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Can a Senior’s Computer Pay for Itself?

By Jack M. Peaker

If we as seniors could set aside our fears and take but a few hours to learn how to operate these feared objecta I think we would find that computers can give us many benefits as well as much pleasure.

Lets look at some savings from owning one of these instruments of modern technology.

E-MAILING:
This method of sending messages results in savings by reducing long distance telephone calls and eliminating postage, paper, pens and time. An added bonus is that poor penmanship is no longer a problem. Our children can be in touch daily if they so choose and we can keep on top of what is going on in their lives.

SHOPPING:
ebay.ca - A place to buy almost every type of product.

HOTELS:
canadianhoteldeals.com OR hotels.com
(the latter website permitted me to get a $300 room at Toronto’s King Edward Hotel for $87 per night)

TRAVEL:

itravel2000.com

wholesaletravel.com

Other websites offering money savings and time savings:

www.mirvish.com - Toronto entertainment - sometimes package deals

hotelfindercanada.com - searches Canadian hotels for best deals

favoriteplaces.net - searches hotels worldwide for best deals

spasontario.com - spas with accomodations throughout Ontario

www.hooklineandsinker.com - fishing information

www.niagarafallshotels.com - deals available in Niagara Falls

www.sunquest.ca - deals on sun vacations----(My daughter and family used this website to get a bargain at a 5 star resort in the Dominican Republic)

www.hotel--canada.com

expedia.ca
- offers discount flights, hotels, cars, vacation packages, cruises and maps.

KAZAA MEDIA
(go to www.kazaa.com for free download)
Use to downloading songs and programs. No more cd's to buy. You do need SPEAKERS on your computer. I have downloaded and listen on my computer to approximately 40 of my favourite songs and artists.

DIGITAL CAMERAS
Can e-mail your pictures to friends and relatives. Costs as little as $400. No film needed but hard on batteries. I would suggest buying rechargeable ones.
Print only the pictures you want to keep. You do need a good printer and kodak paper at approx $1 per sheet or take in to be developed for 50 cents each.

GREETING CARDS
Send greetings by clicking on “greetings” on a website such as yahoo or another similar site. You can find greetings for all occasions. Send them without cost for cards or stamps. They are available with animation and sound too.

We seniors hear of our children saving money by utilizing the above websites and other ones. Why not allow our computers to help pay for themselves??

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Written by Jack M. Peaker, a member of the Evergreen Writer's Club in Guelph, Ontario.


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