Wondering what to do with your old smartphone when the iPhone 8 & X comes out? While you can certainly sell your old phone immediately after Apple announces the new model, there are plenty of ways to repurpose your iPhone. In general, it’s a good idea to keep an old smartphone as a backup in case your shiny new model breaks for any reason, but you can certainly reuse it elsewhere in your life at the same time.

Here are 20 creative ways to use that old iPhone or Android smartphone that’s collecting dust in a drawer:

1. VR Headset

Utilizing stereoscopic imagery, you can use inexpensive, third party VR head mounts like Google Cardboard, View-Master Virtual Reality or any of the knockoffs sold on Amazon to create a budget VR helmet. While it certainly won’t hold a candle to advanced systems like HTC’s Vive, there’s plenty of fun apps for both iOS and Android users.

2. Dash-mounted Navigation / Camera

While built-in navigation systems have become much more prevalent in new cars, there are plenty of older cars that could use the upgrade. In addition, having a dash-mounted version is likely safer when attempting to pull your smartphone out of your pocket while driving to check Google Maps. If you want to use your phone’s camera, you also have a dashcam.

We really love the MagGrip CD Slot mount, mainly because few people are using physical CD’s anymore. It places your phone in a perfect spot on the dash, elevated above the radio and below your rearview mirror. Some add-on software / hardware you may want to consider:

• ForeverMap 2 on iOS, Scout on Android: Offers offline maps, ideal when you drive into areas without consistent cell phone coverage.
• HUDWay (iOS & Android): If driving in poor conditions, this app uses reflections to create a semi-HUD on your windshield.
• Automatic Pro (hardware): Utilizing a car’s standard diagnostics (OBD-II) port, the Automatic app can display a ton of information related to usage of your vehicle.
• GasBuddy: Helps located the least expensive gas prices in your immediate area.

3. Smart Home Controller

If you are interested in investing in a smart home hub like the Samsung’s SmartThings Hub or the Logitech Harmony Hub, you can use an old smartphone as a controller for all your smart home devices. That’s ideal for guests that want to control smart home functions, specifically because the homeowner doesn’t have to hand over their phone for control.

You also may want to consider wall-mounting your smartphone in a central location around the home. There are a number of options on Amazon. Just be sure to place it near an outlet in order to keep the device powered up.

4. Secondary Home Phone

Utilizing the Wi-Fi calling functionality that was added in iOS 8, you can link it to your new phone over Wi-Fi to transfer calls. Basically, both phones will ring relatively at the same time if on the same Wi-Fi network. This can be useful if you live in a large home and want to dock a phone at a central location for anyone to answer.

5. Universal Remote Control

With select new 4K HDTVs packaged with small tablets to control television functions, utilizing an old smartphone for the same purpose can be cost effective for anyone with an older television. Some of the more popular software options include Peel, iRule and Simple Control.

While the software is free, you will likely want to add an IR blaster to make sure commands are always entered. Pronto makes a popular model, usually between $30 to $40 when on sale. LINK

6. Bedside Alarm Clock / Sleep Tracker

Utilizing a decorative shell, you can insert your old phone into the shell and use an app to display a clock all the time. There are a number of options on Amazon. If you are having trouble sleeping during the night, you may want to use a sleep tracker app like Sleep Cycle (available for iOS and Android). Sleepbot is another good option.

7. Dedicated Skype Station

If you like to use video conferencing apps like Skype to chat with friends and family, creating a specific place in your home to video chat can be very useful. You should probably consider purchasing a smartphone dock to keep the phone charged. You can also find docks with speakers built-in, ideal for hearing the folks you are video chatting with.

8. Baby Monitor

Definitely cheaper than purchasing a dedicated Wi-Fi baby monitor, utilizing an old smartphone to keep an eye on the crib is a smart idea. Likely utilizing a powered smartphone dock (similar to the Skype station above), look at apps like Cloud Baby Monitor for iOS or Dormi for Android.

9. GamePad for Mobile Games

Adding a decent gamepad frame to your older smartphone can be accomplished for less than $10. Look at options like the Logitech Powershell (which comes with additional battery power for charging your mobile device). You can also consider stepping up to a full-sized gamepad, like this Powerlead option, for roughly $30 to $35.

10. Document Scanner / Data Storage

Ideal for turning paper documents into a digital format, there are plenty of apps that can use digital smartphone photos to scan documents. Look at apps like CamScanner or Evernote Scannable to scan all your important documents.

In general, utilizing an old iPhone or Android device as an offline data storage solution could be a great idea for private data. Similar to keeping important paper documents in a safe deposit box, having a digital backup could be very useful. Look at apps like USB + WiFi Flash Drive on iOS and File Manager on Android. For additional security, you may want to consider a Safe Inside locking smartphone case to keep that device secure.

11. Dedicated Voice Recorder

Rather than spending $75 to $100 on a popular voice recorder, just utilize your old smartphone to record your notes. Voice Record Pro is popular on iOS and Easy Voice Recorder Pro is popular on Android. You also may want to consider purchasing an additional microphone, assuming you prefer higher quality recording or have an interest in podcasting (higher quality mics).

12. Kitchen Cookbook

If you spend a ton of time in the kitchen cooking meals, having a dedicated mobile device to watch cooking YouTube videos or read recipes can be extremely useful. You can also consider photo scanning in those old recipes that your grandmother passed down to you, ideal for a digital backup. If you are looking for solid kitchen apps, here’s a great list for shopping helpers, timers and recipe organizers.

13. Upgraded Digital Camera / Camcorder

While having a mobile device in your pocket is great for capturing the right moments, you can really step up your photography game with aftermarket lenses and flash attachements. Photojojo is a great spot to pick up items like lenses, improved flashes and tripods. If you want to your your DSLR lens on your smartphone, there are plenty of clip options on Amazon.

14. Vehicle / Bike Tracker

Creating a makeshift LoJack system for your car or bicycle, just reactive your phone with a cheap pay-as-you-go account and securely attach it on your ride. Then just use apps like Find My iPhone to locate the device if you ride ever gets stolen.

15. Barometer / Weather Center

If you have a an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, it includes an internal barometer sensor. If you are upgrading to the 7, you can definitely use your old phone as a mini weather center. Many Android phones offer a similar sensor. For Android, check out the Barometer app and DS Barometer. On iOS devices, check out Thermo-Hygrometer and Bar-o-Meter.

16. Home Security Cameras

Rather than purchasing a $200 Nest camera for internal home security, using an old smartphone for recording areas around your home is a less expensive option. Check out a cloud recording option like ManyThing (iOS or Android) for this purpose. In addition to live streaming video as well as motion alerts, you can setup up to five smartphones as security cameras and record up to 30 days of video.

17. Portable Recording Studio

If you are a musician, the ability to record your music anywhere is extremely useful. Look at apps like GarageBand and KORG Gadget (electronica) on iOS as well as Walk Band and FL Studio Mobile on Android. Of course, you also may want to consider some studio quality microphones to get the best audio.

18. Digital Picture Frame

Ideal when paired with a powered dock, using an old iPhone as a photo frame for guests to check out or browse through images is better than handing them your personal phone (in case you have some inappropriate photos in your stream). Of course, you will need to disable dimming as well as screen lock. A fantastic iOS app for this is Picmatic. It includes options for framing photos as well as transition effects and filters.

19. E-Reader

Rather than spending money on a Kindle, you can easily turn your old smartphone into an e-reader with apps like Marvin Classic on iOS or Moon+ Reader on Android.

20. Wireless Music Hub

Great for parties, using a smartphone as a dedicated music controller is definitely handy. Of course, you will need a Wi-Fi connected receiver or standalone speaker system to take advantage. Beyond apps like Pandora or Spotify for listening to streaming music, check out Tune-In Radio for access to live radio stations.

20 Creative Ways to Reuse Your Old iPhone

Nothing like winter-weather-induced cabin fever to get your home decorating juices flowing. Spurred on by your utter contempt for everything you currently own, these inexpensive living room decorating tips will keep both your local donation center and bank account happy. Once you’ve charitably pilfered your goods away, keep reading to shop for some creative albeit budget-friendly decoration upgrades.

Carry About Vase

Toss your grandmothers keepsakes that you never wanted anyway. Replace them with these Carry Around Vases, sold as one but worth buying a couple extra. Adding height and reflective surfaces to your living room is a quick and simple way to open up the room.  These will do wonders for your coffee table or curio cabinets. Pop in a trio of wild flowers or start a miniature succulent garden to capitalize on their airy, clean appearance.

Check Prices on All Modern

Olivia + Poppy Simoney Peonies Floral and Botanical Peel and Stick Wallpaper Roll

It’s not for commitment phobes, wallpaper that is. So this gorgeous Olivia + Poppy peel + stick is a great starter version for those interested in upgrading their living room without the responsibility or expense. This type of inexpensive decoration works for dorm rooms, apartments, rentals, and small spaces. With a super sharp pair of scissors and a couple extra ounces of patience, a steady hand and weekend are all you need to master this temporary, impactful upgrade.

Check Prices on Perigold

Tucson Console Table

High on stuff but low on funds? This Tucson Console Table slides behind your sofa and gives your Roku remote, library book, Kindle, cell phone, tablet, wine glass, and growler a resting place for the evening while you Netflix and chill without the clutter. For less than the cost of a night out on the town, this gives you just one more excuse to stay in. #treatyoself

Check Prices on Target

Sunnydaze Decor Zen Ventless Bio Ethanol Tabletop Fireplace

If your recent outdoor Tinder date went as well as you expected, there’s a chance your going to want to bring them over for a glass of wine by the fireplace. But as luck would have it, your condo didn’t come with a fireplace. Or washer and dryer, but that’s another issue entirely. This sweet little tabletop fireplace brings some zen to your den on the cheap, firing up the night in a safe but affordable kind of way.

Check Hayneedle for Prices

BelleBotanica Watercolor Herbs Print Set No. 1

There is something so elegant and ethereal about this print set from BelleBotanica. It’s simple. It’s clean. It’s quick. Pick up some 5×7 inch frames from Hobby Lobby on the super cheap to square out your new art gallery. Bonus points to the weekend warrior that also plants some of these varietals on their back porch for a true upgrade.

Check Prices on Etsy

Litex Brushed Nickel Mesh Min Pendant Shade

Here’s a bright idea! Replace all the lamp shades on the pendant lights suspended from the ceiling above the coffee table in your living room! This inexpensive upgrade will make the whole room shine in a brand new way! The brushed nickel mesh also helps to give your living space a more masculine feel, which works well in conjunction with the more flowerly items seen earlier in this post.

Check Prices on Bed, Bath, & Beyond

6 Inexpensive Items to Upgrade Your Living Room this Weekend

Looking for the best deals before your next trip to Kohl’s? We’ve identified some of the best product categories that you can find on sale at Kohl’s as well as some of the worst that you will want to avoid. These picks are based on average discounts as well as the potential for additional coupons used in the transaction.

Five Best:

1. Small Kitchen Appliances (Magic Bullet, Waffle Makers, Keurig)

More focused with online sales rather than in-store savings, this is the product category we on sale most often on Ben’s. Kohl’s typically offers greater discounts than other retailers.

Look to stack coupons on these items and add bonus savings with a rebate (Example: 20% off any order coupon + $10 off $30 or more Home coupon + a $20 rebate.)

2. Towels, Bedding, Rugs, Linens, General Home Decor

Look for the best sales on Kohl’s store brand products, then combine those sales with stacked coupons with dollar-off codes on the Home category.

Consider purchasing multiple items to reach the dollar-off coupon minimums. (Example, a recent deal offered 16 of Kohl’s “Big One” bath towels for $36 using stacking coupons; just over $2 per towel.)

3. Outdoor Kids’ Items (Mini-Pools, Inflatable Water Parks)

Similar to small kitchen appliances, these deals are more plentiful online rather than in-store. Look for the bonus addition of Kohl’s Cash on the higher-priced items, ideal for your next trip to Kohl’s.

4. Adult Apparel (Logo t-shirts, Work Clothes)

While we recommend avoiding adult apparel at regular retail prices, the savings in the clearance section when combined with coupons is tremendous.

Specifically, look for the best deals on men’s graphic t-shirts, Dockers slacks and Big & Tall sizes for men as well as women’s underwear / lingerie.

5. Apparel Accessories (Purses, Sterling Jewelry, Gloves)

As long as you aren’t a brand snob, Kohl’s offers excellent prices on quality purses and gloves (often made from real leather). You are also going to find more aggressive sales on sterling silver jewelry when compared to competitors like Macy’s or JC Penney.

Five Worst:

1. Kid’s Toys / Apparel

Unfortunately, Kohl’s is one of the worst retailers to find a significant discount on toys. Retail prices are inflated on toys; thus coupons don’t have much of an impact. Look to Target and Walmart for better deals in-store as well as Amazon for online deals.

The same advice applies to children’s apparel as the base MSRP starts too high for solid sales. For example, Kohl’s sell Carter’s brand of baby and toddler clothing. You are better off going directly to Carter’s for significantly cheaper prices during sale periods.

2. Electronics (TVs and Small Electronics)

Likely an attempt to become more relevant around the Black Friday shopping period, Kohl’s does carry some electronics. Unfortunately, the quality of the off-brand TV models is poor and Kohl’s doesn’t often allow coupons on other small electronics. Prices are usually better at any number of electronic retailers such as Best Buy and Amazon.

3. Shoes

While Kohl’s occasionally offers decent sale prices on lower-end Nike sneakers, these cheaper models are usually poorer quality than models that can be found in a specialized shoe store.

In addition, other brands that Kohl’s carries are lacking in quality. You are typically better off shopping at retailers like Nordstrom Rack and 6pm.

4. Furniture

Retail prices on Kohl’s furniture offerings are usually too high for coupons to have a significant impact on dropping the cost for the consumer. In addition, shipping charges are exorbitant on oversized items, pushing the price tag up even more. Alternatively, look to retailers like Target, IKEA and Walmart for better prices on furniture that’s of similar quality.

5. Wrapping paper, Greeting Cards, Gift Bags

In general, it’s never a good idea to purchase these items at retailers like Kohl’s. You will be paying a premium for these items simply due to the convenience. As long as you have time, hit up a dollar store for significantly better prices.

Check out our latest Deals from Kohl’s

Five Best & Five Worst Things to Buy at Kohl’s

According to a 2016 study, nearly 70 percent of seniors achieving an undergraduate degree will leave college with more than $35,000 of student loan debt! Resulting in monthly payments around $350 (average in 2012), that’s a decent chunk of money that students have to repay over terms usually ranging from 10 to 20 years.

Common interest rates for student loans are between 4% to 10% per year. As an example, let’s say your $35,000 student loan has a 7% interest rate. If you choose to pay that over a 20 year period ($270-ish a month), you will pay the original loan balance plus another $30,000 in interest; basically paying $65,000 for your education! If the rate was 10%, you would be end up paying over $80,000!

This is where refinancing can come into play (and impact your financial future significantly). There are a number of popular third party lenders (like SoFi and Earnest) that are offering refinancing services to help you bring down your rates. However, there are pros and cons to the process.

Pros:

You will pay significantly less money over the life of the loan.

As an example, let’s say you decide to refinance your 7% student loan and bring the rate down to 5% over the same 20 year term. Paying $230 a month, you will pay $55,000 over the next 20 years; $10,000 better than your old rate). If you shift that to a 10-year term, you will come out even better paying $44,000 over the life of the loan. The downside is that your payment would go up slightly. But that’s a $10,000 to $20,000 difference in your bank account over that time period!

Savings are even more evident for future doctors and lawyers graduating with a few hundred thousand in debt. Let’s someone with $250,000 in debt shifted from 7% at 20 years to 5% at 10 years. While their payment would move up by about $700 a month, the total interest paid over time would drop by nearly $150,000! They would end up paying around $318,000 for their graduate education instead of $465,000.

You can focus on a single monthly payment rather than payments across a collection of loans.

Basically identical to consolidation, you can roll all your loans into a single loan with a single payment. However, you would want to avoid doing that if one of your loans has a lower interest rate than the refinancing rate. You could refinance the rest of the loans though.

You can remove a cosigner from your original loans.

If you had a parent or friend cosigner your original paperwork for a federal or private loan, refinancing will remove them and release them of any further responsibility. Once a cosigner is released, it’s possible that their credit score would be impacted positively.

You can still claim student loan interest as a tax deduction.

Even if you refinance, you will have the ability to claim up to $2,500 in student loan interest off your taxes each year (assuming you make less than a specific income threshold, $80K for single filers, $160K for joint).

Cons:

You lose protection benefits on your federal loans.

Easily the most risky issue with refinancing, federal loans come with a variety of attractive repayment plans (full list); particularly ideal for someone starting at their first job. For instance, Income-Based Repayment sets your monthly payment at a maximum of 10 percent of your discretionary income. This can be ideal for a recent graduate that’s trying to pay all their living expenses for the first time and a student loan payment as well.

If you plan on moving into a public service career or teaching, you would also be forgoing loan forgiveness options like PSLF. Basically, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer. That’s can be huge savings, possibly better than refinancing if you plan on sticking with the same line of work for ten years.

Of course, these federal benefits do not apply to private loans. In addition, if you see a greater opportunity to make more money in the private sector (compared to public service), you may actually be doing yourself a disservice to utilize a loan forgiveness program.

You lose deferment and forbearance options.

If you lost your job for some reason, federal loans have the option of postponing your payments. that can also be used when reentering college, such as attending a graduate program. A refinanced loan won’t offer the same option and will continue to require payments over time.

So What Should You Do?

I’d say refinancing your student loans is most ideal when you have a stable career, a decent emergency fund built up, and consistent cash flow each month. The potential to save tens of thousands of dollars over the life of loan can impact your financial future in an extremely positive way, especially if you invest that money into your retirement.

Personally, I’ve helped my wife refinance her graduate school student loans twice, each time a different company. The first time, we reduced rates between 7% and 8.5% on multiple loans down to a 6% fixed rate. The second time, we reduced the rate down to 4.4%, a move that will save us an additional $30,000 over the next 6 years.

Assuming you have a majority of federal loans, take a look at the full list of federal benefits to see if you want to give those options up in favor of saving money. If you have private loans, refinancing is a no-brainer; especially if your interest rates are high.

More Resources:

• 11 Best Companies to Refinance Your Student Loans: NerdWallet
• /r/StudentLoans subreddit for asking questions: Reddit
• Student Loan Payment Calculators: FinAid – SLHero
• Fixed vs. variable student loan interest rates: Credible

Refinancing Student Loan Debt could save you Thousands

During your teen-age years, if you ever asked your dad for 20 bucks to go to the movies, you probably received a lecture about spending and saving money at the movies. And if grandpa was around, he probably contributed.

They might tell you a story about how they could buy popcorn, see a double feature — with a good opening cartoon — and still receive change from a $1 bill. (You may have already figured this out, but grandpa was telling the truth; dad was lying for effect.)

Those days are long gone. Average movie tickets are up to $9 apiece, but if you’re going to a 3D movie with reclining seats at night as an adult, you’ll play several dollars more than the average. And, based on the concession stand prices, who knew popcorn had become such a rare and valuable commodity? (Oil producers are jealous of movie popcorn producers in today’s economy.) It all adds up in a hurry.

Still, we pay these prices, because we love movies. To help you enjoy movies even more, we’ve compiled a list of nine ways that you can save money at the movies today. (That’s one tip for each dollar you’re spending on an average ticket.) These tips won’t allow you to go for $1 like grandpa did, but you’ll hopefully save enough that you’ll be able to tell your grandkids some of your own stories about how cheap things were in your day.

1. Join the Theater’s Loyalty Club

You will have to give out some personal information to join the loyalty club, but the rewards are worth it for frequent movie goers. Many theater chains offer discounts based on how much you spend over time. Others have special discounted tickets and concessions nights for loyalty club members.

2. Try a Monthly Pass

One interesting idea that may be worth it for frequent movie goers is MoviePass. It allows you to pay a monthly subscription fee and you then can see one movie per 24 hours all month long. You’ll manage all aspects of using MoviePass with a smartphone app.

Subscription prices vary depending on where you live, whether you want to lock into an annual contract, and whether you want to see fewer movies per month.

Not all theaters work with MoviePass, and even if your local theater does honor MoviePass, it may have restrictions. And you cannot see the same movie more than once. But on the plus side, some theaters will credit your ticket purchases at full price for their loyalty programs, rather than what you’re actually paying through MoviePass, which is great.

Before signing up, read through the details closely to ensure it’s a good deal for you at your local theater. And if your theater does not participate in MoviePass, it never hurts to ask if they will partner with the service or if they have their own monthly pass deal.

3. The Earlier, the Better

If you don’t mind going to the movies a little earlier than most people, you could save 15%-25% for a matinee movie ticket. Even if you only go to the movies every other week, you could save around $50-$60 per person annually. Most theaters offer these slight discounts before 6 p.m. on weekdays and before 4 p.m. on weekends. So consider flipping the traditional script and going to the movies first before going to a late dinner. (And you probably won’t have to fight for the best seats if you go earlier.)

4. Special Discount Nights

If you’re a senior citizen, a member of the military, or a student, your local theater chain may have a special night of the week where you’ll receive a discount. It probably will be on a weeknight, so don’t plan on this idea for a cheap Friday night date. My local theater chain offers $5 movie tickets on Tuesday nights for students, for example, which is half price. Some discounts for seniors are available at all times and can be as much as one-third off the regularly priced ticket. You just have to see what’s available at your local theater and then ask for the discount.

5. Gift Card Discounts

Don’t feel guilty about using this tip! There’s nothing wrong with buying a gift for yourself on occasion.

Around the holidays, your local theater chain may offer a discount for gift cards purchased in bulk. If you buy $100 in gift cards, you may receive a $10 gift card for free, for example. That’s like receiving a nearly 10% discount on your tickets.

Another option for cheap gift cards is a local warehouse club. They often sell gift cards for many places like restaurants and movie theaters at a discount to the face value of the gift cards. These discounts range from 5% to 15%.

Finally, you can visit sites like CardCash to find discounted gift cards for movie theaters. Just make sure the gift card is for your local theater chain and not a theater 30 miles away.

6. Avoid Extra Fees

Purchasing your tickets from online movie reservation sites can be convenient. But you may pay an extra $1 or $2 for the tickets. Sure, this doesn’t seem like much, but on a $10 ticket, that’s a 10%-20% surcharge. Buy from the box office or the theater’s own web site to avoid the surcharge. Or perhaps the theater has a mobile app that allows you to purchase tickets directly.

You’ll also pay added fees to see a movie in 3D or in IMAX resolution. Sometimes this extra feature is worth it, but not always. If you’re really fired up about seeing a particular movie, go ahead an splurge for 3D or IMAX. But if you’re unsure if you’ll like the movie, go for the traditional 2D and save a few dollars.

7. Download the Theater’s App

Some theater chains will push discounts to you through their app every few weeks. And if you’re a loyalty club member, it may work in conjunction with the app for other discounts and reminders of special deals. (Just don’t use the app during the movie — rude!)

You also can follow all of your theater’s social media accounts, as they may occasionally announce ticket and concession discounts. But in most cases, using the app and signing up for the loyalty club is an easier way to receive consistent discounts from a particular theater chain.

8. Save Money on Snacks

One of the great things about the theater experience is the snacks. It’s just part of the cost of the movies for many people. But they’re expensive, so it helps to save a bit of money here.

You may receive discounts on snacks as a loyalty club member. And some theaters offer a snack bundle — aimed at kids — for a much lower price than buying the items individually.

Let’s be honest: No one needs as much popcorn as most theaters serve. But perhaps sharing a bucket among a family isn’t overdoing it too much. If your kids will fight over the tub, bring some paper lunch sacks and divvy up the tub, so everyone receives a fair share. And if you have a really big family (or if you’re addicted to movie theater popcorn), many theaters now offer free refills on the largest tub of popcorn.

Finally, quietly bring your own snacks. For example, you can buy theater sized candy boxes at grocery stores usually for around $1. This can be as much as a 75% discount versus what you’ll pay at the theater for the same box. Understandably, theaters don’t tell you to bring your own snacks. But as long as you aren’t obnoxiously flaunting the fact that you brought your own candy, most theaters will look the other way.

9. Deal Sites

There are movie deals floating around the Internet, if you just know where to look. Admittedly, it can be a huge hassle to track multiple sites. But that’s where we at Ben’s Bargains enter the picture, ready to help you save money. We regularly collect special deals on movie tickets, so check with us before you buy those tickets and you’ll be saving money at the movies!

Try These 9 Tricks for Saving Money at the Movies

These days, the data that you have on your computer or smartphone is almost certainly more valuable to you than the device itself. Think about what you’d lose with a data crash, and it’s almost enough to invoke a panic attack. So we know you’ve heard it dozens of times, but maybe this time it’ll sink in: You must back up your data on a regular basis. Fortunately, these days backing up data can be inexpensive. We’ll show you the four easiest and cheapest data backup and data storage methods and help you figure out which option is best for you.

Cloud Storage

If you’re still a little fuzzy on understanding the cloud, the easiest way to describe it is a data storage site that’s in a remote location.

When you upload data to the cloud, you’re simply creating a copy of your data in another location. This is a great option for many reasons.

• Remote location. If you suffer a catastrophe at your home, the data is stored in a safe location remotely.
• Automatic uploads. Most cloud storage services offer an automatic uploading of your data each time you make a change. Once the service is set up, it works automatically.
• Large storage levels. With cloud storage, you’ll have access to an almost unlimited amount of storage space that you easily can expand as needed.

Most cloud storage sites give you a certain amount of data storage for free, so check into these offerings first. For example, Google Drive offers 15GB of storage for free, while Microsoft OneDrive has 1TB of free storage for people who own Microsoft Office software licenses. Many other options are available too.

You may be able to just save your most important files in your cloud backup system, allowing you to remain under the free storage limit, meaning you have no cost to use the service.

If you need more space, you’ll pay a monthly fee for extra storage space beyond the free amount. Most people can easily survive with a storage amount that’ll cost less than $10 monthly, sometimes far less. Because this is such a competitive market, shop around. Prices change constantly.

The downside to cloud storage is that you lose physical control of your data. Although cloud storage services have multiple layers of security for protecting your data, some people just can’t shake their dislike for the idea of handing control of their data to someone else.

USB Flash Drive

Although cloud storage is easy and convenient, the cost of storing data on a USB flash drive has dropped tremendously in recent years, making it cheaper than cloud storage for those with storage needs above the free limits that a cloud provider offers.

If you’re paying $5 a month for 64GB of storage in the cloud, you can make that up in a few months with a USB flash drive. Some advantages of USB flash drives include the following.

• Large capacities. It’s easy to find a flash drive with 64GB or more storage.
• Fast uploads. If you have a USB 3.0 slot on your computer, pairing it with a USB 3.0 flash drive yields extremely fast read/write speeds.
• Small and portable. USB drives don’t take up much room and are easy to carry with you.

Our favorite USB flash drive right now is the 64GB Samsung USB 3.0 Flash Drive.

Check Price on Amazon

The biggest downside to a USB flash drive is that creating backup copies is not an automatic process. You have to remember to make backups. Additionally, the flash drive probably will be in the same location as your computer most of the time, so a fire would destroy both copies potentially.

And unlike the cloud, you must have the USB drive in your possession to obtain the backup data. With the cloud, you can access your backups anywhere you have an Internet connection by just entering a user name and password.

SD Memory Card

Everything we just wrote about USB flash drives can be applied to SD memory cards too. Most computers have an SD card slot, and you can easily copy files to it, just as you can a USB flash drive.

Prices on average are a little higher for an SD memory card than a USB flash drive for the same amount of storage, although the two types of storage mediums have become very close in price in the past several months.

We really like the price point and performance of the SanDisk 64GB Ultra SDXC UHS-I memory card.

Check Price on Amazon

External Hard Drive

The most bang for your storage buck, though, belongs to external hard drives. These devices connect to your computer through a USB connection and allow you to copy huge amounts of data to them as a backup method.

It’s common to find external hard drives with 1TB of storage capacity (that’s roughly 1,000GB). Such devices are larger than memory cards or USB flash drives but cost far less per GB than those devices.

You again have to remember to perform data backups with external hard drives, rather than it being an automated process as it is with the cloud. But these devices are clearly the cheapest option for anyone with huge data storage needs, such as for a collection of photos or videos.

We really like the Seagate Expansion 1TB Portable External Hard Drive, which has a thin case and is available in data sizes up to 4TB.

Check Price on Amazon

Other Options

Here are some other data backup and storage options that didn’t make our top four list, but that have some advantages.

• Optical discs. Some people still like to back up to CDs and DVDs. Although you can use these optical discs, they aren’t as convenient for data storage and backups as the methods listed here. However, if you need to be able to show what your files looked like on a particular date for archival purposes, a writable DVD-R option, such as the Verbatim 50-disc spindle, offers 4.7GB of storage per disc.

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• Online backup services. Some online backup services will store data for you automatically, just like the cloud services we mentioned earlier. However, these services go one step further by guiding you through the process of restoring your data after a crash. These services all charge monthly fees, so you’ll pay for the simplicity they offer.
• Network Attached Storage. If you have a network at home, you can place an NAS box on the network to handle backup storage options. These are difficult to set up for the average person, and they aren’t as cheap as some other options, but backups can be run as an automated process on the network if desired.

[table caption=”Cheapest Data Backup Cost Comparison Table” width=”480″ colwidth=”50|20|20|20|20|20|20″ colalign=”left|center|center|center|center|center|center”]

Data Storage Option,Microsoft OneDrive,Google Drive,Dropbox,USB Flash,Memory Card,Ext. Hard Drive

Typical Storage Size,50GB,100GB,1TB,64GB,64GB,1TB

Cost per GB first month*,$0.04*,$0.02*,$0.01*,$0.31,$0.34,$0.06

Cost per GB first year*,$0.48*,$0.24*,$0.12*,$0.31,$0.34,$0.06

Requires fast Internet,Yes,Yes,Yes,No,No,No

Local storage option,No,No,No,Yes,Yes,Yes

Easy and fast for huge storage needs,No,No,No,No,No,Yes

Automated backup possible,Yes,Yes,Yes,No,No,No

One-time upfront fee,No,No,No,Yes,Yes,Yes

Repeatable monthly cost,Yes,Yes,Yes,No,No,No

[/table]

*If you aren’t using all of the data you’ve paid for with the cloud storage systems that carry monthly fees, your cost per GB used is higher. For example, if you’re only using 50GB of your 100GB plan from Google Drive, your cost per GB used is double what’s listed here because you’re leaving half of the storage you’re paying for unused. And if you’re only using 125GB of your 1TB with Dropbox, you’re cost per GB used is several times higher than what’s listed in the chart because so much storage space that you’re paying for is going unused.

The 4 Easiest and Cheapest Data Backup and Storage Methods

Looking for some great gift ideas for Dad and want to save a little money at the same time? Kristin Cook, Managing Editor of Ben’s Bargains, says “Father’s Day sales have really begun to kick-off since Memorial Sales have ended. Expect to see some sales coincide with early back-to-school deals on items like laptops.”

We’ve put together a solid list of options for you based on the type of dad you have. All of these products are on sale in June as well, ideal for anyone that’s on a budget. Check out our picks:

Chef Dad: Dishware / Pots / Pans

If your Dad loves to whip up meals for the family, June is a fantastic month to find deals on pots & pans as well as general dishware. Why? It’s wedding season and promotions on popular registry items are abundant. Look for great deals on high quality pots & pans sets, usually in the 40 to 50 percent off range at stores like Kohl’s, Wayfair and Macy’s.

Workout Dad: Fitness Gear / Gym Memberships

If your Dad loves to go for a morning run or bike ride, June is a killer month to find deals on fitness related items. That includes sneakers as well as general apparel. Look for sales between 40 to 60 percent off from stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods and REI.

Interestingly, this is also a month when your local gym lower rates to get more memberships, specifically because the weather is warmer and more people are running outside instead of the treadmill. You can also find lots of deals on sports magazine subscriptions to ESPN, Sport’s Illustrated and Runner’s World at sites like DiscountMags.com.

Tech Dad: Laptops

If Dad’s old laptop is more trouble than it’s worth, June usually kicks off the start of back-to-school sales and that includes laptops. Look for great deals on touchscreen and SSD Windows 10 laptops in the $400 to $550 range as well as less expensive 15-inch standard laptops in the $300 to $350 range. The majority of June sales will come from the Microsoft Store, eBay, Best Buy and Dell.

Be aware that this advice doesn’t apply to Apple MacBooks. Apple generally announces new MacBooks at the WWDC conference in June, thus discounts on previous generation models usually don’t hit until late August / early September.

Garage Dad: Tools / Hardware

If your Dad loves spending time tinkering in the garage, this is a fantastic month for snagging tools and other hardware at a major discount. Look for great deals on hand tools from 40 to 65 percent off as well as power tools / combo sets between 25 to 40 percent off at stores like Sears, Home Depot, eBay and Lowes.

Outdoors Dad: Fishing Trips (National Fishing Week)

While the end of fishing season (September) is the best time to buy discounted fishing gear, June is actually the best month to plan an inexpensive fishing trip due to National Fishing Week in early June. Nearly all states run promotional free fishing days during June, excellent for anyone that wants to fish without getting a license. You can find a full list of promotional days to plan a trip with Dad at TakeMeFishing.org.

How to Save Money while buying a Father’s Day Gift

Salt and pepper go together like… salt and pepper.  (They don’t go together like things, things go together like them!)  We all have salt and pepper in our house, and most of us use them for more than just killing slugs.  But due to their grainy nature, you can’t just keep them in a bowl or throw a pile in your fridge – you need a specially designed salt and/or pepper carrier known to top-level chefs as a “shaker.”

But if you’re using those standard glass 24-hour-diner-in-Jersey shakers, you need to stop!  Have some self-respect, and get a shaker that makes you happy!  Sure, no one needs fancy salt and pepper shakers, you can still get by without them… but you don’t need salt and pepper on your eggs, either, yet something so small can just make the experience more enjoyable.  Isn’t it time you Spice Up Your Salt and Pepper Shakers?

Marvel Superheroes Salt and Pepper Shakers

Earth’s mightiest heroes join together once again, this time to fight a foe worthy of their strength – bland, tasteless food!  (This has Dr. Doom written all over it…)  These hand-crafted and hand-drawn figures of the Marvel Superheroes Salt and Pepper Shakers bring the fight to your dinner table, with Spider-Man and Thor as one unit and Hulk and the Cap as the other!  Excelsium chloride!

Buy the Marvel Superheroes Salt and Pepper Shakers Here

Fred and Friends Salt and Magic

You know how magic wands work: you say an incantation, sacrifice your soul to Satan (if applicable), and then a magic powder falls out of your wand!  That much is just basic, elementary school science – what they never get into is what the powder is.  What if you needed a spell to make your food better?  Then the “magic powder” is no more than common salt!  In which case, the Fred and Friends Salt and Magic are perfectly appropriate.

Check Amazon for the Fred and Friends Salt and Magic Here

Saruman and Gandalf

What better way to symbolize the contrast of salt and pepper than with the eternal battle of good versus evil!  Light versus… gray?  Is that right?  The Saruman and Gandalf shakers are pretty epic.  Dandruff won’t be the only flakes falling from these old men’s heads. You can find more designs featured here.

Check Amazon for the Saruman and Gandalf Here

King and Queen Salt and Pepper Mills

We had to do a double-take to make sure these were actually themed salt and pepper shakers instead of just normal ones.  The King and Queen Salt and Pepper Mills are pretty similar to regular mills, but true chess fans will recognize the difference right away.

Buy the King and Queen Salt and Pepper Mills Here

Superman Vs. Lex Luthor  Set

Man, Superman sure was pissed when Luthor used salt to melt all the ice around his Fortress of Solitude!  With the Superman Vs. Lex Luthor Set, you can reenact that classic battle with Luthor’s salt spraying suit and Superman’s pepper-ray vision (one of his lesser known powers).

Buy the Superman Vs. Lex Luthor  Set Here

Saltepper

They’re both granutaled spices intended to improve the quality of your food – can’t they just get along?  The Saltepper rethinks the separate shakers formula and brings them together as one, where they belong.  Maybe now they can put aside their differences and face the real threat:  oregano.

Buy the Saltepper Here

Creepy Doll Head Shakers

How thoughtless of us – we’re sitting here presenting shakers for normal – perhaps a little nerdy – people, but we forget all about the psychotic killers out there!  What, you assume Kevin Spacey’s character in Seven ate his French fries as-is?  No, he had his own shakers to reflect his personality, like these Creepy Doll Head Shakers.  Mm-mm, we’re getting hungry just looking at them!

Buy the Creepy Doll Head Shakers Here

Spice Up Your Life with These Fantastic Salt and Pepper Shakers

Forget the Dali Lama… If one man has the power to unite the world, it’s Bill Murray. He’s played scientists, mobsters, bank robbers, Garfield, professional bowlers, and perhaps his most challenging role: himself (at least 3 times). He’s shot hoops with Bugs Bunny and dicked around with Dickens. A living legend, the mere mention of his name evokes giddy joy across generations.

That’s probably why his face is plastered on so many products.

Here are 11 take-home idols of… a god. Not the god.

1. Thrill Murray: A Bill Murray Coloring Book

What better way to celebrate the career of our favorite adult child than a coloring book. Thrill Murray mixes interpretative surreal art, cinema nostalgia, and crayons for an experience that can release your inner child while you drink a whiskey.

Buy Thrill Murray on Amazon Now

2. Saint Bill Murray Prayer Candle

It’s a seamless transformation to paint Bill Murray as a saint. Almost as if this is his natural state, and the way he looks as a mortal is the illusion. Take a moment to remind yourself that this prayer candle from PurgatoryPenPals is just a joke. We really shouldn’t worship Carl Spackler, right? … Right?

Buy the Saint Bill Murray Prayer Candle Here

3. Regal Throw Pillow

Now that’s more like the version of him we see in our heads. This Regal Throw Pillow Cover (pillow not included) gives the thespian the commanding respect he deserves. From Decorative Arts, who have similar products for Nicholas Cage, Christopher Walken, and more. With all those badges, he’s certainly come a long way since Stripes.

Buy Regal Throw Pillow on Amazon Now

4. JP London Bill Murray Warhol Wall Sticker

Marilyn Mon-who? If you’re going to stick someone’s face 9 times on your wall, make sure it’s one you won’t get sick off. These 19.75″ x 24″ decals come ready for self-assembly in a Warhol-inspired style.

Buy JP London Bill Murray Warhol Wall Sticker on Amazon Now

5. Bill Murray Earrings

Handmade by PistachioMoon, these earrings lend you the charm and charisma of a man known for playing fools. What guy wouldn’t fall in love with a girl sporting the star of Scrooged as an accessory. If you’re skeptical, just look at that smile!

Buy the Bill Murray Earrings Here

6. Pop Zipper Pouch and Makeup Bag

If you see someone with a brown fedora and a whip you think “Indiana Jones.” Hippie hair and a bath robe, “the Dude.” Likewise, you see a red wool hat and a white beard, it’s Steve Zissou, our favorite fake documentarian. This makeup bag combines a pop aesthetic, ironic print copy, and the unmistakable visage of a well-known oceanographer.

Buy Pop Zipper Pouch and Makeup Bag on Amazon Now

7. Stripes Key Holder

John Winger sends you off on your day with this cheerful key holder. Mounted on a lightweight woodblock with secure nail hooks in back, these plaques are available in two different sizes: 5.5″ x 8″ (one hook) or 7.25″ x 10″ (four hooks). For an additional fee, you can even personalize it so that he calls you by name.

Buy the Stripes Key Holder Here

8. Black Bill Lighter

We don’t really understand it, but there’s something about this professional clown that just so… cool. Maybe it’s his No F*cks Given attitude, maybe it’s that we like a guy who makes us laugh, or maybe it’s just how he looks in a suit. Either way, this classy lighter borrows the dignified air of the man who, in Ed Wood, played “the weird one” in a cast full of weird ones.

Buy Black Bill Lighter on Amazon Now

9. Bill Murray 8″ x 10″ Celebrity Photo

For true Murray fans, just his face is enough to inspire awe. This 8″ x 10″ professional quality print shows the face you’ve come to love, without the fluff or zombie makeup. Hang in on your wall, put it in a heart-shaped frame, or use it to make your own original fun Bill Murray product.

Buy Bill Murray 8″ x 10″ Celebrity Photo on Amazon Now

10. I Heart Bill Murray Coasters

Rest your beverage on Raleigh St. Clair’s face! This set of four coasters is etched on quarter-inch cherry wood in Brooklyn, the Mecca of Murray fans. When he’s not saving the world from ghosts, he’s saving your sensitive table surface from unsightly moisture stains.

Buy the I Heart Bill Murray Coasters Here

11. Appreciation Series: Bill Murray Poster

Here it is, the ultimate fan memorabilia of Murray fans, which separates the trend-followers from the true believers. This poster from Amy Blue Illustration lists out the 30 best reasons we love Bill Murray. All of his iconic characters (up to The Grand Budapest Hotel), are here, represented by a small headshot. You have all his famous roles like Venkman and Zissou, but also his lesser known roles. Did you know Murray once played Hunter S. Thompson?

Buy the Appreciation Series: Bill Murray Poster Here

Eat, Drink, and Bill Murray: The 11 Best Bill Murray Products

Looking for the best deals before your next trip to the store with the big red bullseye on it? We’ve identified some of the best products that you can find on sale at Target as well as some of the worst that you will want to avoid. These picks are based on the average discounts as well as the potential for additional coupons.

Target’s Five Best:

1. Toys

5 Best / 5 Worst Products to Find on Sale at Target