sk1985 said:
LOL this is all very true. By the time you hit 16 to 17 you can pretty much afford your own toys (i.e cars, electronics, computers, ect...). Hell I bought myself a 20 thousand dollar car when I was 16ish. Since high school I've bought myself 3 computers (my dad did help me out with one of my computer purchases because my main computer was stolen), 2 ipods, 2 cars, 5 mail order Russian brides, ect...When you get older you just learn how to budget your money correctly to buy big ticket items and when you make your own money you can pick how you want to spend it and what you want to buy. Basically if my father bought me a new computer I'd just take it as a gift and be happy that he took the time out of his life to do something kind for me.
It really is amazing how much money you can come up with if you want something. I didn't list all the other stuff (like a car and insurance for said car), but you will even be able to afford things other than just a computer while still saving up for one. You just need to prioritize, not buy too many things you don't really need (and that includes $4 cups of coffee from Starbucks and the like), and work hard. Also consider selling some of your older stuff that you no longer want or need. Before you know it, you will be able to buy the things you want, have some extra money saved, and (if you do it right) won't ever feel like you have really been deprived of anything.
My best recommendation is actually this:
When you have an income, make a budget. Figure out the things you need to spend money on, the things you like to spend money on, and the things you would like to save up to buy. When you have done this, make a budget that allows for your necessities, have two separate sections for savings (one for actual savings, and another for savings
towards whatever it is you want to buy), and a final section for the fun stuff you like to do.
This is your budget. If you have money left over from your amusement funds, put it in savings. If there is something that you feel you can't pass up but falls out of your budget, rearrange for that week or two, but you must be willing to be without however much extra you took when you next get paid (because you will need to put that money back where it came from).
After you do this for a little while (and you see how much money you actually spend on things), you will get a feel for it and you may not need a physical budget. Until that time, though, actually writing up a budget and sticking to it is a great way to make sure you will have what you need, have what you want, and be able to see where you spend your money.
). And now I have just gotten a 15" Powerbook (a couple days ago).
