Inexpensive Home Security

Welcome to part one of our five part series about the SmartMoney Home Security Package. Over the course of this series we're going to look at the affordability, reliability, simplicity and expandability of the system. Finally we're going to compare the system to ADT and Protect America. So, lets dig right in!

The first question that comes to many people's minds when they consider home security is: How much will it cost? Now, I'll be the first to admit that this isn't the best factor on which to base your decision. However, people being people and the economy being what it is, its a big factor, if not the primary factor for the average homeowner.

So, what will it cost?

To start out it will cost you $78.95. That's $49 for the setup fee and the first month's payment of $29.95. Now, if you decide to add additional accessories, you'll pay for those as well. Then, its $29.95 per month for a contract length of 24 months. If you're just beginning your research, that may not seem like a big deal. But consider that the industry standard is a 3 to 5 year contract. When you do this, you realize that the SmartMoney package is just that: a smart way to use your money.

Stay tuned for further installments when we cover the other topics I mentioned above.

Introducing the SmartMoney Home Security Package

SafeMart is pleased to announce a new home security offering: The SmartMoney package. So, what comes with the SmartMoney package?

• DSC 9047 Security System
• 2 Wireless Door/Window Contacts
• 1 Pet Immune Motion Detector
• Yard Sign
• Window Stickers
• Installation DVD
• Pre-Programming
• 24 Months of UL listed Alarm Monitoring

So, here's how it works. You purchase the SmartMoney system, tell us what options you want and fill out an intuitive user-friendly form to tell us how you want your system programmed. We then program your entire system, send it to you and you do the easy stuff: like mounting sensors and setting time and date.

Ok, so whats it cost? Well, this is where the affordable part comes in. You pay $78.95 down (plus the cost of additional accessories), and then $29.95/month for the next 24 months. Its a low cost, payment plan option.

Stop by SafeMart and look at the SmartMoney Home Security Package today. And for a little teaser, check out the promotional video below:

DIY Home Security: Save Money

People often look at SafeMart's prices or other home security companies and think, "This is too good to be true. Their prices are a fraction of ADT, Brinks, and other similar companies. There's something that doesn't add up." Well, you're right, in a manner of speaking.

First things first. We offer state of the art equipment. We have the newest models and probably one of the widest ranges available when it comes to choosing home security. You're not getting outdated models that we're selling as new. You're getting the real deal. So how can we charge so much less?

Simple answer: We don't have the overhead because we rely on you to do part of the work (the bulk of it, in fact). While we offer free tech support, we're not sending salesmen to your house, making a pitch, closing a sale, installing your system and doing regular maintenance. We sell you the system, give you the best possible tech support and tools to help you install and program it, and then, if you want it, we set you up with monitoring. We can charge wholesale prices because you do the work yourself. And contrary to what some of the "big guys" might say, YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF!

So the next time you're in the market for home security and you look at one of the fully comprehensive companies and think, "Well, they must be the best, look at how much they charge," think again. They sell you a system upfront for little to nothing (or nothing in some cases) and then charge you an arm and a leg per month over the next few years to pay for the system and make a healthy profit. We don't do that. That's why our systems and our monitoring are affordable. We're in a recession: Shop wisely!

Review: Brinks vs. ADT vs. DIY Home Security

There often seems to be an automatic assumption in favor of the "big guys" like Brinks or ADT. Their name, reputation and the years they've been in the industry create an aura that says "DIY is good, and maybe even great for your money... but let's be honest. Its not nearly as good as ADT or Brinks."

Well, is that true? Let's look a little closer and see.

ADT and Brinks are good at what they do, and they've built huge empires by creating an impressive brand, and by marketing in all major niches. But, at the end of the day, once you cut away the media hype, do they actually offer anything more than can be done, much cheaper by yourself? No.

ADT and Brinks install the same types of home security systems in your homes that you would have if you purchased it yourself. If you get a wireless system, its no doubt a GE system; and hardwired systems will run the gamut of options, all of which are available through a store like SafeMart. The systems are identical in quality and type, with the exception that sometimes wholesale DIY companies have the newer models before the "big guys." And the monitoring isn't any different either (unless you look at the price). ADT, Brinks, SafeMart and others all offer 24 hour, UL listed central station monitoring.

Ok, so now we know that ADT and Brinks don't offer anything extra by way of equipment or monitoring. Let's take a look at cost.

Here is information from a chart on SafeMart's website showing where to find affordable home security.

ADT Costs

Total Out Of Pocket Expenses: $1,572. That's broken down into two things. An initial cost of $349, and a monthly cost of $33.99 for a required contract length of 36 months. Not that cheap at the end of the day.

Brinks Costs

Total Out of Pocket Expenses: $1,200. That's also broken down into two things. An initial cost of $49, and a monthly cost of $31.99 for a required contract length of 36 months. But, that's only upfront. You're still tied into a contract for 36 months. You still pay, over and over and over, for the system.

SafeMart Costs

Total Out of Pocket Expenses: $533. That's assuming the exact same set-up as Brinks and ADT with a 3 year monitoring cost. However-and here's the huge difference-SafeMart doesn't require any monitoring package or contract at all. If you choose to purchase monitoring, you do so on a one, not a three-year basis.

Here's the breakdown: Upfront cost to purchase the system (at which point its yours that you own, not some company) is $209. The monthly monitoring cost is $9 per month. Yes, you did read that correctly. Monthly monitoring cost is only $9.

So, whats your savings when you do it yourself. Going with SafeMart in this case, will save you $1,039 from ADT and will save you $677 from Brinks. That's a huge deal.

Don't waste your money for the same system and contracts that are way too long. Go the route thousands of other smart homeowners have gone, and do it yourself for home security.

Home Security in a Recession

Stocks are down, people are feeling a pinch, and the overall economy is in a recession.  This is the time when many homeowners begin cutting back on unneccesary consumer products.  Now, I have no interest in discussing the general state of the economy or even plans to help reduce exposure to the recesison.  What I do want to talk about is how to handle home security in a recession.

I mentioned that now is the time when many homeowners cut back on consumer purchases.  However, this should not be the time when homeowners cut back on home security systems and products.  This is the case for two reasons.

1. Home Security is always a high level priority.  You don't need video games, new cars or the latest big screen tv.  These are nice things to purchase when you have the money and the economic security to buy them.  You do, however, always need to protect your home and loved ones.  Thats why, even in a recession, home security systems shouldn't count as "extras" that you don't really need, but may want.

2. Economic turmoil often means increased crime.  Its sad to say, but there is often a direct correlation between crimes of opportunity (like burglaries) and economic hardship.  A recession means alot of things, but it doesn't mean a decrease in crime.  Thats why its all the more important during a financial crunch to ensure the safety of your home and loved ones.

Ok, so you know that you ought to have a security system, but you don't have tons of money to spend.  That's why SafeMart has made it a hallmark of its business to guarantee the lowest possible prices on the best home security devices.  Stop by today.  I think you'll be suprised at how affordable a solution we can find for you.