How do YOU pay for your Macs?

[robo456]

I pay for everything in cash, I don't like having the temptation of a credit card and as i'm a student its just a bad idea to risk the debt so i don't bother.

Others may not agree, but I really suggest you get a CC as a student. Back when I was in school (yikes.. it's been a long time) I received a MasterCard with I think it was a $500 limit.

Not only does it teach you to manage money, it also is a great building block to start building a credit score. This is important down the road for purchasing bigger ticket items such as cars or even a house.

I use mine as "virtual cash." I only buy what I can afford, never carried a balance.. paid it off every month. I try to use my Discover Card whenever I can. Over the years, it's paid for several vacations just with the cash back alone!

--rob

 

[Digital Skunk]

Others may not agree, but I really suggest you get a CC as a student. Back when I was in school (yikes.. it's been a long time) I received a MasterCard with I think it was a $500 limit.

Not only does it teach you to manage money, it also is a great building block to start building a credit score. This is important down the road for purchasing bigger ticket items such as cars or even a house.

I use mine as "virtual cash." I only buy what I can afford, never carried a balance.. paid it off every month. I try to use my Discover Card whenever I can. Over the years, it's paid for several vacations just with the cash back alone!

--rob

Again, not everyone has that skill. Many are misinformed and the CC company hopes that you are misinformed.

I would suggest against a job-less college student from getting a credit card since it would be harder for them to pay off the balance (unless they were spoiled and have rich parents). Building credit is easy, fixing it is much harder.

I've never had a credit card . . . ever, and my credit score is nice and high.

 

[tjb1]

Paid for my MBP, Wireless Printer, and iPod Nano with cash... $3070 total. Worked my ass off over the summer to make that. Now im at college with no payments/debt except my student loans...damn things gain like $100 interest in 2 weeks. Would have been MUCH easier if I would have gotten rid of the gf before the summer, wasted a bunch of my money and now I realize how much they cost after not having one anymore

 

[Vantage Point]

I have a Amazon/Chase CC which I always pay off in full at the end of the month to avoid fees.

I bought my last MBP from Amazon because 1) my Amazon CC gives me triple points - 3% back in amazon gift certificates, 2) Amazon had the best price $1,675 for a $1,799 MBP 3) no tax, and 4) fee shipping. So my 15" MBP ended up costing me $1,625 total.

If you buy a lot from Amazon their CC is worth having - had one for 6 years. American Express charged me for rewards program which was not special at all.

 

[Kendo]

I don't remember the last time I have ever had a balance on my credit card. There is nothing more wasteful to me than paying interest so I always pay it in full. With that being said, I never make a purchase until I have 100% of the funds available. I would rather save up for a few months and purchase something in full rather than pay up front with a credit card and have monthly payments.

I love charging stuff to my credit card because I do not like holding large sums of cash, it adds an extra year of warranty to many electronics (biggest benefit), and it gives me points for cash back (though I never let the lure of points tempt me into making unnecessary purchases).

 

[dal20402]

CC's = financial ruin to many people.

Too bad for them! To me, it's a great way to get both 1% cash back and the interest from my monthly float, for no cost. Maybe the CC company hates me. I wouldn't know; I rarely have a problem with them. But the CC saves me money, rather than costing me money. And it's way more convenient than dealing with huge amounts of cash, getting bank checks (when there is no branch of my bank close by), or trying to convince someone to take a personal check.

 

[Jorojr]

Amex here. I like the purchase protection and the extra warranty they give me. I generally pay off the balance at the end of the month to avoid interest fees.

My general rule for upgrading my iMac/Macbook Pro is to do so only when I feel the upgrade in performance is noticeable. This year I upgraded my 2008 13" unibody Macbook to the high end 15" unit in my sig. My iMac is a late 2006 Core Duo 20" unit and I definitely plan on picking up a 27" unit when they are refreshed.

My gaming PC gets upgraded at what seems to be every 6-12 months to the latest and greatest component.

 

[jonnysods]

I get my money through graphic and web design, and I use points from my credit card to buy new Macs and a little bit of cash too. I use my cc for everything, business, day to day expenses. Free comp pretty much every couple of years though....