Home Security Systems: Peace of Mind at a Surprisingly Low Price

Written By Mary Beth Eastman
Last updated August 20, 2018

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Money Saving Tips
August 20, 2018

Simple. Thrifty. Living.

In a perfect world, your budget wouldn’t be a factor in something as important as peace of mind and security for you and your loved ones. However, the world isn’t perfect, and your personal finances should always be taken into account when making any purchase or investment, even with something as important as home security.

As your home warranty protects against unexpected malfunctions, home security systems protect against unexpected intrusions. Fortunately, thanks to the power and cost-effectiveness of modern technology, you no longer have to choose between a healthy savings account and an effective home security system that can give you a good night’s sleep from knowing your family is safe. Many of the several effective DIY home security solutions already on the market can be a welcome addition to your home and lifestyle for a variety of reasons.

Traditional home security solutions involve costly, restrictive contracts with sometimes exorbitant monthly fees that can quickly add up, especially in cases when early cancellation is necessary. The new breed of home security systems use an entirely different model, however, and do not include any sort of maintenance costs or subscription fees.

In fact, purchasing the system itself is the only cost involved assuming you already have a wireless provider and smartphone. With many basic systems available for under $100, consumers on even the tightest of budgets can now afford effective home security solutions. While a wireless contract isn’t a necessity to use the DIY systems, a smartphone allows you to monitor your home from any location for added security.

Much like traditional systems, DIY home security solutions take full advantage of technology to provide you with a wide variety of useful options. Those options include everything from a deafening alarm that is sure to attract attention to motion detectors, window and door sensors, and smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide detection. In other words, these budget-friendly systems have the advanced features needed for comprehensive protection. You can integrate some systems with smart home technology, enabling remote monitoring via a smartphone app.

Of course, harkening back to our original premise, nothing is perfect in this world, and neither is the modern generation of home security systems. Like most technologies, the more features you want to add to the system, the more expensive your upfront costs become. Also, since they are DIY solutions, they are not installed by a professional but by you, so make certain to choose a system that falls within your technical expertise. Although most are extremely simple to install, it’s obviously important the system runs correctly. Lastly, since there is no third-party monitoring, you are responsible for calling first responders in the case of an emergency.

Despite these slight drawbacks, however, new home security options empower you to take control of your home’s security, bolstering the many ways you protect your home while still being easy on the budget.

About the Author

Mary Beth Eastman

Mary Beth Eastman serves as the content manager for Simple. Thrifty. Living, where she is dedicated to helping readers use money and credit wisely. Mary Beth believes that access to the right financial information paired with a growth mindset are essential tools for getting out of debt and building wealth. Mary Beth has a degree in Journalism from Bowling Green State University and has focused her 20-year journalism career on putting readers front and center, carefully considering their concerns and presenting information that will help them in their everyday lives. She has won numerous statewide journalism awards. Her writing on personal finance as been featured on numerous websites in addition to Simple. Thrifty. Living, including Huffington Post and Lexington Law blog. Mary Beth resides in Pittsburgh, Pa., with her family and two rescue dogs.

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