no more computer-related spending

[rallynavvie]

A wake-up call for those of us who throw so much money at computers. Are we missing out on something else we could throw our money away on?

After missing out on $100 250GB drives at CompUSA where one of the coworkers I got to go with me there (so I could get 4 of them) asked me what I was doing with one more terabyte of disk space I decided I need to stop spending money on computer equipment. I just built up the old Tyan as an HTPC/file server and that's running splendidly so other than the Nocona procs for the new workstation I'm done spending money on more computer stuff. I've since realized that I need to spend more on my other money-sink: my car.

I haven't spent more than maintenance costs on it since I upgraded the brakes last spring. It needs a completely new transmission, I still haven't installed these gauges I bought two years ago, I need to get better suspension, the car needs to get dyno-tuned a lot better one of these days, and I've been itching to get a cage welded into it. I think what makes me hesitate is the cost of each upgrade as opposed to computer upgrades. I mean 4 corners of DMS coilovers cost almost what my whole new workstation set me back. Transmission probably twice that since I'll probably need a new rear end and diffs all around. With two house payments I scratched the idea of getting another car, but with how well both jobs are going lately I've got a little more disposable income. I've already got my family/friends their Christmas gifts so I get to spend the rest on me, right?

Anyone else neglecting their other hobbies?

[VideoTechMan]

Well besides my computer hobby, I miss working with my model trains....I have O-Gauge trains and the tracks, but no room to make an ideal layout. And unfortunately my train hobby is just as expensive...havent bought a freight car or engine in 2-3 years. Im pretty sure very few if any women will want me because of my expensive hobbies .

I guess someday when I do get me a house, I will have a room just for my model trains. Might take them down to TX next month and run them at my mom's house. Since ive been jobless since Sept I really dont have chit to work with. But there will be a day where I will catch up on all the things I missed out on because of money. Just wait and see.

VTM

[budz]

rallynavvie wrote:

Anyone else neglecting their other hobbies?

I used to be a big audio/video geek in the 80's and became a pc freak. Yuh, I do spend way too much money on computer stuff especially in the last 2 months. My friend told me my computer hobby is a expensive one and at first I thought nah it's just like any other hobby. Of course that's denial! My justification to buying computer stuff in the last few months is I didn't go on a vacation this year to "LOSS WAGES" (Las Vegas).

Last night while building another pc for my folks I was listening to my stereo system and thought damn I need to upgrade my stuff. I still have a Pioneer A/V 100 watt receiver that has 3channel DOLBY PRO LOGIC! I have a B&W center channel spk, M&K subwoofer, 2 rocksolid front spks. My old Infinity's died a few years ago and I never replaced them. I guess my next project will be to upgrade to a home theater system and A/V cabinet.

rallynavvie wrote:

I've already got my family/friends their Christmas gifts so I get to spend the rest on me, right? redface.gif

The latest motto I have is, "Life is too short , enjoy your hard earned money because you can't take it with you into the next world"!

[northcat_8]

Well I only have 2 other hobbies.

Guns - and that gets way way more expensive than computers ever could. I do have a line on a MP5 but he won't pin down a price. I also know where I can get 2 MAC 10's but I'm pretty sure I don't really "NEED" any of those soooo...the couple of hundred bucks I throw into my PC is a heck of a lot cheaper than the $1200 I would have to throw at each MAC.

And my other hobby....well .....while it is the most expensive...she's already asleep for tonight (it's her night off )

[JohnnyCNote]

Compared with other things I spent my money on in the past, which, shall we say, have gone up in smoke, this way I still have something to show for what I've spent, even if it does lose value at a fast rate. I usually justify upgrades by finding someone to sell or give the parts I've replaced.....

[mrtristan]

My wife and kid suck most of my money, so that doesn't leave me much to spend on hobbies. I'm going to drop about $600 on espresso related equipment soon, though. The machine I'm going to get is a Gaggia Factory 16 cup, hand pulled lever type. I've got the basics down, after getting my feet wet with a cheapo Mr. Coffee machine. I think I'm finally ready to try a hand pulled machine. I've also got my coffee roasting down pretty consistent, except when I get itchy to deviate from my formula and change something. Now I consistently produce a cup better than Starbucks, which was my first goal. I know Starbucks takes a lot of heat from coffee enthusiasts, but they really do make a pretty good latte. I've been to a lot of "real" coffee shops that make worse drinks than Starbucks.

[DereX888]

Incredible thread
I will never understand how people can waste money they *don't* even have enough for things they really need on things they won't ever need... I mean go: fix your car first, save some downpayment for your own home, etc etc for christ sake you dont need more gadgets & toys if you dont even have your own place on earth, geez...
thats what all the commercials/advertising brainwash is doing to many of you: they make you believe you need all the junk to be happy, and thats how you easily loose focus on whats important.
unless you all are 16y.o. kids, then youre excused

[offline]

and thats how you easily loose focus on whats important.

Right on brother! umm.. whats important again?

[bazooka]

and thats how you easily loose focus on whats important.

Right on brother! umm.. whats important again?

Why.....that would be computer parts.

[rallynavvie]

Indeed money does not make you happy, but it buys things that distract you from everything else in life

Most of us have hobbies. Sometimes they don't make much sense to others but if you enjoy it then in that case money can sometimes buy happiness.

[northcat_8]

I agree Derex888. If you're spending money needed somewhere else that would be an issue. My computer and gun money comes out of the "wife don't know" fund.

[bazooka]

"wife don't know" fund.

That is a wise decision. She doesn't need to know. 8)

[indolikaa]

Anyone else neglecting their other hobbies?

I'm not going to win the "Most Prolific Poster Award" for November 2004 at videohelp.com...




Other than that, the hobbies are well-funded at the moment.

[budz]

I spend money on pc stuff after da bills are paid.

[northcat_8]

I spend money on pc stuff after da bills are paid.

What are these "bill" thingies you speak of...

[lordsmurf]

Computers are DEFINITELY not my hobby. I buy what's needed to make them work as needed, nothing more. No fancy stuff. Just tools me.

[budz]

What are these "bill" thingies you speak of...

da stuff that keeps a roof over your head, da basic necessities in life to live!

[ViRaL1]

Bills = Wife?

[glockjs]

the only other hobby i really have is drinking beer, i dont really see my computer taking too much away from that

[ViRaL1]

It might if you kept spilling your beer on the computer.

Psst rally, I found a REALLY great deal on...

[rallynavvie]

Ugh, too late. I just picked up a new LSI U320 RAID HBA for really cheap so now I need to get more U320 drives. Now I'll have a U320 RAID array in both workstations, though I think for now only the Tyan will have it as boot, the new workstation will use the RAID volume for scratch.

On the negative side I got my tuner card for the HTPC and it doesn't want to boot with it installed so I'll have to wait until the workstation finishes this run of batch-renders before I give it a try in there. I'm going to be really disappointed if this tuner doesn't work with the 760MP chipset in the Tyan

[northcat_8]

What are these "bill" thingies you speak of...

da stuff that keeps a roof over your head, da basic necessities in life to live!

roof? We live in a Tee-Pee.

It's called auto-draft. I only write 2 checks per month, electric bill because they are stuck in the freakin stone age and phone bill because I don't trust them sheister basterds, trying to charge me for phone calls I don't make. I have long distance shut off on my home phone....I had $43 in long distance calls...now how the hell did that happen? Yea, see...it didn't happen. fuckers

and yes, I know "basterds" is actually spelled "bastards" but my phone company are not bastards, they are "bass" (the fish) "terds" (the form shit comes in)...therefore the compound word...basterds

[bazooka]

NC, if I did not know any better, I would think you just became an english major.