Vision Vacuum:
Have vision! Yes, even with your tech department. If you do not know where you are going you won’t know what you need in order to get there.
Gear Junkie:
It is easy to impulse buy. We think we need it to be cutting edge! Only buy what you will use often (borrow the rest).
Latest and Greatest?
Old equipment or last year’s model is new to you, get what you need not what you want. For example: If you have two old, standard definition video projections you really do not need the latest HD video camera; it is wasted on your old projector. (Don’t let that statement nudge you to go out and purchase two new HD projectors just because you want them…set priorities.)
Buy Everything! Wait! Don’t Buy Everything:
Borrow when you can. It would be great to buy four video cameras to take on a retreat but, if you are only going to use those four cameras once or twice a year, borrow them. I know there is a little liability in borrowing but you just saved your ministry hundreds of dollars for equipment that will rarely get used. Here’s some math for you…Let’s pretend you want to have four video cameras, but you will only use them twice a year. In four years those cameras will probably work but they will be outdated. In this case you just paid hundreds of dollars and only used them eight times. I know, you will use them for other things, just think before you buy.
Spending Money You Do Not Have:
Is there someone in your ministry that will fund some of your needs? Maybe you heard someone talking about their new camera, ask them what they did with their old camera…can you say donation?
Money Trap:
Do your research. There are some great websites that will help you find the best prices like http://www.google.com/shopping or http://camelcamelcamel.com/ and https://thetracktor.com/ to see the best price Amazon ever offered…and they will alert you when prices drop.
– Brandon
@iambrandonearly