Gas prices are expected to climb as much as 8-cents across the country this week, and we’ve already told you why climbing cost of commodities like coffee, corn and even chocolate mean you need a good grocery shopping strategy.
But there’s some good news for consumers too!
If you need to update your television, get a new cell phone, or just want to treat yourself to a cool new gadget – you could be in luck.
Some of the more trendy items of the past few years have come way down in price.
First let’s talk entertainment. If you’re still using an analog television with a converter box, and maybe even rabbit ears, now is a great time to upgrade. The price of HDTVs has dropped dramatically in the past two or three years. A 55-inch HDTV could have cost you around $1200 in 2009. But today you could get that massive TV for just $600.
Of course if you want a 3D television of the same size – it’s going to come with a price tag of at least two-grand.
Blu-Ray players are getting cheaper too. You can find them for as low as $40. That’s partly because so many Blu-Ray players are being bundled with deals on televisions. Plus, these devices could become a thing of the past before you know it. Remember when people started getting TV sets with built in VCRs or DVD players? The same things is happening with Blu-Ray players.
“People are now getting them built in, or streaming movies and not getting discs, so they’re going to be kind of obsolete,” says Beth Pinsker of DealNews.com.
We don’t know the exact price yet, but the new iPhone 5 will be out in a couple of months and it will certainly cost you a pretty penny. However, you’ll still be able to purchase an iPhone 3GS.
The smartphone used to cost $199, but in 2011 the price has dropped to $49.
It may not be the latest greatest Apple product, but it’s still a pretty cool phone. Just make sure you learn how to prevent identity theft on your smartphone.
Other tech items that are getting cheap this year include digital SLR cameras for under $300, Amazon Kindles and Nintendo Wiis for $99 as well as super cheap and super big external hard drives. Read more about all these items and more at CNNMoney.com when you check out 10 Things that will cost less in 2011.
You can be sure there will be brand new gadgets coming to a store near you this year. Check out the video below to see some of the strangest products features at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show.
Kasey Steinbrinck provides useful advice on personal finances and news about the economy on behalf of Check Advantage. The online check printer is always adding new checks to its collection of personal checks online. Get free content for your blog by contacting Kasey with a request.
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