We would like to get a Home Security system -- but the idea of paying $40 - $60 a month for it to be monitored really feels like such a waste of money to me! I figure I just need an alarm that will go off and make loud noises if someone tries to break in. Is there anything like that on the market? Any personal experience w/ it? If not, can anyone recommend a "cheap" monitoring company? Our family safety is important - but our budget is limited.
We use adt -- and our insurance has a special rate with them so we only pay like $25 a month. But the best part is we get a discount on our homeowners insurance becuase we have the alarm so the real cost is less than $10 a month. I would call your homeowners insurance and ask them if they offer a discount if you have a monitored alarm and if they have a deal with a local company. You'll be suprised that it costs less than you think.
If you decide to just get a system -- I have done that too. Back when I lived in an apartment before I was married I found a wireless system that was very easy to install. It wasn't monitored - we couldn't install anything that was permanent. And it had door alarms and a motion detector. It was over 8 years ago so I am sure things are even better now -- and I am sorry but I don't remember the name. I just searched the internet for "wireless home alarm system" and then did a little research and found one. We paid less than $200 for it. It was great at the time. It looked and sounded like a real alarm -- it just wasn't monitored.
On a personal note: I highly recommend you do something. We live in a very nice neighborhood and last fall someone tried to kick in our back door. The alarm went off and scared them away. I always thought that if you lived in a good neighborhood you didn't have to worry about things like that -- but I was wrong. And I'm glad we had the alarm system.
Radio Shack, Lowe's and Home Depot have systems you can install that have the loud noise you want without the monitoring bill. I found some devices you attach to each window that ring loud and it saved me from a nite time home invasion with me inside. They ran away fast. Also, I have found that your car alarm can deter a person when you hear someone around your property.