Comments on Saving to Inve$t: Frugal ways to keep your home safe

Thanks Ky...I didn't even realize that such a syst...

2008-05-30T17:00:00.000-04:00

Thanks Ky...I didn't even realize that such a systm was available. I will look into it when I have publish my next frugal ways to keep your home safe list.

I got a lasersheild wireless alarm system for $200...

2008-05-20T15:50:00.000-04:00

I got a lasersheild wireless alarm system for $200. I think monthly monitoring is about 20 bucks. I feel much better having that around and it wasn't much of a hassle to set up at all! the good part for apartment people is that it's wireless so you can just pack it up and go when you move. :)

Thanks for the comment bitsy. Some great informati...

2008-05-19T16:58:00.000-04:00

Thanks for the comment bitsy. Some great information there. With all the comments to date, I think I will have to do an updated list in the near future.

Other possible ideas:- Window alarms. They run of...

2008-05-16T12:36:00.000-04:00

Other possible ideas:

- Window alarms. They run off batteries and can be found cheap--about $4 each. They're also easy to install (usually double-sided tape). They sound an alarm if the window is opened (you can turn them off when YOU want to open the window).

- A sticker or door sign. You can get one with a "fake" security system name so it LOOKS like you have a security system. Or you can get a fake Beware of Dog sign.

- Dog doorbell. They make doorbells that sound like dogs barking (so intruders think a dog lives in the house).

These are all more deterrents rather than things designed to catch a thief--like a security system. But they might help.

@ Anonymous. Good point, though dogs are not neces...

2008-05-13T23:17:00.000-04:00

@ Anonymous. Good point, though dogs are not necessarily cheaper in the longer run and not practical in an apartment building. But they have a lot of other value and do provide a good deterrent to intruders.

@ Bobbi Jo. Thank you very much for taking the time to comment and not shameless at all. Your story is a great lesson to all the readers to keep an inventory of their things. Yes it is always good to have backup copies in different places. If you don't want to buy software, just having a spreadsheet or document saved at home, work and potentially in your yahoo or gmail/google docs account can provide a way to safely store a list in mulyiple places.

Creating the home inventory is a great point lots ...

2008-05-12T20:15:00.000-04:00

Creating the home inventory is a great point lots of people don't think of. I had my $1000 Trek bike stolen off my front porch in broad daylight while I was home. It had a double chain on it and our porch was right beside the security office of our complex. Anyway, I hadn't thought of documenting the serial number before then and therefore had no leverage when I called the police department. It was basically a lost cause and a lost $1000.

I want to point out though, that if you create a home inventory using software, you have to create multiple copies and send off-site, because it can also be useful if there is a fire or a natural disaster. There are online tools out there as well.

If I'm being shameless, please forgive me. It's just that more people need to think of this step when preparing for a loss

you missed an important one we use - our dogs. Do...

2008-05-10T21:51:00.000-04:00

you missed an important one we use - our dogs. Dogs do cost some money but our dogs do not let anyone come close without notifying us.

Gamer Girl - Good point and a much more frugal way...

2008-05-09T11:07:00.000-04:00

Gamer Girl - Good point and a much more frugal way. I had a similar device (a 2 ft pole from the closet), but my 2 yr old kept on wanting to play with it. So I had to go for the more sturdy option. Also I think if there is a lock in place it is more of a deterrent.

Farood - Thanks for your comments. We considered what you said but then the cost of getting the alarm went up to almost $1000, as these companies make most of thier money from the ongoing back to base service revenues and not from the actual alarm system itself.

It may still be worth getting just the alarm syste...

2008-05-08T20:25:00.000-04:00

It may still be worth getting just the alarm system0m you font have to get the back to base feature

You don't have to buy an actual bar lock for your ...

2008-05-08T13:26:00.000-04:00

You don't have to buy an actual bar lock for your sliding glass door. You can use a piece of 1 by 1 in the slide. It works on the same principle as a bar lock and you can't loose the keys to it.