I'm always on the lookout for new and exciting items to tinker with. Finding the right materials can be a challenge, especially on a budget. Luckily, with a little bit of creativity and research there are plenty of places to find affordable items. These are just a few of my tips on where and how to find cheap gear! University Salvage University salvage & surplus stores are great places to find discarded items from labs and research facilities. These items often include electronics, lab equipment, books, and supplies making them perfect for projects. Check your local university or college to see if they have a storefront! Check out the iconic MIT SwapFest – one of the more historic examples. Other examples include... Oregon State , Purdue University , & University of Washington Thrift Stores & Flea Markets Thrift stores are outstanding places to find used items for projects too. These stores typically offer a wide range of items, from antique electronics to mode
Recently became CompTIA Security+, Pentest+, CySA+, & CASP certified. Wanting to reflect on the accomplishment and add to the discussion I wrote this 'guide' - tips and tricks, my experience, and some thoughts on the CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Expert stack. Tips & Tricks Get CompTIA certified on the cheap; Never pay full price. Subscribe to a newsletter or find a GetCertified4Less site. Some are more reputable than others so make sure to do your due diligence. Three options that I heavily utilized: Workplace Reimbursement Academic Discount Beta Exams Got a job already? Workplace reimbursement may require you working for a certain period of time or may not reimburse if you don't pass. However, they may cover the entire cost of training and the certification voucher if you do pass. I was able to utilize reimbursement for one of mine and that included a bootcamp, textbook, and voucher. Does your work offer tuition reimbursement? That may be able to be applied to c