How You Can Save Money as an IPad Owner

The new Apple iPad will be released on Friday, March 11^th, amid much fanfare from Apple and enthusiasts alike. Apple plans to sell this new iteration of the iPad at the same price points as the original iPad. The new iPad comes in six different models; five of these can be had for less than $800, while only one will be over that price point. This new iPad features a dual-core processor, front- and rear-facing cameras and is even thinner than the original iPad. If you are looking to purchase an iPad but don't have a lot of cash, there are ways you can still be frugal and obtain an iPad.

First, consider trading in your original iPad, if you have one. Gazelle, eBay and NextWorth all offer trade-in programs that thousands of consumers are already taking advantage of. And Apple is offering a $100 discount for recent buyers of the iPad 1. However, if you have purchased your iPad 1 within the last 14 days, you can return it to Apple for a full refund and wait for the new version to hit stores on the 11^th. You can also sell your iPad 1 in a variety of marketplaces, such as Craigslist, eBay and iOffer. In many cases, you can sell your current iPad for enough to cover the cost of a new iPad 2, depending on what model you currently have, and what model of the iPad 2 you are shooting for. But hurry - experts predict a sharp drop in prices for the iPad 1 once the new version is released on Friday.

If you don't have an iPad 2, don't worry. You can still save money, just not on the purchase price. You can, however, save on your monthly usage plan, which will definitely help your bank account. Verizon and AT&T are both authorized Apple carriers, so they are having pricing wars for monthly service plans, which benefits you as the consumer. AT&T has revealed that it will stick to its current pricing structure and charge $14.99 for 250 megabytes of monthly data and $25 for 2 gigabytes of data. If you are a military member, you can receive the military discount on this price, making your savings even greater. Verizon does not require a service contract for the iPad, and offers several usage plans with differing rates. You can choose from an entry-level $20 plan for 1 gigabyte of data, $35 for 3 gigabytes, $50 for 5 gigabytes and $80 for 10 gigabytes.

Whether you have the original iPad or plan to get the iPad 2, there are ways you can save money and stretch your budget while still enjoying the functionality of an iPad. You just have to be creative and weigh all your options.

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