I love tech. It’s always fun to get new gadgets, tinker, and try new things. But technology, in general, can be expensive, which isn’t the best for your wallet or budget. There are also some pretty gnarly connotations around the industry, like rare earth minerals pillaged in dizzying quantities, massive power consumption, data tracking and privacy intrusions, addictions, digital waste, and, of course, significantly rising costs of everything and anything. It’s no secret the corporations that run the tech world don’t care about people.

I don’t know about you, but I have long been at odds with this adoration. I don’t necessarily adore the people at the top, it’s the tech and innovative experiences I enjoy. But it does come at a cost. The good news is there are some ways you can minimize that cost, in your own life. And over the years, I’ve picked up some tips and habits that help in that endeavor. I wanted to share them here.

Repair what you can and don’t buy new

Look, I get it. There’s nothing quite like unboxing a shiny new product or gadget, especially when the presentation is top notch. But also the waste that produces, even just the packaging alone, is not worth it.

You’ll notice, I try to avoid reviewing and using similar devices when it doesn’t make sense. That is, I try to keep everything dissimilar, as much as I can. I don’t buy a new tablet or a new smartphone every year, and I never have. I’ve always been one to avoid upgrades for the full two years, longer when I can help it. I don’t replace things like smart locks, smart doorbells, and other gear, unless they malfunction or fail or it makes sense to do so.

We can all cut down on the manufacturing needs by repairing devices that can be repaired or avoiding buying brand new when we can help it. There are some products it’s just better to buy refurbished or renewed. I would implore most to browse guides on iFixit and other forums. Most of the time, you can do the repairs yourself. A dead or dying battery you can usually fix. Screen problems, too. Even glass replacements are possible if you want to chance it.

Yes, I do practice this myself. In fact, I’m always fixing what I can. That’s not meant to be a self aggrandizing pat on the back, I just want to demonstrate I wouldn’t recommend things to others that I don’t follow.

Opt for multi-functional over single-use

I am guilty of this one, because with so many different gadgets out there, and so many reasons they exist, it’s easy to fall prey to. But ultimately, you should avoid single-purpose or single-function gadgets, and instead opt for multi-functional devices. Do you really need a sleep soothing sound device if you have a phone that can do the same thing?

There’s also the opposite side of this issue, where you can used dumbed down or simpler products that don’t require as much energy. For example, using an e-reader for books, magazines and online articles versus your phone. Something like the Rakuten Kobo Clara Colour can last for months at a time on a single charge. Or going with a simple, drip-based coffee maker without a touchscreen and advanced single-use process. Personally, I hate pod-based coffee makers and I brew by the carafe. If I have excess coffee leftover I put it in the fridge for iced coffee another day.

I know, there are two opposite points here, but basically, here’s the gist: Avoid single purpose gadgets when multi-functional options have everything you need. Avoid high-power devices when there are low power options with better longevity. A smart plug versus a smart bulb or smart light, which is an example that works for both instances, actually.

Ditch the electronics altogether, when you can

Yes, I know, this is coming from a tech bro and you can hardly believe it. It’s not coming from a place of judgment, because trust me, I totally get that feeling of not wanting to put the electronics down. I love video games. I love computers. I love mobile devices and screen-based gadgets. But sometimes, you just have to take a break and put down all the blue-light eye-fatiguing gear. Step away from the electronics and do something analog.

Craft some stuff with paper, cardboard, wood, or yarn. Draw some pictures or paint. Go hiking and explore the outdoors. Read a real book or magazine. Turn off your consoles, and your computers and your smart tech and simply relax without any of it. No social media. No doom-scrolling. No TV or media of any kind. And no, I’m not a boomer, I’m a Millennial and I was raised around all of this tech. I’m still saying it’s good to take a break.

Clean out and recycle old gear

I’m willing to bet a large majority of people have old gear lying around collecting dust. Not only is that a waste of space, those gadgets could pose a risk if they have a battery inside, or that old tech could be put to good use, especially if you recycle it properly. Recycling can actually help with tech and materials shortages, and we could use a lot more of it so Bezos and the billionaires stop trying to take away personal computers from us all.

Find an e-waste and recycling center near you, there are usually a bunch, and take your old electronics there for proper disposal. Don’t throw them in the regular trash where they end up in a landfill. You can also trade in your old tech at some places like Best Buy, which also has a recycling center.

Use batteries to charge when you can, like power stations

Power stations are a great option for portable power anywhere, especially when you can hook up solar panels and charge them that way. But when all else fails, if you need power fast, you could also use your car and other vehicles like an RV to charge them. Yes, you can just plug them right into your power outlets at home, too.

Normally, power stations are great for emergencies and outages, but between those events, you still want to use them regularly so they hold a charge. The trick is to use the power stations to charge mobile devices and gadgets that you would otherwise charge with your home’s electricity. That can cut down on power usage and save you some money on power bills. No, I’m not at all suggesting you do this every single day every time you want to charge a device. But again, every little bit can help.

You might also consider unplugging chargers, adapters, and other power sources from the wall, including surge protectors and power strips, when you’re not using the devices connected to them. They do use up power staying plugged in all the time. It’s not a crazy amount each day, but it can add up over time.

Upgrade to more energy-efficient hardware

Source: Naomi Hébert / Unsplash

I know it can be hard to believe with the current enshittification of everything, but a majority of modern devices and appliances are better at energy consumption and energy management. We’re talking about things like old refrigerators, central cooling and AC units, water heaters, washers and dryers, dishwashers, and some computers and older electronics equipment — like retro audio-video gear versus today’s highly-efficient models.

I won’t tell you what you should and shouldn’t upgrade, I don’t have the right, to be honest. That’s entirely up to you and your family. But it is worth noting that you could save in annual costs on various bills and utilities by upgrading. The real benefits depend on how old the equipment in question is and how well or poorly they utilize energy and other resources. Maybe skip the refrigerators with a big touchscreen and intrusive ads, though.

You could also choose sustainable tech over non-sustainable options. There is some pretty cool stuff out there.

Bringing it all home

I’m not telling everyone to do these things or be better. It’s difficult especially when everything in the modern world relies on electricity and has a screen of some kind. But this all came about because I was curious what I could do to minimize my own impact without giving up electronics entirely. The real goal should be to go off-grid, live with the bears and never use any electronics again. But I don’t think that’s even possible for someone like me. I’ll have to settle for the best I can do, which is cutting back as much as possible.

It’s not lost on me how much waste billionaires and the rich produce, private jets and all. It’s silly they push minimal lifestyles for the average family but live in the lap of luxury with incredibly wasteful lifestyles. A person from the richest 0.1% produces more carbon pollution in a day than someone in the bottom 50% produces all year. But what can you do?