Comments on: I’m $262K in debt and I’m buying a brand new laptop.

By: We Bought the MacBook- Was it Frugal? » Finance and Fat

We Bought the MacBook- Was it Frugal? » Finance and Fat — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 14:02:07 +0000

[...] I wrote previously, we recently made plans to purchase a new MacBook for my wife. After much consideration and planning, we made the trip to the Apple store and came home with a [...]

By: Frank

Frank — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 01:09:30 +0000

Hi Bill, I did check out refurbs but you are right, I want the new hardware. They quietly upgraded the processors, chipset, and graphics processing last week and that’s what I want. I know I’m paying more for new, but I’m getting high end hardware that should last for many years.

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 03:37:51 +0000

Look into getting a refurbished MacBook. Though I guess if you’re waiting for a “new” announcement then you want it brand spanking new.

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:09:51 +0000

@SpecialEd – the first place I looked was used, but I didn’t find the price gap to be great enough to warrant the purchase of a used machine.

I’ve owned a lot of computers in my life, that I have purchased new, and they have given me many great years of service. I don’t trust a used computer because I don’t know how well it has been cared for.

Plus, in my opinion, buying older technology now just means you will have to upgrade sooner down the road.

By: Special Ed

Special Ed — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:43:48 +0000

Were I in your financial position, I wouldn’t be buying anything with “new” in front of it. If the old one still works, keep using it. If it doesn’t, find a used one. Having the latest and greatest is nice, but this is what gets many people into trouble.

By: When is it Okay to Spend Money? » Finance and Fat

When is it Okay to Spend Money? » Finance and Fat — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:11:23 +0000

[...] is something I am struggling with a lot lately. It started with my plan to purchase a new MacBook this month and continued with my October spending [...]

By: Jane

Jane — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 16:41:36 +0000

On paper it sounds like a pretty stupid move. As a teacher myself, I understand why your wife would want a computer she could take back and forth to work with her (if that’s what she’s planning to use it for). I know some school districts provide laptops for their teachers, but mine doesn’t and I actually do *need* one.

By: Frank

Frank — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 02:58:28 +0000

Heh, not just stupid but *super* stupid?

In a purely financial sense, I agree, it is stupid. I’m trying to find the balance of what is smart financially and when I need to loosen up and spend some money. Like I was trying to express in my post, where is the line when it comes to not spending money on things that aren’t necessarily needs?

I could be wrong and I could look back on this purchase as a big mistake, though I don’t think that will happen, only time will tell.

By: Brainy Smurf

Brainy Smurf — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 20:08:32 +0000

Are you crazy? That’s a *super* stupid move!?

But I hear ya. No worries — so far I haven’t found anyone who, even in this uphill trek, hasn’t stopped to spoil themselves along the way.

But I will say, $1200 is a lot. I’m thankful nothing that expensive have peaked my interest along the way. Yet.

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 14:14:40 +0000

@Jonathan – Thanks for stopping by. I agree. I think the laptop will really help my wife’s productivity. As a teacher, she has to do a lot of work at home and only being able to do that on one computer in one place can waste a lot of time.

No worries on the comment. Sorry I messed it up!