I love the Cricut.  I bought the "little" one when the Expression came out so it was a terrific price.  I use it primarily for scapbooking but my kids have made some A+ school projects with it as well.  I also use it for my classroom. 

I never pay full price for the Cricut cartridges.  I did some research and found some great deals on line for them.  When I see the $90 per cartridge in the stores I cringe!! I have been able to find BRAND NEW IN THE SEALED CONTAINER cartridges for $30-40 DELIVERED. I am personally a shopaholic, so if I can get that great of a deal, then I usually buy several...