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Clever Hacks for Budget-Friendly Home Furnishing

If you're not rolling in dough, you don't need to go broke to buy everything for your home — some home goods are worth getting the cheaper version of.

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21 April, 2024

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Home Appliances: Don’t Overspend

The wide array of home appliances available today offers both opportunities and challenges for consumers. Conventional wisdom suggests that you get what you pay for, but is it really necessary to purchase the most expensive items when you’re on a budget? When it comes to home appliances, the answer is a resounding no.

Appliances You Don’t Need to Spend a Lot on

Determining the true value of home appliances begins with understanding your individual needs. Everyone has different habits, preferences, and requirements. Certain features that are important to one person may be unnecessary for another. The price of appliances often reflects this.

Consider these appliances that don’t warrant a high price tag:

Television

Televisions are one of the home appliances you don’t need to spend a lot on. Focus on screen size, aesthetics, and essential picture quality. (Image: Best Buy Blog)

In the digital age, the variety and functionality of televisions have advanced at an unprecedented rate. Compared to their traditional predecessors, modern TVs offer enhanced picture quality, improved displays, and a plethora of features, including gaming and app capabilities.

However, the rise of smartphones means that many people have become accustomed to streaming movies, news, and other TV shows on their mobile devices. For some households, a television has become more of a decorative piece in the living room than a necessity. If this describes your situation, there’s no need to invest in an expensive set.

Buying a top-of-the-line TV that remains largely unused is a waste. Instead, choose a television that aligns with your practical needs, focusing on size, aesthetics, and basic picture quality.

Refrigerator

Don’t overspend on a refrigerator with features that don’t match your household needs. (Image: La Nueva Linea)

As the centerpiece of food storage and preservation, a refrigerator is indispensable in any home. The market offers a wide range of refrigerators at varying price points. Entry-level models can cost around $5-7 million VND, while high-end options can reach hundreds of millions. The tempting sales pitches from appliance store employees can leave consumers wondering if the budget-friendly options are good enough.

In reality, refrigeration technology has advanced significantly. Even a refrigerator priced at 4-5 million VND can meet basic cooling and freezing needs.

Premium refrigerators boast additional features such as large smart displays, remote controls, odor filtration, and antibacterial protection. However, if you’re not particularly affluent, a mid-range option will suffice to keep your food fresh and organized. Regardless of the price or features, the core function of a refrigerator remains cooling and freezing.

When purchasing a refrigerator, prioritize capacity based on your household’s food storage requirements. Also, consider design, energy efficiency, and price to find the right fit for your practical needs.

Washing Machine

Most washing machines fulfill the basic need of cleaning clothes, making it an appliance you don’t need to spend a lot on. (Image: Ross’s Discount Home Centre)

A washing machine is a household workhorse, freeing up time and energy for leisure. Given its importance, is it essential to splurge on a top-of-the-line model? Not necessarily. This is another appliance you don’t need to spend a lot on.

When choosing a washing machine, consider whether you prefer a top-load or front-load model. Top-load washers offer ease of use, reduced time and effort, and adequate cleaning. Front-load washers typically have more advanced features, including odor removal, air washing, and wrinkle-free drying.

If your household simply needs a reliable device to clean clothes, a top-load washing machine will save you money. Most washing machines on the market today can fulfill this essential need, which is ultimately the most important one.

Higher-end washing machines may have an array of features, but some, like extended drying, UV sterilization, and dust mite removal, are non-essential and can inflate the price significantly.

Air Conditioner

Don’t assume that more expensive air conditioners are better or more energy-efficient. Consider the room size, usage time, and your budget. (Image: Midea)

You don’t need to break the bank for an air conditioner. Mid-range models offer comparable performance to high-end options, so you can rest assured that you’re getting a quality product.

Inverter air conditioners are often more expensive than conventional models. Salespeople may try to entice you with claims of 40-60% energy savings, but in reality, the difference is around 15%.

Furthermore, Inverter air conditioners only demonstrate significant energy savings when used for extended periods (approximately 6-8 hours or more). For shorter durations, conventional air conditioners can be more cost-effective. Additionally, using an Inverter air conditioner with lower capacity than the size of your room can result in higher energy consumption, at least 10% more than a conventional air conditioner.

Therefore, don’t overspend on an air conditioner. Look for one that matches the room size, usage time, and your budget.

Beyond these specific appliances, when purchasing any home appliance, focus on practicality. Choose products with features and capacities that suit your household needs and financial situation. Avoid being swayed by feature overload and high price tags. Some additional features are merely marketing gimmicks with limited real-world benefits. Remember, there are many appliances you don’t need to spend a lot on, saving you money in the process.

Source: VTC

Frequently asked questions

Televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners are some examples. For TVs, focus on screen size, aesthetics, and basic picture quality. In refrigerators, the core function remains cooling and freezing, so prioritize capacity and your household’s needs over fancy features. Most washing machines fulfill the basic need of cleaning clothes, so a top-load washer can offer great value. Similarly, mid-range air conditioners can offer comparable performance to high-end models.

Understanding your individual needs is key. Consider your habits, preferences, and requirements. Certain features that are important to one person may not be necessary for another. Also, think about the practical aspects, such as capacity, design, energy efficiency, and, of course, your budget. Choose appliances with features and capacities that suit your household’s needs and financial situation.

In the digital age, TVs offer enhanced picture quality and a range of features. However, with the rise of smartphones, many people stream content on their mobile devices. So, focus on screen size, aesthetics, and essential picture quality. Choose a TV that aligns with your practical needs rather than investing in an expensive set that remains unused.

Refrigerators are essential for food storage and preservation. While premium refrigerators offer smart displays, remote controls, and odor filtration, these features may not be necessary for everyone. Consider your budget and choose a refrigerator that meets your household’s food storage requirements. Even a mid-range option can keep your food fresh and organized.

Not necessarily. Most washing machines on the market today can fulfill the basic need of cleaning clothes. Consider whether you prefer a top-load or front-load model, as they offer different features. If you simply need a reliable device, a top-load washer will save you money and provide adequate cleaning.

Not always. Inverter air conditioners are often more expensive, but they may not provide significantly higher energy savings, especially for shorter usage durations. Consider the room size, usage time, and your budget when choosing an air conditioner. A mid-range model can offer comparable performance to a high-end option.