Comments on: 25 Gadgets That Actually Save Money http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:55:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Jeremy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/comment-page-3/#comment-933156 Jeremy Sat, 18 Dec 2010 15:05:13 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/#comment-933156 Using a laptop will save money, but only if you already have a laptop and switch to using that more often instead of your desktop machine. As others have said, buying a laptop will take roughly 8 years to break even. Using a laptop will save money, but only if you already have a laptop and switch to using that more often instead of your desktop machine.

As others have said, buying a laptop will take roughly 8 years to break even.

]]> By: Laundromat Business http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/comment-page-3/#comment-925965 Laundromat Business Tue, 28 Sep 2010 02:20:57 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/#comment-925965 #21 High Efficiency Washing Machine Having a HE washer is one of the best purchases you can make because not only is the quality of the wash better for your clothes, but the cost will be lower to you as well. In the laundromat business, most owners are replacing their old top loaders with front loading HE washer because of this very reason. #21 High Efficiency Washing Machine

Having a HE washer is one of the best purchases you can make because not only is the quality of the wash better for your clothes, but the cost will be lower to you as well. In the laundromat business, most owners are replacing their old top loaders with front loading HE washer because of this very reason.

]]> By: Daniel http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/comment-page-3/#comment-919927 Daniel Tue, 03 Aug 2010 18:47:04 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/#comment-919927 Recently I wrote a blog that readers of this article may be interested in. Here is the link,http://zoomley.com/great-business-idea/. I would really like to have someone take this idea and make it a success. Thank you. Recently I wrote a blog that readers of this article may be interested in. Here is the link,http://zoomley.com/great-business-idea/. I would really like to have someone take this idea and make it a success. Thank you.

]]> By: energy monitoring http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/comment-page-3/#comment-916819 energy monitoring Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:07:41 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/#comment-916819 This list is kinda hit and miss. Some of the ideas are good, but some are ridiculous (a residential windmill?). Still, an interesting read. This list is kinda hit and miss. Some of the ideas are good, but some are ridiculous (a residential windmill?). Still, an interesting read.

]]> By: Allison http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/comment-page-3/#comment-876421 Allison Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:24:25 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/#comment-876421 Whoa. Until I read the comments here, I had no idea that so many people let their loose change pile up. I'm agreeing with commenter #56 and questioning why bother letting loose change accumulate. When I'm shopping, I actually use my change to make purchases, and I have completely avoided hassles with CoinStar, banks, or coin sorters... Whoa. Until I read the comments here, I had no idea that so many people let their loose change pile up. I’m agreeing with commenter #56 and questioning why bother letting loose change accumulate. When I’m shopping, I actually use my change to make purchases, and I have completely avoided hassles with CoinStar, banks, or coin sorters…

]]> By: Lenore http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/comment-page-3/#comment-832874 Lenore Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:39:03 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/#comment-832874 Lots of people have challenged and added to these tips, so I'm just going to offer some general feedback. While well-intentioned, many of these ideas seem unnecessarily or unreasonably expensive with dubious paybacks. Spending $170 on an electric shaver sounds crazy when my $30 Lady Remington is still going strong after 20 years. The $100 coin sorter simply made me laugh. Seeking secondhand and less techno versions of similar items might save money and keep the old ones out of landfills. The "geek factor" sounds like justification for compulsive shopping, and there's nothing frugal about that. Lots of people have challenged and added to these tips, so I’m just going to offer some general feedback. While well-intentioned, many of these ideas seem unnecessarily or unreasonably expensive with dubious paybacks. Spending $170 on an electric shaver sounds crazy when my $30 Lady Remington is still going strong after 20 years. The $100 coin sorter simply made me laugh. Seeking secondhand and less techno versions of similar items might save money and keep the old ones out of landfills. The “geek factor” sounds like justification for compulsive shopping, and there’s nothing frugal about that.

]]> By: T-Bone http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-728373 T-Bone Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:37:23 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/#comment-728373 I wanna add something that saves time and money on the long run. A user-friendly cellphone that has almost every feature available but not a very expensive one that has high specs but not really essential for everyday living. Q> What things or actions do we need, to save electricity on laptop usage and to keep the laptop safe and efficient? I wanna add something that saves time and money on the long run.
A user-friendly cellphone that has almost every feature available but not a very expensive one that has high specs but not really essential for everyday living.

Q> What things or actions do we need, to save electricity on laptop usage and to keep the laptop safe and efficient?

]]> By: Dibbler http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-708926 Dibbler Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:42:23 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/#comment-708926 Item 3 looked like a neat idea for $34.95 but when you go to the link it shows a price of $41.95 + shipping. :) Payback time just got longer... Item 3 looked like a neat idea for $34.95 but when you go to the link it shows a price of $41.95 + shipping. :) Payback time just got longer…

]]> By: rodgerlvu http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-663117 rodgerlvu Fri, 15 May 2009 07:06:37 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/#comment-663117 Another great article Trent! Another great article Trent!

]]> By: Brenda Greer http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-652156 Brenda Greer Tue, 05 May 2009 04:41:09 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/#comment-652156 Heating is so expensive for me.I have heard about going green many times. I am curious about the pellet heaters that are installed in the fireplace. Does anyone know about them ? Cost and will they be worth it ? Heating is so expensive for me.I have heard about going green many times.
I am curious about the pellet heaters that are installed in the fireplace. Does anyone know about them ?
Cost and will they be worth it ?

]]> By: Cyber-Rain http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-518575 Cyber-Rain Fri, 13 Feb 2009 23:38:33 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/#comment-518575 Wow, very thorough and many great ideas! Another great category to add about be "smart" sprinkler/weather-based irrigation systems. These are becoming better-known now are some, like Cyber-Rain, can saves thousands of gallons of water every year, which is a huge difference in times of drought. We also recommend great water-savings strategies, books and pro-conservation water districts in our blog, at http://blog.cyber-rain.com Hope to see you there! Wow, very thorough and many great ideas! Another great category to add about be “smart” sprinkler/weather-based irrigation systems. These are becoming better-known now are some, like Cyber-Rain, can saves thousands of gallons of water every year, which is a huge difference in times of drought. We also recommend great water-savings strategies, books and pro-conservation water districts in our blog, at http://blog.cyber-rain.com
Hope to see you there!

]]> By: mike Foster http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-493474 mike Foster Sat, 24 Jan 2009 22:57:34 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/#comment-493474 Did you figure in the electricity you stole from the coffee shop when calculating the payback on the laptop computer? Mike Foster Did you figure in the electricity you stole from the coffee shop when calculating the payback on the laptop computer?

Mike Foster

]]> By: Kushiel http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-436589 Kushiel Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:19:26 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/#comment-436589 Well, it seems quite well thought out. I hate to break this to you, but the cost of a hybrid right now does not justify the money saved - and you say 5 years? Well, considering your warranty is up in 3, and while you do not have to change the oil as much, there are a lot more expensive things that need fixing. Working in a shop, I see the amount of problems the hybrids out right now have, and also how expensive they are. The idea, and eventually the product will be a great money saver, but at this current time a Hybrid costs more in every aspect, so what you do not spend in gas, you spend in maintenance. Ontop of that, most of the hybrids out there today do not get substantially more gas mileage than other cars in the market, minus the prius - but seriously, if you're willing to drive something that ugly I welcome you to it. Though, the price still doesn't fit the savings. Well, it seems quite well thought out. I hate to break this to you, but the cost of a hybrid right now does not justify the money saved – and you say 5 years? Well, considering your warranty is up in 3, and while you do not have to change the oil as much, there are a lot more expensive things that need fixing. Working in a shop, I see the amount of problems the hybrids out right now have, and also how expensive they are.
The idea, and eventually the product will be a great money saver, but at this current time a Hybrid costs more in every aspect, so what you do not spend in gas, you spend in maintenance. Ontop of that, most of the hybrids out there today do not get substantially more gas mileage than other cars in the market, minus the prius – but seriously, if you’re willing to drive something that ugly I welcome you to it. Though, the price still doesn’t fit the savings.

]]> By: Joe http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-431183 Joe Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:31:56 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/#comment-431183 I was away from home for a whole billing cycle and a half (6 weeks and 3 days). The ONLY thing I left on was my computer. It did not and does not go into standby/hibernation/auto off as per my preference. The only other 3 things plugged in were the electric water heater(well insulated and in vacation mode), the refrigerator (low efficiency), and 19" CRT (powered off but still plugged in). Everything else was unplugged/unscrewed/off. My bill for the complete billing cycle while away from home was $25 and a few cents. I don't see it as far fetched for a computer that is nowhere near geared for energy efficiency to use around $10/month. I think the main power consumer on a desktop is likely to be the CRT monitor. But this is just my experience and not based on any other studies. F.Y.I.- Computer used a 500watt XFinity PS by Ultra which powered 4 HDD, 5 fans, an ASUS board, GeForce 7300GT Video card (SLi disabled) and an AMD chip. This was in Dallas, TX. and I had no previous credits or debts on my electric bill. Just clarifying the NON-EFFICIENCY. =) I was away from home for a whole billing cycle and a half (6 weeks and 3 days).
The ONLY thing I left on was my computer. It did not and does not go into standby/hibernation/auto off as per my preference. The only other 3 things plugged in were the electric water heater(well insulated and in vacation mode), the refrigerator (low efficiency), and 19″ CRT (powered off but still plugged in). Everything else was unplugged/unscrewed/off.
My bill for the complete billing cycle while away from home was $25 and a few cents. I don’t see it as far fetched for a computer that is nowhere near geared for energy efficiency to use around $10/month.

I think the main power consumer on a desktop is likely to be the CRT monitor. But this is just my experience and not based on any other studies.

F.Y.I.- Computer used a 500watt XFinity PS by Ultra which powered 4 HDD, 5 fans, an ASUS board, GeForce 7300GT Video card (SLi disabled) and an AMD chip. This was in Dallas, TX. and I had no previous credits or debts on my electric bill. Just clarifying the NON-EFFICIENCY. =)

]]> By: steve http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-430169 steve Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:31:36 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/#comment-430169 Set your desktop computer to go to "hibernate" mode when you press the power button. It is available on Windows (XP) under the setting>> control panel>>power options menu. Startup time will be reduced to about 20 second so you will be able to shut the whole thing down (including the power strip it is on) conveniently and power it up easily. In addition, all of your programs that you use will still be up and in the state you left them. This is a major time saver for me. Also, if you have a desktop computer and still don't have a flatscreen, you can get them on sale for about $100 now. If you use the computer like 4 hours a day, it will pay for itself in electricity in about 2.5 years and the rest is gravy. Set your desktop computer to go to “hibernate” mode when you press the power button. It is available on Windows (XP) under the setting>> control panel>>power options menu.

Startup time will be reduced to about 20 second so you will be able to shut the whole thing down (including the power strip it is on) conveniently and power it up easily. In addition, all of your programs that you use will still be up and in the state you left them. This is a major time saver for me.

Also, if you have a desktop computer and still don’t have a flatscreen, you can get them on sale for about $100 now. If you use the computer like 4 hours a day, it will pay for itself in electricity in about 2.5 years and the rest is gravy.

]]> By: Claire http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-429769 Claire Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:29:52 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/#comment-429769 I agree with most of this, except for the hybrid car. Gas is cheap enough now that you won't break even with a hybrid. You neglected the cost of changing the car's batteries after they go bad, which will cost a couple thousand dollars. The Prius you mentioned would be very efficient already if it were running 100% on gasoline, so your savings per year will be under $1000 with average use. So, it will take you more like 10 years to break even, and you would probably want to get rid of the car before that time. I agree with most of this, except for the hybrid car. Gas is cheap enough now that you won’t break even with a hybrid. You neglected the cost of changing the car’s batteries after they go bad, which will cost a couple thousand dollars.
The Prius you mentioned would be very efficient already if it were running 100% on gasoline, so your savings per year will be under $1000 with average use. So, it will take you more like 10 years to break even, and you would probably want to get rid of the car before that time.

]]> By: Save Money on Amazon http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-407738 Save Money on Amazon Sun, 02 Nov 2008 23:55:44 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/#comment-407738 Vespas are cool! And they've got much higher mileage. Something like 100miles to the gallon I think. Vespas are cool! And they’ve got much higher mileage. Something like 100miles to the gallon I think.

]]> By: Love money http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-335735 Love money Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:49:16 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/#comment-335735 What a great article!! I love the way you have set it out.. Thanks for the great tips and calculations. I like the smart power strip because I am always running around and switching things off at the power point. What a great article!! I love the way you have set it out.. Thanks for the great tips and calculations. I like the smart power strip because I am always running around and switching things off at the power point.

]]> By: shoplocal http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-324614 shoplocal Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:46:58 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/#comment-324614 I love the high efficiency showerhead. That's a great idea. I'm going to pick one up this weekend. I'm interested to see how much I'll actually save. I love the high efficiency showerhead. That’s a great idea. I’m going to pick one up this weekend. I’m interested to see how much I’ll actually save.

]]> By: Eric http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/comment-page-2/#comment-307609 Eric Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:03:39 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/#comment-307609 I love the Tesla, price is a bit of a problem. Once there are plug in electrics that can do 65MPH and get at least 150 miles on a charge and are under $20k then I'll be first in line to buy one. Though people who were laughing at the top of this thread the the prius would take 10 years to break even over a carolla guess $4+ a gallon gas wasn't on their mind. I would also love to put up a windmill or do solar but where i live we're already only paying 7 cents per KWH so it doesn't make much sense at the moment. I'm sure in the future if the price of electric goes up or the price on windmills and solar panels go down then I'm all for it too. I love the Tesla, price is a bit of a problem. Once there are plug in electrics that can do 65MPH and get at least 150 miles on a charge and are under $20k then I’ll be first in line to buy one. Though people who were laughing at the top of this thread the the prius would take 10 years to break even over a carolla guess $4+ a gallon gas wasn’t on their mind. I would also love to put up a windmill or do solar but where i live we’re already only paying 7 cents per KWH so it doesn’t make much sense at the moment. I’m sure in the future if the price of electric goes up or the price on windmills and solar panels go down then I’m all for it too.

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