SHOPPING TIPS

Treat yourself

Some purchases are bigger than others. For those kinds of items, it pays to take your time and do your research.

Computers: a world of choice

It's easy to imagine yourself playing games or doing work on a new computer that has 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 that sleek new computer.

The first thing you need to do is decide what you're going to use the computer for. 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 be determined based on what you'll be using the computer for – and on your budget.

For example, if you're a video game fanatic or want to work with multimedia, photos or graphics, you'll probably want a more high-performance processor 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're 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? Go with someone who knows his or her way around the computer scene.

One thing that you should always keep in mind: the amount you can afford to spend on the 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, car ownership entails a number of expenses. For more information, visit the CAA-Quebec site.

Finally, to learn more about buying a car, add these two addresses to your daily commute: the car dealership 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're buying a new car, ask about rebates that may be available to recent graduates. You could save big!

Welcome home!

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

If you're 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 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 to 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'll 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.

Sooner...or later?

If your plan is to get a computer, or a car or an apartment at some future date, you can save up the money you need through 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.

Regardless of the financing solution you choose, by protecting yourself with loan insurance, you can ensure that your dream will live on, even when the unexpected happens.