Updates: January 6 – 12
Don’t forget about the $1000 cash giveaway we’re co-hosting! Check it out here.
I’ve been saving for a new computer for some time now. A few bucks here and there, but it adds up. I do enjoy playing some computer games from time to time, and the last time that I bought a computer the full system cost me approximately $1200 including a monitor. I knew it would cost me less this time, considering my monitor is still good, but I was still imagining somewhere in the neighborhood of $800 to get the components I want. To date, I have saved $400.
I tend to buy my computers from the local computer shops – not big box retail stores, so I’m pretty confident that I’m getting exactly what I want. The thing is, when you know exactly what you want, you also know how much it should cost. I consistently found that pre-fabricated systems from the local shop cost a couple hundred more than if I just bought the parts. So, I am setting out to build myself a new mid range gaming computer. The other consideration is that over the years certain parts have been replaced, so I may not need to get everything new. For example, my case is still perfectly fine, and my hard drive was replaced about a year ago. My power supply is also a couple of years old, but good enough and powerful enough to make do until the next round of upgrades.
Photo Credit: ctitze via Flickr
Without getting too far into the geeky details, I determined that I needed to upgrade my motherboard, CPU and RAM. After shopping around online, I found some well received components that fit my needs. Total cost, including shipping: $315. So, as we speak, some new computer parts are on in the mail! More details to follow as I try my hand at manually upgrading/building a computer.
Check out some of my favourite posts from the week:
- Modest Money hosted a guest post examining the differences between fixed rate and variable rate mortgages. CF and I have one of each – there are definitely advantages to both, depending on the market at the time.
- Freedom Thirty Five Blog looks at ways you can profit from your everyday problems. I especially agree with the real estate example – exactly the philosophy we are following.
- Mo Money Mo Houses hosted a guest post from Anne at Unique Gifter on winning your coveted eBay auctions – within budget!
- Add Vodka explains how Craigslist has saved her hundreds of dollars on home renovations. I’ve been getting rid of some hardware after our new closets were installed – I’m glad to give the items away to those that can use them!
- In Reach Financial Independence’s series on money goals for 2013, she examines how to review your expenses. I’m doing the same after I realized I was wasting $10-$15 a month on bank fees. No more!
- Club Thrifty has a great hotel horror story – I’ve run away from hotels too, but this one takes the cake.
- Canadian Budget Binder examines his 2012 Net Worth – impressive numbers!
- Work Save Live provides his Green Chile Enchiladas recipe. I don’t know what it is, but I’m totally craving mexican food right now…
- NZ Muse takes things a step further in the kitchen and made some mozzarella! I’m seriously impressed.
- Frugal Portland is documenting how she can save 50% of her after tax take home pay. These two hacks will help grow her savings in the long run.
Thanks to everyone who included us this week!
- My University Money: Carnival of Financial Camaraderie #43
- 20′s Finances: Financial Carnival for Young Adults – New Year’s Edition
- Freedom Thirty Five Blog: Hebron Oil Field and Blog Roundup – Jan 5th
- Master the Art of Saving: Carnival of Retirement
- Frugal Portland: Carnival of Personal Finance
- Modest Money: Beginning of 2013 Favorite Blog Posts
- Money Life and More: Festival of Frugality
- Reach Financial Independence: Friday recap 16
- Vix Money: Weekly Links – January 11 Edition
- Canadian Budget Binder: Personal Finance Weekly Reading List #2
- Work Save Live: Personal Finance Week in Review #46
- My Money Design: Chase Coupon | So long current bank account and your new fees!
- Modest Money: January 12th Favorite Blog Posts
- Family Money Values: Carnival of Financial Planning
5 Responses to “Updates: January 6 – 12”
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- Friday recap 17 - [...] was featured on Frugal Rules, Work Save Live, Modest Money, Broke Ass Mommy, Outlier Model, Eyes on the Dollar, ...
- Mid January 2013 Blog Update | Modest Money - [...] Updates: January 6 – 12 on The Outlier Model [...]
I have friends who build their own computer from parts – it’s very cost effective!
Think you can build me a computer as well, I’m in need. We have to get a new computer maybe this year if this PC dies on us. It’s slowing down a bit but I’ll wait until the bitter end. I don’t know how to build one so I guess I’ll have to just hit the big box stores. Thanks for the mention mate and let me know how the computer building goes. Mr.CBB
If I were upgrading my PC today I would get a new graphics card, and an SSD, which is much more affordable now than in 2010. My latest build was about $3k, not including monitors. I ordered most of the components from newegg. But went to ncix for the water cooler I wanted. Thanks for the mention
My friend in high school would actually build computers based on personal orders/specifications from people around the country and ship it to them. He’d buy the parts for $300-600 and then sell it for double that.
It’s a great way to make some money but also to save some! Good luck with it!
Not a bad way to make some extra money if you have the skills!