Power Inverter: An Inexpensive Investment

Have you ever come up with an idea that is so stunningly simple, you're embarrassed that you didn't think about it before? This was one such idea for me. And the most embarrassing part is, it's not a breakthrough idea.

As a penny pincher careful spender, I carefully avoid getting ripped off. I spend so much time researching an electronic device, more time finding the best price for it, extra time looking for coupons and other discounts, and then I finally buy it. I did it. I won. Unlike the suckers out there, I refused to pad the wallet of the manufacturer and retailer. Good for me.

Two months later, when it's time to go on my vacation, the manufacturer and retailer scoff back at me: If you want to use this device when you're on a road trip, it will cost you $90 for a power adapter for your car. There's nothing you can do. Hahahahahaaaaa!!!

I'll conceded that some power adapters are actually reasonably priced. Some car chargers for cell phones can cost as little as $10--even less if you buy aftermarket products. But some of them easily approach $25, and this can add up when you upgrade your phone every 2 years. Laptop car adapters are much worse, costing easily $60-90.

What's a stingy frugal person to do? Buy a power inverter for your car. Spend the $30-60 to get a nice one that's got enough wattage to handle your laptop (avoid the inexpensive but underpowered tiny units unless you know you'll never need more than 150 watts or so). You can buy these at discount retailers (WalMart, Target), home centers (Menards), online (Amazon), and plenty of other places. They're easier to find than model-specific auto adapters for your electronics, and then all you need is the AC adapter that you use in your home. Don't be dissuaded even if you want to keep an AC adapter in your home and one in your car; the standard AC adapters are usually less expensive than their DC counterparts, so the inverter is still a bargain for most people with mobile electronics.