If your office were to go up in smoke like the one in this photo, would your essential data be archived somewhere off-site, allowing you to get back on track without too much delay? Furthermore, Could you afford to buy all new equipment? While we’re on the subject of backing up your data, let’s consider ways to save money when it’s time to buy your new gear.
First, it’s a good idea to pay a little extra for an electronics policy as part of your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. I’ve had one for the last 10 years, and although I haven’t had to take advantage of it very often, it paid for itself last year when my old laptop finally gave up the ghost. After a technician’s diagnosis identified a failed logic board as the culprit, my insurance company paid for a brand new replacement. Nice.
Second, subscribe to the RSS feeds of bargain news sites like Slickdeals, CNET’s Deals & Bargains, or DealMac. These sites aggregate information from a wide variety of retailers to alert you to sales. For example, we learn via DealMac of a sale on Seagate hard drives. I don’t know how reliable Seagate products are compared to other manufacturers, but you can currently buy a 160GB portable hard drive for $39.99, which is a great price.
I almost always wait until I find a sales event like this one before I buy a new piece of equipment, a habit that has saved me a significant amount of money over the years. What are your strategies for not going broke while staying equipped with your digital tools, your books, your (home) office supplies?
[Image by flickr user brookenovak.(CC-licensed)]
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