to purchase or not to purchase - that is the question

17 years ago

If we know that we will need to replace our ancient computer within 6 months to a year, should we get one now while computers are rather cheap, or should we continue to hang on to those dollars in our savings? We can easily afford $600 to $700 without going in to savings or financing it. However, like most people these days, we are keeping all spending to a minimum.

One of the issues with the computer is that we also have an old printer for which it is hard to find cartridges, and our computer is too old to install modern-day printer software.

I guess my question is, would it be more prudent to buy it now while they are cheap, or risk the price spike if we wait until later? Having a computer is convenient for me, as it allows me to frequently work from home. However, my employer does not require it.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (16)

qdognj
17 years ago
Why wait? Unless the 600-700 dollars is important to your current financial situation,take advantage of the opportunity the economy is providing you..And by spending,you'll be "helping" the economy recover...
Ideefixe
17 years ago
You can deduct it, so might as well. Buying when prices are low makes sense.
Related Discussions
Never purchased from IKEA, have a question
Q
Comments (7)
In your example, the sink top comes with it. Godmorgon is the vanity, Odensvik the sink top. The vanity can be used with other sink tops. (legs are separate) One of the pros posted in the bathroom forum, showing how he's standing on the floating vanity. I also think it's easier to use an IKEA faucet because as afar as I remember the plumbing is different so that you can slide the drawers in and out. Maybe look at the installation description at the IKEA web site. Friends of mine have a Siematic kitchen and IKEA vanities in some of their bathrooms. They said that they were quite impressed by the quality. They have the glossy finish, though.
...See More
Questions about my recent eBay purchases
Q
Comments (6)
I don't doubt that she's a good choice... I just don't want to be a pain in the patootie bugging her if everything's fine on my end. I don't know enough about these specific varieties, or about some of the trials in growing them when they look a little frail, to judge my guesses on if these are issues worth worrying about. But I guess I just tell her as much and just hope she's not annoyed or offended. Can't hurt, I figure...
...See More
What are best or worst purchases you ever made? ( Floof question :-) )
Q
Comments (28)
Best thing was my husband's 2002 Saturn SC2 bought brand new...worst thing was after someone ran a red light and totaled it out, my husband was so attached to that car that he HAD TO HAVE the exact same car type...that was the worst purchase. He bought it used from a used car lot and it was a total money pit. Whoever owned it, really ran it ragged and come to find out later, it had been wrecked. We finally got rid of it before we had to spend even more money on it. It looked beautiful on the outside...but it was worn out after only 125,000 miles! It may have been an OK car for someone that can work on their own car...my husband is not a handyman by any stretch of the imagination. Another best car purchase are my two trucks, I have a Tahoe 1996 and a Chevy truck 1992...these vehicles haven't hardly given me any problems throughout the years. I still have both of them...they only ever need regular routine type repairs. Biggest issue was the 4 wheel drive had to be repaired on the Tahoe...the actuators went out. I better knock on wood, never fails to brag about something only to have it go out the next day! HAHA! Another best purchase is our house. It's built in the 50s back when they built things to last! It's a well built home in a decent neighborhood full of elderly and young families just starting out. Seems the people buying are young families. The houses aren't very large. It's a great house for us two and our dog. We have a great area to walk daily...no riff raff. I can't think of any other bad purchases other than that car.
...See More
newbie here - question on purchasing from warmer time zone
Q
Comments (8)
Here are some I have used. Oak Hill Daylilies is a great one, but I don't believe she ships until August. Roth Daylily Farm is a good source. Oakes Daylilies has lots of daylilies are reasonable prices. I have purchased many from The Lily Auction (www.daylily.com. It has lots of sellers and it does say where they are shipping from. It works a lot like ebay. Some of the daylilies are auctions and some are buy-it-now. I have been very happy with the sellers there. There are Facebook pages devoted to selling, but it's not always easy to see where they are shipping from. I would suggest Daylilies & Seedlings Sales Page, A Dollop of Daylilies Auction Page, Daylily Hybridizers, Daylily Deals of the Day (but it's the pricey one), Charlotte's Daylily Diary lists lots of sources (www.daylilydiary.com). It lists lots of hybridizers who sell their own intros including ours--Cherry Hill Garden. I would avoid sellers like Brecks and Gilbert Wild. They are known for low quality, dried out plants. If you are not familiar with American Daylily Society (www.daylilies.org), you should check out their website. They maintain a database with information about all registered daylilies. The National Gardening Association also has a database, which duplicates the info in the American Daylily Society datatbase, but it can also include additional photos. There are lots of beautiful daylilies. I hope you find some nice ones. Nancy
...See More
triciae
17 years ago
If you can afford the computer/printer without plastic & it won't set you back with your savings plan...by all means make the purchase. Financial prudence does not mean stopping life nor living like a mole inside your house for fear of leaving home & spending money.

Everything in moderation...even lattes.

If you get a new computer...may it not have Gremlins living under the task bar! :)

/tricia
jeff8407
17 years ago
Remember Moore's Law: computer technology doubles (is outdated) every 18 months. Whatever you buy will be a generation old in a year and a half.

The above being said: if you need a computer buy one. Dell and HP are both having great deals now.
arizonarose
17 years ago
I agree with all of the above...get a new computer! It will help the economy to spend.

ideefixe , how is it deductable If it's for home personal use?
pdg777
Original Author
17 years ago
I guess "helping" the economy is one way to look at it that I hadn't considered. Thanks for all your input. I'm still undecided but it helps to get others' thoughts.

Yes, ideefixe, how is the computer deductible? I surely didn't think it would be, as my employer does not require it, it's just necessary if I want to work from home. But it will definitely be used by the household for personal stuff.
qdognj
17 years ago
it isn't deductible
western_pa_luann
17 years ago
I agree... no deduction.
stargazzer
17 years ago
I agree with Trisia everything in moderation. I don't know how old you all are but I am 72 and I have saved, cut corners, used coupons and done without things to save for our Golden Years. They are here now and I am going to enjoy the rest of my life instead of saving for something that may never happen. Oops there goes the moderation thing. LOL
Nancy in Mich
17 years ago
Right, no deduction. For an employee, it is only deductible if your employer requires it. A contractor, on the other hand, can deduct it if it is used for work mor than 50% of the time (if tax law hasn't changed and I remember right).
kittiemom
17 years ago
I agree, go ahead & buy it.
Ideefixe
17 years ago
If you're working from home, your employer doesn't require it? How could you do the work without it? I'm a freelancer, so everything's deductible in my world. Do you do any other work with it?
western_pa_luann
17 years ago
Being a consultant allows for more deductions than being an employee.

In her case, no deduction.
pdg777
Original Author
17 years ago
Ideefixe, working from home is an option, but I can't do it all the time. It's allowed no more than 2 days a week.

And yes, we do other personal, family stuff on the computer.
chris8796
17 years ago
Buy it, I didn't really need one and bought one because the price was too good. I was thinking about upgrading my 4-5 yr old computer and started looking. I ended up getting a very nice desktop (w/o a monitor) at Dell Outlet for $326. I've seen plenty of sub $500 systems with monitors available, just watch a few of the "deal" websites.
joyfulguy
17 years ago
Got any semi-marketable skills ... that could bring in a few dollars this year?

Start a home-based business.

Then it becomes deductible ... if you (could) use it for the business.

ole joyful

to purchase or not to purchase - that is the question

Comments (16)

qdognj

Ideefixe

Related Discussions

triciae

jeff8407

arizonarose

pdg777
Original Author

qdognj

western_pa_luann

stargazzer

Nancy in Mich

kittiemom

Ideefixe

western_pa_luann

pdg777
Original Author

chris8796

joyfulguy

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

to purchase or not to purchase - that is the question

Comments (16)

Related Discussions

pdg777Original Author

pdg777Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

pdg777
Original Author

pdg777
Original Author