For electronics in general:

1. Ask about price matching and price guarantees. Electronic stores don't always advertise it, but many will match a competitor's price or refund the difference if the item you bought drops in price within a certain time period after you bought it, typically 30 days. Some stores won't match a price you found online that isn't associated with a "brick and mortar store." But they might match a price from a brick and mortar store in another city.

2. Choose the right credit card. Ask your credit-card company whether it will extend the manufacturer's warranty on items you buy with that card.

3. Beware of accessories. Most tech gadgets require some kind of accessory such as a printer, speakers or cables and if you aren't informed, you may experience sticker shock at the checkout line. Don't automatically purchase the accessories when you buy the gadget itself. You can often get better deals for accessories online or at a discount store such as Target, Wal-Mart or Costco. Another option is buying a package or combo that already includes the accessories.

4. Consider refurbished and out-of-box items. Refurbished items typically have been returned, fixed and certified by the manufacturer before they're sold again. Some good items to buy refurbished include MP3 players and computer accessories. If you do buy a refurbished item, be sure to read all of the fine print and make sure the item comes with a warranty.

5. Time your purchase. If you're worried that the item you want to buy will become obsolete in a few months, find out how new it is. If you can afford it, buying the newest, top of the line item will ensure your product stays cutting edge longer.

6. Be wary of extended warranties. Consumer Reports' advises consumers to skip extended warranties in most cases because its survey data has shown that on average, the cost of an extended warranty is roughly equivalent to the cost of repair, which you might never need. One possible exception is rear projection TVs, according to the magazine. It suggests buying an extended warranty if it costs no more than 15 percent of the price of the TV, or the cost of one replacement bulb, whichever is less. If you're buying an Apple computer, it's a good idea to spring for the Apple Care warranty, which gets you excellent coverage and support.

7. Use the Internet. Research the products you want online and then go into a store to see what they look like. To find the best prices, use shopping comparison services such as Google Product Search, PriceGrabber and Yahoo Shopping. Some online retailers offer coupon codes that can save you a lot of money, but you have to know what they are. If you are looking for a product from a specific company, do a Google search with that company's name and the term "coupon code."

8. Don't let rebates be the deciding factor. Rebates can save you money, but they're also a pain to redeem. If you do buy using a rebate, look for products with instant rebates or rebates that you can redeem online without mailing anything.

9. Consider hiring a professional. Don't overestimate your ability to install a flat-panel TV, speaker system or other large device. If you are just buying a TV to sit on a table or stand, you can probably do it yourself. But unless you're an expert, don't attempt to mount a TV on the wall by yourself.

Buying a computer ...

1. Decide if you want a laptop or desktop. You still get more bang for your buck with a desktop, but laptops take up less space and are portable. Desktops are also easier to repair and upgrade. If you travel a lot or like to use your computer in different locations, get a laptop. If you want to do lots of video or audio editing, get a desktop. If you want the best of both worlds, buy a laptop and hook it up to a keyboard and monitor.

2. Choose a side. Windows computers still dominate the market, but Apple is gaining. Macs are usually more expensive but they are less susceptible to viruses, better for multimedia projects and can be easier to use. You can get a good Windows laptop for about $600, but Apple's cheapest laptop costs $1,099.

3. Get more memory. Unless you are barely going to use it, you shouldn't get a computer with less than 1GB of RAM, or random-access memory. It's worth it to pay extra to add another 1GB of RAM to your computer.