Help me with my dilemma...

[Sofa King Kool]

Ok, here's my dilemma. I really, really want a new computer. My current computer can't handle all these demanding new games that are coming out. A friend offered to build me one, and once we looked up all the parts I'll need, the total cost came to around $1050.

But, I also really need to be saving for college. Right now, I've only got a little under $2000 saved up. I'm not really familiar with the financial aspects of colleges, so I don't know how much I should have.

I have a feeling most of you are going to tell me to save for college, I know that's what I should probably be doing. But that new computer is just sooo nice. I have about $405 saved up for it.

What should I do? Get the computer? Or suck it up and start saving?

*Added to make things clearer*
I'll probably only be able to save around $6000 before college. If I do buy the computer, I'll have around $5000. They're both fairly low numbers. The problem is that I personally don't know if a college would be significantly more impressed with $6000 than they would with $5000. If both numbers are really unimpressive, I figure I might as well just indulge my desire for a new computer, since neither amount would really impress anybody.

[sblymnlcrymnl]

I really, really want a new computer.

I also really need to be saving for college. You do know the difference between "want" and "need", correct?

[Sofa King Kool]

You do know the difference between "want" and "need", correct?
Of course.

I guess, basically, what I'm asking is if it would be safe to apply to colleges with only a few thousand dollars in my pocket. Like I said, I have no idea how much I should have going into this.

[Liquid 2]

Of course.

I guess, basically, what I'm asking is if it would be safe to apply to colleges with only a few thousand dollars in my pocket. Like I said, I have no idea how much I should have going into this.
If you don't know, why risk it?

[Sofa King Kool]

If you don't know, why risk it?
Well, the thing is, If I don't buy the computer, I'll probably only be able to save around $6000 before college. If I do buy the computer, I'll have around $5000.
They're both fairly low numbers. The problem is that I personally don't know if a college would be significantly more impressed with $6000 than they would with $5000. If both numbers are really unimpressive, I figure I might as well just indulge my desire for a new computer, since neither amount would really impress anybody.

[anomynous]

But the thing is you need a computer in college too, so you can look at it that way

[neocisco]

If you go with the computer over college. you're a failure. Sorry to be so blunt but you already know the answer to this and shouldn't have to start a thread to have it confirmed. Nothing personal.

[SIUfan]

Well, the thing is, If I don't buy the computer, I'll probably only be able to save around $6000 before college. If I do buy the computer, I'll have around $5000.
They're both fairly low numbers. The problem is that I personally don't know if a college would be significantly more impressed with $6000 than they would with $5000. If both numbers are really unimpressive, I figure I might as well just indulge my desire for a new computer, since neither amount would really impress them.
To the contrary, you want to have less money when applying for financial aid. The less money you have, the more money the government will give you. You will still need about the amount you have for books, gas, food, odds and ends, etc. A good computer is priceless while attending college. $5,000 should be fine for the above costs, anyway you slice it you're going to need financial aid and student loans for the bulk of your college costs. So I guess what I'm saying is get the computer, but save the rest of your money.

[crushtopher]

If your main concern for a new computer is the lack of ability to handle all the new games coming out, don't go to college. Instead, buy the computer and waste your life playing PC games. College over computer...no comparison

[Illini Jeeper]

When are you going to college? If you get the computer now and go in 3 years, you'll be wishing you had a better computer then instead of the one you would have gotten now.

Personally, I'd save the money for college and pick up bits and pieces for your computer as you go along. A motherboard here and a case there (etc) on sale (you're a CAG for goodness sake) will help spread your cash flow out over time while also helping you towards your ultimate goal of a new computer AND having money for school.

Try to reduce the number of massive financial hits you take. Losing 1/2 now, or even 1/6 of your total amount of money at the same time hurts.

[Sofa King Kool]

When are you going to college? If you get the computer now and go in 3 years, you'll be wishing you had a better computer then instead of the one you would have gotten now.


I'm in the process of applying right now. I'm in my senior year, almost done with the first quarter.

The computer is going to be upgradable for the next four years if I remember correctly...

[lilboo]

Be as broke as you can be to apply for financial aide.

Well, are you a middle class white person? If not, then you get no financial aide. Sorry :razz:

[SIUfan]

Be as broke as you can be to apply for financial aide.

Well, are you a middle class white person? If not, then you get no financial aide. Sorry :razz:

Again, to the contrary, as a middle class white American I am stuck on the line where my family barely makes enough where FAFSA considers us to make too much money to get substantial aid but in reality we can't afford it and really do need the help, thus the student loans. The less money you and your family make the more aid you get regardless of race or ethnicity. In fact, aside from the aid FAFSA offers, minorities have tons of special interest groups to pool the money from.

[Jewelz23]

Ok, here's my dilemma. I really, really want a new computer. My current computer can't handle all these demanding new games that are coming out. A friend offered to build me one, and once we looked up all the parts I'll need, the total cost came to around $1050.

But, I also really need to be saving for college. Right now, I've only got a little under $2000 saved up. I'm not really familiar with the financial aspects of colleges, so I don't know how much I should have.

I have a feeling most of you are going to tell me to save for college, I know that's what I should probably be doing. But that new computer is just sooo nice. I have about $405 saved up for it.

What should I do? Get the computer? Or suck it up and start saving?

*Added to make things clearer*
I'll probably only be able to save around $6000 before college. If I do buy the computer, I'll have around $5000. They're both fairly low numbers. The problem is that I personally don't know if a college would be significantly more impressed with $6000 than they would with $5000. If both numbers are really unimpressive, I figure I might as well just indulge my desire for a new computer, since neither amount would really impress anybody.
College first my friend.

You already seem to have an XBOX 360 and a Wii...surely you do not finish ALL the games you buy...or your GPA would be around a 1 right now.

[bigdaddy]

You do know the difference between "want" and "need", correct?

No, that's why he NEEDS to go to college.

[crystalklear64]

What the crap computer are you buying that costs 1000 dollars? 800 TOPS for great current gen. Either way, you're fucked for loans. Whats one more year of payments?

[pacifickarma]

I'm about to list a Radeon 2900 XT on Ebay right now if you want it...

[Magehart]

Dude, just go to community college. I'll have spent maybe 2500 and gotten my first two years of units out of the way.

[Blackout]

Again, to the contrary, as a middle class white American I am stuck on the line where my family barely makes enough where FAFSA considers us to make too much money to get substantial aid but in reality we can't afford it and really do need the help, thus the student loans. The less money you and your family make the more aid you get regardless of race or ethnicity. In fact, aside from the aid FAFSA offers, minorities have tons of special interest groups to pool the money from.

Yeah this is a problem for me too. I have no money for college and some of the scholarships might be hard to obtain because of what you described.

[Cracka]

you have $2000 saved up for college? Books alone will cost you around $500 per semester. Save the money, you're going to need it.

[lordxixor101]

Well, we all know what's going to happen,

He's going to somehow justify in his head that this great gaming computer is actually needed for school, then try to sell us that on page 3 of this thread.

The less debt you have, the better. Plus, in a year or so, your computer will be basically half the price anyway (or close to it). So, no doubt you should save for college here. It's actually funny that, I'm sure you figured 50% would give you the bad advice here of buying the computer.

Do what you want, but the fiscally responsible (or adult) thing to do is to save for college.

Enjoy your new computer.