Comments on: Open Thread: How’s Your Personal Tech Spending? http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/10/09/open-thread-hows-your-personal-tech-spending/ Rebooting the workforce Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:06:20 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Robert S. Robbins http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/10/09/open-thread-hows-your-personal-tech-spending/#comment-306447 Robert S. Robbins Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:10:21 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.wordpress.com/?p=4213#comment-306447 I need to upgrade my computer which always has its CPU maxed out. I need a dual core system with at least 2 GB of RAM. However I have entire spare systems so sometimes I just boot up another computer to use its resources. I plan to double my rates for any new clients. I need to upgrade my computer which always has its CPU maxed out. I need a dual core system with at least 2 GB of RAM. However I have entire spare systems so sometimes I just boot up another computer to use its resources. I plan to double my rates for any new clients.

]]> By: Marcin Grodzicki http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/10/09/open-thread-hows-your-personal-tech-spending/#comment-306380 Marcin Grodzicki Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:00:54 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.wordpress.com/?p=4213#comment-306380 I use two approaches: 1. Buy only essential stuff, as most things that we think of buying are plain whims. 2. Don't go overboard with analyzing - it's sometimes cheaper to buy anything rather than spend 5hrs comparing cheaper products (especially if you bill by the hour). Not that we have any slowdown in Poland yet... I use two approaches: 1. Buy only essential stuff, as most things that we think of buying are plain whims. 2. Don’t go overboard with analyzing – it’s sometimes cheaper to buy anything rather than spend 5hrs comparing cheaper products (especially if you bill by the hour).
Not that we have any slowdown in Poland yet…

]]> By: April Jones http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/10/09/open-thread-hows-your-personal-tech-spending/#comment-306378 April Jones Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:41:28 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.wordpress.com/?p=4213#comment-306378 I've been really choosy about the services, programs, memberships, etc. I spend money on. I use free open source programs when I can (like Open Office instead of Microsoft Office, Mozilla Thunderbird instead of MS Outlook, etc.) Rather than shell out a bunch of money to places like Elance or Guru where I'd just be a small fish in a big pond, I use my resources on more targeted sites like Shelancers or VANetworking.com which are specifically for women or for Virtual Assistants. There's also little stuff like making my coffee at home instead of running out to Starbucks to spend $5, or buying my desk at a thrift store instead of buying a brand new one. And never underestimate the power of giveaways or review opportunities! I won a $200 Epson printer from a blog contest. I’ve been really choosy about the services, programs, memberships, etc. I spend money on. I use free open source programs when I can (like Open Office instead of Microsoft Office, Mozilla Thunderbird instead of MS Outlook, etc.)

Rather than shell out a bunch of money to places like Elance or Guru where I’d just be a small fish in a big pond, I use my resources on more targeted sites like Shelancers or VANetworking.com which are specifically for women or for Virtual Assistants.

There’s also little stuff like making my coffee at home instead of running out to Starbucks to spend $5, or buying my desk at a thrift store instead of buying a brand new one.

And never underestimate the power of giveaways or review opportunities! I won a $200 Epson printer from a blog contest.

]]> By: Stephen Clay McGehee http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/10/09/open-thread-hows-your-personal-tech-spending/#comment-306377 Stephen Clay McGehee Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:31:50 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.wordpress.com/?p=4213#comment-306377 I've always been pretty tight when it comes to expenses other than things like furniture (things that should out-last me). Little luxuries are either canceled or scrounged. For example, I like to have water available right at my desk. I replaced the usual water bottle with a nice glass decanter sitting on a silver serving tray. Looks classy, but sounds expensive. I found the silver tray at Goodwill for $3.50 (the silver content alone is probably worth more than that). Add some silver polish and a lot of elbow grease, and I ended up with a nice addition to the desk. Same with the glass decanter - rummage sale item. I’ve always been pretty tight when it comes to expenses other than things like furniture (things that should out-last me). Little luxuries are either canceled or scrounged. For example, I like to have water available right at my desk. I replaced the usual water bottle with a nice glass decanter sitting on a silver serving tray. Looks classy, but sounds expensive. I found the silver tray at Goodwill for $3.50 (the silver content alone is probably worth more than that). Add some silver polish and a lot of elbow grease, and I ended up with a nice addition to the desk. Same with the glass decanter – rummage sale item.

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