Android & Chill
One of many net’s longest-running tech columns, Android & Chill is your Saturday dialogue of Android, Google, and all issues tech.
Prime Day has all the time been the day once I inform myself I am not going to purchase something I do not want or waste cash on silly issues. Then I do each.
This yr will probably be totally different; it has to be as a result of I am broke. Even when I wished to purchase a bunch of gadgety toys, I can not, as a result of a life-changing medical situation and an entire lot of costly water harm to my home have left me with no cash, maxed bank cards, and payments to pay. The tank is dry, and now I’ve to fill it up once more.
It is not all dangerous. I’ve a telephone that can final me till at the least subsequent yr, a Chromebook that will probably be up to date for some time, and a drawer full of gadget junk I’ve already purchased that I can tinker with another time. You by no means know, I’d be capable of do one thing new and funky as a result of concepts are free, and outdated stuff may be helpful typically.
We’ll be shopping for a bunch of boring family stuff if we will discover it in bulk and on an excellent sale. Stuff like trash baggage, laundry detergent, and various crap that everybody wants. I determine between Amazon and Walmart — which you understand is going to have a bunch of stuff on sale to compete — we will really save a couple of bucks in the long term by spending it up entrance. Each penny counts.
Nevertheless, I additionally want to make sure that the issues I cannot afford to interchange will final till I can. I’ve realized that it is all the time higher to spend just a few {dollars} upfront to try to forestall breaking or dropping your stuff, which is able to value some huge cash to interchange. Issues like telephones. Particularly telephones.
Your telephones and watches want safety
I am searching for a good display screen protector and a case for my telephone, my work telephone (or I can let it break and ask for a brand new one), and my spouse’s telephone. Often we purchase a brand new telephone as a result of we both actually wished one or as a result of the one now we have stopped working. My spouse is very onerous on the display screen and has busted quite a lot of over time. She says that does not occur to me as a result of I am decrease to the bottom, however I chalk it as much as my jungle-quick catlike reflexes and superhuman velocity.
Both method, an excellent display screen protector and a case I can stand (I actually don’t love both and by no means use them) will imply my telephone has a greater probability of surviving till I can afford to interchange it. Similar for my spouse’s. If I’ve to spend $100 to probably save $1,000, I am good with that.
The identical goes for our watches. I take advantage of a Garmin and my spouse has a Pixel Watch, and each of them nonetheless work nice. I am certain they’ll stick with it for at the least one other yr except they get damaged or misplaced. I do know they make display screen protectors for watches, and I will be shopping for a pair in addition to a new silicone band for every. I am additionally going to see what the case state of affairs is. Sure, you should buy a case on your smartwatch.
Tablets, computer systems, and cables
My spouse makes use of a Galaxy Tab, and I’ve an iPad right here in addition to a Chromebook I take advantage of for work. All three must maintain working till I can afford to interchange them.
I do know they make circumstances and display screen protectors for each tablets, and I’ve seen some for a laptop computer earlier than. If there’s stuff to suit my Chromebook, I’ll add it to my finances.
I do know I am shortly reaching the restrict of what I can afford to spend, however I additionally wish to purchase two USB chargers and two new high-quality cables. They will sit within the bundle till I want them, and it will likely be cheaper than working out to Walmart after work and grabbing one as a result of I want it straight away.
All of that is going to value me some cash, and I do know that. It’ll additionally assist ensure that I haven’t got to spend extra later, and even worse, want one thing and never have the funds to get it.
It is okay to be low-cost, and Prime Day is your time
My spouse says I secretly love this as a result of I am an affordable bastard who by no means likes to spend cash. She’s proper and incorrect — I’m low-cost, and that has taught me find out how to get extra by spending much less. I am doing it as a result of I’ve no alternative, although.
These fancy headphones I have been wanting will simply have to attend.
