Gaming on a Budget | TT King Streaming and Gaming
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. Greatful Moments may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you.
Let me tell you what is happening in my home this week. Charlie isn’t working still and I don’t see that changing in the foreseeable future. So instead of fighting with Charlie over Door Dashing I’ve decided if I want to build the site and share things our family does then Charlie needs to begin his series again.
Please help me Welcome Back to Charlie who has his own gaming company TTKL King Streaming and Gaming! Because it’s time to dust off the controllers and get back to talking about gaming! This will be a series Charlie runs for me and as your learning I will be learning right beside you while Charlie and David play the games.
As we begin this morning I wanted to share why Greatful Moments, is bringing TTKL King Streaming and Gaming back with a new series called Gaming on a Budget. It’s because the #Holidays are around the corner and parents will be looking for gifts for there children.
School is back in session and if your #Homeschooling your children you can use video games to teach your children.Charlie will be talking about games, accessories, and ways to enjoy gaming without feeling like you have to spend a small fortune just to get started.
Our family has spent plenty of years around gaming systems, controllers, and new games. Charlie has enjoyed games like Minecraft, Roblox, Fortnite, wrestling games, Need for Speed, LEGO, and Batman. Like plenty of families, we’ve learned that gaming can be an investment, especially when a new system and its accessories are on the shopping list.
Charlie also has a December birthday, just nine days before Christmas. Since he was little, we’ve made those two celebrations special, including getting him a brand-new game each year. It’s become one of our family traditions. But we also know that every family has a different budget. Some families can buy a complete gaming setup at once, while others need to save for the system first and add accessories later. That’s why we’re starting with the basics.
I have a question for you this morning. Have you ever looked at pictures of gaming rooms and wondered how anybody can afford all that equipment? Between the gaming computer or console, multiple monitors, colorful lights, fancy chairs, special desks, headsets, and keyboards, it can look like you need a small fortune before you even play your first game.
The good news? You don’t! If you’re just starting out, concentrate on what you actually need to play. You can always add things later.
1. Start With the Gaming System– Before shopping for accessories, decide what games you want to play and which system supports them.
A Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and gaming computer all offer different experiences. Not every game is available on every system, and accessories aren’t always interchangeable. Trust Charlie on that because as his mom I learned that the hard way in the past.
If you already own a compatible computer or gaming system, start there. You may not need to purchase any new hardware at all. If you’re buying a system for a child, check the games they want to play before making the purchase. It can save you from spending money on a system that doesn’t run their favorite games.
2. Do You Need a Gaming Headset?– A headset can be useful when playing online with friends, especially when you want to talk to other players without disturbing everybody else in the house. But you don’t necessarily need an expensive headset. But as a mom it can be a Godsend when there room is right next to yours and they’re gaming and your trying to watch TV. Trust me on that.
A basic wired headset with a microphone may be all a beginner needs. If you already have compatible headphones, try those first. And if you’re playing a single-player game using your television’s speakers, you might not need a headset yet. Before purchasing, check the connection and compatibility with the specific console or computer. Some headsets need a particular connection or adapter, so don’t assume every headset works with every system.
Our budget tip: Set a spending limit before browsing. Look for comfort, a usable microphone if you need one, and compatibility before paying extra for lights or fancy features. When Charlie first started gaming this is what he used beginner-friendly wired gaming headsets.
3. What About Controllers, Keyboards, and Mice? If you purchase a console, it generally comes with a controller, so you may not need to buy another one immediately.
A computer gamer may need a keyboard and mouse, depending on what the computer already has and which games they’re playing. An extra controller can be handy if siblings or friends want to play together, but it’s an upgrade rather than an automatic requirement. Start with the equipment included with your system. Replace or upgrade something when you discover a real need for it.
4. Do You Need a Gaming Desk and Chair?– This is where I would encourage families to slow down before spending their money.
A special gaming desk isn’t necessary. A sturdy table with enough room for the equipment may work perfectly well. Charlie used a dinning room table someone was throwing away for years before we got him a gaming desk which I found on sale during Black Friday with the chair at Staples.
You don’t have to buy a racing-style gaming chair, either. A comfortable chair that fits the player and their space can do the job. If you’re setting up a permanent gaming area, comfort and good posture matter. But you can improve the space over time rather than buying every piece of furniture at once.
5. Don’t Forget the Little Things– Sometimes the most useful purchases aren’t the biggest ones.
Depending on your setup, you might eventually want:
- A mouse pad for computer gaming.
- A charging cable or charging solution for compatible controllers.
- A carrying case for a portable gaming system.
- A storage solution for games and accessories.
- A second controller for local multiplayer.
The trick is to buy things that solve a problem you actually have. If the controller charges just fine with the cable you already own, there’s no need to buy a charging dock simply because it looks nice on a gaming desk.
Let’s Set Some Beginner Gaming Goals– You don’t have to accomplish everything in one shopping trip. Here are three ways to approach your budget.
Goal One: Start With What You Own-Use your existing system, compatible headphones, and furniture. If you already have everything needed to play, your first purchase might simply be a game. If you have to purchase something ask your friends and neighbors if they have what your looking for. If not check Pawn Shops stores like Movie Trading Company that has sales and Resale Shops not everything has to be new.
Goal Two: Set Aside Up to $50 for Accessories– If your system is already taken care of, a budget of up to $50 gives you room to consider a basic headset or another accessory you genuinely need. You don’t have to spend the entire amount. If there is money left over put it aside for another item you want to purchase later.
Goal Three: Build Your Setup Over Time– Once you know what you enjoy, you can gradually save toward a better headset, another controller, storage, or a more comfortable gaming space. A $100 accessory budget can be a future savings goal rather than money you have to spend today.
Remember that these amounts are for accessories, not a complete new gaming system. The system itself may be your biggest expense, and it’s perfectly fine to stop there until you’re ready for something else.
A Little Halloween Fun for Gamers– Since Halloween is right around the corner, I thought we’d add one fun item to our beginner gaming guide. Which you will find inside our Interactive Halloween Gift Guide in a basket you can create for your gamer with snacks and some candy.
A Halloween Gamer T-Shirt– Not every Halloween outfit has to be a full costume. A gamer-themed shirt with a spooky controller, skeleton gamer, or little ghost playing video games could be a fun choice for a gamer who wants to celebrate the season. It could be worn for a casual Halloween get-together, a school-approved seasonal outfit, or a gaming night at home.
Check the available sizes, design, price, and delivery date before ordering. With Halloween approaching, make sure the shirt will arrive in time if you’re buying it for a particular event. And remember, this is just a fun seasonal extra. Nobody needs a new T-shirt to start gaming!
One of the things I want to accomplish with TTKL King Streaming and Gaming is to help people enjoy games and discover useful products without feeling pressured to buy everything they see online. You don’t need a perfect gaming room. You don’t need the most expensive headset. And you don’t need a shelf full of games before you can call yourself a gamer.
Start with a system that plays the games you enjoy, use what you already have, and add accessories when they make sense for you. We’ll be back with more in our Gaming on a Budget series, including games worth putting on your wish list and ways to build a gaming setup a little at a time. Until then, have fun, play responsibly, and remember that the best setup is the one that works for you and your budget.
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed,
Greatful Moments
Featuring TT King Streaming and Gaming
Affiliate disclosure reminder: Keep the disclosure near the beginning of the published article and ensure your affiliate links are properly identified. Replace the bracketed link notes with your actual Amazon affiliate links before publishing.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
