nikko, thanks for the compliment.
Once "out in he real world", spending on a whim can ruin credit, ruin relationships (wives anyone?), ... the list is ungodly long. This Fall will be the first time I am away-away from home, going to an Honors Engineering program at UTexas in Austin. The money I make working at various engineering jobs is going straight to my Vanguard bond fund for future use - apartment, house, car ... retirement.
I had a financial re-awakening a few years ago. My interest rate with Vanguard is 2-3% above inflation. Try to find a savings account that can do that for you. Luckily, I invested shortly after 9/11 so I bought low-low and got awesome yields. Do it people! For many browsers here, children are a reality (or soon to be). Start them saving early. Not a piggy bank for ice cream, but a long-term savings. I started at a bank, and once I had enough to open an account with Vanguard, I did.
This thread is about a video card, so ... I ordered my X800 XT PE from GW weeks ago, and if my est. arrival date is correct, it will be here Wednesday, July 8th. Woot.