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How did you pay for your Mac?

Lease, with 10% buy-out, for tax purposes. When you accountant tells you to spend money to avoid paying money to the feds, it opens up a world of possibilities.

I think I'll need a new monitor when the MBP is paid off next year.
 
I always put saving to my bank account from my pay checks so that my account always has extra money. And I always pay everything in cash in one shot whenever I make a purchase.

Saving is a good habit.
 
binky2033 said:
Lease, with 10% buy-out, for tax purposes. When you accountant tells you to spend money to avoid paying money to the feds, it opens up a world of possibilities.

I think I'll need a new monitor when the MBP is paid off next year.
Click to expand...

Yes!

I technically work as a contract web designer because where the money is coming from - well they don't want to pay taxes/benefits for me. So my pay is inflated (great). But also I can buy things I "need" like a Mac Book Pro or an iPod and deduct it from my income as a "business expense."

It's quite sad. Somehow as a web designer I don't make very much at all... 😎

I've always paid with a credit card. I charge everything (typical American) from $5 at the pharmacy to my Mac Book Pro. But all my credit cards have automated withdrawals from my checking accounts setup so that the entire balance is always paid off.

I think paying for things in 1 go is a great idea. Financing with a credit card is horrible idea. But paying with cash all the time and not building up your credit isn't a great idea either.
 
I did it the "American" way -- I paid for it with my credit card and paid my credit card balance in full on the next bill thereafter. 😕 I don't see what's so bad about the "American" way. It's not like I invaded Kabul so I could get my iBook. 😛 'Sides... rotating debt is not problematic, as long as it rotates.
 
I saved for 9 months for the $3k for my MP. I actually had it all in cash in a drawer in my desk. 😀

My previous computers were either purchased for me (by my mother - thank you!) or given to me by same. I inherited the powerbook (not from my mother).
 
IIci - Handed down from my dad
iMac G3 - Also from my dad
Powermac G4 - Found a watch on the beach and sold it (otherwise I'd have still been using the iMac until yesterday)
Macbook - Used money my family gave me for graduation
 
For my iBook G4, I saved for several months. For my MacBook Pro, I saved for 9 months and sold my iBook G4. For my next MacBook Pro, I'm going to sell my current one and save for several months. I don't have a credit card yet, so I have to pay it off before I get it.
 
another vote here for "the american way"...at least for the iBook G4. i was in my last semester of college and needed a notebook to tote around campus, so i put it on my credit card...and paid it off in about 4 months. i had a 0% interest offer at the time, so i incurred no interest charges. so perhaps that's "the savvy american way." 🙄

the iMac G3 was from mom and dad, and the MBP was paid for by work. 😎 i'm currently saving up for an iMac or whatever desktop is around when i'm through saving up funds.
 
I bought my mac with the proceeds of my design company. With its purchase, I officially broke even (the design company is not my main source of income).
 
The lovely folks at Gore Mutual paid for mine. My last laptop was stolen from my home (along with our TV, DVD recorder, PS2, GameCube, video games, DVDs,...)
 
Saving my Pennies. JK. I'm only 16 but I'm self employed, and it really didn't take me very long to get the 3k+ for my Mac Pro, but then I don't have to pay for food and such.
 
I've been saving up for about a year now.. I worked in a crappy retail store ('Sportsworld'), and then in an awesome Indian Takeaway (free food ftw!). I had to stop working there because of school...but this summer, I'll get another job, and then in October, a brand new shiny MBP with Leopard will be mine, in time for Uni.

Can't wait. ^_^

In the meantime, I'm tempted to get a Dell 24" LCD...
 
This really should have been a poll...but anyways, I used a credit card and then paid off the balance right away (as I always do). Like iWoot said, paying for something that loses value by financing it doesn't make any sense.
 
I save for my Macs by understating my exemptions on W4 and getting a big refund in the new year and using that money to buy them.

...So cash.
 
I was hair dresser and while doing someones hair I would slit their throats and mash them up and sell them in pies. MAC Jack the ripper.
Seriously though I got my Macbook Pro as birthday/christmas present.
 
iMac G4 (2002) - Trust fund
Powerbook G4 (2004) - Trust fund
iMac G5 1.9 iSight (used)- split the cost with my sister (shortly after sold iMac G4)
Mac Pro - Trust fund (sold iMac G5 to my other sister for the amount paid which then went to Macbook)
Macbook - (semi-present) £570 from parents, rest on my credit card which was paid when the bill came through
 
MacSE by parents when i went to college

Quadra610 by myself (and husband)

eMac - gift to kids for Christmas from grandparents

MBP Christmas/Birthday/Christmas/Birthday/Christmas/Birthday... you get the point 😉 present from my parents, i figure OSXX should be out when i get another present! 😀

I'm currently saving for a new printer/scanner for everyday use.
 
I payed 1600 for my first laptop and i sold it on ebay and upgrade yearly. I sell it for say 300 less than i bought it and then upgrade and it cost only $300, i think this is a better way then using it for 4 years then dishing out 1600 for a new one.
 
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