Technology has many benefits in the modern world. We rely on technology to keep in touch with family and friends, most of us use tech equipment to do our job, and there are very few people these days who don’t have a smartphone glued to their hand 24/7.
One of the great things about technology is that it can do a lot more than make life convenient. With the right tech tools at your disposal, you can also save money, and here’s how.
Smart Home Tech
Can smart home tech save you money? Smart homes are the future. Some smart home technology can be expensive, but it’s a good investment for long-term savings. There are plenty of smartphone additions worth checking out.
Smart lighting lets you control the lights with the press of a button.
A smart thermostat, like a Nest thermostat, lets you control the temperature of your home remotely, so it’s nice and warm when you get home from work.
Smart plugs switch gadgets off remotely if you remember you left something on and you are not there to unplug it. Leaving items on standby is a huge waste of money, so this is one to try.
There are other smart home gadgets too, like smart locks and smart alarms.
Many smart home gadgets can be controlled using tools like Amazon Alexa.
Smart Appliances
Smart appliances are much more economical than older appliances. They use less energy, so your initial investment will likely pay for itself within a year or two. For example, a smart dishwasher only runs the program that’s needed, so for a small load, the dishwasher chooses a short cycle. A smart tumble drier only runs long enough to dry the clothes, rather than until the end of a fixed cycle.
Money-Saving Apps
Apps are your best friend when you want to save money. Sign up for an app like HyperJar that lets you create a budget. This clever app lets users create mini accounts for different savings goals, such as a new car or a vacation. The Emma app is also good for people that need help controlling their spending. The app tracks your spending habits and offers advice on where you can save money, which is useful if you want to reduce your debts.
Browser Extensions
If you shop online, try using browser extensions to save money on your next purchases. Honey is a popular one, as it searches for coupons once you reach the checkout in an online store. InvisibleHand compares prices across multiple online stores, and the Camelizer extension tracks prices on Amazon so you can decide whether a sale price really is a bargain – spoiler alert, it might not be.
Fitness Tech
Cancel that gym membership immediately. Invest in some home gym equipment and use a sports watch as your personal fitness coach. There really is no reason to splash out on a gym membership these days. Gadgets like Garmin smartwatches provide personal training plans to help you reach optimal fitness.
Take advantage of the technology out there to help you save money. Any savings you make can be invested in new gadgets!