I plan on setting aside about $1000-$1500 of my tax refund to get some new toys and I would love to hear your advice!
A little background: I have 3 young kids who are at the age where they need to start using a computer. I love movies and have always wanted a home theater system as well.
In our house, we currently have:
So... here are the three ways I'm debating on spending the tax refund:
I would love to hear your thoughts!
A little background: I have 3 young kids who are at the age where they need to start using a computer. I love movies and have always wanted a home theater system as well.
In our house, we currently have:
- 24" iMac (Late 2008) - used as a home media server (24000+ songs/450+ movies, most in 1080p) and also for our master iPhoto library. The iTunes library is stored on a 2TB LaCie HDD which is nearly full. I also have a second 2TB LaCie that I use to store some old files backed up from old computers over the years.
- AppleTV (2nd gen)
- 50" Panasonic plasma
- 2 iPads (3rd gen + mini)
- 2 iPhones (5 & 4S)
- 3 iPod touch's (all 4th gen - got for kids this past Christmas)
- 2 MacBook Pro's (used only for work)
- I do not currently have a network HDD for backup because I use Backblaze Cloud backup on all my computers
- Airport Extreme router
So... here are the three ways I'm debating on spending the tax refund:
- Buy a home theater system (Yamaha RX473 & front/center speakers - no rear for now). I've been wanting to get a surround system for some time now. Benefits: home theater system for me (might be a bit selfish, I know...)
- Buy a NAS device to expand my storage at home and possibly use the excess for Time Machine backups of the MacBooks. I was looking into the Synology DS411 and putting 4x 2TB HDD's in it. Benefits: storage expansion, local backup.
- Buy a Mac Mini and turn my 2008 iMac into a computer for the kids to use. I would transfer everything from the iMac to the Mac Mini and use the Mac Mini for the home media server instead. If I went this route I might buy another LaCie HDD to expand my storage. Benefits: computer for the kids to use.
I would love to hear your thoughts!
