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gear02
02-11-2006, 06:10 AM
Oh council of G|A elders...uh...i mean council of G|A trusted friends...uh...G|A people...uh...G|A freaks. Lend me your ears. No, that was a figure of speech. You may feed your earlobes to Mike Tyson. I've already ate, thanks.

I have a problem. For weeks I have been searching the skies and searching my soul. I am looking for that one thing, the sole, clear, item that will fulfill...oh hell, I'll just drop this stupid pretense.

I'm looking for something to buy because I'm getting a really nice tax refund. But when I start looking to buy something, I have this feeling of antifipation that won't stop until I actually get something. For example, I started thinking about maybe getting a Xbox 360. I told myself I wouldn't have time to play and it was stupid. I stopped looking for a day or two, but it won't leave my mind. Before you know it, I was hunting for Xbox 360s and I eventually found one. I can describe this problem a dozen times.

This time it's a bit different. I've looked to buy things and I've managed successfully to stop. But rather than stop completely, my attention keeps shifting to other items. Fortunately, I think of other reasons not to get that item, but it continues like a vicious cycle. Let me try to outline what I've gone through so far:

1) GPS Navigator. I have a Garmin 2610 (from a previous impluse buy) and I looked at getting a Garmin 2720. All it has is a new interface and mapping display system (3D over 2D). Finally decided that it was too expensive and I don't need it since I don't use my 2610 that much. But my mind has come back to this unit a few times.

2) TV. I was thinking of getting a plasma or LCD tv, but decided it was way too expensive.

3) Ipod Video. Nah, I have a nano and I use that less than I should. What am I going to do with a iPod Video? Pass.

4) Mac Book Pro. This was after I saw Keynote work and wanted a Mac again. Mmm...dual core. But alas it was too expensive.

5) Mac Mini. But this is cheaper! But it doesn't have Front Row and it's not really a media center yet. I kinda want something that will interact with my Xbox 360's Windows Media Center extender.

6) Computer (see my thread in the hardware forum). I guess I should upgrade my desktop. I don't play much games on it but it would be nice to be on the bleeding edge again with SATA and PCI-E. But it's kinda expensive to upgrade and new stuff is coming. I can wait for that.

7) Dell MCE cheap computer - ooo...but I can get a MCE computer from dell for cheap. But that's stupid too because I really don't need that. I don't watch much stuff off my computer

8) Digital Camera - Nah, I have one already. No need for an upgrade either

8.5) PSP - Nah, I got a DS already and I have my laptop with me.

9) (This morning) Hmm...maybe a blackberry. Nah, I have my laptop at school with me all the time. I don't need to check my email that often.

10) (this morning) ooo...but maybe a PDA. I already have a Tungsten C, but I don't use it because it sucks. Maybe a better functioning PDA. But nah that doesn't exist

11) Oooo...that woot.com projector is kinda cool...but it's a tad expensive and it's not HDTV.

So you see my problem. I'm betting I'm not going to stop until I get something. I guess I have two questions.

1) Do you ever have these impulse buying urges? How do you control them (and no, the answer of WIFE doesn't work since I'm not married. Also telling me to save to buy a house or something or even to repay my student loans doesn't work either. I KNOW THAT! That's the smart thing to do, but I still think of getting something...)

2) What should I get :D

I await your humble and probably Nija-like responses.

kimchicowboy
02-11-2006, 06:25 AM
invest it. :P

Butch
02-11-2006, 06:33 AM
Happens to me a couple times a year.

In the past, I had to act on it and buy something.

Now, I don't really have the urge to buy things while in Europe. Instead, I focus on saving and putting the money towards travel.

However, one way I found I was able to spend happily was to fund a hobby . . . I used to do a ton of photography, but stopped for quite a while, so last year I picked up a dSLR . . . then a nice tripod & head . . . next may be another lens . . . you get the point . . . it's successfully gotten me back to being enthusiastic about photography.

Once I'm happy with the photo gear, I'll move on to guitar. I used to play a ton and haven't played in ages . . . would be great to pick up some nice new gear and get back to playing regularly.

This could also apply to bicycling, skiing, blah blah . . .

At least it keeps me from buying a bunch of A/V components or computer crap.

Edit: Oh yeah, another kind of productive thing on my shopping list that may serve as a suggestion . . . a nice set of kitchen knives . . . it's kind of an investment, but more fun ;) . . . you should have them for years!

welfareloser
02-11-2006, 02:20 PM
happens to me sometimes... i always force myself to wait. sometimes a LONG damn time. if i find i still want it months or years later, and the funds are there... i ask for it for christmas and put the money in the bank :P

DarkFury
02-11-2006, 02:25 PM
Is anything on that list a thing that you've always wanted and would actually use on a very recurring basis (like in my case, the computer or TV). If so, I'd give more weight for those thing as you'll maximize your enjoyment of the money being spent.

Other than that... put all the options in a hat and draw for the one you'll get with the money.

Personally, when my tax refund gets here, most of it will get re-invested into my son's college fund. :D

Daedalus
02-11-2006, 08:07 PM
invest it. :P

+1. There will always be things to spend money on, probably better things later than now. Having money to spend is not as sure a thing. Buy yourself some peace of mind.

dbax791
02-11-2006, 08:23 PM
1) Do you ever have these impulse buying urges? How do you control them (and no, the answer of WIFE doesn't work since I'm not married. Also telling me to save to buy a house or something or even to repay my student loans doesn't work either. I KNOW THAT! That's the smart thing to do, but I still think of getting something...)

2) What should I get :D

I await your humble and probably Nija-like responses.

No. You don't get a free pass and you will not like my answer, but pay down those loans now. Paying down debt is the best risk-free return on money out there.

oblongmelon
02-11-2006, 09:56 PM
INVEST IT. That way when you want something even BIGGER AND BETTER-you'll have the money for it..

cruelpupet
02-13-2006, 01:51 PM
I have a problem. For weeks I have been searching the skies and searching my soul. I am looking for that one thing, the sole, clear, item that will fulfill...

I'm looking for something to buy because I'm getting a really nice tax refund.

1) GPS Navigator. I have a Garmin 2610 (from a previous impluse buy) I don't use my 2610 that much.

3) Ipod Video. Nah, I have a nano and I use that less than I should.

8) Digital Camera - Nah, I have one already. No need for an upgrade either

8.5) PSP - Nah, I got a DS already and I have my laptop with me.

So you see my problem. I'm betting I'm not going to stop until I get something. I guess I have two questions.

1) Do you ever have these impulse buying urges?

2) What should I get :D

I await your humble and probably Nija-like responses.



I can solve all of your problems. I offer you two suggestions...

1. Sign and send your tax return to me. Address info wll be PMed shortly.

2. Take your refund and go on vacation. Not only does this solve your impulse buy, but you can take your unused gadgets and se them. Camera to take photos, lartop to offload the camera and email photos while away. The GPS for the fun of it. The nano to entertain yourself on your flight.

As for where to go...I suggest somewhere 3rd world thats warmwith nice beaches. 3rd world ='s cheap. Bali was nice I just go back a week ago. Beaches are more for surfing then swimming though. Thailand has some beautiful beaches.

Check out travelocity...they recently had tickets to HongKong for about $500 (round trip)