How To Save $24k/Year With Free Open Source Apps
I have a Mac Mini M2 Pro at home and a Macbook Pro that I bring to the office.
The M2 is very powerful, but rarely used since I do 90% of my work from the office.
I considered selling it, but I'd only get like $800 for it now, which is not worth it for such a good device.
So I've been thinking about how to effectively use the Mac.
Since I'm building AI software now and getting deep in the world of programming, open source, etc, I realized....
We can save a ton of money by using my Mac to run various open-source apps.
For example, we pay $150/mo for Quickbooks across a few companies, whereas Akaunting is pretty similar and free when running locally / open-source.
And as we build out the AI software, we're running quite a bit of tests in Python, offline / private LLMs, etc -- all of which are easy and cheap / free locally.
I ended up making a quick Excel sheet to check software / app expenses to make sure we could do this successfully...
And it turns out we could save close to $2000 per month -- a cool $24,000/year and $72,000 in the next 3 years -- just by shifting to open-source apps!
That's a lot of money that I'd prefer to keep, and:
- Drop in my daughter's 529 plan or save / invest
- Contribute some back to the developers
- Reinvest in the business
Best of all, it's a lot more privacy / data-conscious.
Most paid / cloud apps are tracking you, re-selling your data, and even if not -- there's a good shot your data ends up being stored and read by Google, thanks to Google Cloud servers.
That might sound crazy, but if you really understand what AI and Python can do with just a few data points on you or your family, you know why privacy is so important.
So here's the solution I'm working on to put this in action:
1 - Prioritize open-source app installs based on the biggest cost saver or most important use-case
2 - Set them up on my Mac and use them at home when I can
3 - Use remote desktop software to access it from work
For Part 3, I first tried the Mac Remote Desktop / SSH option. But since my home computer is on my condo's WiFi system, the router isn't easy to access for allowing port access, etc.
So I had a long convo with GPT and ended up with this simple process to setup 3rd party remote access tools:
For remote access over the internet, especially from a distance and without the ability to modify network settings, third-party solutions like TeamViewer, AnyDesk, or similar remote desktop services are more practical.
These services are designed to navigate through typical network restrictions and do not require changes to router settings, making them ideal for your situation.
They work by establishing a secure connection between your computers through their servers, facilitating remote access even when direct networking configurations are not possible.
How to Use Third-Party Remote Desktop Services:
Download and Install: Before leaving, install the chosen software on both your home Mac and the device you will use remotely.
Set Up Unattended Access: Configure the software on your home Mac for unattended access. This involves setting a password that will allow you to connect anytime without someone needing to accept the connection manually.
Test the Setup: Ensure you test the remote connection before you leave to make sure everything works as expected.
Remote Access: Once set up, you can access your home Mac from anywhere with an internet connection by logging into the remote desktop software on your remote device and connecting to your Mac using the previously configured access credentials.
Advantages:
Ease of Use: These services offer a user-friendly interface and easy setup.
Cross-Platform Support: Access your Mac from various devices, including Windows PCs, other Macs, smartphones, and tablets.
Security: They provide secure connections, often encrypted, to ensure your data is protected.
Considerations:
Internet Speed: The quality of your remote desktop session will depend on the internet speed at both ends. A faster connection results in smoother interactions.
Software Updates: Keep the remote desktop software updated on both your Mac and remote device to ensure compatibility and security.
Security Practices: Use strong, unique passwords for your remote desktop accounts and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) if available.
In summary, while the built-in macOS Remote Desktop (Screen Sharing) feature may not be directly feasible for long-distance remote access without router configuration capabilities, third-party remote desktop applications offer a viable and practical solution for accessing your home Mac from your workspace, or even from 5,000 miles away.