07th May 2009
Saving money, part 3
In the last post we briefly talked about reducing shopping, thinking if really need what we are buying, and avoid buying items that we only buy because we are there; but having no need for or not planned buying.
I also briefly talked about my last section about me buying a new phone. There is another thing you should be aware of when buying a phone; some companies sell phones to a reduced price if you choose to use particular subscriptions from a phone company. Keep in mind; they are not selling you a cheaper phone; they fool you to pay the phone through the subscription. The subscription might eventually be more expensive than paying a normal subscription, and the full price of the phone. Please be aware it is hidden prices in subscriptions when you get an offer of much reduced price on a phone.
It is also smart to prepay callings; many phone providers sell you cards to refill your account. This will give you more control over how much you spend on your mobile phone. You might often use more than intended if you use a subscription where you pay after you have made the calls.
It might also help you avoid people getting hands on your phone to call expensive services of any kind.
Next on the list are of course brands. When we buy we are often influenced by marketing campaigns and pay more money than we really need for a product. This is valid for food, but also for computers and clothes as well. I would guess clothes would be most important in this context. We often look at brands celebrity’s uses, and we buy a product for 10-20 times of how much we need. But do these brands really give better quality than other? Do they give something more? Most often the question is no; we simply pay additional for the brand itself.
I am not asking you to buy the cheapest alternative; but to look carefully on every option you find. If its something you don’t use often you can buy the cheapest option, if it’s something you use often you should buy something of more quality; but we still don’t look at the brand alone.
I mentioned I just bought a cheap mobile phone. Probably the cheapest available; but it was because I didn’t want a camera or mp3 player. I don’t think it reduce the quality not having these features. But when I bought my last computer I probably paid more than I should; but for a simple reason; I would use it for image processing and software development, and therefore found a computer with stronger processor, and more RAM than ordinary computers. So I simply choose more expensive computer since it could reduce time when used the computer. I am not saying always choose the cheapest; but to evaluate what you really need before you buy it.
-Kentaki-
In the last post we briefly talked about reducing shopping, thinking if really need what we are buying, and avoid buying items that we only buy because we are there; but having no need for or not planned buying.
I also briefly talked about my last section about me buying a new phone. There is another thing you should be aware of when buying a phone; some companies sell phones to a reduced price if you choose to use particular subscriptions from a phone company. Keep in mind; they are not selling you a cheaper phone; they fool you to pay the phone through the subscription. The subscription might eventually be more expensive than paying a normal subscription, and the full price of the phone. Please be aware it is hidden prices in subscriptions when you get an offer of much reduced price on a phone.
It is also smart to prepay callings; many phone providers sell you cards to refill your account. This will give you more control over how much you spend on your mobile phone. You might often use more than intended if you use a subscription where you pay after you have made the calls.
It might also help you avoid people getting hands on your phone to call expensive services of any kind.
Next on the list are of course brands. When we buy we are often influenced by marketing campaigns and pay more money than we really need for a product. This is valid for food, but also for computers and clothes as well. I would guess clothes would be most important in this context. We often look at brands celebrity’s uses, and we buy a product for 10-20 times of how much we need. But do these brands really give better quality than other? Do they give something more? Most often the question is no; we simply pay additional for the brand itself.
I am not asking you to buy the cheapest alternative; but to look carefully on every option you find. If its something you don’t use often you can buy the cheapest option, if it’s something you use often you should buy something of more quality; but we still don’t look at the brand alone.
I mentioned I just bought a cheap mobile phone. Probably the cheapest available; but it was because I didn’t want a camera or mp3 player. I don’t think it reduce the quality not having these features. But when I bought my last computer I probably paid more than I should; but for a simple reason; I would use it for image processing and software development, and therefore found a computer with stronger processor, and more RAM than ordinary computers. So I simply choose more expensive computer since it could reduce time when used the computer. I am not saying always choose the cheapest; but to evaluate what you really need before you buy it.
-Kentaki-
Posted by Kentaki under 
Saving Money 
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