Search for discounts. Student and employee discounts are two of the most common ways to save money. Don't forget these all-important opportunities to save money when you shop.

Search for coupon codes at online sellers. Many online computer vendors will have coupon codes or other discounts. If you can't find mention of them on the actual Web site, search the Internet. You just might find a nice discount.

Go with yesterday's technology. Remember: your system will be outdated soon anyway. You don't have to buy old technology to save money: hard drives that were the biggest on the market six months ago are still perfectly fine today.

Stick with what you need and really want. Not everybody will actually use the DVD burner, TV tuner card or built-in webcam. If you don't believe that you'll use these things, feel free to skip them. You can add them separately at a later date if you decide that you want them.

Patiently wait for sales and closeouts. You can save a few hundred dollars or more on a system if you're willing and able to wait. Most stores will have sales on a fairly regular basis, so plan accordingly.

Keep an eye on new systems. When Vista was about to hit the market, XP-based systems went on sale. Know when computer and software makers are about to roll out big changes: you can save a lot of money by shopping right before the street dates.

Pay cash. Finance charges and interest rates will jack up your new system's final cost. Save up until you can afford to walk out the door with your new computer.

Keep some of your old hardware. If you just bought a brand-new, flat-screen monitor last year, there's probably not a good reason to get another monitor with the new system.

Buy extra components from other stores if you can get a better deal. Many systems don't include monitors. Don't be afraid to look at a different store or Web site for a better deal on a new flat panel.

Research the software-package upgrades. Some of them aren't worth the extra money; others can save you a good bit of cash. Make sure that you know what you're getting before you upgrade.

Turn down the extended warranty. How long do you intend to keep this system around? A basic warranty is usually enough.

Sell or trade in your old system. If your computer is only a few years old, you might be able to make enough to offset a good chunk of the new system's cost.