Despite the distance from your loved ones and coping with unexpected lifestyle changes, you successfully made it through the lockdown. But was the lockdown easy? You are likely to say 'no' since you weren't prepared for it. Most people had to juggle working from home and household chores while trying to find some 'me' time. However, if you are amongst those facing faulty gadgets and a slow internet connection, this period must have been extremely frustrating. You have probably realised that having particular devices and household appliances could have made your time in lockdown less stressful.
Well, now that the lockdown has started to lift, it's time to update that slow laptop, the phone that keeps hanging or anything else that can make life difficult. Here are a few things that may be due for replacement.
Laptop: If you are tired of a lagging laptop that ruins your gaming experience or affects your work productivity, you need a new one that offers enough juice to run high-resolution graphics and change tasks without lagging. Look for a good sound card and speakers so that you can enjoy a quality movie experience at home. A high resolution and fast processor can offer excellent user experience, whether you use it for work or play!
WiFi Routers: At a time when the whole world is logged on to the internet 24X7, streaming a film or sending large files over a slow WiFi can test your patience. To be fair, it is not entirely your Internet Service Provider's fault. After all, India's internet usage surged by about 40% during the lockdown. If changing WiFi channels hasn't worked, it may be advisable to get a dual-band router; it offers up to 100x wireless bandwidth using two bands - 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Alternatively, you could also add a second identical router to boost coverage in your house.
Printer: If you are someone who deals with a lot of paperwork, the last few weeks must have been hell, what with all the stores being shit. Buying a personal printer should be a priority. Fortunately, many brands offer small printers for personal use that come with in-built WiFi connectivity, helping you work at a brisk pace. You can even consider setting up a dedicated router to give your printer extra bandwidth. It's an investment that will guarantee increased productivity and efficiency.
Smart TV: While the lockdown may have ended, the pandemic hasn't. This means it's unlikely you will be visiting the cinema theatre anytime soon. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy a good movie. Amplify your home entertainment with a Smart TV. There are tons of great movies, TV shows and documentaries available online, and with a Smart TV that connects to the internet, you can stream these straight from your preferred OTT platforms. To take your film viewing experience up a notch, consider getting a home theatre system, with a woofer, speakers and the works.
Refrigerator: Cooking every meal at home, especially if you are living alone, can be a time-consuming and effortful task. And since the country is still battling the pandemic, home-cooked food is safer than ordering-in. But cooking every single day can be quite a challenge. Having a large-sized refrigerator can make this process a tad easier; you can prepare food over the weekend and store it for the coming week. You can also stock up on essentials, reducing trips to the grocery store.
Dishwasher: The prolonged lockdown brought life to a standstill in the absence of domestic help. It wouldn't be surprising if dishes piled up until you were forced to wash them after running out of clean ones. A dishwasher could save you loads of time and effort if you have to continue working from home indefinitely.
These new additions to your home might have you asking yourself, "how do I finance these?" With HDFC Bank EASYEMI option on Debit Card/Credit Card or Consumer Loans you can buy that new washing machine, smartphone or laptop on EMI that too at No Extra Cost and No Down Payment. So, stop wishing and start buying.
. * The information provided in this article is generic in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for specific advice in your own circumstances.
