Episode #113 - How to Save BIG When Buying Tech
Use my tips and links and save $1355 a year on your tech. No, I'm not joking...
The Most Popular Question I Get
Over my career in tech, one question almost always rises to the top of the pile:
Do you know of any good deals or tips to save me money?”
Although I usually share my fave links with clients, I’ve never shared everything I’ve learned with the general public. I think it’s time to change that.
Kind of.
Part One of This Guide is for all of my subscribers. Enjoy, learn, and go save some money on some of your next purchases.
Part Two — the more detailed Guide with links — is for my paid subscribers only. It’s my way of saying thank you.
For those of you who are not paid subscribers, I can’t make this more mathematically clear: since I’m about to save you over $1300, the $60 it costs to be a paid subscriber of Tech Talk will seem like it’s nothing.
Part One: The General Approaches
Find the Sales
Many websites feature sales, both seasonally and yearly. Amazon has Prime Days; Black Friday & Cyber Monday are huge events; the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl is an incredible time to buy a new TV. There are others. Back-to-School sales are also popular. Familiarize yourselves with these opportunities and then plan purchases around these periods to save some dough 🍕.
Find the Coupons
Some websites offer a one-time coupon code if you are willing to share your email address. Take advantage! Some can be up to 15-20% off, which is a lot of savings when buying new tech.
Note: never use your personal email address for this. Use your free or paid 33Mail addresses (affiliate link), something I discussed back in Episode #3.
Buy Used
There are many websites (and stores) where you can find great deals on used phones, routers, computers, and mobile devices. This is a GREAT option for those of you with even a little bit of tech experience. Some places even offer warranties on what you buy, so look for those opportunities as well!
Caveat emptor! Erase and/or re-initialize anything that you buy used. That’s a non-negotiable. If you don’t know, then take 10min to learn online. Once complete, install/re-install operating systems and apps from scratch.
Buy “Yesterdays” Model
Do you want the new Apple 2025 models? How about Sony’s latest noise-cancelling, symphonic-resonating, creme-de-la-creme headset for audiophile level awesomeness? Of course you do! But can you save serious cash by purchasing the new (or used) 2024 or the 2023 models! Buy smart, not trendy.
Part Two: The Specific Approaches (and Links!)
Think of part two as a companion to to part one. Below, I’ll provide links of where to purchase discounted new & used hardware along with discounted new, used & even free software.
Let’s jump in…
Discounted New Hardware
It is amazing to me how much money I can save if I just spend even just 30min hunting. You can as well. Check out these sites and see if there aren’t some deals for the gear that you’re looking to purchase.