But I had a pretty good streak!
My inner bargain hunter is doing the touchdown dance tonight… Dell was running a special 24 hour deal that took $602 off of the purchase price of their new Inspiron E1505. I customized the system and was about to buy it with smaller specs, when I realized that I should probably try the Employee Purchase Program to see if I can get my discount to stack.
Usually it doesn’t, but it was worth a shot. That shot hit right between the eyes, the deal did stack with the employee discount. I ended up walking out with over $800 off of this system.
I got a Core Duo 2.0 Ghz processor, 1GB RAM, an Ultrasharp 15.4″ display, and 256 ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 graphics. This thing is everything I’ve been wanting at bargain basement pricing… I really couldn’t pass it up.
Interestingly, I wasn’t going to do it. Tasha about made me turn the car around and order the machine when I told her I was ignoring the urge to purchase at $602 off. I waited until later and was happy to find the EPP discount worked as well, so we’re both extremely happy.
This is what the rest of my incentive pay will get spent on. And our debt repayment plan is barely impacted thanks to Uncle Sam hanging on to my cash all of last year. 
I love it when circumstances come together!
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This though is the reward for all those will saves. Your patience a) rewarded you with a great deal and b) lasted long enough to find out, thanks to Uncle Sam’s Savings, that you could do it.
Justly deserved. Good job.
You suck for getting so much back in taxes, even when Tasha has a personal business. Matt and I got pretty much squat back this year, but we both made some okay money in our businesses. The government rapes you if you’re self-employed, even if you take deductions. Matt and I together made about $5000 in freelance stuff last year (which is fairly slow), but all the married couples our age are getting around $4000 BACK AS A REFUND. What the fuck? The government is trying to tell you NOT to work for yourself, I guess. I hate that.
Anyway, I’ve been re-examining our finances as of late, especially since I need to know what offers I can or can’t accept. Oprah had a really good show on last Friday, centered around a concept called the “Debt Diet.” I got some really good insight there, and on her site. This excerpt hit home, though, and since we’re the same person, I thought I’d share:
“Existential addicts” shop because the act of finding the right thing at the right price makes them feel important and gives their life meaning.
Very interesting stuff there. I recommend Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover, which Tasha and I have had great success with so far. We’ve had a few voluntary setbacks like this one, but we’re so far ahead of schedule thanks to that program that we can take a few of those.
Tasha’s mom has the book right now, but once we get it back you guys can borrow it if you want.
“but all the married couples our age are getting around $4000 BACK AS A REFUND”
Uh… we’re only getting like $400 back. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have 16 kids that gets that kind of refund on any regular basis. For most of our married life, we’ve had to pay in each year; which pisses Ann off to no end.
Financially speaking, though, it’s actually better that you don’t get anything back. Technically, it’s better if you have to pay in. That means you didn’t give the govt. a $4000, interest-free loan for the year. I’d gladly pay in each year than to give those sons-a-bitches my money!
Still doesn’t beat my deal of $200 ;p
Yes, you definitely win the Deal of the Year award.
You make a good point here, spanky. How do you adjust so you get to use your own money all year? Is there a simple way to ensure you hit close to a $0 balance? I sure would like to have this money throughout the year, however nice it is to get a windfall all at once. At least I’d have my interest or more paid off credit cards instead.
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