How... To get the most out of selling old tech
It’s important to revisit pensions and investments once a year, to see if you’re on track. If you work, your employer may have automatically enrolled you into a pension. Check how much you have put away and where it is invested. An online pension calculator will help you see whether you’re on track for retirement, or whether you should consider contributing more or changing your investments. THE average family may have up to £600 worth of old tech lying unused around the home, according to compareandrecycle.co.uk.
Here are their top tips for getting the most out of your unwanted tech...
1. Find the original chargers or power cable. This can really make the difference when a recycler comes to sell it on.
2. Make sure it works. If old tech doesn’t work, the parts may be out of commission.
3. Wipe the device. Delete your data and restore to factory settings in advance of sending it in.
4. Consider replacing the battery if necessary. If you remember the device having a problem with holding its charge, then replacing the battery could help with its value. Check the price difference between a working device and non-working device to see if it’s worth it.
5. Finally, give it a clean. Get some tech wipes for a couple of pounds and scrub away all the grime. If a device’s condition is clean and working, this can really help it retain its value. Marlboro Lights, is myself. So I’m going to clean up my act (and bank balance) and give this challenge a real go. No more will you find me battling my way through the wind and rain for a quick drag of a fag (hopefully).
It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I’ve bought myself a baby pink vape to get me started, which I’m telling myself makes me look super-stylish (like I work at Google or somewhere equally hipster) and I’m starting the year off with a can-do attitude (right after I shake this god awful hangover I brought with me from 2018).
Like thousands of you out there making a fresh start for January, however you’ve resolved to do it, I’ll face hurdles and I might trip up now and then.
But nothing is a failure as long as you pick yourself back up again. So here’s to taking this New Year a day at a time. And who knows, fast-forward 12 months and we could find Mags is off the fags for good! magdalene. dalziel@ reachplc .com