If you’re someone who loves gadgets, you’ll know how important it is to always be able to afford the latest ones. After all, you want items in your life that are going to give you the best experience.
But how can you be one of those who always seem to have the latest device?
That’s the topic of this post.
Here’s our advice:
Budget Wisely
You’ll want to start by budgeting wisely. If there’s something you want (like a new gadget) you’ll need to cut down on spending elsewhere. It’s simple math.
Start by looking at your spending and identifying patterns that might be getting in the way. For example, you might skip take-out food.
Sell Or Trade Old Devices
You’ll also want to see if you can sell or trade in your old devices. Many people use this technique to reduce the annual cost of upgrading to a new device.
For example, you can sell iPhone handsets for quite a lot of money these days, even if they are several years old. Then, you can use that extra cash to put it toward another phone.
Shops do something similar, except they call it a trade-in. You give them your old phone, and they’ll give you a discount on the new one, making it more affordable overall.
Buy Strategically
Another tactic people use to afford the latest devices is to wait for sales. Pro shoppers look for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or even Valentine’s Day deals to get money off.
These sales are usually quite generous, but they are also predictable. That means that you can get money off when the opportunity strikes (the only downside is that you might have to wait a few months).
Along these lines, you can also get into the habit of buying “last-gen.” It’s less exciting, but you will usually get 95% of the features at, say, 60% of the price.
Finally, you could opt for refurbished options. Examples of these are available all over the place, even with new devices. Sometimes, people will buy a smart gadget and then later decide that they can’t afford it or they don’t want it. When this happens, these devices often wind up in stores for knock-off prices that are significantly lower than where they were bought.
Earn Extra Cash
Of course, there is always the old-fashioned method of just going out and earning some extra cash. For example, you could take on a side hustle, like becoming an Uber driver or offering freelance services.
You could also use cash-back apps if that’s an option for you. Often, you’ll find that you’ve built up quite a supply of free money if you shop often with your cards or you’ve built up points at a retailer.
Go On A Finance Plan
Of course, many people who always seem to have the latest gadgets are on finance plans. These allow them to spread the cost over the year and avoid spikes in their expenses.
Finance plans are usually quite good for gadgets because they come with other perks, like free minutes or insurance. However, the interest rates can also be high, so you’ll need to be careful.
Where possible, seek 0% finance plans. These don’t require you to pay any money back to the lender other than what you borrow, with the rest financed by the retailer usually.
Installment plans can also be quite cheap if you’re willing to go back one generation. Yes, it’s not quite the same as owning the very latest handset, but it’s a start.
Don’t Buy On Impulse
Another way people can afford to buy the latest gadgets is to reduce the temptation to buy anything on impulse. They don’t allow themselves to get hyped up by things that aren’t directly related to what they want long-term.
For example, these people won’t usually impulse purchase anything. They will avoid splurging on expensive vacations or going to the mall because they know they need the extra money to fund their device fascination. They also avoid TikTok and YouTube videos showcasing the latest products, reducing their desire further, instead focusing on simpler things, like reading or going for walks.
Many people who are clever with their money also sleep on it. They give themselves a few hours before buying to ensure they’re not simply purchasing something because of a personal craving. They take the time to ensure that they actually want it.
So there you have it: some of the ways to always afford the latest gadgets. Which of these methods will you try?
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