IBM's sale on tape library configurations is so good, you'll think you're on a game show.

There is nothing like a sale to get your juices flowing, but for the sale to be exciting, it has to be on something you need and want.

Let's say, for instance, that you've been dreaming about something really sweet-- something like a tape library storage solution! This could be your lucky day, because, through June 10, IBM is having a sale on specially configured tape library packages.

Do you ever watch TV's "Deal or No Deal" and see how much money those people go home with? I really think they pick impulsive, less-than-brilliant contestants for that show when you realize how many actually go home with nothing. How often do you see people beat their chests and assert, "I'm a risk-taker! No deal!" Yeah? And you're also an idiot for betting $84,000 that you can look through an aluminum case and not pick the wrong one. Every once in a while, though, someone goes home with a whole lot of money. And I mean a whole lot, like six figures. Of course, $100,000 these days doesn't go as far as it used to. Nevertheless, it's still enough to get the attention of the IRS if you decide not to pay the tax. (Remember Richard Hatch from the first "Survivor" show? He won $1 million and wound up being sent to the pokey for four years for tax evasion.)

Anyway, with this sale that is going on, you can actually save in excess of $100,000. That's right, bubba--save $100,000, and you won't even risk going to jail. Surely you've heard your spouse delve into these waters when you asked, "Where did you go today?"

"Oh, I just went shopping." (Alarm sounds in your head.)

"Really, did you buy anything?"

"Oh, just a couple of outfits. And they were on sale! It was such a great deal! I actually wound up saving us $200!" (Note the shared benefit).

Now, you strangely never hear the actual dollar amount your sweet partner spent; you just hear the amount she saved. To get that figure out of her, you're going to have to pull some teeth and probably endure a nasty fight afterward. So the smart spouse changes the subject and asks, "By the way, what's for dinner?"

Then you go back to your ballgame and sulk a little, wishing that you could save $200 once in awhile yourself--on something, anything.

Well, here's a chance to get even in the game of "I saved more than you did" without starting an escalating war of spending that may lead you both to bankruptcy. You simply save your employer money! Right!

So here's the deal: You get the IBM TS3500 tape library with four LTO Ultrium 4 full-high Fibre Channel drives and 200 data cartridges--list price of $214,520--for only $97,690! That's a savings of $116,830, or 54 percent off. That's almost like going on "Deal or No Deal," beating the odds, and actually coming home a winner. Remember, the offer is only good through June 10 (reference contract number 42166).

OK, so you don't need 200 data cartridges. How about 60 cartridges? Get the TS3310 library with 122 cartridge slots, three LTO Ultrium 4 full-high Fibre drives--list price $84,976--for only $40,434. That's a savings of 52 percent. It's just like cash in your pocket--er, your employer's pocket--of $44,542 (reference contract number 42166).

There are a total of eight configurations altogether on sale with prices ranging from a low of $7,389 for a 24-cartridge TS3100 with a single LTO half-high SAS drive and 20 cartridges (savings of $3,167) up to the $97,000 package. It truly is a situation where the more you spend, the more you save--or rather, the more you save your employer.

When I worked for a large corporation, we had an awards program whereby employees could earn a percentage of the first year's savings incurred by the company for suggesting bright, money- or labor-saving ideas.

If your company has such a program, you might actually go home with cash in your pocket as a result of the above promotions. Then you could really outdo your better half because, not only did you save a lot of money, but you fulfilled your sworn role as breadwinner by truly making money while spending it.