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I can’t hide how much I love gadgets. I really enjoy devices that help me make my life easier. Plus, I’m also a saving money addict.
I’m sure it sounds a bit controversial: buying and saving.
That’s why in this post I share how I managed to combine both passions: I simply buy gadgets that can pay for themselves in the long run. Some of them even help me save more at the end of each month.
Another good thing is that many of these gadgets, not only save money but make a positive impact on the environment as well.
Below is a list of items that will pay for themselves, plus will help you save extra money (is like if they are making you money!).
Most of them are great gifts, others are a must have at home.
The best is that it’s so easy to justify the purchase any of these gadgets as they will save you money in the long run. You can always say to your partner “Honey, I found something that will make us save money!” and you won’t need any other justification.
Efficient Shower Head
Sample Model – Niagara Earth Massage 1.25GPM Low flow
Price range – $8 to $12
Time to recover the investment – 1 month
Potential savings – $182.50/year (based on a 4 members family)
Efficient shower heads reduce the amount of water that you need to take a shower. The flow rate is lower but the pressure is higher, so you won’t notice that is actually less water.
The typical American household shower head consumes 2.5 gallons per minute, that is around 36,500 gallons of water per year (based on a 4 members family). High-efficiency showerheads with flows as low as 1.25GPM can save you 18,250 gallons of hot water per year. The cost of heating up a gallon of water is around $0.01. So, that makes a total of $182.50 savings a year (plus the savings in water).
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Sample Model – GE 13-Watt Energy Smart Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Price range – $3 to $4 (per light bulb)
Time to recover the investment – 3 months
Potential savings – $300 (based on 8 light bulbs in a house, 37.50$ savings each bulb)
CFLs can save a lot of money every year. Plus, these bulbs last longer than regular bulbs.
It’s one the easiest to apply, simply change your regular bulb with a CFL. It’s so easy!
The average cost of electricity in the US is $0.08 per kilowatt hour. So doing some simple maths, you can save $120 per month just by changing a few lights at home.
Filtered Water System
Sample Model – Brita 10 Cup Water Pitcher
Price range – $25 + $7 replacement filter
Time to recover the investment – 2 weeks
Potential savings – $1,260/year
The health authorities commonly recommend drinking about 2 litres (or half a gallon) of water every day.
If you don’t drink tap water and instead you buy bottled water, you can pay for this water pitcher in two weeks.
According to a study from Nation Master, the average cost of a 1.5 litre bottled water in the US is $1.75.
Each Brita replacement can filter 40 gallons (180 litres) of water. This is 120 bottles of water which will cost you an average of $210.
For only $7 you can save up to $210, that’s a lot! Brita recommends changing the filter after two months, so you only need 6 filters per year.
“Smart” Power Strips
Sample Model – Bits Limited SCG-3MVR
Price range – $25 to $30
Time to recover the investment – 2 months
Potential savings – $210/year
Do you use a desktop computer at home? If you answer is yes, then you should consider this gadget. This smart power strip will allow controlling all your peripherals (monitor, speakers, printer, etc) from your main unit (your computer).
Simply plug in your computer into the blue outlet and all the other devices into the green outlets. The red outlets are for devices that you want to have always on (like your router).
Whenever you power on your PC, the peripherals will power on, and whenever you power off your PC, the peripherals will power off.
What it’s even better, it automatically turns off power when not in use to help save energy.
Electricity Usage Meter
Sample Model – Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor
Price range – $15 to $20
Time to recover the investment – 3 months
Potential savings – $165
By using an electricity usage meter you can control how much each appliance consumes at home. I’m a saving-fanatic so I like to control where my electricity consumption is coming from.
It also detects the phantom load of your devices when they are powered-down. A recent study published by the NRCD states that the average phantom load of the average US household is $165 per year.
You’ll be surprised of how many devices at home are costing you money every month!
With a low investment of less than $100, you can buy these 5 gadgets, and save up to $2,117.50 per year.
The thing is that I love gadgets that pay for themselves and help me save even more money!
Do you have any other gadgets, not on the list, that helps you save money? How much is it helping you save? Share in the comments below.
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