Save or Splurge: Household Health Gadgets

Bathroom Scale: Save!

A digital bathroom scale doesn’t need to cost more than $30. Beyond the price, there are a lot of benefits to owning a digital scale: most use lithium batteries so they turn off automatically and conserve power. Additionally, the digital readings cut out the guesswork and keep you honest about your weight.

Pedometer: Splurge!

Accuracy is important if you use a pedometer. You want to know that the number you see when you look down reflects the number of steps you’ve actually taken. A pedometer that costs less than $15 is likely to lose its accuracy in just a matter of months; paying for a slightly more expensive model is a worthwhile investment. Pedometers in the $25 range are much more accurate and last for years.

Thermometer: Save!

A good digital thermometer with a bright, backlit screen can be purchased for around $6 at your local drugstore. Digital thermometers are also much safer than traditional mercury ones. Be sure to take your mercury thermometers to a doctor’s office or pharmacy where they can be disposed of safely – never throw a mercury thermometer in the trash!