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So you have bought a computer, if it's new, you probably spent somewhere between one and five thousand dollars on it. You now can have access to the Internet, email, and news. Is there anyway to get a return on your investment? Of course there is. This weekly column will deal with how you can make your time online more valuable.
This Weeks Topic is Email
One of the most exciting benefits of having a computer and Internet access is the ability to send email. Never before has written correspondence been so easy and so quick. No longer does it take three days and the price of a stamp or the cost of a long distance phone call to correspond with loved ones. Email has already surpassed postal mail in the number of items delivered each day. Computers are saving people money and bringing people together.
Email Instead of Postal Mail
Just how much money can email save you? Let's put it in perspective. I send about 10 to 30 emails a day (I know some people who send more and some who send less.). If I were to use snail mail (postal mail) to send those messages it would cost me between $3.00 and $10.00 each day or about $1,000 to $3,000 a year. I'm not actually saving $1,000 to $3,000 a year, because without email it would never be practical to send that many messages. Email allows me to contact more people than I ever did in the past.
Email Instead of Long Distance
Anyone who calls out of state, or instate out of their free calling area, knows how quickly long distance charges add up. The sad thing about the phone companies' restriction is they establish boundaries between you and your friends and/or loved ones. As an example, let's say your best friend, who lives in the same area as you, moves 20 miles away. Even though 20 miles isn't very far,there is a good chance they are out of your free calling area. You now have a financial barrier between you and that person.
Email provides you with an extremely thrifty alternative to long distance. Even though you lose some of the personal comfort of hearing someone's voice you gain the ability to correspond frequently at a fraction of the cost.
Communication with other human beings is one of the most important things in the world. Email helps make correspondence cheaper and quicker. Even if you don't have a computer you can usually get Internet access and a free email account at your local library. Is there someone who you haven't talked to in a while, because of where they live or because it takes too long to write and mail a letter? Give them a call and see if they have an email address!
Am I nuts or right on target? I would love to hear from you: fisher@couponcentral.com
About The Author: Fisher Swanson is a staff writer for the ThriftyFun. If you would like to reprint this article in your publication send mail to: fisher@thriftyfun.com Articles can be reprinted for free but only with prior permission.
- Copyright 1999 Fisher Swanson
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