Ours is a gadget-obsessed world. Unlike a few generations back when kids actually go out to play and pass the time, today they stay indoors playing with their high-tech gaming consoles and gadgets. Adults can rarely be seen without a mobile phone, tablet or laptop computer. Workplaces and homes cannot function without a slew of gadgets to stay connected with the outside world.
If you’re a typical consumer, you might find it difficult to keep up with all the latest technological developments. But if you’re a tech-savvy individual, you would already be familiar with all the developments happening. Those who are a cross between the two might simply be interested in buying gadgets which actually help save money.
This is what we will focus on here. Since you are already interested with the latest that technology has to offer, why not combine it with practicality and use gadgets which help you save money?
The good news is that it is very easy to find these useful gizmos because they are all over the Internet as well as brick-and-mortar gadget shops. If you like tinkering with electronic parts, you can even put together kits for a device that will help you save money!
Find out which gadgets actually help you save money in the following section.
The Top 15 Gadgets to Help You Save Money
Tech-savvy individuals and gadget addicts would easily admit to having their interest captured by tiny electronic devices with cool, high-tech features. Practical folks, on the other hand, may or may not be familiar with such devices – but their focus lies more on looking for ways to save money.
If you would like to combine the two, there are plenty of gadgets that combine technology and practicality. The main functionality of the gadget should be that it will help you save money, and here are the top 15 items to help you achieve exactly that:
1. Efficient Showerheads
For gadgets that will help you save money, look no further than your own bathroom. If you have a regular showerhead installed, the water going down the drain is equal to wasted water and wasted money.
By simply installing a low-flow shower head, you can save as much as 15,000 gallons of water per year. It’s even better if you will consciously cut your shower time in half.
According to the US Department of Energy, using low-flow shower heads will save you up to 300-kilowatt hours of energy per year. This means that when you invest in a more efficient showerhead, you can save on all your utility bills and the investment for such a high-tech household gadget will be well worth it in the end.
2. Energy-Efficient Space Heater
Half of your utility bills come from heating and cooling costs. During winter, you can invest in a high-tech gadget like an efficient space heater and save on home heating costs.
Instead of using up lots of energy to heat a spare room like the bathroom, you can use an energy-efficient space heater and only turn it on when taking a shower. You can do the same thing on basements and other rarely-used rooms in the house.
3. Espresso Machine
Automatic drip coffee makers, espresso makers or cappuccino machines are a very sound investment especially for caffeine addicts.
If you stop by a local coffee chain for a fancy latte which costs around $2, that adds up to a lot especially if you consume more than one cup per day. By investing in a decent coffee machine, you can brew your own at home and save a lot of money in the process. The bonus is that you get to wake up to the smell of freshly-brewed coffee.
4. Flash Drive
A 1GB data traveller will set you back around $18 – and it’s an invaluable gadget.
It may not necessarily be high-tech, but a flash drive is very useful for storing all your key files and data. It can also save your cookies, documents and other files which is a very useful feature especially during possible hardware crashes.
5. Hybrid Car
This may be the most expensive of the lot, but a hybrid car is a high-tech, eco-friendly and practical investment.
As compared to traditional cars, a hybrid does cost more upfront. But when you consider the lower fuel costs, you can break even with the investment in as little as five years. Plus, there’s a certain geek factor to driving a hybrid that you won’t get when getting behind the wheel of a traditional sedan.
6. Monitor for Electricity Usage
Another cool gadget that will help you save money is an electricity usage monitor. As the name implies, it’s a device that will let you know how many kilowatt hours you are using in a given time span.
There are also models of the electricity usage monitor which lets you see how much phantom load your electrical devices are consuming. If you want to lower your electricity bills, this is a great gadget to invest in.
7. Programmable Thermostat
For as little as $40, you can buy a decent programmable thermostat that will allow you to automatically control the temperature inside your home without wasting electricity.
These devices have pre-sets which can dial back the temperature by a specific number of degrees during your preferred time. If you’re asleep or at work, for example, you can program the thermostat to be lowered so that the interior can have a comfortable temperature once you wake up or get back from work.
This high-tech gadget will help you save up to 20% of your home’s heating and cooling costs.
8. Personal Energy Generator
A personal energy generator harnesses the energy that a person generates during movement. The energy gathered is converted into power that can be used to juice up electronic devices like mobile phones and music players.
The amount of energy produced is modest but if you want to make the most out of your brisk walking or jogging sessions, this is definitely a cool gizmo to have.
9. Streaming Video Services
Okay, this is not necessarily a gadget but more of a technology. If you want to ditch your premium cable or satellite TV bills, the best alternative is streaming video. As long as you have Internet connection, you can still consume premium content at a fraction of the price.
If you want to binge watch Game of Thrones or watch the entire season of True Detective or any other TV show, you can do so through streaming video services without having to pay too much.
10. Residential Windmill
If you can afford it, why not have a residential windmill set up in your home? It will set you back a few thousand dollars but you should recover the costs in about eight years.
If you live in a windy area, a residential windmill can take care of almost all your home electrical needs. The device is similar to a high-tech antenna which will provide enough juice to power up your entire household.
This is not just a smart energy investment, but it’s an eco-friendly solution, too. If you end up producing too much energy later on, you can even sell it back to the grid and make extra money.
11. Solar Calculator
When making a monthly budget, a solar calculator proves to be a handy gadget to have. There are high-end and traditional models that you can buy in the market. Before buying one, make a comparison of the models available at online stores so that you can choose the best deal.
12. Smart Power Strips
Phantom or vampire electricity makes up 15% of a home’s utility bill. To get rid of this, all you need to do is install smart power strips.
Phantom electricity is consumed by devices which are put on standby mode instead of completely turned off. If you see a LED light on your computer monitor even if the CPU is turned off, it is still consuming phantom electricity.
A smart power strip allows you to turn everything off all in one go.
13. Solar Outdoor Lights
For security and aesthetic purposes, it is best to have a set of lights left on at night outside your house. Instead of using traditional lighting, solar outdoor lights are a much better, practical option. They will automatically turn on once it gets dark and the light is charged during the day.
14. Universal Battery Charger
If you have kids who have a slew of battery-operated toys, the expense of disposable batteries will take its toll on your budget. What you can do is buy a universal battery charger with rechargeable batteries. This is a great investment to power up all your other battery-operated items inside the house.
15. Water Bottle with Filter
Finally, a water bottle with filter or your very own home water filtration system is a practical, money-saving gadget to have. Instead of buying filtered water by the gallon, simply invest in a suitable at-home water filtration system.
Depending on the model, one will set you back around $20 to $50 plus the cost of filters. The expense may be more than what bottled water costs initially, but you can recover the investment in the long run.
By investing in these gadgets, you will not just have a high-tech gizmo at home to tinker with, but you can also save a lot of money while using them.