Time and Money Saving Tips for a Tech Generation

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Let's face it, we've always been a gadget loving generation. We've simply turned in our Tamagotchi's for iPhones and our Furby's for iPads. 


So when the latest gear and gadget's come out it's hard to exercise some self restraint and not jump on the chance to snap up the latest and greatest. Not to mention all of our latest toys want our credit card numbers, making it all too easy to overspend. So to start August on the right foot here are some tech related tips to keep your wallet from feeling a little thin.

• Try the free previews: This is possibly the most obvious piece of advice but when you're considering a new eBook or an app that everyone is raving about it's easy to just hit "buy". Just because your friend likes it, doesn't mean you will. So try before you buy, it can easily save you $5-15 each time.
• Wait: I know, I know, it's easier said than done but frankly it pays off every time. For instance I bought the Nintendo 3DS when it first came out for a little over $300, a couple of months later it retailed for less than $200... If you're thinking "but Apple's prices for things like the iPad don't drop" you're right but older versions become available with $100+ hacked off the price tag. Think about it, the iPad 2 is almost exactly the same as the iPad 3 except for a slight alteration in screen resolution but it will save you a bundle.
• Online Services save money: I don't have cable I have Hulu. It's $8 a month and has just about as many commercials. I can also subscribe to Netflix and at most pay $16 dollars a month for tv and movies as opposed to $30-50 through a cable service. Pay a little a month for internet access and save yourself time and the headache of having someone come and install your big old cable box.
• Shop around: It's our mothers' (and grandmothers') advice all over again. Amazon can be great for a deal but take a look at other sellers too. If you can find a seller with a good reputation that will sell you a used device in "Very Good" condition it may be well worth the effort. Be aware: Sites like RueLaLa sometimes give deals but often times you can find the same products for less money elsewhere.
• Read the reviews: I can't stress this enough. Angry people are more likely to review. By skimming the bad reviews you'll learn about every problem a product has. Look for trends, if you see that the power button sticks in more than a couple of reviews, chances are it's a flaw in the design. Though it takes a little time to check reviews over, it will save you the headache of buying a faulty product and spare you the time it will take trying to return said product. Remember, for every angry reviewer there are typically two happy people who never bothered so if the problems seem minor, don't worry.