Yay! I got a job! What to buy?

[GeneralBigG]

So, Escapists, when I get my first paycheck in a couple of weeks, what should I buy?

PS3 or 3DS XL?

Also, could you recommend me some damn good games? I am coming to these consoles as a 360/PC gamer. Prefer exclusives, though I will consider multi-plats that work better on that console.

 

[SweetShark]

First of, you must tell to us what kind of games you like to play.
This will help us to help you in return.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

Congrats! I got a job too a couple of weeks ago and was planning on buying a new console as well.
If you're already gaming on the PC and the Xbox 360 though I would skip the other generation consoles and wait for a PS4. The 3DS is... well, I don't like handhelds. And the PS3 would only be worth its exclusives, so go check up an "exclusive PS3 games" list and see if they're really worth it in your opinion.

 

[Launcelot111]

Health insurance and saving bonds, obviously

Kids these days...

 

[ScrabbitRabbit]

What sorta games do you like? They both have their share of great exclusives.

Personally, I like the 3DS better (partly due to the backwards compatibility with DS games) but the PS3 has some real gems, too.

Health insurance and saving bonds, obviously

Kids these days...

I checked his profile because I'm weird and he's a Brit like myself. Health insurance is paid for with our taxes.

 

[lacktheknack]

Health insurance and saving bonds, obviously

Kids these days...

QFsaddeningT.

If you want to approach this right, put 20% of it aside in the "GAMING SAVING!!!11!1" pile, and distribute the rest to best serve your ten-years-away self. Then, after a few paychecks, buy a PS3 with Red Dead Redemption.

 

[Pinkscare]

Since you have a PC/360, go with 3DS XL.

 

[Kazam24a]

Since you have a 360/PC I would recommend getting the 3DS as it offers a different experience. I got a reg 3DS a couple of months ago and it is a great companion for me i use it all the time on breaks. Lots of meaty games on it as well especially if like RPGs. I am playing Luigi's Mansion right now and loving every min of it. And the Nintendo first party games you cannot go wrong...

 

[barbzilla]

So, Escapists, when I get my first paycheck in a couple of weeks, what should I buy?

PS3 or 3DS XL?

Also, could you recommend me some damn good games? I am coming to these consoles as a 360/PC gamer. Prefer exclusives, though I will consider multi-plats that work better on that console.

I wouldn't go all out on the gaming machine spending yet. I am guessing this is your first job. If I am right you will want to start training now and not get too caught up in the spendthrift culture. I would suggest to try and save up (depending on if you live with your parents or not) between $1,000 and 3,000 first thing. After that, you have a nice little emergency funds pile to hit up when needed (adjust the savings limit based off of your income, more income larger savings account), so you can feel free to buy some awesome gaming stuff!

OT: I would recommend the 3ds personally. The PS3 is going to have mostly games you can get on the 360 with some exceptions, meanwhile the 3ds is going to have a completely different line up as well as being something to entertain you on the go.

 

[Hero of Lime]

Both are pretty great, on one hand the PS3 has about 7 years worth of great games that you can get fairly cheaply. On the other hand, with 3DS you get to play every DS game you could want to play, and the 3DS has a great library now, and will be getting the likes of a new Zelda and Pokemon this Fall if your into those franchises.(like I am )

I would pick 3DS considering you have a PC and 360. The PS3 has lots of great exclusives, but you have the ability to play most of the best third party games on the aforementioned 360 and PC. Either way you get a great system, but I think 3DS is the way to go for now.

 

[BigSarge04]

Don't spend it, save it instead for something really super nice, you'll be glad you did.

 

[Elementary - Dear Watson]

Don't spend it, save it instead for something really super nice, you'll be glad you did.

Like a gold plated 3DS/PS3?

OT: I think you should get a 3DS. It has a large range of games, when you add the hordes of DS games compatible, and has some good titles out now and on the way! Also... lots of JRPGs and SRPGs that arn't over complicated, and work really well!

Also... downloadable GB/SNES and NES titles ftw! (Playing Zelda Oracle of Seasons for the first time, and have Oracle of Ages waiting! ) Fire Emblem is good too!

I would try it out first though... find someone with one and play it for an hour! Some people don't get on with the 3d... but others do. It works really well for me, and I don't get the motion sickness I do with glasses 3D in the cinema!

 

[roushutsu]

If you like exclusives, then 3DS is the way to go. PS3 is great too, don't get me wrong, but it's exclusive line-up is rather limited. And chances are likely that you own the games you love already on the PC/360 and they're also available on the PS3. Why own 2 copies of the same game if there's little difference between them?

 

[GeneralBigG]

First of, you must tell to us what kind of games you like to play.
This will help us to help you in return.

I like quite a few genres, it's kind of hard to say. That's why I left it open, allowing Escapists to recommend their favourite games. If I was pushed to say, I've been playing a lot of rpg's lately, and my favourite franchise is Halo, so anything along those lines will be a plus, and also some strategy games. I do want to expand my gaming experiences, so I will listen to any and all recommendations if you've got any.

I wouldn't go all out on the gaming machine spending yet. I am guessing this is your first job. If I am right you will want to start training now and not get too caught up in the spendthrift culture. I would suggest to try and save up (depending on if you live with your parents or not) between $1,000 and 3,000 first thing. After that, you have a nice little emergency funds pile to hit up when needed (adjust the savings limit based off of your income, more income larger savings account), so you can feel free to buy some awesome gaming stuff!

OT: I would recommend the 3ds personally. The PS3 is going to have mostly games you can get on the 360 with some exceptions, meanwhile the 3ds is going to have a completely different line up as well as being something to entertain you on the go.

Not my first job, just had a period of unemployment out of uni and a period caring for my dad during his fight with breast cancer (Thank God he's clear now *knocks on wood). I've got a good amount of savings from my gap year job before uni that I've managed to keep through it. So I'm pretty good for cash now, I just want to expand my gaming, dammit!

Health insurance and saving bonds, obviously

Kids these days...

QFsaddeningT.

If you want to approach this right, put 20% of it aside in the "GAMING SAVING!!!11!1" pile, and distribute the rest to best serve your ten-years-away self. Then, after a few paychecks, buy a PS3 with Red Dead Redemption.

As I've said, got some savings, do plan on adding to it, just want a signature gaming purchase with my first paycheck! And I've already got RDR on 360!

 

[kailus13]

Given that most of the games on PS3 are also available on the 360, I'd recommend the 3DS. As an added bonus, you can play DS games on it which means that a vast plethora of RPGs are available to you. If you do get a 3DS, I recommend the Ace Attorney series.

 

[Silvianoshei]

Don't spend it, save it instead for something really super nice, you'll be glad you did.

This. Don't spend it.

If you want something, then you put some money away for it every month. Start budgeting. Start building some savings and then put the rest into buckets like food, entertainment, etc; add another bucket for your console purchase and then get it in a few paychecks when you've saved enough.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

Don't: What you do is save up 2 to 3 checks and put that money into a savings account so as to build up a cushion of funds just in cash you need cash down the line.

Once you have a cushion of cash in a savings account (hopefully building up interest) then get yourself a console. PS3 and 3DSXL are both great choices though...I would lean towards 3DS though just because you don't have to load the games onto the system to play them. PS3 has great games though...oh screw it: flip a coin.

 

[Lilani]

So, Escapists, when I get my first paycheck in a couple of weeks, what should I buy?

Sorry to sound patronizing, but the advice I have actually regards keeping the job so that you can keep these paychecks flowing in. If you already know these things then wonderful, but a lot of new people have been hired at my workplace recently and I am ASTOUNDED at how many of them don't seem to know these very basic things.

- Don't call into work unless you're dead or dying. Your first few months at work are the ones that will shape how your boss sees you. If you call into work just because you have a light headache or you're a bit tired, then that'll be their impression of the kind of worker you are.

- Unless you have something VERY important to do, if they call you in, go in. Again, this'll show your boss your level of dedication.

- Don't excessively complain about stuff. Yes you'll get tired, yes your feet might hurt, yes you might even have to work late. But nobody--not your boss or your coworkers--wants to hear you go on about it. If others bring it up you can relate, but just keep in mind the work still has to get done. Complaining won't help, and will only annoy your coworkers and your boss.

- If you need off for a day, give them plenty of notice. Like, two weeks minimum, ideally three depending on how far out your schedule is made (if you have a schedule that changes a lot).

- There's always something to do, so never do nothing. Even if you technically have nothing to do, find something to do. Find something to clean or organize, or get a head start on something you'll have to have done later. This is something that's annoying the shit out of me with a few coworkers recently. It's a retail store, and for some reason when there are no customers who need helping, they just stop working. Even though there is stuff to get back out on the sales floor, stuff to organize, and clothes to fold they just...do nothing. Or worse, stop and chat. One in particular will stop working and walk through two whole sections just to say "hi" to other employees. That's nice and all, and I'm sure they appreciate it, but even more than a nice chat your coworkers enjoy getting out on time and having everything done. And you can talk while you work, that is almost always possible. Just don't stop working in order to talk, and while you're talking be sure you're accomplishing something or on your way to doing so. If you don't know what to do, then ask what needs to be done. And while we're on that subject of accomplishing stuff:

- If you have your pick at what task you are assigned to complete, don't always pick the easiest task. Choose the one others tend to avoid. This shows initiative, and it raises everyone else's morale which helps get other stuff done faster. If somebody comments, just play it off casually and say "Hey, it had to get done." Because that's what work is. Getting stuff done.

So, yeah. Whatever you choose to spend your money on, have fun. Just make sure you get in good with the boss to keep the money flowing

 

[barbzilla]

First of, you must tell to us what kind of games you like to play.
This will help us to help you in return.

I like quite a few genres, it's kind of hard to say. That's why I left it open, allowing Escapists to recommend their favourite games. If I was pushed to say, I've been playing a lot of rpg's lately, and my favourite franchise is Halo, so anything along those lines will be a plus, and also some strategy games. I do want to expand my gaming experiences, so I will listen to any and all recommendations if you've got any.

I wouldn't go all out on the gaming machine spending yet. I am guessing this is your first job. If I am right you will want to start training now and not get too caught up in the spendthrift culture. I would suggest to try and save up (depending on if you live with your parents or not) between $1,000 and 3,000 first thing. After that, you have a nice little emergency funds pile to hit up when needed (adjust the savings limit based off of your income, more income larger savings account), so you can feel free to buy some awesome gaming stuff!

OT: I would recommend the 3ds personally. The PS3 is going to have mostly games you can get on the 360 with some exceptions, meanwhile the 3ds is going to have a completely different line up as well as being something to entertain you on the go.

Not my first job, just had a period of unemployment out of uni and a period caring for my dad during his fight with breast cancer (Thank God he's clear now *knocks on wood). I've got a good amount of savings from my gap year job before uni that I've managed to keep through it. So I'm pretty good for cash now, I just want to expand my gaming, dammit!

Health insurance and saving bonds, obviously

Kids these days...

QFsaddeningT.

If you want to approach this right, put 20% of it aside in the "GAMING SAVING!!!11!1" pile, and distribute the rest to best serve your ten-years-away self. Then, after a few paychecks, buy a PS3 with Red Dead Redemption.

As I've said, got some savings, do plan on adding to it, just want a signature gaming purchase with my first paycheck! And I've already got RDR on 360!

Right on M8! Good on ya, I vote for the 3ds for the reasons I mentioned above. I was just making a (false) assumption that you were wet behind the ears yet as far as jobs and savings went. I went out of the gate with my money spending on whatever the hell I pleased, it came back to bite me in the ass later down the line, so I was trying to help you avoid the same path. Though it turns out the advice was not needed, so good on ya.

 

[barbzilla]

So, Escapists, when I get my first paycheck in a couple of weeks, what should I buy?

Sorry to sound patronizing, but the advice I have actually regards keeping the job so that you can keep these paychecks flowing in. If you already know these things then wonderful, but a lot of new people have been hired at my workplace recently and I am ASTOUNDED at how many of them don't seem to know these very basic things.

- Don't call into work unless you're dead or dying. Your first few months at work are the ones that will shape how your boss sees you. If you call into work just because you have a light headache or you're a bit tired, then that'll be their impression of the kind of worker you are.

- Unless you have something VERY important to do, if they call you in, go in. Again, this'll show your boss your level of dedication.

- Don't excessively complain about stuff. Yes you'll get tired, yes your feet might hurt, yes you might even have to work late. But nobody--not your boss or your coworkers--wants to hear you go on about it. If others bring it up you can relate, but just keep in mind the work still has to get done. Complaining won't help, and will only annoy your coworkers and your boss.

- If you need off for a day, give them plenty of notice. Like, two weeks minimum, ideally three depending on how far out your schedule is made (if you have a schedule that changes a lot).

- There's always something to do, so never do nothing. Even if you technically have nothing to do, find something to do. Find something to clean or organize, or get a head start on something you'll have to have done later. This is something that's annoying the shit out of me with a few coworkers recently. It's a retail store, and for some reason when there are no customers who need helping, they just stop working. Even though there is stuff to get back out on the sales floor, stuff to organize, and clothes to fold they just...do nothing. Or worse, stop and chat. One in particular will stop working and walk through two whole sections just to say "hi" to other employees. That's nice and all, and I'm sure they appreciate it, but even more than a nice chat your coworkers enjoy getting out on time and having everything done. And you can talk while you work, that is almost always possible. Just don't stop working in order to talk, and while you're talking be sure you're accomplishing something or on your way to doing so. If you don't know what to do, then ask what needs to be done. And while we're on that subject of accomplishing stuff:

- If you have your pick at what task you are assigned to complete, don't always pick the easiest task. Choose the one others tend to avoid. This shows initiative, and it raises everyone else's morale which helps get other stuff done faster. If somebody comments, just play it off casually and say "Hey, it had to get done." Because that's what work is. Getting stuff done.

So, yeah. Whatever you choose to spend your money on, have fun. Just make sure you get in good with the boss to keep the money flowing

Right on Lila (excuse the typo) (why haven't I added you yet?). Many people go into jobs with the thought that this is something you HAVE to do to make money, rather than with the mindset that this is something you want to be great at to make lots of money. The difference in attitude makes a world of difference. I own my own business now, and while I don't have many employees (2 to be precise) I can tell who will make it in the business world and who will not of the two already.

There is a major perspective difference between management and labor. When you are labor the management is the enemy and they are trying to get as much profit from your work as possible. While this is partially true, we aren't evil people. We are looking out for the good of the business, which in turn is for your benefit as well. If we succeed, then you get to A: keep your job and B: potentially move up in the world.