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This Is How Much Our Tech Necessities Would've Cost in the '80s

Emily Guy Birken — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 08:30:28 +0000

We all love to look back on the 1980s as a sort of halcyon time. Transformers were still animated rather than CGI, movies were original rather than nostalgia-grabbing reboots, and we all kept our important papers in Trapper Keepers, just as nature intended.

But before you decide that life really was better back in the decade that brought us hair metal, spandex, and She-Ra, consider what we take for granted now that would have been nearly impossible to replicate in the 1980s. As it turns out, there is quite a bit that makes modern life better.

Music on demand

A 32GB iPhone or other smartphone can store over 8,000 songs, depending on what other apps you have installed on the device. Alternatively, you can stream music through an app like Spotify or Apple Music, each of which allows you to save playlists and favorite albums. Your phone also offers you a remarkably portable package that you are likely to have on you at all times.

To have all of that in your pocket these days, it will cost you around $450 for the phone, plus about $10 per month for your favorite music streaming service. All together, you might pay $570 in the first year of phone ownership to be able to enjoy your favorite tunes wherever you are in 2018.

To recreate this kind of portable music library in the '80s, it would have been much more difficult. To start, you would need a portable CD player. The Sony Discman was introduced in 1985, and cost $300 at the time — or nearly $700 in 2018 dollars. To have 8,000 songs at your fingertips, you would need 570 CDs, assuming about 14 tracks per album. CDs cost about $15 each in the 1980s, or nearly $35 in 2018 dollars — which means you would have to drop the equivalent of $19,950 on CDs to have access to same number of songs. And of course, you could only really take one or two albums with you at a time, since carting around 570 CDs at all times would be next to impossible.

All told, in 1985 you would have had to spend the equivalent of $20,650 in 2018 dollars to have access to the kind portable music library we take for granted today. (See also: How to Choose the Best Streaming Music Service for You)

Cellphones

Having a mobile phone in your pocket has become so ubiquitous that we have reverse-engineered the term landline for the phone that's stuck at your house. We have become so used to carrying cellphones with us at all times that etiquette rules have sprung up around their usage, including a number of tacit rules about texting vs. calling someone.

Assuming that you have a brand-new iPhone X, it cost about $1,000 to purchase the phone, and cell service generally costs about $60 per month, which means a modern cellphone user can expect to spend $1,720 in a year, including the purchase of the phone.

Back in 1983, the first cellphone went on sale for $4,000, or around $10,062 in 2018 dollars. While there was no cellphone plan for early adopters who purchased this Motorola phone (which was 11 inches long, weighed 2.5 pounds, and was nicknamed "the brick"), the phone only offered 30 minutes of talk time, and only had six hours' worth of battery life.

Streaming videos

Netflix streaming has become a staple of modern entertainment, to the point where the term "Netflix and chill" has gone from solid Saturday night plan to dating euphemism to out-of-touch punchline. Subscribing to Netflix's standard streaming plan costs $10.99 per month, or about $132 per year, and gets you access to over 5,500 titles to watch, including both movies and television shows.

Unless watching Netflix is your job, it would be impossible to watch all 5,500 titles in one year. But let's assume you watch two different titles on Netflix every day, or 730 per year. Back in 1988, you could expect to pay about $2.50 per movie rental at the local Mom and Pop video rental store (remember those?). In 2018 dollars, each rental would cost $5.29, meaning you would spend the equivalent of approximately $3,862 per year in 2018 dollars to watch 730 movies — and that doesn't even account for late fees, if you forgot to take The Breakfast Club or Die Hard back on time. (See also: 3 TV Must-Haves Once You Cut the Cable Cord)

eBooks

Physical books will never completely fade away, but e-readers have made it possible for avid bookworms to carry entire libraries with them, whether they are packing for a trip to the beach or just a long line at the DMV. The Kindle Fire can store approximately 6,000 books, which means you can finish one book and start the next without having to go back to the bookstore or library.

A Kindle Fire HD 8 costs about $80, and you can sign up for Kindle Unlimited for $9.99 per month, or about $120 per year. All together, a voracious reader can enjoy books to her heart's content for about $200 in the first year. If we assume our reader manages to finish one book a week, or 52 books per year, that $200 in a year cost comes to about $3.85 per book.

A reader looking to buy 52 books a year in the 1980s would have spent a great deal more. In 1985, new books ranged in price from $8.95 to $19.95 ($20.84 to $46.45 in today's dollars). Assuming a reader only purchased books at the lower end of the cost spectrum, they would have to spend $1,083.68 (in 2018 dollars) in one year to be able to read the same number of books that a Kindle owner could read for $200 nowadays. (See also: 5 Easiest Ways to Score Free eBooks)

Living in the future

There are certainly aspects of 1980s life and culture that we'd all like to return to — like having music videos on MTV. But it's also good to stop and reflect on all the great advances we get to enjoy now that would have been simply impossible back when Max Headroom and jelly shoes were still a thing.

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This article is from Emily Guy Birken of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

7 Beauty Tools That Aren't Worth the Money

Ashley Marcin — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 16:00:04 +0000

I'm relatively low maintenance when it comes to my own beauty routine. That being said, I've gotten sucked into different trends and products throughout the years. You know what? There are tons of grooming and beauty tools out there that just aren't worth the money. Here's our list of some items you can live without.

1. Toe Separators

Save money by painting your toenails at home and skipping the pricey pedicure. While you're at it, you can also skip those creepy foam toe separators. Yes, they may be cheap and make painting slightly less messy, but you can get the same benefit by weaving a little tissue paper between your toes. Save your hard-earned pennies for more pretty polishes!

2. Clarisonic

I jumped on the Clarisonic bandwagon several years ago. For those of you who are unfamiliar, it's a device that exfoliates skin using a motorized brush that costs around $149. It actually does work well. My skin did get more even with use. But the upkeep of the system is expensive and — in my opinion — not worth it when there are low-tech alternatives. For example, you should change the brush every three months and refill heads cost a crazy $22 each.

A good exfoliating cleanser (you can even make your own!) or plain old washcloth can do wonders for scrubbing your skin without the high price tag.

3. Makeup Brushes

A full makeup brush set is also not a necessity. In fact, I've never owned more than a couple brushes until recently (and those were Christmas gifts). The other 16 years I've been wearing makeup, I did most of it with my fingers or whatever tool comes free with the product.

If you just have to have some kind of applicator, makeup sponges — like these foam wedges — are the way to go. You can apply both liquid and powder products with them. Prefer something reusable? Check out this sponge blender that you can wash and dry between uses.

4. Zit Zappers

I had awful skin as a teenager and even as a young adult. Had zit zappers, like Zeno's Hot Spot, been on the market back then, I probably would have forked over the money to buy one. Unfortunately, the reviews on this device are pretty split. Some claim it really does work while others share it actually made their skin issues worse. If you look at reviews for other models, the trend continues.

Desperate for clear skin? You can try mixing together your own zit zapper balm using coconut oil and tea tree essential oil. Otherwise, keep up with cleansing your face, changing your pillowcase often, and checking in with your dermatologist for suggestions if you have severe acne.

5. Eyelash Curler

I asked my friends for their top pick in this topic, and their resounding response was: "An eyelash curler!" In fact, one of my friends had even injured herself using one, pulling out a chunk of her eyelashes before an important event. I've never used a curler. In fact, I think it looks like some type of medieval torture device, so I just wear plain mascara.

Still crave a bit of curl? Certain cosmetic brands offer curling mascara formulas. You can also use Allure's spoon method and heat a spoon with a mug of warm water, press the curved part onto your lashes, and hold for 10 seconds.

6. Hair Removers

Have you seen those tiny battery-operated hair trimmers meant to clip off unsightly hair from your lip, nose, eyebrows, bikini area, mustache, and more? They're marketed to both men and women, but they're definitely not a must-have in your personal care stash.

Similarly, the no! no! hair removal device looks great in theory. After all, who wouldn't want to remove hair from certain areas for weeks at a time with one easy process at home? The reviews on this product aren't so great. With 54% of buyers giving it just one star and many claiming "false advertising," this is yet another grooming item not worth the cash.

A razor can clean up most of your trouble areas, and tweezers or simple grooming scissors work for much of the rest.

7. Curling Iron, Flat Iron, etc.

If you like to maintain your hair in a certain way (curly, straight, etc.), a single tool of choice might be a good bet. If you like to mix your style up often, you might be surprised to learn that you don't need multiple tools. And between curling irons, flat irons, curling wands, waving tools, etc. — it pays to simplify.

Here's a cool trick: You can use a flat iron to curl hair with some practice. Simply wrap your hair in the flat iron as if you were using a curling iron, but do not close it entirely. You'll want to turn your wrist slightly as your move the tool toward the ends of your hair. Spritz with some hairspray, and you're done!

What beauty or grooming tools have you banished from your bathroom?

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This article is from Ashley Marcin of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 6 Best Makeup Kits You Can DIY for $50 or Less

Andrea Cannon — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 18:00:02 +0000

Your skin is not the same today as it was when you were a teenager. Your makeup style and skin care needs will also change at different phases of your life. That means your makeup should change as well.

We've created several makeup kits that total $50 or less to help you put your best face forward, at every stage of your life. We've included products that have been selected based on makeup artist recommendations, online reviews, editors' picks, and beauty award recipients. Keep in mind that every person is different and these suggestions are just meant to get you started on the path to finding the perfect makeup kit. (See also: 9 Keys to Creating an Affordable Makeup Kit You'll Love)

1. Teens and 20s

Now is the time in your life when it's encouraged to go bold. Vibrant eyeshadows, eye-catching lip colors, and big lashes are perfect for your youthful look.

At this stage in your life, powder, blush, bronzer, eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, brow gel or pencil, and lip gloss are all appropriate. You may also want to take advantage of items like acne-fighting concealer, which can cover up acne while preventing future breakouts.

Kit #1 – Total $47.56

Clinique Acne Solutions Clearing Concealer – $18.00

Women's Health recommends this to clear and perfect the skin.

E.L.F. Beauty Book Eye Makeup Palette – $7.00

Teen Vogue recommends the E.L.F. Little Black Book, but this more affordable palette will do the trick.

Almay Amazing Lasting 16 Hour Eye Pencil and One Coat Mascara – $11.44

Teen Vogue recommends this eye pencil because it's easy to use for beginners and comes with a conditioning mascara.

NYX Auto Eyebrow Pencil – $4.27

Teen Vogue loves this product because it comes with a self-sharpening eyebrow pencil on one end, and a built-in brush on the other side.

NYX Cosmetics Butter Lip Gloss – $6.85

This is frequently recommended for beginners because it is easy to apply and can produce dramatic results.

Kit #2 – Total $44.21

Murad Acne Treatment Concealer – $14.53

Dermatologists frequently recommend this to clear and perfect the skin.

Milani Baked Powder Blush – $7.57

Teen Vogue recommends this because it offers great color payoff with each swipe.

Maybelline New York Eyestudio Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Eye Pencil – $5.99

This brings the drama and is frequently recommended for women in their 20s.

Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara By Lashblast – $6.65

Teen Vogue recommends this for dramatic results.

Maybelline New York Define-A-Brow Eyebrow Pencil – $5.41

This is frequently raved about online because it's perfect for beginners.

CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain – $4.06

Teen Vogue recommends this for women in their teens and 20s.

2. 30s and 40s

At this phase of your life, it's time to trade in the lip gloss, shimmer powder, and dramatic eyeliner for something a little more mature, such as a lip stain, foundation, and smudgeable kohl eyeliner. Find makeup that improves the condition of your skin while helping to perfect it.

You also want to continue protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays with things like BB creams and tinted sunscreens. BB cream will offer a number of benefits, and can serve as your sunscreen, primer, foundation, and concealer in one. The Today Show found that a good eye cream, wrinkle treatment, and tinted moisturizer are also must-haves at this stage of your life.

Kit #1 – Total $43.77

Pond's Luminous Finish BB Plus Cream with SPF 15 – $8.15

Teen Vogue recommends this for women who want to protect, preserve, and improve the condition of their skin.

Maybelline New York Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer – $6.12

Teen Vogue claims noticeable results and simple application.

Maybelline New York The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette – $9.49

The Urban Decay Naked palettes are frequently recommended for women of all ages (particularly at this phase of your life); instead of spending your whole budget on one palette, consider this famous dupe.

Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum – $7.66

This will enhance your lashes and eyes in one.

CoverGirl Lashblast Mascara – $6.94

This is frequently recommended because it enhances the volume and fullness of dull or flat lashes.

Revlon ColorBurst Balm Stain – $5.41

PopSugar and Teen Vogue like this for the right amount of drama, and a number of the Victoria's Secret Angels also swear by them.

Kit #2 – Total $48.09

Neutrogena Cosmetics Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup, SPF 20 – $11.99

Teen Vogue loves this because the blend of antioxidants will help maintain your skin's youthful look, while SPF 20 will protect it from the sun's harmful rays.

NYX Cosmetics Concealer – $4.75

This is frequently recommended because it can hydrate dry, aging skin while providing medium coverage.

NYX Matte Bronzer – $9.66

Bronzer will help sculpt and define the face at any age. This one is frequently recommended because it is completely matte and offers no shimmer or shine.

Maybelline 24 Hour Eyeshadow – $5.64

Allure recommends this for just the right amount of shimmer at any age.

Revlon Bold Lacquer Grow Luscious Length+Volume Mascara – $4.32

Allure recommends this for lashes that are beginning to lose their volume.

Maybelline New York Eyestudio Brow Define and Fill Duo – $6.99

This duo is frequently recommended because it offers a wax pencil and filling powder in one.

Maybelline New York Color Sensational Vivids Lipcolor – $4.74

The Today Show recommends this because it offers the right amount of drama for all ages.

3. 50s+

You may need a bit more coverage for issues like sun damage and signs of aging. Look for moisturizing items that contain SPF and/or antioxidants to protect your skin. Go light on powders or anything that can settle into fine lines. You should also stay away from matte or shimmery eye shadows because they can make skin appear aged and dry. Try dark brown eyeliner over black for a more sophisticated, sultry look. It's also time to trade in any glossy lipsticks for matte. Eyelashes flatten as you age, so you'll also want to invest in a good eyelash curler and lengthening or curling mascara.

For the most youthful, flawless looking skin, you'll want to use foundation, concealer, blush, and highlighters. In fact, celebrity makeup artist, Joanna Schlip, said that highlighters are the secret weapon for women ages 40 and over because they can provide dramatic effects that mimic a facelift. The Today Show also recommends a good CC cream and wrinkle treatment at this stage of your life.

Kit #1 – Total $48.12

CoverGirl Plus Olay Eye Rehab Concealer – $3.88

Better Homes and Gardens recommends this for women over 50 because it covers dark circles without settling into fine lines.

L'Oreal Paris Visible Lift Line-Minimizing & Tone-Enhancing Makeup – $4.27

This is frequently lauded because it covers imperfections, hydrates the skin, prevents sun damage, and fights the signs of aging.

L'Oreal Paris Visible Lift Blur Blush – $11.39

Better Homes and Gardens recommends this for women over 50 because it blurs dullness, delivers anti-aging benefits, and visibly lifts the skin.

Clinique All About Shadow Quad – $8.99

This can define your eyes without being too matte or shimmery.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Liner – $4.99

This can be smudged for a more subtle look that instantly adds drama and smokiness to the eyes.

Bare Minerals Eye Care Frame & Define Brow Styler – $9.41

Better Homes and Gardens recommends this for women over 50 because it can help to instantly shape and frame the face and is subtle enough even for sparse brows.

Maybelline New York ColorSensational Lipcolor – $5.19

Better Homes and Gardens suggests this for women over 50 because it is creamy, nourishing, and adds just enough drama.

Kit #2 – Total $45.90

Aveeno Positively Radiant CC Cream SPF 30, Medium Tinted Moisturizer – $13.03

The Today Show recommends this because it will cover up signs of aging while protecting your skin from further sun damage.

Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer – $6.64

This cult classic will fight the signs of aging, erase the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines, and conceal blemishes in one step.

Maybelline New York Dream Bouncy Blush – $6.12

This is frequently recommended because the creamy formula is ideal for dry or aging skin.

CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 1 Kit Shadow – $5.90

This can enhance the eyes, making them appear more sultry, without adding too much shimmer to your look.

Maybelline New York Express Eyeliner – $4.72

Harper's Bazaar recommends this for women over 50 because it is creamy and can provide the right amount of intensity.

L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Extraordinaire Lip Color – $9.49

Harper's Bazaar suggests this for women over 50 because it will smooth out fine lines on the lips.

4. The Best Products in Each Category

For more affordable, award-winning cosmetics, read our top picks for the following types of makeup and skin care products:

What other items would you include in an age-appropriate makeup kit for under $50? Please share your thoughts in the comments!

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This article is from Andrea Cannon of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: Parenting Products to Buy Used

Ashley Jacobs — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:00:54 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some awesome articles on parenting products to buy used, making a small space seem bigger, and the cheapest 2013 car models to insure.

9 Signs Your Service Can Be Turned into a Product

Thursday Bram — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 18:31:35 +0000

Link:

http://www.openforum.com/articles/9-signs-your-service-can-be-turned-into-a-prod...

As a service provider, I have to keep close track of how much work I’ve agreed to do for clients in a given week. There are, after all, only so many hours in the day that I can actually work—and every hour I spend on one client’s work is an hour that I can’t get paid for by another client. It makes the thought of creating a product that I can sell to my clients appealing. Since clients are paying for my expertise in performing services like writing articles, maybe they would pay for a product that I use my expertise to create?

A lot of products are simply the end result of the sort of work that someone might otherwise sell as a service. When you buy a toy at the store, you could have also paid a toymaker for the service of creating that toy and the materials necessary to do so. But some services are better suited to being transformed into products than others. There are certain signs worth looking for.

1. Do you finish the project by giving your client a completed piece of work?

There are plenty of services in which the client walks away with the results of a project, as opposed to an actual finished product. While it isn’t impossible to make a product out of results, having something that your client walks away with, like a website or a technical document, makes it easier to create a product that fits your clients’ needs.

2. Do you do the same sort of work over and over again?

It’s much easier to make repetitive processes into a product than a service like consulting. If you go into a new situation and have to look at a lot of details before you can decide what your next step will be, it’s harder to create a product.

3. Do you get a lot of questions about DIY options?

Especially if your target market is small businesses or individuals, you might be asked if you can help someone learn just what they need to do the project themselves. In such situations, it may make sense to create a product priced lower than your usual services that guides a business owner through a DIY process.

4. Have you created your own templates or shortcuts to completing a project?

If you’re experienced with the services you provide, you’ve probably built up your own little toolbox of files, templates, or other task-related resources that help you complete a project significantly faster. The more templates you’ve been able to build, the more likely that you can create a product from your services that a buyer can customize for themselves.

5. Do you have to do a lot of repeatable research?

For many projects, research is the first step—and it’s often research that is very similar, again and again. That sort of research can be packaged as a product in certain situations, either to be made available to clients in the earliest stages of working with you, or for other people offering the same services you do.

6. Do you have a blog or a newsletter that is well-received?

If you post content about your business regularly and your audience finds it interesting, you may already have a built-in clientele for any product you create. To make things even better, you may be able to build a product based on the information readers are most interested in on your blog or newsletter.

7. Do you need to provide a lot of background materials to get your clients up to you speed?

In a lot of fields, service providers need to educate clients before those clients will realize that a consultant or another service provider is necessary. That education may present a useful area to consider building a product from.

8. Have you built up a backlog of material about your area of expertise?

While you don’t have to have lots of material ready to go when you’re planning a product, having that sort of collection (especially if you’ve got templates or bits and pieces that you copy for new projects) is a great sign that you’ll be able to create a product your clients will consider worth buying.

9. Can you see a big need for a specific tool that would make your work easier?

Whether the tool in question is software or a more physical product, you’re the expert in your field—if you need it, chances are that other service providers working in your field would find the same tool useful. It may be just a matter of building it.

Depending on the service you provide, you may have plenty of opportunities to create products based on the tasks you already do. The mechanics are like creating any other product: research your market, test your products in your market, and then actually create the product. Because you already know the market, from selling your services, you almost certainly have access to past clients who can give you a few answers about what they’d be willing to buy from and perhaps even test out your products.

This article is from Thursday Bram of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Which Baby Products are a Waste of Money?

Xin Lu — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:00:04 +0000

My husband and I are expecting a little baby boy this Halloween. Right now I am in the process of researching which baby products are necessary and which are a waste of money. Here is a list of things that I would not be putting on my shopping list.

1. Too many tiny baby clothes - Baby clothes are awfully cute, but babies grow out of them very quickly. I have learned from a few friends that their babies were given so many onesies that some of them where not even worn before the baby got too big. I think a few outfits of each size would be enough.

2. Baby shoes - These are also very cute, but the baby is not going to be walking for about a year so they are not practical at all. These can also be quite expensive and I think it is better to save the money in the baby's college fund.

3. "Educational" DVDs for babies - The American Academy of Pediatrics actually recommends that babies under two should not watch TV. I have seen some of the popular Baby Einstein videos and I think that they make very little sense and their educational value is somewhat questionable. I could probably put on a better puppet show for my baby with a couple socks and some colorful construction paper.

4. Changing table - I do not really understand the purpose of buying another table just for changing. I see my friends change their kids on the floor, bed, or couch. They put down a little blanket or mat and change their kids very quickly.

5. Wipe warmer - I saw this product on the Babies R Us website and I thought it was funny that such a thing exists. Is it really bad to wipe a baby's bottom with a room temperature wipe? I certainly do not warm my toilet paper, and I am fine.

6. Nursery decoration - I have seen some very expensive designer mobiles for sale online. I think these things are actually a hinderance if you hang them above a crib. We are also keeping the baby in our room so we will not be doing any wallpapering or painting since the baby will not care about the decor anyway.

7. Swing - Most of the swings I have seen are quite small so I think the baby will grow out of it very quickly. It also takes up a lot of space and can be expensive. Other moms have also told me that some of their babies do not like swings.

8. WhyCry Baby Crying Analyzer - This is a fancy baby monitor that supposedly analyzes if your baby is hungry, bored, annoyed, tired, or stressed. This is really another product that made me chuckle a bit. Babies seem to usually cry due to hunger or discomfort so if this analyzer just displays "hungry" all the time it would be correct for a good percentage of time.

9. Diaper Genie - Some people swear by this product which is a plastic container that compacts diapers and seals them in. It seems like it would be much more economical to just walk the dirty diaper to the outside trashcan and dump it there.

I am sure there are many more frivolous products for babies. Carrie (who just had a baby boy a few days ago!) wrote up a great list of baby registry tips. Right now my husband and I are really trying to keep things down to the basics, and this baby basics list from Consumer Reports is very good. Even with this list it is quite overwhelming to step into a store like Babies R Us and seeing the plethora of products there are. Even the basics have huge variances in prices. In the end I think babies definitely need love and care more than things.

What baby products have you found to be completely unnecessary? Which baby related purchase did you regret the most?

This article is from Xin Lu of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Product Feedback Is Worth Your Time

Linsey Knerl — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:40:54 +0000

I couldn’t believe that my 3M Microfiber mop had cracked – again. It was the 3rd time in 6 months, and the thing wasn’t exactly cheap. I was ready to cry. Not because the dumb thing broke, but because I had company coming over in a few hours, and I was now reduced to scrubbing on my hands and knees the way my mother did in the 80’s.

Days went by before I decided to email the company to give them a run-down of what happened with the mop. I wasn’t expecting anything in return, but I needed to vent. I politely drafted an account of all the times the mop broke, and how it had disappointed me to the point of considering a lifetime ban of their cleaning products.

The email was sent; I felt better. I had almost let it go, when the postman came to my door a week later with a large package. Inside the box was a new mop, two replacement mop heads, coupons for a few free products, and a letter of apology. 3M had redeemed themselves, and I was cleaning my floors again.

What did I gain from this experience? At first glance it would seem a few free products. It really went deeper than that, however. 3M went on to redesign their mop head. I haven’t had the problem of a breakage since. I may have been influential in changing the way a product was made, and it was simple to do.

Product feedback doesn’t always have to come in the form of a complaint, however. I have taken a few minutes to give kudos for a well-made product more than once in my lifetime. A particularly effective laundry soap or a better-than-average granola have received high praise from me in the form of a call to their 800-number designated for complaints and questions. (Note: The folks fielding the call are usually so delighted to hear positive feedback that they will treat you like royalty, and often free product coupons or special incentives will find their way into your mailbox!)

Not feeling up to speaking to anyone? Email is still an effective way to go. While you may not get the resolution you need as quickly as phoning the customer service department, it is a great way to record the dates and times of your contacts. Eventually, you will get a response.

Taking time to give quality feedback is an opportunity that can often reap great rewards. Go ahead and let companies know how you feel. It may result in better products for everyone and a little incentive in your pocket!

This article is from Linsey Knerl of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

products

This Is How Much Our Tech Necessities Would've Cost in the '80s

Music on demand

Cellphones

Streaming videos

eBooks

Living in the future

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7 Beauty Tools That Aren't Worth the Money

1. Toe Separators

2. Clarisonic

3. Makeup Brushes

4. Zit Zappers

5. Eyelash Curler

6. Hair Removers

7. Curling Iron, Flat Iron, etc.

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The 6 Best Makeup Kits You Can DIY for $50 or Less

1. Teens and 20s

Kit #1 – Total $47.56

Kit #2 – Total $44.21

2. 30s and 40s

Kit #1 – Total $43.77

Kit #2 – Total $48.09

3. 50s+

Kit #1 – Total $48.12

Kit #2 – Total $45.90

4. The Best Products in Each Category

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Best Money Tips: Parenting Products to Buy Used

Top 5 Articles

Other Essential Reading

9 Signs Your Service Can Be Turned into a Product

Which Baby Products are a Waste of Money?

Product Feedback Is Worth Your Time