I don’t need the newest gadgets, perfectly content to use something until it really doesn’t do what I need it to do. When I bought an 80GB iPod classic a few years ago, it was a huge purchase for me, justified only because the iPod would double as a read-only PDA in addition to being a music and video player.

For about a year now, I’ve been wanting to upgrade to an iPod Touch, which at its simplest, does exactly what my classic did, but with the addition of being able to input things. Moreover, I’ve been wanting an ebook reader and the Touch can be used as such, also, delaying the purchase of another gadget. I also think that it will be super useful on the road, giving me access to my calendar, movie database, and Google Maps, without having to fire up the desktop computer if I forgot to synch it with the laptop.

Last year, the most pressing thing I had to buy was a new laptop, which was a major expenditure. For this year, I decided to leave room in the budget for both an iPod Touch and a new camera. The Touch was the more ‘fun’ of the two purchases, and was also replacing an older piece of equipment, so it got first priority. I’ve been researching and saving for about six months now. After playing with the devices, gathering info from friends, and being talked out of buying an older, basic first generation 8GB Touch by Andy Baird, I was able to narrow my focus and score an incredible deal on a 3rd generation, 32GB model. I had just enough money in my Touch fund to cover it. It’s true; saving up and paying cash for something makes the purchase so much more rewarding!

Well, I’m going to leave my new toy to charge and synch while I go work my evening shift and then I’m going to have some fun at the App store. 😀