How can technology help you save money during tough times?
June 27, 2009 by Question
Filed under Tech Answers
Given the state of the world's economy, people are looking to reduce costs any way they can. While technology may seem like an expense (in terms of buying computers and peripherals or mobile phones), there are actually many ways in which using technology can help you save — for example, using a webcam instead of a landline phone. How do you think technology can help you reduce costs during this recession?
Thanks to everyone for their excellent suggestions on how to save money by embracing technology. While I was pleasantly surprised at the large number of answers, I recognize the global economy is top-of-mind for many and these responses offered many clever ways to take the pressure off your wallet.
A thrifty mother, Jennifer H, offered some great tips like saving money by visiting online coupon sites (and shared a few of her favourite Canadian ones). In some cases you can print out the coupons, but to save money on ink and paper, many will mail coupons to your home based on what products you buy.
She also talked about using the PC to chat with friends and family around the world, including live video chats via an inexpensive webcam and free instant messaging software such as Yahoo! Instant Messenger or Skype, instead of paying long distance telephone rates. Not only is IM & email faster than mailing a letter or photos, but Jennifer adds an eco-friendly reason: it wastes paper.
While wrapping up, Jennifer says she felt having both a landline and mobile phone was both costly and redundant, and so she has decided to cancel the former in order to save money during these tough times. This is becoming a popular trend in Canada (anecdotally, I haven’t used my landline in ages).
Thank you again for all the great answers I received on this question!
- Marc Saltzman
Having internet access allows you to email family and friends and use live chat instead of mailing letters which wastes paper or instead of using a phone.
You can go to coupon saving sites and get different coupons. http://www.save.ca is one site. And you can go to this site at the beginning of every week and pick different products to get coupons for.
I save on diapers for my daughter by joining huggies site. They mail me coupons for money off the purchase of huggies wipes and diapers.
http://www.flyermall.com is a site that you can go to to view the flyers for grocery stores and clothing stores, places like that. That way you can see what deals are on in that store and save more money instead of going to the store.
I always make a list of what I NEED at the grocery store and a what I WANT list. I always get the NEEDS first and if I have enough money left over, I get the WANTS last.
Also, if you have a cell phone instead of a home phone, you can always stay in contact with people instead of missing calls for important things like job interviews and such. I have a cell phone and home phone but am getting rid of the home phone. That will save me just over $35 a month. Money that I can put towards more things for my daughter.