Geek on Three Bucks a Week

Geek on Three Bucks a Week is a series of articles I write for the Australian Xbox 360 gaming community Punch On Australia. My objective is to look at geekery through a lens other than that of immediate splurging on the Halos and Calls of Duty, whether through cheap games or savings projects.

Articles

Dare to Achieve – How the Xbox 360′s Achievement and Gamerscore system provides me with ways of getting more mileage out of my existing game collection.

A Matter of Great Import - Even though the Australian dollar is above parity with the US dollar, local gamers still pay almost double the recommended retail price for games that American gamers do. Is there a way around this?

Triple-A Triage - a look at the upcoming big titles I’m keen on with an aim to discovering the ones I can do without.

Introduction - wherein I detail the project’s aims.

Geekly Analyses

A weekly look at my geek spending patterns. What opportunites does my current geek saving offer me? How far am I from meeting a longer-term savig goal? Do I save or do I splurge?

• September 8th – 14th, 2011: I evaluate spending options at $18.00, contemplate Warhammer 40,000 and lesbianism, renovate the front room and exasperate over a personal tantrum.
• September 1st – 7th, 2011: My geek budget breaks the previous record of $12 and I play with quite a few demos
• August 25th – 31st, 2011: I equal my previous highest total of $12.00 and start considering tie-in novels as geekery options.
• August 18th – 24th, 2011: I get back to $9.00 again and notice a quiet spell in my gaming.
• August 11th – 17th, 2011: The counter hits $6.00 and I start examining games that aren’t bargain cheap but still less than RRP.
• August 4th – 10th, 2011: The debts are cleared, the clock is reset to $3.00 and more 3D movieness ensues.
• July 28th – August 3rd, 2011: I make my first actual fun-money-only purchase and look at what geekery I can afford at $9.00.
• July 21st – 27th, 2011: I realise what a crazy bunch of friends I have and analyse my spending options at $6.00.
• July 14th – 20th, 2011: I attempt to claw my way out of the ruins with a look at what geekery I can afford on a mere $3.00.
• July 7th – 13th, 2011: The geek bank balance reaches $12.00 – and I bring on the financial apocalypse.
• June 30th – July 6th, 2011: My options expand to include the Xbox Live Marketplace once my balance hits $9.00.
• June 23rd – 29th, 2011: My first look at my geek spending options with a budget of $6.00.