Real life money management tips are similar to how you spend your loot in the video games you play:
You earn coins to buy weapons and gear and save up to get the “good stuff.” You don’t want to blow your bank on things you don’t really need because that could mean having to go without later.
But in real life, the stakes are higher. You’re not 16 anymore and need to think carefully about how you spend your money.
You’re keeping a roof over your head, food within arm’s reach, and the power on so you can keep gaming. Plus, you’ll never be able to save for retirement if you keep blowing your money on your gaming habit.
That doesn’t mean just because you’re older now and have more responsibilities that you can’t still enjoy gaming.
It’s never too late to press Start on these four money management tips:
1. Buy Used Games
A new game can easily cost you $60 or more. But buying used video games can give you the same gameplay for less cash.
Stores like GameStop have made a big business from buying and selling used games, giving you upfront savings.
Or, you can scope out sites like Craigslist, Facebook, or eBay for even better deals.
2. Consider a Game’s Replayability
Forget about the hype. Before you invest your hard-earned money on a game, think about the total value the game will bring you.
The best games are those you can play again and again. This helps you get your money’s worth and eliminates the need to rush out and buy more games since you already have something worth playing.
Games that you’ll only play once or twice might be cheaper to rent or borrow from a friend.
3. Trade Games with Friends—It’s Free!
If you have gamer friends, consider pooling your collection to expand your options.
This gives you greater access to games without you having to spend your own money on them. Plus, you’re helping out a fellow gamer do the same.
Or, if you have kids who are also into video games, buy the titles that you’re also interested in playing so you can stretch your gameplay even further. This is also a good opportunity to share with your kids the older video games that started it all and do some reminiscing at the same time.
It’s a win/win!
4. Stock Up on Steam Sales
Steam is the holy grail for gamers. This online platform sells tons of games at way below retail prices. They have popular titles that everyone is talking about and titles that no one is talking about, and everything in between.
The catch is that there are no physical media, which is one of the things that drives up the price of games at stores. Rather, you download your games directly to your PC.
If you find you can’t enough Steam, consider getting a dedicated Steam Box to house all your games. This allows you to play your games on your TV with a real controller, not a keyboard, giving you the same convenience of a console.
Keep in mind if you build a Steam Box, it will take a while to recoup your investment. The games can be cheap, but gaming PCs are not. Do some math to calculate if this investment is worth it.
Find More Money Management Tips for Gamers
Gaming can be an expensive hobby, but it doesn’t have to be. Savvy money management tips like the ones above can help you avoid going broke.
There are always ways to save on your favorite games, even if it means not getting them on release day.
Find more money-saving tips on the Lootfeed blog!