Tell me how to spend my money!

[LucyDuke]

So between my tax refund coming soon and my relatives giving me cash for my birthday soon, I'm gonna not be broke for a little bit. I really need a new computer. I've got a screwed-up desktop that doesn't connect to the internet and is starting to show its age (the monitor is dying too), and a notebook from 1996. It would probably be cheapest to fix up the desktop, but if I'm going to spend money on a computer, I'm buying a notebook. I also really want to go visit some friends and family scattered around the east coast, and I could use a vacation. For various reasons it will be a lot harder to "go visiting" after this summer. I know the smart thing to do would be to save it, but I know that ain't gonna happen. What would you do? (And does anybody know of a good notebook-shopping site?)

 

[obliterate]

Save up for an overseas holiday. Holidays are better than computers.

 

[bardolph]

I was tempted to reply "cocaine and champaigne rooms," but instead chose to behave myself in mixed company

How 'bout pricewatch?

 

[Fifty]

Donate it to your local humane society in memory of forgotten puppies around the world.

 

[FriendlyFire]

Iam still using an ancient AMDXP2400+
(oh well it can last a bit longer while the mortgage gets paid down a bit more)

 

[Narz]

Screw the new computer. Visit your loved ones!

 

[Newbunkle]

Save as much as you can. You could take a course in something, learn a new language, etc. If that's not exciting enough, then I agree that travel is a good choice.

 

[Love]

Save it and make a poll what to do with the saved money, duh?

 

[Yoda Power]

Prostitution ring ftw!

 

[Rik Meleet]

So between my tax refund coming soon and my relatives giving me cash for my birthday soon, I'm gonna not be broke for a little bit. I really need a new computer. I've got a screwed-up desktop that doesn't connect to the internet and is starting to show its age (the monitor is dying too), and a notebook from 1996.

Easy choice then - save it till you need it when your computer really dies. As long as it works you won't need to spend money on it, but you will need to have money available.

It would probably be cheapest to fix up the desktop, but if I'm going to spend money on a computer, I'm buying a notebook.

Nothing to do with your question, but: Why?
Especially with computers you need to know what your machine must be able to do and what not and what you find important and with that information you then look what type of PC fits your list of demands and preferences. That way you aren't throwing your money out of the window on things you don't ever need or are just plain wrong for you.

I also really want to go visit some friends and family scattered around the east coast, and I could use a vacation. For various reasons it will be a lot harder to "go visiting" after this summer.

Save the money. If your PC dies before summer you can then decide whether to use it on a PC or on holiday. If your PC doesn't die you can still use the money on your vacation. Decide as late as possible where you're going to spend the money on.

I know the smart thing to do would be to save it, but I know that ain't gonna happen. What would you do? (And does anybody know of a good notebook-shopping site?)

Just send the money to me and you'll get it back when you need it. No joke, and I am honest enough for this.

About the notebook: you're not there yet. First you need to sit and think about all your PC (could be desktop even, for all I know) needs to be able to do and what you don't find important. Once you have that list post it here so we can advise you on what machine you need. K ?

 

[Swedishguy]

Burn it all on raisins!

 

[Rossiya]

Blow it all on coke, women, and cars.

 

[Syno]

Buy a new computer if it's dying, better safe than sorry.
You can put the rest of the money on your bank account and let it collect interest...

 

[Bill3000]

Prostitution ring ftw!

What he said. I'll be your first customer.

 

[Godwynn]

You could take a course in something, learn a new language, etc.

GERMAN!

Bitte.

 

[Cutlass]

You can get a fairly nice computer from between $1200 -$1500 and that would give you a lot of use for several years. Order the parts and build it yourself and it's a lot cheaper and higher quality than buying one whole.

On the other hand, i also live in New England so I have taken a few regional vacations in the past couple of years and for a similar amount of money I've toured Quebec City, Montreal, and Nova Scotia. The advantage there is that they are sufficiently different from the US to be interesting and feel like you've really "gone someplace" while being close enough so that it's not all that expensive a trip and familiar enough so that if you aren't an experienced traveler it's not overwhelming or difficult to get around. Everything in Quebec might be written in French, but nearly all the people speak English fairly well. I have some pics online if you want.

 

[zxcvbnm]

Buy a computer or save the money. And sell the old one to someone who needs one.

I know a good and cheap shop but it's 5500 miles from you...

 

[Trajan12]

Buy a new computer and email your loved ones!

 

[Godwynn]

Buy a new computer and email your loved ones!

Then use it to learn a foreign language and view pictures of a foreign country.

Brilliant!

 

[Defiant47]

Assess each option using a pro-con list (Gilmore Girls style) and then figure out which is most beneficial to you.