Well I have saved $20,000+ from same said job and continue to save more and the computer was payed in full on the spot, well onto credit card then paid off the card right away. So I do know how to save. Don't plan on staying at this job, though I'm happy there right now. Plan on going back to university, much of the savings are for this. The computer and other things I've bought are a few splurges I indulge myself in. I have no rent, bills or expeces so others with this level of income spend way more on these expenses than I am. Anyway I'm happy with the purchase and where I am in life right now which is what counts for me so I don't really care what others think.
Thanks for those who offered a few real suggestions.
her209 KillerNIC doesn't offer any real performance benefits to speak of, you are mostly just paying for marketing hype. Same can be said for ALL monster cable products.
Nocturnal I have a cheap but I think good quality surge protector from APC. I don't need a real UPS as I'm not working on mission critical files here.
keeleysam I like the tuner card idea but I can't remember if HDTV is broadcast over the airwaves here in Canada or not, I know it's available through cable though.[/b]