Modern life requires a bunch of appliances that make life easier. Of course, that comes at a cost. As new appliances become increasingly clever, thanks to new technology and innovative ideas, many homeowners are struggling to find the cash they need to shell out for a new purchase. Of course, when it comes to making good investments for your home, the cheapest option isn’t always the best.

While you’ll need to find the right balance between what you can afford and what you want, it’s worth remembering that some new and improved household appliances are expensive because they help you to save money in the long term. For instance, the right showerhead could cut down on the amount of water you use, while an energy-saving microwave could cut your power bills in half.

Here are some tips on how to reduce the costs of your appliance purchase:

Buy the previous model

Need a new one? It doesn’t have to mean choosing the latest model on the market. Most of the time, you can get all the benefits you are searching for in your updated appliance by buying the previous one – and you’ll save some cash at the same time. Remember to shop during October and September if possible, as this is when stores are under the most pressure to clear warehouse space.

Know where to shop

Sometimes it’s not about what you buy, but where you go. Shopping online can save a great deal of time and money, particularly when you shop smart. The As Seen on TV Store has plenty of great appliances to offer modern homeowners. 

Shop the dents and scratches

If you don’t mind buying a product that doesn’t look perfect, then you could get a huge discount with the on-display models that have been slightly worn. If they still work as they should, then you shouldn’t have a problem with overall performance, just with appearance.

Hit the sales

If you’ve already found an item that you want, but you’re not happy with the price it’s going for, always ask a sales rep when the store is planning to have its next sale. Waiting a couple of weeks could be all you need to do when you’re looking for a way to bring the cost down as low as possible.

Check out package deals

Finally, if you need to make several purchases at once, such as when you’re updating your kitchen, see whether you can get any extra savings from a supplier by tapping into package deals. Retailers will frequently bundle appliances together to make bigger profits.

Investing in a new home appliance shouldn’t have to cost a fortune. The next time you decide you need a new refrigerator, toaster or even a washing machine, make sure that you know how to shop savvy to get the best deals on every purchase.

Honor an America Hero by sending a free care package to someone in the military, courtesy of Packages from Home. Customize your gift by picking 4 samples and they’ll pack and ship it for you.

Samples include:

• Chips
• Coffee
• Pretzels
• Cookies
• Oatmeal
• Nuts
• Tea
• Lip balm

For those who aren’t familiar with Package From Home, they are truly remarkable! They go above and beyond to serve the needs of every troop and even host Hanukkah parties for Jewish servicemen.

There is no cost to participate, which means there’s no reason to wait. These brave souls are keeping us safe every single day—it’s the least we can do.

Target has marked down tons of Hanukkah items and these are really good clearance prices:

Menorahs – $6.00

Electric Menorah – $7.50

Fabric Wall Sign – $3.00

Fabric Table Runner – $5.40

Sleep Pants – $6.00

A big thanks goes to a reader named Jeanne for passing this info along. I haven’t checked my local store yet, however, she found bunches around Phoenix. Clearance does vary quite a bit, so keep your fingers crossed.

This post contains affiliate links and I received compensation for this post

During the holiday season, when everyone is focused on giving gifts to others, I think it’s important to also treat ourselves. My gift for me this year is a new mattress. That might seem a little extravagant, but as someone who suffers from chronic back pain and insomnia, it’s truly a necessity and worth every penny because I wake up feeling so lousy.

After visiting a few local stores and testing what they had in the show room, I wasn’t too impressed. Prices were very high for what was offered. Instead, I found a better option online at Helix Sleep. They offer a customized mattress that takes into account height, weight, gender, age, sleeping position, problem area, and desired firmness. (Determined by taking a simple online quiz.)

By building exactly what I want and getting the features I need, the odds of a better night’s sleep with less pain go way up! (I really, really hope it works better than my current Serta mattress that does nothing and cost much more).

Get $100.00 off a mattress purchase plus any other item with checkout code HOLIDAY17 at Helix Sleep.

Need more convincing? Check out the Helix review over at MattressMatchers.com. They have done a complete analysis of the company. It will give you a better idea of why I chose this brand in the first place.