Big Bucks!

Hiya folks.....

Awhile back....just for fun...I wanted to see how much money I spent on cigarettes over the years. Naturally....the number was shocking.....:eek:

You don't realize because it is gradual. I want to apply the same shocker to how much money one spends on computers. So get out some paper and pencil (you remember those right? ) and do some quick figgerin'. How much money have you spent on computers, parts, software, etc....in total so far.

Don't include money spent for business or work. Just the "fun stuff".....

Include ISP fees, though.....and for those folks outside the US, I am afraid you will have to convert your figures. The poll choices are in US dollars....

I would say I am right around the 3000 mark .... I've only had 2 computers :)

'Bout 6-6.5K for me. Didn't think it would be that much but I added it all up incl PCs, software, ISPs & accessories and sure enough that's what it came to.

Two computers in six years, and I tried to calculate how many isp's , blank DVD's,cd's, jewel cases , and software. Comes to about 3614.00. I know it's a bit more but I can't remember all.

In seven years I've spent about $4000 in ISP fees (da** Comcast) and about $3700 on computers and parts. It would be more for parts, but I am always upgrading something then selling the old stuff so it's not as bad. Plus, I get a lot of used computers from my morning job. We're up to two laptops and 4 desktops, plus enough parts to build 6 or 7 more desktops.

I need a life.:)

Ok ... who spent 30k plus .... fess up :D

$5 says it's Liam.:D :D

lmaooo!!! :D

The 30 grand isn't me......but I easily fall inside the $5,000 - $10,000 range. Nothing cheap about this pastime/hobby we have chosen for ourselves. :eek:

Had one laptop that was close to $2000 alone...two other entire system purchases...and several homebuilts. In fact....if I really started to itemize like I was doing a tax return....I just might be over that 10,000 figure. :eek:

Anyone fessing up to the over $30,000? And if so....how far over? LOL:D

Has bistro been in yet?

I bet he is good for at least $10,000........:D

$4800 - isp

$7000 in computer

$12000 - $15000 for me since 98 for computers and still getting stuff.

Don't forget, those 486 rigs cost about $4,000 new.

Wow ... you guys are insane :D



;)

It creeps up on ya......without even knowing it.....;)

Be funny if we can get to 1 Million.....just with us VDR folk.....:D

Hmmm, i think i need to make some alterations to the choices. :D

I think i fall somewhere in the middle of the poll, monitors weren't cheap a while ago, i can't believe i paid £300+ for a 19" TFT, and it only has a VGA in and a power lead.:rolleyes: My last rig was just over £1000, and about £700 on monitors in the past 2 years, ISP fees will be about £1000 (I only got broadband about 4 years ago) and with peripherals and software it has to be hitting £7-8K, which is $13,669.20-$15,621.94 :eek: (But i blame VAT :D....hey someone had to)


Liam

I can't play, since everything I have in tech toys is used for work.

I was thinking 0-5000 would be my bracket. But then I remembered that my 1st Pentium 133MHz with the fancy 2MB Video card, 28.8 Modem and 17" monitor cost me 3500$ almost 11 years ago, the UPS that cost $250 in 1997. Then another 750$ for my PIII 733 a few years later... Throw a couple of replacement Hard drives, power supplies, routers, modems, printers and scanners, and additional RAM and the DSL modem... puts me well above the $5k mark, that's not counting software or ISP fees since January 1997.

:D

I'm too scared to work it out......

Only thirteen votes?

Somebody go up top and drag those techaholics down here to vote.....:p

Are we counting Software too :eek: ,cause most people would be over $5000 .

Yep...software too..... (unless it is for work).....

I have spent much more on ISP fees and hardware than software. Including operating sytems. Software probably only accounts for about 10-20% for me....

I'm still using software I bought 5 years ago.....

I didn't include ISP fees ... I averaged 45 per month for the last 5 years ... thats 2700.00 for that alone :eek:

So might be a little over the 5000 mark ;)

I'm still working mine out

Computers $6,000
Monitor $1,000
Software $ 500
ISP Fee $2,000
fixing bugs , virus, trogens , Priceless :

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I can't play, since everything I have in tech toys is used for work.

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I don't think the IRS surfs here looking for cheats on tax deductions JP. :)

You can get honest with us. ;)

Steve

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Originally Posted by steve_83

I don't think the IRS surfs here looking for cheats on tax deductions JP. :)


Steve

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But his bosses probably do .:cool:

I'm one of those over 30,000 .... no ... didn't add it up. I did try to use my vast computer knowledge and equipment to gonculate a specific number. But it was useless........... so.

I'm the guy who had a Pentium Pro 200mhz, snap! And I bought an overdrive processor for it..... bringing it to a massive PII 333mhz!!! And back in the day that ran a cool $550, give or take... double snap!

Thus I have decided I've been totally indulgent.... oh what fun!

I found out yesterday after picking up a nice 5 figure commission in my side business, for $150 I can become Incorporated, and write off all (or most) my computer related stuff.
Where I live all you have to do is produce income.
Even if it's once and that can last for up to 5 years: even at a lo$$ every subsequent year.

Including the monthly broadband fee. :D

DSL Elite here we come!

"Up to 100 times faster than dial-up,
plus premium Yahoo! features." (probably more spam) :rolleyes:

Up to 6.0 Mbps.

Income Tax avoidance is not illegal, and probably a smart tactic.
Evasion is the problem.

I'm sure at $20 per pop in a 50 caliber machine gun in Iraq: the tax of one of the working poor will not be missed.

Steve_83

Look before you leap Steve , I'm self employed and was advised against it by my accountant .. you don't need to incorporate to write off expenses .. there are pros and cons to it .

If you want a real pro at fudging tax write-offs, get a congressional accountant.

PM, email me or something if you can find the time.

That's not forum stuff nor this topic, but I was 100% serious.
Possiby an LLC ?

I'm approximately as knowledgeable on that subject as I am on computers. :rolleyes:

Steve_83

Never really thought about it til GG asked me, but it adds up quick, especially since we built two new PC's in the last 6 months, but it is worth every penny so far. Who are the two that spent over 30,000$ ? THAT IS A HUGE CHUNK OF CHANGE.

It's pretty scary when you add up the ISP fees alone! :eek:
But, we pay for the speed we sooo crave! We figured out that together with our new builds, and past stuff that we're probably over $5,000 That's pretty inexpensive for the two of us over the years...but, I blame Virtual Dr. for us spending the money we've spent in the last year :D
Msb71 is already speaking of another computer...no way, not any time soon! (See the purse strings tighten?)

Still waiting on P3-450 to post his...must be a HUGE amount since it's taking him so long to tally it up - maybe his accountants are helping him? Let's not forget Mr. "I've Got All of Those Raptors" that used to be in his signature...

***cough cough BISTRO cough cough*** ;)

Philgo and I think alike, scared to count it up, especially since just finished new build (with LGBPOP'S help). Besides, my wife might chance upon the post.

Hmm, maybe we should blame Lgbpop as well! :D

I have to defend lgbpop, for he worked his rear off trying to help me, and I DID need help at the last. :)

Using an average of each range.....I get a total of $215,000 US.......:eek:

That averages out to about $10,750 per person. Now considering I am probably pretty close to the $10,000 figure, myself....I can say that my spending is about average or a little less. :D

So let's round it off to $10,000 as the average ammount a person has spent on computers and internet. This forum has 86,507 members, so at 10 grand a pop....

VDR people have spent $86,507,000................:eek:

yikes lol :D

OOPS...correction....I dropped a zero....

It's not 86.5 million.....

It's 865 million............:eek: :eek:

865,070,000

oh man :D ... thats unreal :D