How Going Broke Playing Games

^{You don't have to, and here's how to avoid it.}

^{If you haven't recently looked at the cost of new computer or video games, as well as gaming systems as a whole, you may be surprised. Today's games and gaming systems range in price from as little as $30 to as much as $400 or more. The fees can be enormous and terrifying for a loving mother of a game-obsessed adolescent. Fortunately, once you know what to look for and how to seek for it, the cost of purchasing high-quality computer or video games (together with the devices that run them) may be greatly lowered.}

^{Going old is a viable alternative to taking out a second mortgage to fund a gaming endeavor. By "going old," we mean purchasing games and game systems from the previous month or year. You could literally save hundreds of dollars in an instant if you could admit the one reality that we all know but never want to face. The truth is that none of us can afford to buy the newest gizmo on the market unless we are millionaires. The unpleasant reality is that, in a relatively short period of time (say, 60-90 days?), that latest toy will be replaced by a new and improved system, which, in turn, offers access to what was originally desired – at half the price! So get a little older and a little more patient. You will have saved a lot of money in around three to four months.}

^{When it comes to computer gaming, upgrading games rather than an entire computer may be a better option. It can take a year or more for a gaming company to issue a new version, and the update most often doesn't require new hardware — just a new payment. Remember that the game industry (like everyone else) can't keep up with the computer industry (no one can), therefore there's no need to be concerned. Rather of worrying about your system, focus on keeping your game up to date. You'll only need to upgrade your hardware in exceptional circumstances, such as if your computer was built in the 1980s. If you shop around, you might be able to find a new sound card, joystick, or graphics card on sale. You'll be good for a long time if you have a high-gigahertz processor and Direct X 9 loaded.}

^{Here's a great idea, and it won't take nearly as much effort to persuade young people to do it as you may imagine. However, to keep gaming prices down, a group of families might pool their resources and share the expenditures. Depending on the number of people in a group, the cost of a new gaming system – as well as 5 or 6 of the most popular games – might be reduced by 20% or more.}

^{And, with gaming consoles shrinking in size, there's no reason why a bunch of families couldn't come together every week or two and trade gaming space within their houses. In this manner, the kids in the neighborhood may enjoy one or two of the newest systems on the market that they would never be able to purchase otherwise, and they can do so without their parents having to bear the financial burden alone.}

^{Because kids tend to play games together anyhow, a collaborative effort like this satisfies gaming appetites at a far lower cost and keeps everyone happy.}