We’re at the end of 2008 now, and I’ve just finished consolidating all my electronics (gadgets) purchases in 2008.
I did a checkpoint half-way through this year back in May, and up to that point, I’ve already spent S$2,500. Move forward to end of year today, that number has ballooned up to S$4,167. Singaporean says *jialat liao*
Looking back, I’m not sure I could have spent much less than what was needed. I’ll run through them from the most expensive ones, and you tell me if I’ve bought more than I should?
Apple Macbook (white)
Committed at S$1,400 for 30 months installment, I’ve paid 9 months of S$46.67 each for a total of S$420 this year. Twenty-one more months to go. So far, this laptop was the one that made me switched to Mac, and it has been a useful laptop as I travelled around the globe this year. Along the months, I have upgraded the RAM from 1GB to 4GB for about S$55, “accidentally” upgraded the HDD from 120GB to 320GB for S$95, and bought Applecare for S$200 (from S$446 retail price) to extend its warranty cover until 2011.
Compaq Presario V3638
Bought this for my mum. The original price was S$999, but after adding RAM upgrade, minus GST claim, etc., I ended up with S$1,108.95.
Canon Digital IXUS 860IS
In need of a digital camera for my USA trip in September, I bought this one for S$519, complete with all goodies I need. I added $70 for an extra original Canon battery.
Apple iPod Nano 4G – 8GB
Apple store in Singapore is selling this for S$248, but Apple store in New York was selling for US$149. With USD-SGD exchange rate as low as 1.40 back then, it was cheaper to buy in New York.
Western Digital My Passport 320GB
As my Macbook 120GB storage wouldn’t be enough to store and backup photos and videos taken during USA trip, this external hard drive is the cheapest and easiest way to have more storage on the road. Got it for S$149.
Logitech v470 Bluetooth mouse
This excellent mouse retails for S$85 and after all these months, the last time I checked last week, some shops are still selling it for S$89. I got two of these from eBay for a total of S$85, so you’d consider I got 50% discount. I uses one, and my mum is using the other one. The pair of battery I put in since August are still working as of today. Amazing battery life.
Starhub re-contract
This time, I decided not to change my phone during re-contract. Instead, I simply recontract, and sold the new phone off for a S$362 profit. Pretty good.
Miscellaneous
There are other sub-$50 stuffs like web-cam for my mum, USB hub, earphone, etc.
What do you think? Could I have spent any less this year? How?
Also known as very-expensive-flower-day, Valentine Day is again around the corner. It felt like yesterday when decorations in Singapore were all about Christmas, then soon changed to Chinese New Year theme, and now suddenly shopping malls are having lots of flowers, chocolates, teddy bears, and other pink-colored stuffs on display.
The last time I did all these resolutions and goals was three years ago, in 2006, most of which I didn’t manage to complete. I didn’t do any for 2007 and 2008, and I think it’s a good time to start again what has been ignored for some time. Here they are:
Arigatouuuu……
