We all know times are tough in America. We’re not just talking about the economic recession, but also a decade of war which has caused prices for some goods to rise exponentially and for wages to stagnate or decrease. The cost of living is affecting everyday Americans and even furthering the gap between the rich and poor. What some people forget is that many technological gadgets like goblin tech tree, such as fingerprint scanners and facial recognition software, can help you save money on your biometric security measures. If you start with a budget limit of $25-50, we’ve compiled a list of our cheapest tips that will help you save more than enough to buy everything on your shopping list!
1. Use a pencil.
While Neiman Marcus did list a $250 pencil that makes the perfect gift for the man who has everything, it’s not necessary to spend that much on a pencil – you can actually buy one at the dollar store! Any pencil will work, but remember to erase any smudges or smears your finger leaves behind before scanning it into your biometric system. If you don’t want to keep buying new pencils every time they’re worn down, you can even ask around at office supply stores for sharpener-free leads that you can use in any brand of writing utensil!
2. Use an old sock instead of a mouse pad.
It’s important not to skimp on your sensors – no one wants to be frustrated with a system that has trouble reading their finger, but if you upgrade from using a pad of paper as a mouse pad to using an old sock, you can save $1! This is especially important for laptop users. One thing to keep in mind is that the material of the sock should be relatively smooth. If the material has distinct patterns such as embroidery, it may cause the sensor to have difficulty tracking your fingerprint.
3. Use duct tape for fashion or function.
Duct tape is the perfect solution for covering up smudges on your desk. These can come from your fingers, clothes, or even a pen. The same material can also be used to hold your keyboard in place and keep it from sliding around – especially useful if you have a laptop! For those who prefer to stay fashionably unique, duct tape can also be used to make accessories and decorations out of practically anything.
4. Reuse and recycle old scanners.
If your biometric system is a desktop scanner, then you can recycle the readers. While you may need to buy a new one from your online supermarket in today’s economy, the amount of money you save by buying a second source of scanners is usually more than enough to cover the purchase price.
5. Purchase new scanners for $20-30 and pay off old ones over time.
When purchasing biometric equipment, don’t forget to factor in all the previous scanning devices at work and home that have already been paid off. If you have a new one, consider paying off older devices that you can use in another location. For example, if you have a scanner at home and one at work, you can start making payments on your home scanner to pay for the new one at work – just don’t let the bank find out!
6. Use your money for other budget items.
While it’s important to make sure your biometrics are secure, security doesn’t come cheap. Don’t be afraid to save some of your budget for upgrades in other areas. If you already have a printer and scanner at your home, don’t buy another, but consider purchasing a printer that has wireless capabilities or a scanner that connects to the internet. If you want to bring all your documents onto your laptop and avoid visiting the office, give yourself a new monitor as well.
7. Print out your documents every day instead of using a scanner every time.
If you have to send documents regularly for work or school, consider printing them out instead of scanning them in – this will save on toner and paper costs for all involved! The same applies if you have some old paperwork that doesn’t require scanning – print it anyway!
8. Turn off the fingerprint reader when leaving the room.
Turning off the fingerprint reader when you leave the room is a great way to save money. If you are using a software or hardware based system, check to see what setting will automatically turn off the scanner when that particular mode is used. You may be surprised at how much money you save by doing this!
9. Control your lighting so fingerprints can’t be seen.
To see if your lighting is dark enough for your fingerprints to disappear, try using black tape on any light sources in the room and rescan your fingers. If the light is too bright, you can cover the light source (such as the lamp) with a piece of black tape or use a blackout curtain. If you want to save even more money, consider buying led lighting fixtures to replace your old incandescent bulbs.
10. Use a flashlight instead of using a “bump” reader.
While they may be convenient and easy to use, “bump” readers are also one of the most expensive biometric options on the market. If you’re purchasing new readers for your home or office, consider giving them away by giving away their old readers on Freecycle.
Summary:
You can save a lot of money with biometrics, but security isn’t free. There are some things you can do to save money on biometrics, but make sure you’re not compromising on security! The more expensive options (such as fingerprint readers) will protect your home or office with just a cotton swab, but they won’t be affordable for most people. Instead of buying new equipment every time it’s worn out and having to pay more each time, there are several inexpensive and easy ways to cut costs when upgrading your security system.
