Get good new stuff on sale/for cheap. Check
Pricewatch for prices then hit up
ResellerRatings to make sure you are buying from somewhere reputable. There is nothing wrong with refurb, so long as you know going in you may have some trouble. I buy CE refurb, but insist, for my major components (ie motherboard, CPU) on new stuff for my PC (though I am all about good deals on our FS/FT forums. I have gotten several good deals on good hardware from good people. I picked up several 200GB hard drives and other hardware from these forums).
\Dan