This document provides 28 tips and tricks for saving money using computers. Some key tips include reviving old PCs for specific uses instead of buying new devices, buying items online to avoid sales tax and get lower prices, using free or low-cost software instead of expensive commercial versions, cutting cable and phone costs by using internet-based services, and printing documents more efficiently. Overall the tips aim to lower technology-related expenses through frugal computer use and choosing lower-cost online alternatives.

1. 28 Tips & Tricks
to
Save $$ Using Your Computer
Steven Kieley
July 7, 2009

2. Revive your Old PC
• It still might save you some money
• Older PC’s, while too slow for speeds that
we’ve gotten used to, can still be useful and
save us from buying other technology
• Fitted out with a new operating system and
used as a single-purpose machine, you won’t
notice its age

4. Revive your Old PC
• Wipe the hard drive and install Linux
– Makes an old Pentium feel like a dual-core PC
• Convert it into a DVR by adding a TV tuner
– Install MediaPortal for free
– Save the cable box monthly rental

5. OR….
• Plug your old PC into a router
• Add a TV tuner card
• Install MediaPortal software
• Record your favorite TV shows or download
Netflix movies

6. Buy Big Ticket Items Online
• HDTV’s can be hundreds of $ cheaper online
vs. big box stores, like Best Buy
• 46” LCD as much as $500 cheaper
• Check sites such as Nextag.com, Amazon.com
• Sales tax savings alone may be as much as
$200

7. Buy Little Items Online
• Bought a cable in a store recently?
– 6’ HDMI cable can be $60-70
• Monoprice.com sells same for $10
• Meritline.com sells two for $11
• PC World tests confirm same quality

8. Stop Buying Music CD’s
• Mall prices run around $15
• Deepdiscount.com sells for $11
• Amazon.com MP3 store sells for $9
– Individual tracks as low as 99¢

9. Buy Refurbished Hardware
• Dell’s Outlet Store (dell.com/outlet) discounts
some laptops by 25%
• May have some cosmetic blemishes, but 90
day warranties
• HP, Lenovo also have similar sites
• Blu-Ray players, GPS devices, universal
remotes all available (Buy.com, Newegg.com,
ecost.com)

10. Wait!
• Don’t do anything
• Just go to wishradar.com or pricegrabber.com
• Register and select an item
• You’ll be notified when the price drops

11. Sign Up
• If you routinely shop at certain retailers, sign
up for their email newsletters
– Borders, eReader, others provide exclusive
discounts for registered subscribers

12. Save on Shipping
• Go to freeshippingon.com to see which
retailers are currently offering no-charge
shipping
• Or go to dealtaker.com
– Click on “stores & coupons” for alphabetical listing
– Or type in “free shipping”

13. Live Search for Savings
• Go to search.live.com/cashback for price
comparisons on item you want
– Sponsored by Microsoft
– Cashback from participating stores
– Actual site name has been recently changed to
bing.com

14. Don’t Print
• “Print” only to PDF instead
• Cutepdfwriter.com
• Free download
• Save your paper and ink by “printing” to a file
in your computer
• Then send as an email attachment
• Recipient does not need to have same
software as you

15. Print in Economy Mode

16. Printing
• Print two sheets on every page
• Fonts are large enough to read easily

17. Print Both Sides
• For most programs:
– Go to “print”, “properties”, “finishing”, “both
sides”

18. Use Third Party Ink
• Often has been shown to yield more prints per
cartridge than brand names
• OK for printing text; may not be good for
photo printing
– Quality and fade-resistance probably less than
name brands, but for printing short term
documents, is adequate

19. Get Rid of Cable
• Download your shows via. the internet
– Many are already on TV network websites
– Other sites include:
• Fancast.com
• Hulu.com
• ESPN360.com

20. Forget the TIVO
• Use your computer
– Windows Media Center already installed on newer
PC’s
– TV Tuner card costs $50-$100
– TIVO costs $150-600 plus monthly or annual fee

21. Free Text Messages
• Usually about $.20 per message
• Telco plans cost about $5-$20 per month
• GizmoSMS.com one-way or two-way premium
• Cherple.com two-way

22. Manage Your Money
without Spending it
• Quicken and MS Money need periodic
upgrading, if for nothing else, to get tech.
support
• Gnucash.org imports Quicken files, does
online-banking, imports stock quotes
• Other web-based apps include:
– Mint.com
– Rudder.com

23. Pay Bills Online
• Use automated bill pay through your bank
– Most are completely free
• Use Quicken or MS Money
– May cost $9.95/month
– Breakeven with 22 bills paid each month
• Automated reminders may save late fees

24. Worried About Security?
Check for this

25. Internet Security
And this
Also check for this
Check for the green background in IE 7 & 8
(not just http)

26. Internet Security
• Use a virtual credit card account
– Good only for single use or single vendor
– Handy when you don’t want to have to remember to
cancel a subscription
• Use a card with a lower limit
• Avoid using your checking account card
– Credit cards allow more time to discover fraud
– Important payments (mortgage, etc.) could bounce if
overdrawn
• Don’t shop over an unencrypted wireless
network (including your own)

27. Internet Security

28. How the https Protocol Works

29. Encryption

30. Internet Security
Better yet….
Take our course on
computer safety

31. Laptop Batteries
• Don’t Overcharge
– Constant charging reduces battery life
• Will need replacement sooner
– Pull the battery and use without it when possible
– Fully discharge before recharging

32. Cut Your Landline
• Use VOIP instead
– Skype.com
• Free computer to computer calls anywhere in world
• Includes video
• Low charges for calling a landline phone
– Viatalk.com
• $199/year ($16.58/month)
• Keep existing number
• Caller ID, voicemail, call forwarding

33. Dirt-Cheap International Calls
• Truphone.com
– Check it out via. the internet
– Use your current cell phone without any changes
– Currently for i-phone, Blackberry and Nokia users
only; others being added
– Eliminates Skype phone charges to landline
phones
– International calls costs a few cents per minute
– 97% discount over AT&T charges

34. Add a Second Line
• Save on phone company charges
• Magicjack.com
– Free voicemail
– Caller ID
– Local & Long Distance
– $20/year

35. Free Slingbox
• What’s Slingbox?
– Watch your TV or computer files everywhere
• Go to orb.com
• Enjoy all your computer’s files on any other
device
• Watch your TV on other devices
• Save the cost of a Slingbox ($179 & up)

36. Create charts, diagrams, floor plans?
• Microsoft Professional Visio costs about $559
• Standard version is about $259
• Gliffy.com is free
• $5/month for ad-free version

37. Use Open Source Software
• OpenOffice takes the place of MS Office
• Paint.net can replace Photoshop
• Linux can replace Windows

38. Try It Before You Buy It
• Such as cutepdfwriter.com can be obtained
from cnetdownload.com
• One stop shopping for downloads
• Judge the quality of the download by the
number of previous downloads
• Steer your way past numerous misleading
attempts to pay for more costly alternatives

39. Burn CD’s If You Have to
• Don’t buy Nero or Easy Media Creator
• Use InfraRecorder.org
• Open Source software

40. Want to Learn More?
Check us out at www.ewingsnet.com
The Computer Learning Center at Ewing
999 Lower Ferry Road