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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: merithyn on June 13, 2013, 11:29:58 AM

Poll
Question: What percent of your total income do you spend on your hobbies per anum?
Option 1: 0-5%
Option 2: 6-10%
Option 3: 11-15%
Option 4: >15%
Option 5: More than I'm willing to admit
Option 6: It's impossible to figure out
Title: A question about hobbies
Post by: merithyn on June 13, 2013, 11:29:58 AM
As I gear up for a summer that involves doing a lot of my personal hobbies, I'm working really hard not to spend a lot of money doing so. It's harder than I realized.  :blush:

It also made me wonder. How much of your income do you spend on your hobbies per year?

For the record, I probably spend about 10% of my income on my hobbies.
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Valmy on June 13, 2013, 11:30:41 AM
These days?  Practically nil  :(
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: merithyn on June 13, 2013, 11:31:32 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 13, 2013, 11:30:41 AM
These days?  Practically nil  :(

Yeah, the only reason I'm able to now is because my kids are almost all grown. I get to spend my money on me, now. :D
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Grey Fox on June 13, 2013, 11:32:42 AM
1 or 2% Most of my hobbies are playing video games, unless taking care of the house can somehow count.

It used to be higher but I had to quit playing Paintball regularly.
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: 11B4V on June 13, 2013, 11:39:48 AM
Varies depending on mood. 5% would be a good average for all.
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Liep on June 13, 2013, 11:42:21 AM
If travelling is a hobby then about 10-15%. And if I include cycling then its a bit more. :p
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: garbon on June 13, 2013, 11:45:41 AM
I guess it depends on what one considers a hobby. Personally, I'm considering money spent in a year beyond basics like food, shelter, transportation, and money going into savings. If that's the case then I'm probably near that 15% mark but that number can very depending on where you put my alcohol budget. :blush:
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Josquius on June 13, 2013, 11:53:59 AM
Impossible question. What counts as a hobby. I pay more than basic food price so I can eat ramen and other good stuff, thats kind of a hobby...
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: 11B4V on June 13, 2013, 12:06:43 PM
Quote from: Tyr on June 13, 2013, 11:53:59 AM
Impossible question. What counts as a hobby. I pay more than basic food price so I can eat ramen and other good stuff, thats kind of a hobby...

Dont over think it. It's not that hard.  :lol:
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: The Brain on June 13, 2013, 12:08:02 PM
My hobbies are cheap. A plastic man here, a book there. Plus I work full time and have no kids.

Er...
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: MadImmortalMan on June 13, 2013, 12:10:16 PM
Umm Dwarf Fortress is free. But whiskey is not. I'd say average.
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: 11B4V on June 13, 2013, 12:11:27 PM
Quote from: The Brain on June 13, 2013, 12:08:02 PM
My hobbies are cheap. A plastic man here, a book there. Plus I work full time and have no kids.

Er...

Thought those were lead figures. Hey you could also melt those down for casting bullets too. Very flexible hobby. ;)
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Sheilbh on June 13, 2013, 12:12:58 PM
My biggest hobby is probably cooking and reading. So quite a lot :blush:
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: The Brain on June 13, 2013, 12:14:21 PM
Quote from: 11B4V on June 13, 2013, 12:11:27 PM
Quote from: The Brain on June 13, 2013, 12:08:02 PM
My hobbies are cheap. A plastic man here, a book there. Plus I work full time and have no kids.

Er...

Thought those were lead figures. Hey you could also melt those down for casting bullets too. Very flexible hobby. ;)

Some are still lead, but melting would only work on Wicked Witch figures I think.
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Malthus on June 13, 2013, 12:25:06 PM
If buying books is a hobby, a reasonable amount ...  :blush:

Damn you, Amazon!
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on June 13, 2013, 12:35:52 PM
I have no idea  :hmm:
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: mongers on June 13, 2013, 01:08:53 PM
Good question, no idea.

Bikes aren't a hobby, just a mode of transport for me.

Stamp collecting for me isn't really a hobby and in some ways it's just a financial transaction, these things have an explicit values so you could just buy tomorrow everything to complete whatever it is you decide is your collection.

I've largely given up on book buying as I have so many and plenty still awaiting reading. :blush:

Also, I've pretty much run out of albums I still want to get on cd, so that's way down on what I used to spend in my youth.

So overall perhaps not a great deal nowadays.
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: merithyn on June 13, 2013, 01:09:42 PM
Quote from: garbon on June 13, 2013, 11:45:41 AM
I guess it depends on what one considers a hobby. Personally, I'm considering money spent in a year beyond basics like food, shelter, transportation, and money going into savings. If that's the case then I'm probably near that 15% mark but that number can very depending on where you put my alcohol budget. :blush:

I was thinking of specific "things" rather than anything that isn't essential. So, like reading, guns, artist supplies, woodworking.. that kind of thing.

Not to say that drinking can't be a hobby; I just wasn't thinking along those lines. :)
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: merithyn on June 13, 2013, 01:12:36 PM
Quote from: mongers on June 13, 2013, 01:08:53 PM
Good question, no idea.

Bikes aren't a hobby, just a mode of transport for me.

Stamp collecting for me isn't really a hobby and in some ways it's just a financial transaction, these things have an explicit values so you could just buy tomorrow everything to complete whatever it is you decide is your collection.

I've largely given up on book buying as I have so and plenty still awaiting reading.   :blush:

Also, I've pretty much run out of albums I still want to get on cd, so that's way down on what I used to spend in my youth.

So overall perhaps not a great deal nowadays.

I'd argue that bikes and stamps count as a hobby for you. My car is transportation in that I only use it to get from Point A to Point B. Your bike, on the other hand, is that as well as your mode of unwinding, which is kind of what I see a hobby as.

And stamps are... well, nothing but a hobby. :P There's no real use for them other than to have and to hold and to trade and to buy and sell.
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: mongers on June 13, 2013, 01:13:47 PM
Quote from: garbon on June 13, 2013, 11:45:41 AM
I guess it depends on what one considers a hobby. Personally, I'm considering money spent in a year beyond basics like food, shelter, transportation, and money going into savings. If that's the case then I'm probably near that 15% mark but that number can very depending on where you put my alcohol budget. :blush:

[grumbler]

It's a sunk cost, so you might as well pour yourself another one.

[/grumbler]
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: merithyn on June 13, 2013, 01:13:53 PM
Oh you guys make me feel a ton better! :D

I was thinking that 10% was a LOT, but that appears to be on the lower end of things.
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: mongers on June 13, 2013, 01:16:56 PM
Quote from: merithyn on June 13, 2013, 01:12:36 PM
....

And stamps are... well, nothing but a hobby. :P There's no real use for them other than to have and to hold and to trade and to buy and sell.

Actually, all the stamps I buy can still be used for UK letters and postage, and almost exclusively are now worth less than than their face value for said purpose. 

edit:
you can buy pretty much buy any GB stamps from the last 42 years at less than their face value; something arrived this morning with old postage stamps on the envelope, one from 1972 cost 3p then and is implicitly worth less than that now. 

Many of the pre-decimal 'Elizabethan' stamp are worth little more than confetti, I'll send you some if you want.  :)
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: merithyn on June 13, 2013, 01:27:02 PM
Quote from: mongers on June 13, 2013, 01:16:56 PM
Actually, all the stamps I buy can still be used for UK letters and postage, and almost exclusively are now worth less than than their face value for said purpose. 

edit:
you can buy pretty much buy any GB stamps from the last 42 years at less than their face value; something arrived this morning with old postage stamps on the envelope, one from 1972 cost 3p then and is implicitly worth less than that now. 

Many of the pre-decimal 'Elizabethan' stamp are worth little more than confetti, I'll send you some if you want.  :)

Ah, so you actually don't spend much money on them; it's more time that you spend?
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: mongers on June 13, 2013, 01:31:07 PM
Quote from: merithyn on June 13, 2013, 01:27:02 PM
Quote from: mongers on June 13, 2013, 01:16:56 PM
Actually, all the stamps I buy can still be used for UK letters and postage, and almost exclusively are now worth less than than their face value for said purpose. 

edit:
you can buy pretty much buy any GB stamps from the last 42 years at less than their face value; something arrived this morning with old postage stamps on the envelope, one from 1972 cost 3p then and is implicitly worth less than that now. 

Many of the pre-decimal 'Elizabethan' stamp are worth little more than confetti, I'll send you some if you want.  :)

Ah, so you actually don't spend much money on them; it's more time that you spend?

Well yes, but at our age sister, you could say the same about most of our activities.  :D
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: crazy canuck on June 13, 2013, 02:29:22 PM
If hobbies means reading, cooking, drinking wine and travelling then a lot.  If hobblies also includes kids then I have very little left over.
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: lustindarkness on June 13, 2013, 03:03:28 PM
Well, gaming I buy one game a year, a new console every new generation, maybe a few headset and controllers every few years. So gaming maybe $100 a year.

Airsoft, I borrow my son's rifle, or my brother in law's. Big games may be $20+, plus a bunch of BBs. So maybe $100 to $200 a year.

Now, the expensive hobby: off-roading + camping. The truck is my daily driver, so I have no idea how to separate it into a hobby, modifications, maintenance, gas. Camping supplies, food and gear. How about the bigger events/expeditions, I can only afford those every other year. Last year it was over $3k, and most of it was gas! I plead the 5th on this one.  :shutup:
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: merithyn on June 13, 2013, 03:35:06 PM
Quote from: mongers on June 13, 2013, 01:31:07 PM

Well yes, but at our age sister, you could say the same about most of our activities.  :D

:D

I sew and do bookbinding, so the materials are actually quite a bit for me. But yeah, ultimately, it's the time sink in them that's the bigger deal. I'm working on a dress right now that I've already put about 20 hours into, and I have at least that left to go on it.

Most of my money goes to attending events where like-minded people are doing the same stuff that I do. The events themselves are relatively cheap, but the travel to and from will get you everytime. :blush:
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: CountDeMoney on June 13, 2013, 03:36:27 PM
Quote from: merithyn on June 13, 2013, 01:13:53 PM
Oh you guys make me feel a ton better! :D

I was thinking that 10% was a LOT, but that appears to be on the lower end of things.

Since I decided to skip the whole wife and kids thing in life, my usual hobby expenditures are substantially higher than 10%.
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Valmy on June 13, 2013, 03:40:41 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 13, 2013, 03:36:27 PM
Since I decided to skip the whole wife and kids thing in life, my usual hobby expenditures are substantially higher than 10%.

At least I will have a homemade gaming group available to me for a few years :P
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: crazy canuck on June 13, 2013, 03:48:38 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 13, 2013, 03:40:41 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 13, 2013, 03:36:27 PM
Since I decided to skip the whole wife and kids thing in life, my usual hobby expenditures are substantially higher than 10%.

At least I will have a homemade gaming group available to me for a few years :P

It is very short lived. But ymmv
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: DGuller on June 13, 2013, 03:49:42 PM
Why are there no negative options?
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: The Brain on June 13, 2013, 03:51:00 PM
Quote from: DGuller on June 13, 2013, 03:49:42 PM
Why are there no negative options?

You spend it all on blueberries anyway.
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: DGuller on June 13, 2013, 03:54:22 PM
Quote from: The Brain on June 13, 2013, 03:51:00 PM
Quote from: DGuller on June 13, 2013, 03:49:42 PM
Why are there no negative options?

You spend it all on blueberries anyway.
They're good for you.  :mad:
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: merithyn on June 13, 2013, 03:55:17 PM
Quote from: DGuller on June 13, 2013, 03:49:42 PM
Why are there no negative options?

Because it never occurred to me that someone could make money on their hobbies. :hmm:
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: fhdz on June 13, 2013, 04:03:57 PM
Quote from: DGuller on June 13, 2013, 03:54:22 PM
Quote from: The Brain on June 13, 2013, 03:51:00 PM
Quote from: DGuller on June 13, 2013, 03:49:42 PM
Why are there no negative options?

You spend it all on blueberries anyway.
They're good for you.  :mad:

MAH SUPERFOOD
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: CountDeMoney on June 13, 2013, 04:04:18 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 13, 2013, 03:40:41 PM
At least I will have a homemade gaming group available to me for a few years :P

Yeah, I've heard that one from friends as well.  Hasn't exactly worked out yet.
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: merithyn on June 13, 2013, 04:05:59 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 13, 2013, 04:04:18 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 13, 2013, 03:40:41 PM
At least I will have a homemade gaming group available to me for a few years :P

Yeah, I've heard that one from friends as well.  Hasn't exactly worked out yet.

Sure didn't for us. They're finally old enough to be fun to game with, and two of them have moved away and are too cool to game, anyway. :glare:
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Monoriu on June 13, 2013, 05:02:50 PM
My hobbies are anime, music and computer games.  The cost is either zero or immaterial  :ph34r:

The only exception is buying audio equipment.  Which hurts, but only happens, say, once in a decade.  I promise  :ph34r: :ph34r: :ph34r:
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Eddie Teach on June 13, 2013, 05:08:50 PM
Mono, your extravagance has been noted :contract:
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: crazy canuck on June 13, 2013, 05:10:10 PM
Quote from: Monoriu on June 13, 2013, 05:02:50 PM
The only exception is buying audio equipment.  Which hurts, but only happens, say, once in a decade.  I promise  :ph34r: :ph34r: :ph34r:

You've changed man
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Monoriu on June 13, 2013, 05:15:13 PM
You guys are making me feel even worse about it than I already do :weep:
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: DGuller on June 13, 2013, 05:19:58 PM
Quote from: Monoriu on June 13, 2013, 05:15:13 PM
You guys are making me feel even worse about it than I already do :weep:
It was a compliment. :hug:
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Ed Anger on June 13, 2013, 05:44:04 PM
Other than wargames, I don't spend much on myself these days. My unread book pile is still at over a hundred, most computer games bore me ( still milking CKII) and other than a football game a year, console games have fallen off.
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Barrister on June 13, 2013, 05:45:17 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 13, 2013, 03:40:41 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 13, 2013, 03:36:27 PM
Since I decided to skip the whole wife and kids thing in life, my usual hobby expenditures are substantially higher than 10%.

At least I will have a homemade gaming group available to me for a few years :P

I'm just hoping on having a homemade curling team in a few years.   :cool:
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: 11B4V on June 13, 2013, 05:52:53 PM
Quote from: Monoriu on June 13, 2013, 05:02:50 PM
My hobbies are anime, music and computer games.  The cost is either zero or immaterial  :ph34r:

The only exception is buying audio equipment.  Which hurts, but only happens, say, once in a decade.  I promise  :ph34r: :ph34r: :ph34r:

:pirate
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Ideologue on June 13, 2013, 06:08:17 PM
Was spending about 20% building up the blu ray collection, but that's fallen way off as I've begun to run out of reasonably priced shit I want, and also realized how much I was spending.

Maybe 15% now.  I may have chosen the wrong option. -_-
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: katmai on June 13, 2013, 06:36:03 PM
I can even figure it out, I mean one of my hobbies is offshoot of my work so do i count $ spent on photography as hobby or work expense?
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: 11B4V on June 13, 2013, 06:55:44 PM
Quote from: katmai on June 13, 2013, 06:36:03 PM
I can even figure it out, I mean one of my hobbies is offshoot of my work so do i count $ spent on photography as hobby or work expense?

Sure.
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Ed Anger on June 13, 2013, 07:19:28 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on June 13, 2013, 06:08:17 PM
Was spending about 20% building up the blu ray collection, but that's fallen way off as I've begun to run out of reasonably priced shit I want, and also realized how much I was spending.

Maybe 15% now.  I may have chosen the wrong option. -_-

20%? sweet Jesus.
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Grey Fox on June 13, 2013, 07:42:02 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 13, 2013, 07:19:28 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on June 13, 2013, 06:08:17 PM
Was spending about 20% building up the blu ray collection, but that's fallen way off as I've begun to run out of reasonably priced shit I want, and also realized how much I was spending.

Maybe 15% now.  I may have chosen the wrong option. -_-

20%? sweet Jesus.

You might want to remember that Ide doesn't really eat as much as he just snacks. He might be counting all those bags of chips as part of the Bluray Expenses.
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: MadBurgerMaker on June 13, 2013, 08:57:44 PM
It varies.  Depends on how much golf I play in a given year and what the Steam Christmas sale has.  :)
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Ideologue on June 13, 2013, 09:08:03 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 13, 2013, 07:19:28 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on June 13, 2013, 06:08:17 PM
Was spending about 20% building up the blu ray collection, but that's fallen way off as I've begun to run out of reasonably priced shit I want, and also realized how much I was spending.

Maybe 15% now.  I may have chosen the wrong option. -_-

20%? sweet Jesus.

Yeah, for like a month when they were practically giving shit away in November.
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: 11B4V on June 13, 2013, 09:36:42 PM
Quote from: Malthus on June 13, 2013, 12:25:06 PM
If buying books is a hobby, a reasonable amount ...  :blush:

Damn you, Amazon!

A'int that a fact.

I have been looking for some Lee .40 S&W/10mm Auto Reloading Dies. All the reloading places are out, nada, zip. Wouldnt you know there they were on Amazon.....SON OF A B........!. Ordered 30 min ago and they come in Saturday. Amazon Prime man! :cool:
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: dps on June 13, 2013, 11:22:21 PM
Hard to say, but I'd guess around 10-20%, depending on what's considered a hobby.

Back when I was making decent money, it was probably closer to 50%.
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Maladict on June 14, 2013, 04:56:09 AM
I'm trying to limit my spending to what I will actually use, on a yearly basis probably something like:
40-50 books
~5 DVDs
~1 computer game
2-3 boardgames
1 model ship
stuff for the bike

and every 5 years or so:
new PC
new camera
new bike

all of the money left (minus savings) is spent on traveling.
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Brazen on June 14, 2013, 08:35:32 AM
I pretty much ditched everything including gym membership and online gaming due to global economic collapse - maybe £10 on second-hand DVDs and books a month. Hopefully my pay rise will kick in in time to get my re-enactment shotgun and black power licence before the season's out.
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Josquius on June 14, 2013, 08:59:15 AM
Seriously thinking....maybe a third.
A third for living, a third for saving and a third for buying games, travelling, going to gigs, etc...
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Valmy on June 14, 2013, 09:02:07 AM
Quote from: Brazen on June 14, 2013, 08:35:32 AM
black power licence before the season's out.

I am glad they finally started regulating that.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F25.media.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lxnsobf2lk1r8y18wo1_500.jpg&hash=71eef36b03192fcbe2485a7a0fc41913101a13c8)
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Malthus on June 14, 2013, 09:03:45 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 14, 2013, 09:02:07 AM
Quote from: Brazen on June 14, 2013, 08:35:32 AM
black power licence before the season's out.

I am glad they finally started regulating that.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F25.media.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lxnsobf2lk1r8y18wo1_500.jpg&hash=71eef36b03192fcbe2485a7a0fc41913101a13c8)

:lol:

I shudder to think what's the "season" about.
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Brazen on June 14, 2013, 09:09:28 AM
 :lol: :blush:

Too late to redact, but if anyone was worried that should read black powder.
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: Liep on June 14, 2013, 09:18:17 AM
I just increased the percentage of my income that goes to savings after seeing my online bank overview indicating that more than 2/5th of my income this year has gone to "Play & Other".
Title: Re: A question about hobbies
Post by: CountDeMoney on June 14, 2013, 12:15:06 PM
Shame, Brazen would've made a fantastic Lady Panther with an Angela Davis afro.