The Long-Term Economic Effect of Gadgets

Buying gadgets is a commitment to a long term relationship. Why did I say this? It’s because buying one gadget will commit you to buying the updgrades, paraphernalia and what not associated with that gadget.

Think of this the next time you buy a high-end electronic commodity. You might think you’re just buying one piece, but you’re actually buying the whole lot, in installments. For instance, when people bought ipods, they soon found themselves buying all the ipod accessories in the market. It’s a package deal that spans a period of time, and if the gaget is hot enough, you are looking at years of upgrading, changing accessories, finding more accessories and anticipating better features.

Frugal Approach to Gadgets

Sometimes, buying a package at the onset is better, but you find yourself thinking “what if” the accessories will turn out to be cheaper in the future? You should always be on the lookout for deals that involve the product itself and then some more accessories. But take care to always learn how to evaluate how much you’re adding to the actual price to pay for the “extra” accessories. Better yet, decide early which features or add-ons you really cannot do without and buy only those.

Here’s what I do… I go for almost new (second hand). I wait for the fad to pass then wait for those who get tired of the “new” electronic gadget early and sell at half price. A lot of the ‘professional impulse buyers’ do that. It’s one gadget after another, and they go where the flow of digital technology takes them.