I still remember asking to work extra at my job, mowing a LOT of lawns and doing other side-jobs trying to earn enough to buy a Commodore64 when it finally came out. The model I wanted was over $800 (the base model was close to $600 if I recall correctly). By the time it came out, we were hearing of others on the horizon (this was 1982), so I ended up just saving my money and eventually getting something else! ?
For reference, minimum wage had just been boosted to $3.10 an hour the year before. *Woot!* I'm rich!!! ?