07.29.2011 / Shop Smart and Save on the Latest Gadgets.

Here are three options to consider:

Retailer Buyback Programs
Have you ever wished you could sell back your last purchase so you can buy that new gadget catching your eye? It happens to all of us – we purchase a new product and a few months later a better version is released. You may be in luck, as some retailers, including Best Buy and Radio Shack, will now buy your old gadget back from you so you can use the cash or credit to upgrade to something new. Each retailer program will have its own policies, so be sure to read the fine print and understand how the program will benefit you before signing up.

Price Comparison Apps
You can also use your smart phone to find the best prices for the products you are looking for. The following are just a few of the most popular apps available to make sure you get the best deal on your new gadget.  Best of all, these apps are free!

• Red Laser: Red Laser  turns your iPhone or Android phone into a barcode scanner, allowing you to scan a product’s barcode and compare product prices online and in store. In addition to searching TheFind, Google Product Search, eBay and Half.com, it uses your phone’s location to find local retailers nearby that have your item in stock and for the lowest price.
• Price Check by Amazon: Price Check by Amazon allows you to use your iPhone to find the best prices from Amazon.com and other online merchants by scanning the product barcode, taking a picture of the product or just searching for the name, brand or model number. You are also able to read customer reviews and purchase products directly from the app.

• Barcode Scanner: If you are an Android user looking for a simple app with a high level of usability, Barcode Scanner https://market.android.com/details?id=com.google.zxing.client.android may be for you. The app simply uses Google to search the scanned barcode via a product search, web search or shopper search. It also allows bulk scanning, allowing you to scan multiple product barcodes and save them for future reference.

Savings Accounts
Another option is to contribute to a savings account on a regular basis. Spreading out the expense over a longer period of time helps ease the pain of another large purchase.  Visit our helpful calculator http://partners.leadfusion.com/tools/fnnionline/savings03/tool.fcs to determine how much you will need to save per month so when you are ready to upgrade or purchase a new gadget, you will already have the cash to do so.

If you have any helpful tips, please share them.  Post a comment now!