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:
- 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.
- 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!
- 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!
