How to Buy Clothes for Cheap


Filed under: Blogroll — Francesca @ 3:50 pm

One of the best things about clothes is that everyone needs them. Clothing items make great presents for friends, relatives, and even yourself! However, when it comes to shopping for clothes, a lot of people, (ladies, we’re looking at you) tend to go overboard with the spending. All those sales and clearance items can add up, and if you’re not careful, you could end up with a not-so-pleasant surprise when you see your credit card bill.

Thankfully, there are still some stores out there that understand that impeccable style doesn’t have to come with an outrageously high price tag. The CheapStuff Team decided to give all you fashionistas a treat by rounding up stores that offer fantastic clothing deals. Check out these establishments that offer stylish clothing items for less:

1. 599fashion – This is definitely a crowd favorite. 599fashion is well-known for its ridiculously low prices. Customers have reported buying items that are usually priced at $15 for just $5.99. You’ll be able to find clothing items from stores such as Forever 21, Express, and Charlotte Russe for much lower prices. So what’s their secret? One word: WHOLESALE. 599fashion buys directly from wholesale suppliers, without requiring customers to buy in bulk.

2. Styles for Less – This is a boutique that makes every trendsetter smile. As its name indicates, this  store has a wide selection of clothing items at very reasonable prices. Styles for Less offers fashion forward clothes in just about every category, including casual, office, sporty, and semi-formal wear. Choose from a variety of tops, denims, dresses, and sweaters. This store doesn’t stop at clothes, though. You can also purchase handbags, shoes, and jewelry from their stores. Styles for Less also has a great VIP policy for their loyal customers. All VIP card holders get a 10% discount on their regular priced items. As an added bonus, during the month of your birthday, you can get a 20% discount on your first purchase for that month. Styles for Less has over 130 stores and has branches located in Arizona, California, Nevada, Florida, Texas, and Utah. Don’t see your state? You can still shop through their website!

3.  Kohl’s – Alright, so this department store sells items way beyond clothes, but Kohl’s is part of this list because of the store’s great clothing section. Every Kohl’s store boasts of numerous clothes for women, teens, men, and babies. But what’s great about them is that they’re so generous when it comes to sales. The company holds sales several times a year, customers actually lose count. Moreover, the “Kohl’s Cash” program is truly a godsend for shopaholics. Customers can earn Kohl’s cash in stores, at kiosks, or online during events that run periodically. The promo works by giving customers $10 worth of Kohl’s Cash for every $50 spent. The coupon value increases with each $50 purchase. This means that if you spend $100, $150, or $200, you can get $20, $30, $40 worth of Kohl’s cash that can eligible to purchase regular, sale, and clearance items.

Image credit: Noemi Manalang on Flickr

Comparing the Top Office Supply Chains


Filed under: Blogroll — Francesca @ 3:23 pm

Think all office supply chains are all the same?  Think again. While you may find the same categories of goods across all stores, office supply chains differ in terms of their prices, shipping procedures, customer service, and return policies. These differences may depend on your location or the products that you’re purchasing, and sometimes, if you want to catch great deals on cheap office supplies, it’s best to compare the cost of items by visiting the suppliers’ websites.

In any case, the Cheap Stuff Team did some research on some of the top office supply stores in the US. Check out our findings below:

1. Staples – We found that Staples offers the lowest prices when it comes to the most common office supplies such as pens and papers. Staples has moderate prices when it comes to lunch room supplies, computer equipment (mouse, keyboard), and office furniture.

However, the company has a price match guarantee wherein Staples will match the lower price of their competitors or issue you the difference within 14 days. The select competitors that apply to their price match guarantee include Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, Dell, Hewlett Packard, Office Depot, Office Max, Quill, Medical Arts Press, Reliable, Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart, WB Mason, and Xerox.

About the company: Well known for its tagline, “That was easy,” Staples is undoubtedly one of the biggest office supply chains in the world. Staples was founded in 1986,  and currently employs over 90,000 associates worldwide, with an established  presence in over 26 countries throughout North and South America, Asia, Europe, and Australia.

2. Quill – When it comes to printing supplies such as cartridges and labels, Quill definitely takes the cake for lowest prices. This company also offers great prices on lunch room supplies including coffee and snacks. Regarding furniture and electronics, we found that Quill has moderate to low prices.

Unlike Staples, Quill doesn’t have a price match guarantee, but they do offer a lot of coupons and freebies. If you register an account with Quill, they’ll automatically send you regular updates on the sales and bargains that they have going on. Compared to the rest of the office supply chains, we found that Quill holds sales more often and they provide coupons that are actually useful. They usually throw in packets of assorted goods and snacks along with your order—just be sure to have the coupon code with you!

About the company: Quill had very humble beginnings. The company started with one desk and 2 phones in “Dad’s chicken store.” As time went by, that desk turned into a warehouse that grew and expanded over the years. Today, Quill has its corporate headquarters and Midwest distribution center in Lincolnshire, Illinois. They also have distribution centers in other states such as Georgica, Wisconsin, Ohio, Texas, California, and more.

3. Office Depot – Compared to other supply chains, we found that Office Depot had moderate to high prices in various categories. Like Quill though, Office Depot often holds sales, so be sure to check their website often to see if you can catch a bargain on the things that you need. You may also want to subscribe to their catalog and keep an eye out for their weekly ads because they always contain coupons and price slashes.

About the company: Office Depot was incorporated in 1986, with their first retail store in Fort Lauderdale, FL. They’ve now grown into a global supply chain with three business segments: North American Retail Division, North American Business Solutions Division and International Division. Office Depot currently serves customers in 56 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

Image credit: Enokson on Flickr

Food and Wine on a Budget


Filed under: Blogroll,Company Headlines — Francesca @ 4:43 pm

Food and wine are common presents during the holiday season. It’s quite a courteous move to attend a party with a bottle of wine or some sort of food in hand. However, if you find yourself getting invited to way too many parties this season, it could be a budget nightmare. The good news is, finding cheap food and wine is pretty simple, as long as you know where to look.

Wine

Regarding wines on a budget, the Cheap Stuff Team consulted Oprah for her picks of “Terrific Wines $15 and Under”.

Giving a present to someone who’s environmentally conscious? Check out French Rabbit 2006 Chardonnay-Sauvignon. This White wine comes in “Petit” 250-milliliter cartons that have 10% of a carbon footprint of a glass bottle. The wine has flavors of peaches and apricots plus a nice fruity finish. Pair it with fresh salad or grilled tuna. ($11 per four-pack)

In the reds category, Altano 2006 is a top pick. Considered as one of the top Portuguese wines for its price, its described as downright “sexy.” Not bad for 8 bucks a bottle. Pair it with pizza or chili.

For Rose, Oprah.com recommends Bonny Doon 2007 “Vin Gris De Cigare”. Hailing from Randall Grahm of California, it “tastes like unsweetened raspberry candy and has the balance and the medium body to enliven everything from Thanksgiving turkey to a grilled pork chop.” ($15)

Searching for sparkling wine? Check out Mionetto (Nonvintage) Prosecco Brut, an Itallian sparkling wine that light and could serve as a great base for a mimosa.

Food

When giving food presents, you can always stick to traditional gift baskets. Online stores such as Harry and David, Mrs. Fields, GiftBaskets.com, etc., provide wide selections of gift baskets. Before selecting a final gift basket though, be sure to scout around for coupons and promotions. For instance, if you’re shopping at Harry and David, a quick Google search for “Harry and David coupons” should give you results containing discount codes, if they’re available. Remember, it’s the holiday season, so chances are, the food basket industry is keen to providing seasonal promos.

Gift baskets are usually filled with assorted fruits, wines, snacks, and sweets that will surely satisfy the appetite of the recipient. Nonetheless, if you happen to be giving a present to someone who’s committed to healthy eating (even on the holidays), be sure to select a basket that’s all-fruit. These types of gift baskets do tend to run out during gift-giving season, so if you really want to find a fruity present, try heading over to Edible Arrangements. The store offers gorgeous fruit baskets arranged in unique designs that actually resemble bouquets of flowers! According to the company’s website, their all-natural fruit gift baskets are “inspired by flower bouquets that are made from the freshest fruits.” Edible Arrangements contain a variety of fruits including strawberries, pineapples, cantaloupe, melons, apples, bananas and a whole lot more.

One minor caveat though: When purchasing gift baskets online, be sure to check every item before finalizing a sale. Always be mindful of the taste and health concerns of the recipient. The last thing you want to do is give a present that he or she is allergic to. Also check the website’s shipping schedule as well as its return policy, just to be on the safe side.

If you’re planning to go local, check your neighborhood florist, as some of them may offer gift baskets as well.

But whichever type of gift basket you choose, or wherever you buy it, be sure to add a personal touch to it. A hand-written and thoughtful note should do the trick.

Image credit: mothernaturebeauty on Flickr

Holiday Shopping – Toys


Filed under: Company Headlines — Brandon @ 10:27 am

Thanksgiving is over and that could only mean one thing: holiday shopping is bound to be in full effect. Millions of people spanning the country will be bombarding stores over the next three and a half weeks, looking for gifts for all their loved ones. Some of the most popular items such as clothes, electronics or gift cards are going to fly off shelves in a hurry. Another item will as well; something the kids want. As any parent knows, children love toys. During the holiday season, toy stores are packed, sometimes from wall to wall, with parents trying to get their kids that toy they saw in the book, or that toy they couldn’t have weeks ago. However, as a parent, you also want to be able to get the most out of your money. So, how do you go about saving money and making your kid happy? Here are some ideas.

Ads are given out with weekly newspapers and these should be your go-to guides for all holiday shopping needs. Also, ads for toy stores such as Toys R Us are available, usually within their yearly Holiday Big Book. These ads list plenty of cheap toys that parents can get for a fraction of the cost they saw it for before. Deals are common around the holidays, offering percentages off certain items and buy one get one specials, and toys are no exception.

Online shopping sites are also another way to find quality toys for a great price. Many websites such as Amazon or eToys.com will provide specials and deals as well. The trick is finding them. Sometimes it’s easy as searching for cheap toys; other times may require multiple sites in order to find the right price for the item you want. Online websites for actual companies like Wal-Mart or Target will also provide their ads online, along with specific “Online Only” deals for items during the holidays.

There are tons of places that provide good quality toys for cheap, depending on your budget of course. Sometimes they come in the form of little ‘hole-in-the-wall’ stores that are not associated with chain brands. Stores like these often sell their items for fewer prices, but still have high quality toys. Finding these places could be tricky, but it’s not something an internet search would not be able to help you find.

There’s no denying the fact that holiday shopping can be a strenuous task. Going out into a giant crowd of people on the search for just a few items doesn’t seem like a very fun time. However, there are ways to make your task go by just a bit smoother. First off, know what you’re going to get and know the stores that have it. For toys, many retails stores will carry it. So secondly, find the stores that are less inhabited, leaving you with fewer worries, and people, to deal with. Finally, always remember to find the best deal. There’s nothing like saving money around the holidays. Shop smart!

Image credit: Richard Moross on flickr

Where to Shop for Cheap Appliances


Filed under: Company Headlines — Francesca @ 11:39 am

Finding cheap appliances is always a challenge. You need to strike a balance between quality and cost; after all, you wouldn’t want a cheap refrigerator or stove that’s going to break down in a year, but at the same time, buying overpriced appliances that will to send you Debtville isn’t a good idea either. The key is to do ample research before making a purchase. Scout around online stores and retailers in your area, and check out their selection, staff, and of course, prices. Be sure to ask your friends and neighbors and see where they got the appliances in their homes. Also consider recent surveys and consumer reports from sites and organizations.

ConsumerReports.org for instance, recently published their findings about customer satisfaction with regards to appliance stores.

According to survey results from the Consumer Reports National Research Center, not a single retailer was able to provide all of the following at the same time: reasonable prices, good selection, trained help, and a smooth shopping experience. Indeed, no one store truly “has it all.” Still though, some retailers did better than others. Check out their verdicts below:

Abt Electronics – In the sea of mediocre appliance stores, ConsumerReports.org stated that Abt Electronics is “some cause for hope.” This retailer, along with other independent local stores received top marks in terms of price from shoppers who purchased a major appliance. The store is based in Chicago, but you can also order appliances online.

Abt Electronics was established way back in 1936. Back then, the store was called “Abt Radio” because it only sold small electronics. However, in the succeeding years, the electronics store grew to a major electronics and appliance store occupying 37 acres in Glenview, IL and employing over 1000 people. Abt currently operates 60 large delivery trucks, 45 custom installation trucks, and more than 100 service vans.

Amazon – Now this is a retailer that needs no introduction. Amazon.com was rated highly by consumers when it came to reasonable prices of small appliances as well as for having a huge selection. This of course, comes as no surprise as Amazon practically dominates the online market. The website, which started as an online store for books, steadily became the leading online retailer for shoppers.  As of 2010, it employed 37,700 employees, and had revenue of $34.204 billion.

Costco – Apparently, this wholesale giant also ranked high when it comes to reasonably priced small appliances. Costco Wholesale Corporation is well-known for its international chain of membership warehouses where consumers are able to buy items at lower prices. According to its company profile, “The warehouses are designed to help small-to-medium-sized businesses reduce costs in purchasing for resale and for everyday business use. Individuals may also purchase for their personal needs.

Clearly, when it comes to finding cheap appliances, it looks like big box stores and chains are trailing behind smaller retailers. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should totally disregard the big chains. Survey results from Consumer Reports indicate that Best Buy-owned Pacific Sales was praised for having a wide selection, and Lowe’s as well as Sears scored above average when it comes to staff and customer service. These stores may not have the cheapest prices on a regular day, but be sure to check them out during their sales, because you just might get a great deal on your appliances.

Four Reasons to Go Crafty During the Holidays


Filed under: Blogroll — admin @ 3:54 pm

The Holiday season is undoubtedly one of the busiest times of the year. It’s also a time where people have the biggest tendencies to overspend. There’s money for food (a Turkey for Thanksgiving, celebration food for Christmas and New Year’s), you need to shell out for presents, and then there are those holiday items and decorations around the house.

But what if someone told you that you don’t have to whip out your check book or swipe your card too much this holiday season? What if you could keep your Christmas bonus in your savings account this year? Well, the good news is you can. Give yourself the present of creativity this season. Instead of buying all the presents and decorations that you need, why not just make them?

1. It’s Cheaper – Choosing to make your own decorations and presents can be a whole lot cheaper than buying all those shiny new items on the department store shelves. If you do the legwork and research on local arts and crafts stores, you’ll find that some of them offer great prices on ribbons, bead supplies, various types of paper, and other cheap craft supplies. Read up on art magazines and visit arts and crafts websites to get ideas on what to create. You can even head to a nearby arts and crafts store and check out the various items to see what you can cook up.

2. You Can Make it Just the Way YOU Want It – Ever went to a department store, picked up an item and said, “This would be perfect if only it [insert missing feature here].” One the biggest advantages of do-it-yourself projects is that you can customize your creations to look exactly the way you want them to look like. YOU get to decide on an item’s length, size, color, and other features. No more buying items half-heartedly or getting in the waiting list just to get the exact color you wanted; this time, you can choose to do it yourself.

3. It’s More Personal – This is your chance to show off your creative and thoughtful side to your friends and relatives! Nothing says “personal” more than a handmade present. This year, give your loved ones something that came from the fruits of your creativity. It’s a very heartwarming gesture, and your friends and family will certainly remember you for it. Let your gift be something that will immediately remind them of you whenever they see it. This personal touch doesn’t just apply to presents, by the way. Choose to hand-make the holiday decorations for your house and give your home an extra oomph that will make you look more memorable to anyone who steps foot inside.  Think about it. With the tons of Thanksgiving and Christmas events all around, it’s easy to get lost in a whirl of homes and events. Wouldn’t you want YOUR place to make a lasting impression on people?

4. You Can Do it with the Family – One great bonus of doing hand-crafted presents and decorations is that you can invite the whole family to join in! Doing arts and crafts with your spouse and kids unleashes the family’s creative side while paving the way for tons of bonding moments to take place, at the same time.

Image credit: Carissa GoodNCrazy on Flickr

Movie Nights (and Days) for Cheap


Filed under: Blogroll,Company Headlines — admin @ 5:32 pm

Whether you want to entertained, comforted, or you’re in it for the “bonding sessions,” a movie night is a great activity that never gets old. Not only is it a great stress reliever, but one of the best things about a movie marathon is the fact that practically anyone can enjoy it. You can do it with your friends, spouse, or even the whole family. However, with the state of the economy weighing down on most consumers, it’s pretty sad to see that  some families or groups have brought movie nights to the chopping board. This isn’t that surprising though; after all, frequenting the cinemas can get pretty expensive (and don’t even get started on the price of food in theaters).

If you’re one of those who cringe at the thought of spending 11 bucks at the movies, then perhaps you should explore other more cost-effective ways to be able to watch movies for cheap. Check out the suggestions below. Each option has its own set of pros and cons, and certain choices may only work for some. Either way, evaluate your movie-watching habits and see what works best for you.

Redbox – Redbox lets customers rent new-releases for extremely low prices. Users can rent discs for as low as a dollar a day, and with Redbox kiosks located at thousands of locations, it proves to be a very convenient way for users to get their hands on the latest releases. If you happen to be at a grocery store or a gas station, check to see if there’s a Redbox kiosk in the area, and pick up a great movie on the way home.

SwapADVD – Got a bunch of DVDs at home that are just accumulating dust? Then consider signing up with SwapADVD.com, a great online service that enables user to swap DVDs online and save money in the process. If you have original, playable DVDs that you do not wish to keep, post the titles to your “DVD Tower” on SwapADVD.com. Once you’ve posted 10 titles, you’ll earn 1 gift credit that will enable you to start swapping. After that, you’ll be able to receive more credits by sending out discs to other members. When another member requests a DVD from you, the site will notify you via email, and you’ll be in charge of mailing out the DVD to the requestor, and once it is received, you’ll be able to earn a credit. You will need to pay for postage when you send out DVDs, but it does even out, because when you request a DVD, you won’t have to pay anything, except 1 credit. You can do whatever you want with the DVDs that you receive. You can choose to keep them, or swap them again, once you’re done watching.

Netflix, Hulu, Amazon – These options are for you if you’re the type who spends a lot of time online and you want to keep it that way. Each of these services vary in terms of prices and offers, and it all depends on the types of movies and shows that you like, and how often you watch them.

Albeit the immense amount of bad press that Netflix got due to them raising their prices, the company still offers good value IF you make it worth it. Netflix offers unlimited movies and TV episodes to watch instantly online for $7.99 a month.

Hulu is another service that enables users to watch movies and TV shows online. It has a free service that lets you watch up to five recent episodes of season shows from networks like Fox, CBS, and more. Hulu also has a paid subscription called Hulu Plus, which gives users access to all current episodes of several shows for 7.99 a month.

Amazon – The online retailer is offering free unlimited streaming of over 5,000 movies and TV shows as part of the Amazon Prime membership that costs $79 per year. If you’re already a loyal Amazon customer, and do most of your shopping there, then consider upgrading your account to Amazon Prime.

Image credit: dcJohn on Flickr

Five Cool Gadgets Your Car Will Thank You For


Filed under: Blogroll — admin @ 12:14 pm

Whether you’re looking to spice up your vehicle or trying to find the perfect gift for your car-obsessed male buddies, the holidays are the perfect time to shop because there’s a huge chance that you can snag great deals on cheap electronics and cool car gadgets. To give you some ideas, the CheapStuff team scoured the web for the most interesting car gadgets out there. The result? A list of awesome electronics that would serve as perfect additions to any vehicle. These half-novelty, half-utility car gadgets are guaranteed to put a smile on any driver’s face. Check them out below:

1. PowerLine PowerCup 200/400 Watt Mobile Inverter with USB Power Port – Coffee cup on the outside, powerhouse on the inside. This nifty little device allows you to charge three gadgets at once. Its features include 200 Watt Continuous, 400 Watt peak, 120V AC power from any auto 12V power socket, and AC Outlet, and a USB Port. Simply connect it to the vehicle’s DC adapter, and you’re good to go. You can use the PowerLine PowerCup to charge your mobile phone, plugin your laptop, or any electronic device, for that matter.

2. Bushnell Backtrack Point-3 Personal GPS Locator – If you know anyone who’s always getting lost in parking lots trying to find their car, then this little gadget is a lifesaver. The device lets users “mark” the spot that they wish to return to. They can then go about their business, and when they decide to go back to that specific spot, the Bushnell Backtrack will provide directions. It’s small enough to be used as a keychain and can fit practically anywhere. Additionally, the Bushnell Backtrack isn’t just for finding parking spaces, it’s also a handy tool for campers or hikers of wish to mark a specific location in the field or forest that they want to go back to.

3. Drivemocion LED Car Message Sign – Did a rude driver cut in front of you? Or maybe there’s an anxious car    drivingtoo close behind. Resist the urge to flip the finger. Instead, get yourself the Drivemocion LED Car Message Sign. This electronic device lets drivers communicate with each other with the use of LED smileys and words. Depending on the model, you will be able to display words like “Thanks”, “Sorry”, “Back off”, as well as light up smiley or grumpy faces with the use of a remote control.

4. Cobra iRadar – Just to be clear, speeding shouldn’t be condoned. However, speed traps, red light cameras, and lurking cops can sometimes do more harm than good for drivers. The Corbra iRadar communicates to your iPhone or Android device using Bluethooth in order to warn you of speed traps, dangerous intersections, radars, and red light cameras. Simply dock your smartphone on the device, and it will give you audio warnings when it detects a threat.

5. TFT Mirror Monitor with Rear-View Night Vision Camera – In a tight parking spot? Allow this device to assist you. The TFT Mirror Monitor Kit consists of two things: a camera and a clip-on rear view mirror. Simply install the camera above your license then clip the monitor to your rear view mirror. The camera outputs video over an RCA jack; when it detects that your vehicle is backing up, it will display what the camera sees on your rear view mirror. When you switch your gears back to drive, the image disappears and your mirror reverts to a mirror again.

GPS Devices and the Holidays


Filed under: Company Headlines — admin @ 12:18 pm

The holidays are finally here, which means that people’s calendars are probably filled with parties, gatherings, and shopping sprees. If you’re the ultimate social butterfly with all these different events lined up, then chances are, you’ll be running back and forth all over the city to attend all your engagements, which can get a little stressful and even ruin your holiday mood.  This season, do yourself a favor and get a reliable GPS sidekick to direct you to through this busy time of the year. Need help picking one? That’s what CheapStuff.com is here for. This blog post will discuss the top-rated GPS devices in the market. Oh, but do keep in mind that while these items are highly-rated, it doesn’t mean that they come with high price tags too. Check out the CheapStuff website and see if you can get these electronics for cheap!

Now, some people might think that all GPS devices are the same; you type in your destination, and the device will dictate directions to get there. And while that is indeed the basic function of all GPS navigators, it’s important to note that different models widely vary in features, size, connectivity, and price. When shopping for a GPS navigator, don’t just go for the cheapest model or the shiniest one on the shelf. Do your research first. You don’t want to pay for features that you won’t use, but at the same time, you don’t want to waste your money on a device with extremely limited functionality.

Below are some of the most popular models from the top GPS navigator brands in the industry: TomTom, Garmin, and Magellan. Read up on these models and get an idea on which device best suits your needs.

1. TomTom GO Live 1535M – As what its name indicates, this GO Live device offers Live services, including HD Traffic, weather forecasts, and fuel prices. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The TomTom Go LIVE also integrates with search apps like Yelp, Expedia, Trip Advisor, and Google, which means that users will be able to it to find establishments in the area AND read up on reviews about these places. It also integrates with Twitter (yes, you read that right) to allow users to tweet their ETA and location to their followers.

2. Garmin Nuvi 3790T – Looking for something sleek, shiny, and light-weight? Then the Garmin Nuvi 3790T could be the navigator for you. According to CNET, “Garmin has essentially solidified the 3790T’s spot as the sexiest dedicated GPS device you can buy.” This car navigator goes beyond good looks, though. One of its key features is its voice command and hands-free capability (plus Bluetooth) that allows drivers to communicate while keeping their hands on the wheel. Its touchscreen is also very responsive and even has multitouch commands. However, it may not be very convenient if you intend to wear gloves in this cold season, because its screen requires direct skin contact.

3. Magellan RoadMate 5175T-LM – The most popular feature of this device would be the TourDirector which lets you check out local attractions, organize itineraries, and make the most out of your travel time. It’s perfect for trying to find things to do in an unfamiliar city. It also has Wi-Fi connectivity that lets users surf the net. The downside though, according to CNET, is that “Destinations in the TourDirector can only be viewed based on proximity, not rating or popularity.”

Image credit: zipckr on Flickr

The Best Mp3 Players in the Market


Filed under: Company Headlines — admin @ 5:19 pm

For centuries, music has continued to inspire, console, and motivate people. Even today, in spite of all the changes and developments that the world has gone through, the power of music remains intact. Sure, ways to obtain and consume music have definitely evolved, but its effect on people hasn’t changed one bit.

The great thing about living in this day and age is that there are so many ways to access your favorite tunes; mp3 players are a crowd favorite because these gadgets are portable and can store huge amounts of music. If you’re looking for a new handy mp3 player, check out the suggestions below. The price range for each one may vary, so be sure to scour the CheapStuff website for some good deals on cheap electronics.

1. Apple Products – Of course, Apple is going to be on the top of the list. This company revolutionized how people listen to music and paved the way for sleeker and more functional mp3 players. The iTunes store that allows people to purchase individual songs and albums at affordable prices served as a “win-win” for both consumers and the music industry.

Their music players include:

iPod Touch – Should this nifty gadget even be called an mp3 player? Aside from storing thousands of songs, the iPod Touch also has the FaceTime feature that allows you to video call your contacts, and it can record video in full HD. Moreover, it gives you access to the App Store where you can download various games and apps. Awesome, right?

iPod Classic – The iPod Classic is for the purists—those who want a no-frills mp3 player. This particular electronic device has a storage capacity of 160 GB which roughly translates to 40,000 songs, 200 hours of video, or 25,000 photos. Whew.

iPod Nano – This is recommended for people who like listening to music while they’re working out. Aside from storing and playing your songs, the iPod Nano also has a Fitness feature with a built-in accelerometer that allows you to track your steps, distance, pace, and time. Best of all the Nano is actually made for being on the go. “It’s portable and wearable, which makes it runnable, walkable, and workoutable.”

iPod Shuffle – Don’t let its size fool you, because this thing is chock full of great features. Aside from surprising you with your tunes, the iPod Shuffle actually talks to you. Yep, if you want to find out the title and artist of a particular song, it can tell you with just a push of a button. It also has a “Genius” feature that compiles songs that will go great together.

2. Zune HD – Don’t underestimate Microsoft’s Zune music player, as it can also provide users with an exceptional video and music experience. It has a 3.3 inch touchscreen, together with a brilliant OLED display, HD radio tuner, movie rentals, subscription music integration, and a long battery life to brag about. It also has an HD video out that lets users watch HD movies and TV shows, and shop from the Zune Marketplace all from a big screen HDTV.

3. SanDisk Sansa Clip Zip – This music player is one of the best bargains that you’ll find in the market. For under $50, you get a device that plays most audio formats, plays and records FM radio stations, and a built in microphone that allows it to function as a voice recorder. Oh, and it also has room for more files via microSD. If you’re not looking for anything too fancy or graphic-y in terms of user interface, then the SanDisk Sansa Clip Zip will suit you just fine.