At first glance, these just-for-fun items seem like complete money-sinks. You buy them when you have extra cash, when you have a gift card, or for a special occasion. Then, after a few years, you upgrade. Many people covet the new gadgets they see online, in magazines, in stores, and everywhere in between, but when it's time to sit down and finalize that purchase, rationality gets the best of us, leaving each of us to ask ourselves:
"Do I really need this?"
More often than not, we can't justify an answer of yes, so we say no. After a few luxurious moments of browsing, we pay our bills, close the internet browser, or walk out of the store thinking, "maybe next month." Then, next month creeps up on us with broken cars, plumbing problems and sick kids. How in the world can we ever feel good about our pricey gadgets when the expenses keep piling up?
This article will show you how to think about your gadgets in a new light. Believe it or not, your favorite wish-list toppers can help you save money in ways that you never expected. Need some convincing? Here goes:
1. Your Smartphone
With a new or upgraded cell phone plan, a smartphone comes at a price of around $200. For a phone, that's a lot of money to spend, especially when you consider your monthly voice, data and text bills. Even though these costs are scary, your smartphone can actually help you save. For one, a smartphone gives you instant access to the internet when you're out shopping, so wherever you are, you can compare prices for a better deal. Plus, you can check your bank account and track your spending from absolutely everywhere. Some of our favorite apps include RedLaser, which turns your phone into a bar code scanner; USAA, which allows users to deposit a check via smartphone; Keyring, which organizes reward club cards in one place; Grocery IQ, which keeps track of shopping lists and coupons; and Scoutmob, which explores restaurant and event deals.
7 sweet gadgets that can save you money
