multiple cell phones will most likely cost more than a home phone line. That is true. However, most people have cell phones already, even young teens. Even if you don’t have cell phones at all, there are very cheap (if not free) Internet services out there that will still provide you with a home phone. Two of the major providers that come to mind are Skype (skype.com) and Vonage (vonage.com).
Another alternative solution you may not have considered is getting rid of your subscription television service. I found that I only watch a few shows on television, and those shows are available free over the Internet. If you go to the network provider’s main Web page, you’ll be surprised at how many of their full episodes are available online.
I always turn off my television during the summer time because I don’t want the kids to veg in front of the TV. This year, I just didn’t turn it back on. So far, it’s worked out well. My kids griped about not being able to watch a couple shows and I found them online. They’ll usually appear online a day after it airs, but it’s ready whenever you are. No recording and it’s in high quality.
It just seems that nickel-and-diming the consumer is becoming more rampant. We’ve got to minimize our spending. It’s easy to get caught up in the storm of adding this small service, and that small service. Pretty soon we’re paying way too much without realizing it and sometimes we, as consumers, have to stand back and look at the overall picture and simplify.
Check out my Web site www.TexasComputerGuru.com for supplemental information and previous articles as well.
Aaron Barbee owns Texas Computer Guru, a local computer services company for on-site business and residential needs. He can be contacted at 281-628-5099. E-mail questions for Aaron to sunnews(at)baytownsun.com.