Saving a little money here and there can make a big
difference when it all adds up. We have plenty of guides on different ways to save money, but often a good place to start is with
your hobbies. Gaming doesn't have to be a particularly expensive hobby in order
for it to be great fun. Recently, there's been an explosion of mobile games
that totally remove the need for a console, games that work on a freemium
model, and plenty of other technological advances that have helped to make
gaming cheaper. This is our guide to how to make the best use of those
technologies, alongside other tips for saving those pennies.
Look Out For Sales
The easiest way to save a little money is to look out for
games that are on sale. With providers like Steam, you can set alerts for when
certain games are reduced, meaning you can make big savings on titles that you
were going to buy anyway. If you want a more general alert when games are on
sale then joining a mailing list for your favorite games developer is a smart
idea. Mailing lists will always mention big sales, but, more than that, they'll
sometimes give their subscribers early access codes for the sale, or even
additional money off purchases.
Make Use of Bonuses
Many games exist in the online sphere now, which means it is
easy to find bonuses and rewards. If you enjoy casino games the most, then
looking out for bonuses is perhaps the simplest way to save a little here and
there. Slots gamers can usually find free casino spins
which will make their play money stretch further. Some websites offer these to
new players only, so it can be worth signing up to a new site every now and
again to make sure you're always getting the best bonuses.
Get to Know Goodwill Stores
Caption: Goodwill stores are treasure troves for retro
gamers
Goodwill stores are the perfect place to save money on your
gaming hobby and even add a whole new dimension to it. Often you'll be able to
find titles from the last few years which will be considerably cheaper than if
you were to buy them new. However, if you're looking for the biggest bargains
then you should check out the titles that are much older. Games that were released for the PlayStation 2, or even 1, can be as little as a dollar each and
still offer hours of fun. As well as this, retro gaming is having a resurgence
at the moment, so if you get to know the titles that sell well online, you
might even make money. Some games are sought after by collectors and fans of
retro gaming, so after you're finished enjoying the game, you could sell it on
for a profit.
Play Freemium Games Wisely
Freemium games can be a great tool in your money-saving
toolbox, as long as you take advantage of them in the right way. The freemium
model allows you to play the full version of a game for free, with the option
to customize it, skip ahead, or save time by paying for a premium currency. It
can be tempting to keep skipping ahead for a couple of dollars each time, but
if you're patient then you can experience the same game for absolutely no
money.