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$10,600

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Matt Demers
STAFF EDITORIALIST

What is $10,600 worth to you?

With $10,600, you could cover full tuition for four whole semesters. Or, you could open a savings account for the purpose of covering the future cost of school. As Calvin and Hobbes best put it, "Every time you make a deposit, you can think, 'Oh boy, another two minutes in college.'"

With $10,600, you could pay for rent for two years; at least, in some cities. Even if it's only one year, that would be pretty sweet, and you might even be able to crank up the heat a little more than you usually would during those frigid November days.

With $10,600, you could sponsor about three hundred kids in Africa, if you were feeling charitable enough. Whether you're feeling guilty because of Alex Trebek, or Sally Struthers, you can donate and feel all better.

With $10,600, you could invest in your own future (or that of your children). Who thinks of putting money away for a rainy day, though? You might wish you had in twenty-five years when you experience a not-so-pleasant mid-life crisis.

With $10,600, you could go for a trip around the world and see things that you've always wanted to see. Australia? Sure. Japan? Absolutely! You might even be able to see them both, and have some money left to spend on sushi, or Vegemite.

With $10,600, you could completely refurbish a small apartment with brand new furniture and shiny new appliances. That ratty old futon that you call "your couch" or that grubby excuse for a throw rug laying in the living room could be replaced as easily as a quick trip to the nearest La-Z-Boy gallery.

With $10,600, you could pay for gas for a few weeks, and maybe a few more! Sure, gas isn't as expensive as it was a few months ago during the Katrina-craze, but I sure as hell can't afford it; forget about the car itself or insurance to go with it.

With $10,600, you could buy your loved ones some pretty amazing gifts for their birthdays, and you might be able to afford the double-layer cake from the store instead of the normal single-sheet. Ice cream cake would be even better!

With $10,600, you could buy two hundred video games; possibly even three hundred if you like to wait until they're cheap or in bargain bins. Then again, if you're a crazy MMORPGamer, you could get a year or two of access to World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy XI.

$10,600 is the amount that many people make in a year through part-time work; it's the amount that Oprah Winfrey makes in about five minutes of airtime; it's enough to pay for a luxury Alaskan cruise, the best diamond watch you can find in the jewelry store, or enough chocolate to last you the rest of your life.

Somebody bought an XBox 360 on eBay this week for $10,600 (with free shipping!). Get your priorities straight, people.