SHOPPING TIPS

Treat yourself

Some purchases are bigger than others. For these items, it's better to take the time to make inquiries than to throw your money out the window.

Computers: a world of choice

It's easy to imagine yourself playing games or doing work on a new computer with all the latest hardware. But making the right purchase without going broke can be a little more complicated. There are a host of questions you need to answer before you can go home with a sleek new computer.

The first thing you need to know is what you are going to do with your computer. That is THE question that will govern your choice. If you just want to surf the Internet and do your homework, you won't need the latest, greatest and most powerful machine. You will also have to decide between PC and Macintosh.

There are lots of other criteria to consider: laptop or desktop, new or used, processor speed, hard disk space, CD-ROM/DVD-ROM, CD burner, amount of RAM, size of monitor, etc. All of these elements must determined based on what you will be using the computer for – and on your budget.

For example, if you are a video game fanatic or want to work with multimedia, photos or graphics, you will probably want a more high-performance processor with a speed of around 2 or 3 GHz, such as the Intel Pentium, at least 256 Mo of RAM to give yourself lots of latitude, and a high-end graphics card.

Keeping in mind that a retailer's goal is to sell you a computer, you can still obtain valuable information by visiting a few stores. If you are a student, the student co-op can be a useful place to begin. There are myriad sites online where you can buy your hardware or simply get information. To help you navigate the computer marketplace, visit the site of computer manufacturers such as www.dell.ca or informative sites such as www.atoutmicro.ca (in french only).

Suffering from information overload? Lessen your stress by going with someone who knows his or her way around.

One thing that you should always keep stored at the back of your mind: the amount you can afford to spend on a computer and everything that goes with it.

En route to your first car

Buying a car can be a real challenge. Before you can take the wheel, there's a lot of ground to cover and some detours to navigate. Here are a few shortcuts to help you along the way. Choosing the make and model of your car is the first big challenge. To help you sort through the many choices available, you may want to make a pit stop at www.caaquebec.com/en. The "Road Tests" section offers evaluations of various car makes and models. Of course, manufacturer sites also contain all the information you need.

Buy or lease? New or used? Visit the Car section of our site to find out more about these different options. If you decide to buy a used vehicle, check out what's available on www.autotrader.ca.

Beyond purchase price, buying a car entails a number of expenses. For more information, visit the CAA-Quebec site. Insurance can be a major cost; AssurNat could help you reduce your monthly bill.

Finally, to learn more about buying a car, add these two addresses to your daily commute: the car dealerships' association of Quebec www.ccaq.com (in french only) and the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec at www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca.

One last bit of advice: if you are buying a new car, ask about the rebates granted by certain dealers to new graduates. You could save big!

Welcome home!

Choosing to live on your own is another decision that can have a tremendous effect on your life… and your finances.

If you are ready to take the plunge, think about what type of lodging you want before you start looking, so that you avoid making a hasty decision. Here is a list of some important questions that you should ask yourself:

• Are you going to live on your own or with roommates?
• Do you need a furnished apartment?
• Does your apartment need to be close to school, the office or a bus stop?
• Is there a particular neighbourhood you like?
• When will you be ready to move?
• How much can you afford to pay, given your budget and any furniture or appliances you will need to buy?

Once you know what you want, the search can begin. Check the listings in your local paper and talk to everyone you know. You can also visit www.apart-zone.com or www.zip411.net.

Now or later?

If you plan to get a computer, car or apartment at some future date, you can save up the money you will need with a systematic savings plan. If you want to make your purchases soon and are short of funds, you can choose from a range of well-thought-out financing solutions that will let you take action without delay. To learn more about credit in general, click here.