See What We re Doing Here

If you cringe every time your kids submit a wish list because those small slips of paper are filled with big ticket electronic toys and gadgets, you're probably suffering from tech shock. It's that numb feeling you get when you realize that one day you may have to make a choice between putting food on the table and paying for your mobile service bills, whether that's Internet access, gaming subscription, a satellite account or cable service. It isn't just the purchase price of the hardware, either. After that pesky plastic packaging comes off (are they kidding with that stuff?), there's almost always a monthly service subscription involved, or software to buy, or expensive how-to books to purchase to get full value from your investment, or security issues that start out cheap but get pricier and pricier over time. Not only that, the cutting-edge technology you're buying today will be obsolete before your kids wear out their school shoes. Then you'll have to go through the same process all over again -- or bear the brunt of endless arguments about how the latest and greatest gadget is absolutely essential for (insert clever manipulative gambit here).


What parent doesn't want his child to have emergency access to a mobile Broken Phone Fix or the latest educational tools to get a good start in life? Wanting your spouse to have some of the nicer things in life isn't too much to ask either, is it? Let's consider: A home theater system could mean fewer outings to expensive movies -- and hideously costly side trips to the concession counter. It may even be possible to get free DVDs at the library to offset the cost. See what we're doing here? We're constructing a strategy. Having a strategy is a good beginning. Deciding what gadgets you want, need, or really, really need is a process. Once you narrow down your long list of desires to a shorter list of family-friendly possibilities, it's time to set a budget and start hunting for the best prices on the items you want. On the next page, we'll take a look at the ways and means of buying gadgets.


When you can't have it all, these tips will help you make smarter choices when buying electronics and other tech gear. This includes the price of the item itself as well as the costs associated with using it. If you know you want a gaming system, a wireless home network and a digital satellite system but can only afford one of the three, you can start looking at a few creative options. The technologies you're interested in may overlap and allow you to, say, use your wireless home network to access television programming and games. That way, you can pass on the digital satellite system and gaming console for the time being. You won't get everything you want, but you might be able to manage more functionality than you expected for the price you're willing to pay. It includes links to lots of free programming as well as easy access to paid services like Netflix and Amazon Instant Video. There is no monthly charge for the Roku box, and it's easy to connect to your television and wired or wireless network.


It won't give you access to all the cable stations you'll find on cable or satellite, but it's cheap, easy to set up and gives you endless options for movies and TV show. Cable and satellite providers typically offer bundled technology packages that can save you having to invest in multiple separate services. One may bundle Internet access, cable, gaming and phone service for a one-stop-shopping solution. This can be a good deal, particularly if there's strong competition between satellite services and the cable provider in your part of the country. Before you start clearing a spot on the coffee table for the new remote, be aware that these types of transactions require signing a contract. A one- to two-year term isn't unusual. When you know what you want and the price is a little out of your comfort zone, be bold and ask for an additional discount. It never hurts to ask, and the response may surprise you.






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