Arab Banking Corporation (B.S.C.)

I have been called many things in my life; never, though, an urban myth. But that is what Alan Wurtzel, president of research at NBC Universal, suggested when I told him I got rid of my television set last year and started watching "30 Rock" and "CSI" on my laptop instead.

"I hear about people like you," he said, a hint of skepticism in his voice. Then he hissed what sounded vaguely like an insult.

"You probably read."

Well, yes, I do. But just because I don't have a television set, doesn't mean I don't crave "Gossip Girl."

Americans spent $129 billion on consumer technology last year, but it's a good bet that number could fall in 2008, thanks to the slow economy.

If you're pondering a reduced gadget budget, though, don't despair.

There are many ways to reduce your expenses without going cold turkey on tech.

Whether it's piping free Internet video to your TV rather than paying for cable, selling your old gizmos to retailers for store credit on new gadgets or just shopping smarter on the Web, there are plenty of low-cost ways to keep yourself in the digital life to which you've become accustomed.

This has been the year TV networks finally embraced the Web. As 2008 wraps up, nearly every broadcaster posts its shows online within half a day of first airing them on TV. And the audience for such programming is growing, especially among desirable younger demographics. Twelve percent of teens and 11 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds watch online TV at least once a week, as compared with 4 percent of 35- to 64-year-olds, according to Knowledge Networks.

After Colin Powell endorsed Senator Barack Obama for president on NBC's "Meet the Press" last month, the video was published online within minutes. In this case, it wasn't posted on YouTube. Rather, the network's online sister, MSNBC.com, showed the video hours before many television viewers could watch the interview for themselves.

Even the old media, apparently, can learn a few new-media tricks.