Good Stuff Cheap: Five genius ways to save on everyday technology
Stop paying for cable or satellite: Hook up an antenna to your digital TV. If your old pole-mounted potato masher’s long gone, a Winegard SS-3000 indoor antenna is $60 on amazon.ca. You’ll get major Canadian and U.S. networks for free in high def.
Save on mobile data charges: Save bandwidth by using Google’s free text-back service for basic info. For example, texting “127 Hours Etobicoke” to 46645 (GOOGL) gets you today’s local show times. Also available: weather, directions, stock quotes and sports scores. See sms.google.ca.
Buy your next notebook for less: Check the “outlet” sections of on‑line stores for good-as-new gadgets, often backed by a warranty. Toshiba’s highly rated Satellite laptops, for example, are up to $200 off at toshiba.ca.
Slash global roaming costs: Buy a SIM card for your destination from Toronto’s Roam Simple (roamsimple.com) and you’re charged less per minute. For instance, a major carrier charges $2 a minute for western Europe; Roam Simple’s rate is 69 cents.
Beat traffic and high fuel prices: Trafficnet Canada (free) and Gas Buddy ($3) are must-have Apple apps. The former gives you the 411 on construction, road closures and gridlock, including live highway cams of the 400 series; the latter shows the cheapest places to fuel up right now.
(Image: Antennae courtesy of Winegard Direct)
Good Stuff Cheap 2011 articles:
- 100 items under $10
- Four standout dinner dates for penny pinchers
- 11 selections for a kick-ass and low-cost charcuterie plate
- Three great wines for recession hangovers
- How to make your own soda water
- A massive mirror for a modest cost
- Nine of the city’s best foods for under $6
- How to glam up a parlour on a not-so-huge budget
- The best deals for kids’ favourites
- Hit the fashion zeitgeist with this fuzzy, furry trio
- Toronto’s five best vintage stores (no rummaging required)
- Ladies and gentlemen, here’s how to put together a party outfit for under $200
- Three genuine refuges where guys can get their groom on—cheaply
- Six designer sample sales that make lining up seem entirely sane
- Want an iPhone? Here’s how to make one (sort of)
- Three cameras that hit the mark for under $500
- Three unbeatable go-to spots for home improvement
Last one to uilizte this is a rotten egg!