Feeling better today..and a question

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-30-2006
Feeling better today..and a question
9
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 9:24am

First, thanks so much for the welcome yesterday, it means alot that I can talk to someone about all of this mess. Today I recieved a bit of good news. We all have to say a prayer but at dh's work they might be giving him a raise. His base pay will go up $.50 an hour which is nothing But he would be moved to flat rate. SO if he works 40 hours a week he will get paid for 40*10.50=$420 nad for every hour he turns in (meaning he isnt there twidling his thumbs) he will get $3 an hour. So If he turns in a full 40 hour week he will make 40*3=120 for a total of $540 for the week. Right now he brings grosses $400 a week. Even at his best paying job he made $480 a week so this would be better than he has ever broght home...actually when he was supposed to be making $480 he was laid off most of the time so we hardly ever saw it...lol.This time there is ALOT of room for advancement. He is starting at the bottom and working his way up, they really seem to like him and are willing to give him a chance. They also might be letting him work overtime> Usually they do not hand out raises till 6 months and he has been there almost 3.

I am really happy. I hope it goes thru, I need some good news.

as for my question, Does anyone know where we can get a computer and pay for it out of a checking account. We have horrible credit and right now we pay $50 a week for a computer from rent a center. I HATE rac. HATE HATE HATE. We don't have a lump 1k to buy a cumputer, and we can't get approved for a credit card. SO any ideas??

Cheers
Courtney

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2004
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 10:39am

Congrats on the good

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2003
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 11:03am

first of all, you shouldn't need 1000 to buy a computer. You should be able to get one for 3-400. I don't think you can get a place to do EFT for a computer. And I am sure you need one for your business. But check out www.dell.com and you will see that you can get a desktop much cheaper than that. maybe you could save for it? Or if you can live without the RAC one save the $$ from that?

Sorry I am not much help and I know how it is with computers....we own 3 and DH has a laptop from work...we couldn't live without them.

We even email each other from different parts of the house;-)

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 11:07am
Hi, KC--Am glad things are going better with you:) Single-parent GF got a "used" computer at local HS her DD attended when they upgraded their system. I dont know what she paid for it, but the computer is fairly new model, works fine, etc.. High schools or technical schools that are upgrading apparently get rid of their computers, so it might be worth a look-see. Hugs. Whiz.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2003
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 11:15am

I agree with 2locachicas! You definitely don't need to spend more than a few hundred dollars on a computer! Do you have anything like Computer Warehouse where you live? My dh buys computers there for about $200 for his clients all the time!! They often have rebates, too.

Do a little checking around ... you should be able to stay well under $1k! :-)

Amy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 11:15am

First of all, I'm holding your dh in the light--here's hoping for the raise! I'm sure that will really help you.

As for the computer, someone has already pointed out that you don't need $1000 for a really high-quality set-up. I just wanted to add that you can get one- and two-year-old computers for even less than that--for practically nothing, actually--on the used market. Many people upgrade their computers every year or two, and dump their used models on the market for a fraction of what they paid. And a one- or two-year-old computer can be a really good product.

Mine, for instance, was $1000 new (silly me), but I bought it five years ago. So it's now five years old, and it works great. It's got plenty of power, plenty of storage, plenty of capability. We've upgraded a few things--the disc drive, for instance, and replaced the monitor with a cheap used one--but nothing expensive, and, remember, that's over five years--and you would be looking at only a one- or two-year-old model. Anyway, my five-year-old computer would bring almost nothing on the used market, if I could even sell it at all. I see more-recent models at yard sales for $30. And yet it's quite functional, even for my business purposes (mind you, I don't do a lot of graphics or video editing, which would need a higher-level model to do a lot of--but you can find those on the used market too--and I can edit photos and burn DVDs and watch online videos, etc.--I just can't do professional-level graphic design and/or video editing).

Anyway, definitely get out of that RAC if you can! Maybe go a month or two using the computers at the library while you take the money you're saving by not renting and put it toward a $250 used computer (or a $100 used computer, or whatever you determine you need).

Good luck!

Heather

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-07-2005
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 2:14pm
I was just going to add that you could check freecycle--you may not get all the bells and whistles but if it'll get you through until you can afford to upgrade yourself. That $50 a week would add up to a full payment (for at least a basic computer--they all pretty much come standard w/ what you really need anyway) within a month but definately two months. I'd really try to ditch that RAC-- good luck and prayers for dh's raise. That'd be awesome!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2005
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 6:59pm

Courtney, start asking around about the computer!

 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 7:26pm
Sorry, I think I missed your intro post but I wanted to speak on the computer thing. If you have a local library nearby and time during the hours library is open you can usually get internet access there these days. If you could do that and forgo the RAC computer for a couple weeks/months and save that payment towards paying for a computer outright. I know a lot of places have deals where you get a decent system computer, monitor and printer for $299-$350 after rebates, problem is you usually have to lay out anywhere from $500-$800 out of pocket and wait for the rebate. Watch the weekly adds for Office Depot,Office Max,Staples etc. and you'll even see laptops under $500 after rebate and they are not bad systems. If you only need it for internet access, then like another poster said you might get something older but still usable off freecycle. I've been a member of my local freecycle for about 6 months and must see 1 computer a week offered in my area. If you go that route I know alot of posters prefer if it is going to a good cause, so find a way to make yourself the one they want to give it too when you respond to an offer. Even if you are just say, you need a computer to type a resume, improve computer skills to get a better job, take classes at local CC or whatever your angle may be.
Good luck and hope your husband gets that raise.
Pam

Proud sister of a Marine:

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 06-07-2006 - 9:37am

I agree with PPers . . . definitely check around and try to find something used. Free is the best of course!!!

If all else fails and you can hold on this long, computers go on DEEP sales between Thanksgiving and Christmas. DH bought my laptop last year for right at $400 and it has alot of really nice features. I run a home business and it's been more than adequate for my needs. And I absolutely LOVE having a laptop . . . I can even take it with me to my shows and run a slideshow during the show as well as doing my invoicing. : )

Good luck to you! Get creative, think outside the box . . . things will be OK!




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