Triathlon - Saving for a bike

I guess I'm curious. How many people here actually...

save for a bike?

just have the spare money and buy their bike?

use the magic plastic card which makes it feel like no money at all?

A combination of the three. I just bought a bike, which I bought with a credit card (to earn points) and will pay off the balance this month with money that I had saved (but not necessarily just for the bike).

Everyone has thier way and means to make a purchase. What is logical to one, may be ridiculous to another. The important thing is that they're out there enjoying the sport. :) I justified my expense by saying that I was doing my part to support the local economy. :) (My girlfriend didn't think that was very amuzing.)

Used the magic plastic... still in the 0% APR promotion. Trying to spend less now so I can pay it off before the 0% expires.

Saving $150 a month to make it work.

I have a regular day job that pays the usual expenses. I enjoy teaching and can get a couple thousand $ per course, so I use my teaching income ($15-20K / year) to pay for toys (bikes, laptops, misc. gadgets) and trips.

I've always been a magic plastic kind of guy. But this time, I'm taking the long view. $100 a month plus selling off a few old toys and 1/2 of all bonuses should put me there in a year about. I don't really want a bike now, but know that if I don't start saving, when I do want one I won't have the available resources.

There's also the slow build-up option - upgrade part by part, occasionally making the big frame jump.

I save, and being an unemployed teenager it requires quite a bit. I may get a job soon, or just save till spring, I dunno.
Everything I buy is in cash though, so saving is the route for me.