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Every penny counts. That’s why you buy the bulk breakfast cereal in a bag instead of the small box with a picture of a cartoon animal on the front. You’re not cheap, you’re responsible. After all, there is the savings account and the college fund to consider.
But sometimes the most fiscally responsible thing to do is to buy the product that gets you the most bang for your buck. Often, that means spending a few more of those bucks on a quality item that will serve you better in the long run. Here are a few examples where spending a little more up front can really pay off for your family:
A Better Computer
These days, you can get a computer with monitor and speakers for a couple hundred bucks. That s ridiculous! No, really. Such computers should be ridiculed. Their awful pieces of junk designed to part the penny pincher from her pennies. When it comes to technology, you don’t get any more than you pay for.
Your family is worth more than a $200 computer. That piece of junk probably already comes with viruses pre-installed. You are owned the moment you turn it on. News.com.au reports on a computer that shipped with a pre-installed virus:
The laptop, supposedly in pristine, super-fast, direct-from-the-factory condition, had instantly become part of an illegal, global network capable of attacking websites, looting bank accounts and stealing personal data.
In addition to becoming a member of the PC zombie apocalypse, you now own a piece of junk that will run slow and die quickly and badly. No one will be happy using the computer. And you just wasted $200.
At minimum, you should have spent $500 on a Mac mini. It is a very solid machine for general purposes. Furthermore, it will last for years to come. The best part is that for reasons too technical for this writing, it will not become a part of the PC zombie apocalypse.
Photo Credit: Flickr via Creative Commons
While viruses are not as much of an issue on the Mac, you still might want to look into protection software. Trend Micro is one of the few companies offering full protections suites for all platforms. They all specialize in different areas. For example, the best antivirus for Mac solutions can help:
” Block Dangerous Websites
” Protect Your Privacy on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and LinkedIn
” Provide Safe Surfing
Spending a little more on a family computer can help save more than money.
A Smarter Phone and Tablet
The problem with buying the cheapest phone is that your kids will not want to use it, and therefore, be more likely to lose it. A lost phone is useless in an emergency. You want to buy them a phone they are more likely to keep up with and take care of. That is one of the many reasons you don’t want to buy a cheaper phone. You want to buy a smarter phone.
The better phones are durable, or have a huge ecosystem of third-party, protective cases from which to choose. Smarter phones have anti-theft measures that protect your family’s personal data if the phone is lost or stolen. They can also be tracked and easily recovered by the police.
Photo Credit: Flickr via Creative Commons
This is doubly true for tablets. The only time the cheap ones sell in large numbers is during the holidays where they are given as gifts to kids who would rather have something else. Those tablets get used for a few days, then quickly forgotten. Cheaping out on smart devices is not very smart.
A Safer Auto
You don’t have to buy a new car. But you should absolutely buy a good one. If you have a tendency to veer a little into the next lane, you should buy a car with lane assist technology. Do you always hit the trash can when backing up? Cars have rear cameras, now. You’re a great driver. But what about the fool that side-swiped you? Does your minivan have side airbags? Why not?
Cheaping out on your ride is as senseless as cheaping out on your computer and smart devices. Buying one good one over time tends to be better than buying lots of cheap ones over the same period. Besides all the other reasons, your family is worth it.
Do you splurge on these items in your household or do you skimp on costs whenever possible?
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