>>52011861
one lump sum in 2010, and reliance on free software since then.

>>52011861
mostly I just buy shitboxes from the recycler anymore for $5 a piece

>>52011861
After I pay for my standard bills, house loan, groceries and "luxury" I usually have ~$500 to spend on whatever.

>>52011861
Rich parents.

>>52011861
If I can afford it and really want it, I just buy it...what's so hard about that? Sure I go lurking on the interwebs to see if I can get a better deal, but other than that, there's no rocket science about it.
>save up
Not really. Just don't spend $$$ on useless crap and don't try to live a lifestyle you can't afford...
>inb4 richfag
normal job as IT underling, not even national average salary...

>>52011861
Tuition is free. Everybody gets a small monthly sum from the government for studying, larger if it's a STEM career like in my case. I live with my folks which is the norm around here, and while I've tried giving them the money I get to cover my share of the food, utilities and such, they vehemently refuse. I don't really spend my money on anything but necessary clothing and the occasional batch of alcohol, so when the money piles up I just get whatever tech floats my boat. I'd save it, but inflation is so absolutely ridiculous that money is better stored as GPUs and HDDs that I can later resell.

>>52012715
Same here. My stipend will also increase about twicefold if I get the paper I'm writing published.

Wing it guess but I don't buy much.
My pc I built last year I shouldn't need to think about upgrading anything until next year.
I don't buy a new phone unless I need a new phone.
I don't really play video games.

>>52011861
I set aside a little bit every month as the "buy some random shit" fund.

Usually it piles up quite a bit until i actually decide to buy something. Though it usually ends up being a watch.

I don't buy stuff very often and when I do is cheap, I never buy the new and expensive hotness.