Ask the Geek: A Couple Great Gadgets for Saving Money on All Your Other Gadgets

Two inexpensive gadgets that could save you big money.

More from Ed Mendlowitz, author ofImplementing Fee Increases,” plus: Three and a Half Ways to Get Your Own CPA Practice | Novice Manager Needs to Know: How To Do It All? | Why No One Listens to You | Fun Reads for Busy Season  |  When NOT to Offer a Free Initial Consultation | Measuring Growth in Yourself, Staff and Partners  |  What Do You Think You’re Doing?  | Can You Teach Judgment?  |  Clients’ Calls At Home  | What You Need to Know before Expanding into Business Valuation |

Question: I’m having a long-standing ‘disagreement’ with my husband about whether we should turn off our home computer when we leave for the day. I like to be as Green as we can, but he’s read somewhere that it causes more ‘wear and tear’ and energy use to be constantly turning things on and off. I think he just doesn’t like to wait for it to start up! What’s your take?

Answer: I’d rather not take sides in a domestic (ahem) power struggle, but as your husband may have found when Googling around on the topic, PC power saving can be a complicated business. Still, I have some tips that may result in a household compromise. I went to a geek colleague, Scott Dare, for his suggestions.