Saving $$$ Money on Certs
I am writing this post on 25 November 2016. Today is "Black Friday." Yes, the high holy shopping holiday where people lose their minds over the latest hot toy or big screen television. But you are on a quest for something else - certification! Well, there is also something for you.
Every year for as long as I can remember - the certification world also has specials. This has saved me quite a bit of money in my studies. Cisco Press is currently running a Black Friday special on items through November 26. If you are the type of person who has to have a physical book in your hand, this is the time to get it. When I was first studying to take the CCIE R/S Written Exam, I used that special to buy every title on the Recommended Reading list. At that time I received $800 of books for only $400. I stacked and measured them - 3 feet of reading material. And, yes, I read each book cover to cover. I have taken and passed the R/S Written Exam 3 times based on what I learned (with some touch up in later years) over the past decade. And I got that material half price.
Granted, the least expensive way to read that list is to use Safari Books Online. They have just about every Cisco Press book - including those that are not printed/published yet (Rough Cuts). And they have more than just Cisco Press books. (Some of the reading list does come from other publishers.) But not everyone can read on a computer screen. Some really have to have the book in their hand. So the holiday special deals are probably your best bet.
INE also has a Black Friday special - until midnight Sunday. There are deep discounts on All-Access Passes (30% off), Ultimate Bundles and 50% off Rack Rentals ! If you can spare the $$ - grab what you can. This is how I built a stockpile of Tokens for my studies. Tokens are not like bread - they don't expire or mold. So get them while you can at 50% off. Even if you're not ready for labs - get the tokens. That way when you ARE ready, the tokens will be there for you.
So maybe you're reading this post at some point during the year. Or maybe you haven't begun your CCIE studies, but are just thinking about it. That's good too. So take your first step by putting some money aside now. Put aside some "no touch" money in whatever way works for you. Put it in a Mason Jar. Put it in a savings account. Any way that works is the right way for you. This way when the next Black Friday special pops up, you can capitalize on it by having the funds available to double your money. Buy the books (or Safari subscription) before you start your Written Exam studies. Buy your tokens while you study for the Written Exam. You will need them eventually.
I cannot guarantee that any of these specials will be available in the future. I do not work for either company and my crystal ball only works for tech support problems. But I have seen these specials for many years and they have held steady. I would expect that they would continue to be presented in the near future. Plan and save.
Good luck and happy studying!