How do you budget for tech items?

[Svnla]

I make decent money and no kid or wife so I can buy what/when I want. Within reason of course.

Usually, my normal range for things is $500 (give or take) and my high range is about $1000. Car and home are exceptions of course.

I usually buy things in the mid range price and keep them forever. I am using a Dell laptop that is about 6 years old and I just ordered a Dell desktop today. Price was $305 out the door with i3 6th generation 3.7 GHz, 1TB HD, 8GB Ram. Add the HP 27" LDC monitor for $165 and I will get a nice rig for less than $500. Perfect for my normal budget range.

 

[shimpster]

Just curious what people's strategies are for buying tech items ("toys").

I'm on a fixed income, and I often spend money that should be allocated for food, for tech toys. Thank goodness for my stash of ramen noodles.

I have trouble actually saving money, I guess it's kind of a willpower / instant-gratification issue.

I'm semi-addicted to ebay. Not bidding, I don't bother with that. But just buying stuff.

I've been thinking of breaking down my budget, and allocating money weekly, "for food or toys". Hopefully, I'll leave a little for food.

I do pay my rent on time every month, and my bills.

Generally just throw em a sack and walk out w/o paying; see Rex Chapman method for techiez

 

[AznAnarchy99]

First gen i7 here. What's up.

 

[HeXen]

I have great credit which helps. Like the last time I got a loan, I walked into a bank, asked for $12k and within 5 minutes the kind lady said yes sir, would you like to deposit that in your checking or a check instead? *sniff...deposits fine.
Same thing happened when I bought a new car. "Yes sir!, sorry you had to wait so long sir, here are you keys"

Feels good man.

 

[Imp]

First gen i7 here. What's up.

i5 750, the best mid-range CPU at the time, sucka. Never run beyond stock. Driving this one into the ground, then I might get something more compact -- 50 lb large ATX case is great but si hueg.