How Does Your Computer Save You Money?

[BCHGRL]

Re: How Does Your Computer Save You Money?

As unproductive as this might be, I can follow Hollywood drama without paying for magazines or magazine subscriptions.

Also, I can talk to my friends and family through myspace.

I would be pretty lost if I suddenly lost the ability to track our finances through the internet.

[Broken Arrow]

Re: How Does Your Computer Save You Money?

BA I too have a computer at work. However, I am afraid to use it for personal things like banking. Work computers can be monitored. I doubt that my employer is monitoring it but still I am concerned. Something I have wondered about is if I hood into the wireless net at work using a personal laptop can I still be monitored. I find workplace computer safety very confusing.

That's a very good point!

Technologically, your privacy is secured through encryption between your computer and the server you are trying to access. The encryption in itself is, roughly speaking, the same regardless of what kind of computer you use (public or private).

In fact, some people who are especially paranoid actually prefer to do their clandestine computing on public computers. That way, even if a computer is traced to its exact physical location, it still doesn't guaratee capture.

However, this works best only for those who are knowledgeable enough (and probably have nefarious purposes in mind) to cover their tracks on public machines. Otherwise, it is indeed "safer" to do your computing at home.

As for monitoring, most servers can be set up to log what computers have visited what sites, when, and for how long. Furthermore, the IS department at my workplace can also "see" exactly what is on your desktop, and even be able to take control of it if they so desire. Or they just can walk by and shoulder surf like everybody else.

In my case though, the "worst" they'll ever find is me chatting here at savingadvice... and if they ever have a problem with certain sites, usually they'll just add to their filter and call it a day.

Since you brought it up, I would not be comfortable using wireless networks for secure computing. As it currently stands, I just don't trust any of them (but I don't have any experience with the 802.11n routers yet).

There are softwares out there designed to grab encrypted information off any internet connection, and once it grabs enough information, it will attempt to decrypt it and even spit out the password in plain text! The only hard part is being able to "eavesdrop" on someone else's connection, but wireless routers makes this a non-issue.

If you own a wireless router at home, it's a good practice to at least secure it with encryption (preferably WPA, but at least WEP) and a personalized password. If you're really on the ball, you'll also change the password, oh say, once every few months? Or better yet, if you don't see the need for it, just say "No!" to wireless routers.

But back to the original topic, I decided that I don't really have anything to hide anyways. The most people will see is how much I owe in student loans, what bills I have to pay, and any conversation we have on here. For now... I think the work computer is good enough. If not, I'll be more than happy to keep a home computer around.

[Hez]

Re: How Does Your Computer Save You Money?

I've saved through many things that have already been mentioned ... but as well, being able to read many magazines and newspapers free online. For magazines, everything from gossip rags to indie mags to more highbrow mags to trade publications...and for newspapers, I love being able to read many different ones, including non-local newspapers.

I absolutely LOVE the fact that being able to read many local newspapers online is very helpful in being able to interpret the news in a "real" way...if I were to physically subscribe to a newspaper, I would probably only get one political slant (since it's unlikely I'd spend the $ on multiple newspaper subscriptions).

So not only am I saving money, but it's actually an educational benefit as well!

[lrjohnson]

Re: How Does Your Computer Save You Money?

Jeffrey: it might be nice to just slip something in the article reminding people that some work places do not allow personal use. My work doesn't allow it, and although it's not monitored, that's not the point for me. It's not worth savins a few cents to pay a bill online if you have violated company policy, and people should teally check it out before they do so. Two people I know thought personal work computer use was fine until they actually checked the "fine print." Other places I know are fine with employees usng computeres on break.

One could go radioless and newspaperless and use streaming internet radio and read papers online. I get all the classifieds, tv listings, etc. online. I also get jy weather forecast online.

I don't need to buy maps-Mapquest, google maps, etc.

I pay the usual bills online. I bank online; just by switching my savings from my bick and mortar credit union to online ED and ING, I've tripled my interest rate.

I save a lot of gas by being able to research, comparision shop.

Free samples!!!!

Keeping in tough with people all over the world.

I'm able to make travel plans that let me take vacations without having to deal with packages or tours.

[Broken Arrow]

Re: How Does Your Computer Save You Money?

Jeffrey: it might be nice to just slip something in the article reminding people that some work places do not allow personal use.

That's a good point. If my workplace didn't allow it, then I would have no choice but to have a home computer.

[veronak]

Re: How Does Your Computer Save You Money?

Well I am able to save money and gas because I can check prices on a particular item at several different location for the best price and make one trip rather driving from here to there. Also I am able to do my banking which cuts down on a lot of time. And finally I save by checking webmd on certain medical conditions/symptoms rather than seeing the MD and $30 a visits

[DEN]

Re: How Does Your Computer Save You Money?

1) It eliminates the need to pay a monthly cable bill due to free streaming internet TV

2) It eliminates the need to buy/rent/go to the movies due to free torrents and streams

3) It eliminates the need to buy music due to free torrents

4) It eliminates the need to buy books/magazines/newspapers due to free downloads

5) It eliminates the need to buy video games due to free torrents and cracks


So basically all entertainment expenses are eliminated by it.

[Broken Arrow]

Re: How Does Your Computer Save You Money?

2) It eliminates the need to buy/rent/go to the movies due to free torrents and streams

3) It eliminates the need to buy music due to free torrents

...

5) It eliminates the need to buy video games due to free torrents and cracks

Okay, but just so it's clear, torrenting copyrighted content is illegal.

Do so at your own risk.

[disneysteve]

Re: How Does Your Computer Save You Money?

Ok. Showing my ignorance here. What the heck is a torrent?

[DEN]

Re: How Does Your Computer Save You Money?

@ disneysteve

read up, then enjoy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BitTorrent

[threebeansalad]

Re: How Does Your Computer Save You Money?

I peruse the grocery flier online so I can better plan my shopping list to coincide sales and coupons. I can't effectively use coupons in the store without planning ahead-- too much going on!

[beebop25blue25]

Re: How Does Your Computer Save You Money?

My computer does save me some money, BUT I buy more since I have the computer (Ebay, Amazon, etc.) than I did without my computer!! So It balances out!! So i'm not sure I save a whole bunch! I do however, come to this forum which keeps me motivated and I get some great tips! Ebay, for awhile, was my downfall, I bought stuff I didn't need just because I thought I was getting a good deal. I had to cut that out quick!! You can go broke buying from Ebay!

[Ima saver]

Re: How Does Your Computer Save You Money?

I went broke buying things on QVC so I quit turning it on. My computer does not save me any money cause I do not really know how to use it to do anything. However, this site saves me money and i can only come to this site because of my computer.

[PRICEPLUS]

Re: How Does Your Computer Save You Money?

It provides me with information, people to converse with, entertainment, and so much more at a low cost. I can shop tax free. I save money by coming to this site and others!

[beebop25blue25]

Re: How Does Your Computer Save You Money?

Ima, before I had my computer, QVC and HSN were my downfall too!! I would watch them during the day instead of soaps, and of course I was always convinced I needed something!! Then I discovered Ebay and found that I could buy the exact stuff from QVC and HSN for a fracture of what they sell them on TV. I thought great, I can save money! But then you start buying stuff you wouldn't normally have even bought from the shopping channels and you become addicted and boom, your broke!! Thank goodness I stopped the habit! But I will admit, if I watch those channels or go on Ebay, i'm very tempted and sometimes I give in to my temptations! OUCH!