You Should Never Pay Full Price For...

 

Blank Media / Flash Memory

Blank CDs, DVDs, Thumb drives, Camera & Phone Memory Cards are ALWAYS on sale at some Local retailer, these items are high in markup and frequently used as an ad item to get people in the store just so the sales people a chance to convince them they need other high profit items. If you find the odd time frame where its not on sale at any local retailer, wait 7 days and I guarantee you it will be again shortly.

The only real exception to this is specialty stuff like encrypted flash drives, Brand specific Memory Cards (Olympus xD, Sony ProDuo), Lightscribe, Printable, Dual Layer, Rewritable CD/DVD's, and Blu-ray discs. Those will rarely be on sale because they are simply not widely used by comparison.

 

 

Retail Printers & Ink

In this day and age many people are choosing to do their own business card printing and marketing material from their home or small business office to save money in the long run. Ink & Toner will be a HUGE part of the cost but to counteract that make sure you get a Valuable, not cheap, printer. All-in-one Printers nowadays start as low as $75 and ink will run at least $40 so keep that in mind when making your purchase. Be on the lookout for bundle pricing with Ink and Printers, Store Brand ink, and in store free Store Membership Scan Cards which give you cash back for purchasing ink and Paper products (which also send out weekly coupons) on items such as these.

When selecting a printer make sure you choose from ones available everywhere (HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark) the more readily available, the more aggressive competitive pricing will exist for the product. (On average HP will have the best pricing on both Hardware and Ink and coupons sent because they are the largest vendor in the category)

 

 

Windows Computers

Desktops & Laptops for the most part are sold below store cost, stores make money on the extras (Software, accessories, protection plans etc.) So in the age of Wal-Mart's and Online Vendors like Amazon.com make sure you aren't even paying MSRP (Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price) for them. This info can be found on their websites, but a simple check of major features (Screen size, Processor, RAM) at local stores is sufficient enough info. Most retailers have new ads every Sunday so grab one from each place and compare like products to find the average price, then purchase the one below that that you like.

Shopping, like anything else, requires some logic thought behind your actions. By doing due diligence instead of buying on impulse you can save yourself tons of money and buyers remorse thinking you didn't get the best deal. Also, keep a look out for stores clearance specials because they have SEVERE mark downs because the goal isn't to make money on those items, but to get them out of the way to make room for new items.

Happy Shopping

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Money Saving Tips: PC Tune Up Software

 

People often do not realize that Windows-based computers require maintenance to keep they running at optimal speeds. Much like a vehicle needs oil changes to run properly a car needs to be flushed and cleaned out to ensure longevity. A software I have personally use is called “Tune Up Utilities” This software is very simple for even the non-technical of users and works on 3 computers for the very low price of $29.99. A Tune Up in a local retailer will cost you about $70 each where as this software will keep your computer running smoother daily for as long as you own it.

Tune Up utilities will ask you basic questions in a practical way about how you use your computer then configure itself accordingly to make the most of your hardware so that it runs as best as possible. A great software that doesn’t require a subscription and will save you at least $70 a year while keeping your Desktop or Notebook PC running at top speeds.

 

Check your local stock here

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Money Saving Tips: Microsoft Office Alternate

Microsoft Office Home & Student, (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) $120 for the single user or $150 for 3 User edition. is a quite expensive program that many people use on a daily basis, especial College students and business professionals. While the program is very well worth it the price tag may be a deterrent for those on a budget. Corel has a long standing name in software development and has designed a very compatible Office Suite software up to 58% lower than its Microsoft counterpart.

Now while this software is not 100% compatible, it is a great alternative with it’s one and three user editions ($50 & $100 respectively). Find this at your local Office Supply store such as Office Depot, Staples etc. and get your productivity up to par

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Money Saving PC Virus Removal Tips

 

Typical Virus Removal Cost $199(per computer), my charge $75(per computer), this Solution, $39.99(for up to 3 computers with 1 year subscription including Anti-virus and 24x7 Tech Support), Interested?

I'm sure you've had one before, matter of fact if you are using a free anti-virus program right now I'm sure you probably have some malware on there right now. Don't feel like paying north of $170 to fix the problem or Having to Restore your entire computer losing all your data and Programs? Well, you're welcome.

 

 

 

Step 1) Anti-Virus

AVG has been making names for itself in the Tech World for some time now with its limited version of Anti-Virus called AVGfree available on Download.com but the paid version gives you so much more features that's its pretty much nonsense not to use it to clean Viruses off your computer. With this $39.99 software, available of AVG.com or locally at Office Depot, you can actually install on up to 3 computers to protect for 1 year. So grab it even if you only have 1 because you can share or sell the other 2 licenses with friends/family to split the cost. Its as simple as Installing, following on screen prompts(being sure to be connected to high speed internet), and then running a full system scan. Be advised this 1st step alone will take hours to complete, I recommend letting it run overnight or during a time frame you do not need your PC at all.

 

 

Step 2) Malware Removal

Now normally this would be a first step since the free version of MalwareBytes is not an Anti-Virus per say, but more of a removal tool. Sounds confusing but the idea is that typical Anti-Virus programs prevent infection, not cure it. This software is actually free and, believe it or not, used by your local retailers in those $200 services, insane right? Install, update and run a full system scan with this software after AVG has completed. Again this can take a while so let it run as long as needed without interruption.

There is a paid version called Malwarebytes Pro that acts as both a remover and anti-virus if you wish to do that instead of AVG, but it does run $24.95 for 1 PC (multi-licensing discounts available) for Download only, having a disc will run an additional $9.95.

 

 

Step 3) Correct Registry Errors

This may sound funny, but it actually stands for "Crap Cleaner". Now I don't entirely understand why Microsoft does it this way, but there's a Slew of trash on your computer that you don't, have never, and will never use. But it's there, causing performance issues on your computer from within hidden folders you didn't even know existed. Now in all fairness you yourself have probably caused some of these issues downloading free programs and not uninstalling them properly, or the developer themselves didn't know how to write it all the way accurately and sometimes even windows updates themselves can cause issues. Mainly because people blindly install whatever's there without reading. All updates for windows are not all updates you need. Learning which ones you need is a time consuming process that most don't want to do learn, so just pay someone else to handle it at least once a year, its called an "Optimization" or "PC Tune-Up" at most locations. With Ccleaner (another free program) it will actually clear out a ton of junk files, temp files, internet histories and even fixes Registry Errors(main cause of crashes and performance issues).

Download CCleaner free here

 

 

Well, there you have it. If you simply do not have the $200 to spend getting your computer fixed correctly this is a Band-Aid that you can put on it to better the problem. Keep in mind though that this solution is make shift, there is still a large degree of computer expertise needed to fix the problem. Viruses are not all the same and this solution will only ensure most of the software issue is mended. This solution does not take into account that your virus issue could've damaged your hardware as well. Also variables will more than likely come up because these programs scan what could be viruses and will catch normal files necessary to run your programs that utilize the same format. By now you may be thinking... that $200 ain't so bad. You're right, you aren't paying for a product when you get a virus removed, you are paying for the expertise of getting the job done right.

But just in case though we offer remote and mail in service internationally if you need it done correctly for an affordable price (include city/state/country and Problem experiencing).

 

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