“Finally got a Mac Book Pro by waiting until the price drop happened on the model being phased out. “
How I did it: I waited and waited and a friend, Mike Desjardins, told me about the price drops on Mac Book Pro laptops after the new model was announced. I just happened to have the cash on hand and did it.
Lessons & tips: Save up and wait until the new models are announced and take advantage of the price drop. These things are expensive enough, there is no reason to finance it, too.
Resources: I found my item on Amazon, offered by J&R Electronics in Brooklyn (I think). But Mac Mall had the same price on the same model.
It took me 3 months.
It made me Feel a little silly 
See more progress on: buy a Mac
The other thing that I would recommend is to check in periodically with Apple’s refurbs through their online store. The warranty is the same and they have same great prices. But, the method you took is good as well. Other vendors like MacMall are good because they often will offer things like free RAM, copy of Parallels and a printer, for example. Hope you enjoy the Mac.
what were your savings exactly?
Well, I got it for around $1800.
Welcome to the club, you elitist snob. Let us know when you get the iPhone (and a Prius).