Must-Have Software (at Must-Have Prices) for Your Home Computer

A household’s computer is like a member of the family. You take care of it, spend time with it, and pamper it with gifts. Sometimes those gifts (read: apps) can run you a pretty penny. There’s a lot to be said about the high prices of many software applications, many of which make you question the value and usefulness of such products. In the end, it’s all a matter of where you shop and what products you choose.

I recently discovered Royal Discount, and can tell you they slash the prices on almost every software product known to man. Whether it’s antivirus, graphic, office or multimedia, you can get anywhere from 20 to 50 percent off on the highest rated computer software out there.

In addition, you can stack up on Royal Discount rewards points, which will make every subsequent purchase cheaper. If that’s not enough, promocodes.com is offering 5% off at Royal Discount with code ROYALPRO15.

Is it time to pamper your computer with a gift? Here are our picks for the best software in 2013:

PERSONAL FINANCE: Intuit Quicken Home & Business 2013

Keeping a firm grasp on your finances is essential. The latest masterpiece from Intuit will ensure efficient, organized management of your personal and home-based expenses. Raising your financial IQ is as easy as having your entire financial picture laid out for you on one simple platform. Quicken Home & Business 2013 downloads your income and expenses from bank accounts, brokerages, and financial institutions so you don’t have to do it manually. Your bank, credit card, loan, 401(k) and investing practices are easily laid out, allowing you to successfully plan paying your debt, planning your retirement, and never missing a bill. It’s your own personal accountant!

MSRP - $109.99

Royal Discount - $79.19

ANTIVIRUS: McAfee Total Protection 2013

AntiVirusPicks.com chose McAfee Total Protection as its Editor’s Choice for 2013. As McAfee’s bestseller, it basically shelters your computer from any and all cyber threats, offering complete security—antivirus, firewall, anti-phishing, anti-spam, free cloud backup, file protection, and parental controls. Tune up your PC with one quick download. Like your car’s oil, you should clean out your computer every now and then. Why not clean out your computer daily?

MSRP - $44.99

Royal Discount - $35.00

HOME OFFICE: Microsoft Office 365 Home Premium

The difference between your normal Microsoft Office suite and Microsoft Office 365 Home Premium is its ability to sync up to 5 PCs or Macs and 5 mobile devices. It also combines the latest versions of the apps—Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, OneNote, Access, Publisher—with 60 Skype world minutes a month. Meaning, you can talk to your friend in Vietnam for free while sending him an email through Outlook, simply for the irony. Microsoft recommends it over similar suites due to its amazing value.

MSRP - $99.99

Royal Discount - $97.99

IMAGES: Adobe Photoshop Elements 11

Adobe Photoshop Elements 11 is rated as the No. 1 consumer photo editing software. It lets you turn your normal digital photos into works of art. Featuring exciting effects and tools to enhance your photos in creative ways, you can create full panoramas, the perfect group shot, or recompose to any size without distortion. After transforming a mere cell phone pic into an artistic masterpiece, you can share your creation via Facebook, the web, or print. Add a little stylized text, layer your photos, and revel in pro-quality photography. Family memories will never stale as polaroids in dusty photo albums with Adobe Photoshop Elements 11.

MSRP - 119.99

Royal Discount - 106.49

VIDEOS: Nero 12

The latest from Nero is the all-encompassing tool to convert, burn, edit, stream and enjoy your movies, music, and photos. You can convert any media format for any device—any. Workable for both novices and experts, Nero 12 can take videos recorded on cell phones or low-fi digital cameras and transform them into high-production home movies. For example, Nero 12 features built-in stabilization that allows you to reduce shakiness in your auteur amateur indie film, that is, unless your hipsterdom demands shakiness. Edit MP3 files, produce HD videos, create slideshows, back up data and more with Nero 12.

MSRP - $89.99

Royal Discount - $64.90