Global Scale Modeller

I've just totted up what I've spent on this hobby in recent months and suffice to say I was shocked If SWMBO finds out my knackers are toast but I'm willing to take the risk

I was wondering how the sensible amoungst us manage to convince themselves that they don't need another kit for the stash pile or a new piece of equipment that you just can't do without?

Lets see past 2 months alone I've spent $300AUD. I do plan on buying Eduard's Aussie Eight, 2-4 kits, first airbursh, paints, a few Ultimate stuff and what ever else I can't think off atm. Though starting a new job next week tuesday so treating myself to a new kit and maybe something else with 1st paycheck!

I buy lots of stuff from the same place and they have the past orders and amounts on the screen when you buy new stuff. It's soon builds up, well over a grand in the last 6 months or so. Having said that I'm now as kitted out and equipment outed as I want to be so it will just be replenishment for the next year or so. He said pretty unconvincingly...

I'm completely nonsensible.
And I plan to remain so. MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
I've spent nearly $50,000 on the hobby in ten years. Easily... Probably more.
In the last five I know for a fact that I've spent just over $20,000, because my credit card tells me so.
If I could make my money come in faster ever month I'd spend even more, I'm sure.

My other half has no say in my financials, she could care less about what I spend. And I about hers and her hobbies.
I don't even know how much she makes. Not my business.
As long as the bills are paid that's all that matters.
Now... If I could just sell one of the kids....

Now... If I could just sell one of the kids....

I tried that. They come back.

You lot are no good, you're all as weak as me

Coen wrote:I've spent nearly $50,000 on the hobby in ten years. Easily... Probably more.
In the last five I know for a fact that I've spent just over $20,000, because my credit card tells me so

Thanks Mike, you've made me feel better. My model hobby expenditure over the last five years is only about £15K so I've some catching up to do. Umm...what else do I need now

I don't look at things like how much I spend...or I would die from shock
It really is a question best not asked
There are far worse things to do with your money and time than collect and make models

You see this is the odd thing about flying. You talk to someone at an airshow or something and they think you must be loaded with a Ferrari in the garage and a blonde bombshell waiting at home, whereas in fact I probably spend nearly as much on modelling. If someone asked me what my hobby was and I said modelling it would probably conjur up a picture of a guy in a cardigan smelling of broken biscuits living alone in a garret somewhere. Peoples' perceptions are strange.

Apologies if you actually do live alone in a garret smelling of broken biscuits.

Just point out to the wife that you spend far less on the hobby than you do on the girlfriend. Sleep with both eyes open....

shhhhhh !! I have just put an order in for 7 kits with freight it's gonna be up around $350 aud still have another 5 kits coming from HongKong due to arrive early March. Now thinking of ordering a couple of punch sets from RP Tools ( really want them all). It's lunacy I tell ya, but it's got a fierce grip this damn hobby AND I thought golf and owning a boat were hole ya just chucked money into. I would also like to get into model railroading, but that looks expensive .

I keep telling my partner who is only here every 2 weeks ( job) it's not as bad as it looks and no still same number of kits. I will have room for your stuff.... I just move and rearrange them so it looks different. She is very sceptical...

I can't look at how much I have spent, don't want to.....shudderrrrr....All I know is I need more room. When I retire in about 10yrs I'll need a big room or a annex with couch and bar fridge and I''l Be employing professional movers.

Coen (TheLEGEND) trumps us all..... That man has his own gold mne . Ya gotta respect those who keep the hobby manufacturers range expanding

ForbesHutton wrote:Just point out to the wife that you spend far less on the hobby than you do on the girlfriend. Sleep with both eyes open....

Hahahahahaha!

My family is poor so I can only afford about two or three kits a year, so I managed my money carefully. I buy only the basic tools and paints I need, can't afford all the fancy mancy equipment. I make it a rule of mine not to "stash" a bunch of kits and to only buy one or two at a time, and when I'm finished with those maybe get more. What's the point of having a HUGE stage if you may not even build them all! Anyways,in totall I probably spent around $150 on my hobby so far.

Ya don't feel bad. I probably average $400-$500 or so a month. But it slows down. Paints start to pile up tool don't need to be replaced often if there taken care of. Lol I do spend a lot on paper towels tho. I get a special lint free shop towel. I get I'd say two kits a week on average. sometime one sometimes three of four as my interest changes or something tickles my fancy. But I never feel bad. There is a roof over our heads food on the table and I enjoy modelling. Keeping from going insane sometimes comes at a cost hahaha. Do what you enjoy I say.

Sturm wrote:What's the point of having a HUGE stage if you may not even build them all!

But you might...

I've been building since age 6 or so, with some breaks in there due to college, work etc. where I didn't do too much. Its really been my main hobby again for about a year (or rather I've finally had time for a hobby again) and I think I've collected something like 30-35 kits, new compressor, all the various consumable things.. I've probably spent.... Actually I don't want to know but if I ventured a guess I'd say I've spent about about $1200-1500(USD)

Definitely cheaper than a lot of other habits, and keeps you out of trouble! I see it as my therapy; I'm in a creative field and model building is a great way to decompress, but still uses my noggin.

Still can't beat going out, drinking heavily, chasing other women .... now that is an expensive hobby and one that leaves a massive headache in most of the cases .

Most (normal) hobby's are as cheap or expensive as you make it, have friends who are cyclists and are riding on +5000€ bikes .... You can buy a decent kit, some paint and be good for a couple weeks/months or you can go on a collection spree and start buying everything that looks interesting. Imo it's a good thing that material elitism hasn't enterd the hobby, like most male hobby's, it is stil all about the fun, lessons learned, the results and sharing it with like minded people.

For me it depends, now I'm still expanding my toolset and trying out some stuff. So when I go to an expo ( like this weekend - biggest on the mainland) I will be buying some specific tools, some paint (never enough paint) and maybe a kit (or more ). But won't be breaking the bank, personaly I find a big stash of no use for me (gives me stress - to much to do ).

What i try to do with each months pay is set aside enough for the bills, food and other living expenses, leave a bit to go into savings and then budget myself around the £200 mark for cool stuff like models, dvds, etc. So far it works quite well although there are the odd occasions that require extra expenditure.

well here's my thing........
I stick the stuff that I want in my online basket.......then I close my laptop and leave it till the next day, now this delay is supposed to help the urge to subside ...so....the following day I go back to my basket and......yep....I ADD MORE STUFF !!!
Too much time on my hands and not enough cash in my hands...hey ho !!
Great post by the way
cheers
Mark

ive spent more from the age of 18-25 on drink nights out and women so what i spend on this hobby wont come close..

as long as you can afford it spend it what i say

That's a very good question, but I think it's all a matter of perspective; it's not so much, how do you persuade yourself that you don't need that kit, more of a case that you need to persuade yourself of how much you DO need it I agree with Tiger, if you've got it then spend it!!

And Mike, I hear what you're saying but remember what that wise old sage once said about children -

"Sell a child and model for a day, get them out earning and model indefinitely!"

Model on!

I used to try to only buy as many kits as I built during last year so the stash was at pretty much the same level and I didn't spend too much money. It worked pretty well for a couple of years with only buying maybe one or two more kits then I finished. Then I found ISM and the number of kits have gone through the roof, not sure I want to think about how much money that might be. But I think it's less then what I spend on my other hobby, car racing. Having a hobby and spending money on it is one thing, having two I'm not too sure about. I'm going to need to spend around £600-700 just to get my race engine done, plus the £200 in starting fee for a race and probably some more things. And that is only for this month plus there are a few kits that I want/need to buy and the aftermarket stuff as well. It looks like it might be an expensive month, just like last and probably next as well and I don't see it stoping. Pretty much paying the bills and food and then spending the rest on car parts or models.

Thanks guys, some great answers and you've made me feel so much better about myself but I'm still not ready to confess all to SWMBO and will continue with the old line "that? Oh, I've had it for ages"
Good job she's not very observant and seldom wanders into the man cave...

Avgas wrote:
Apologies if you actually do live alone in a garret smelling of broken biscuits.

Hey. No offense taken.

I'm in a fairly new relationship so we have seperate places. She hasn't seen the whole stash yet but I've seen how many pairs of shoes she owns so I'm prepared.

Ah but jazz musos have to smell of broken biscuits and wear sandals! About 25 years ago I teamed up with a violinist and we used to go out and do the Grapelli/Reinhardt stuff at jazz venues, restaurants etc. He was a lot older than me (ex LSO) and one of the first things he said to me was 'You'll never be a jazzer if you don't smell right', which is where the cardigans and broken biscuits come from.

Over the past month or so I think I've spent about 400.00USD. Now mind you I have been collecting kits for several years. At 52 I am looking to retire in another 12-15 years. Then what am I going to do? Build models of course! I work in the Software field and I sit in front of a computer all day long. On the weekends I need to decompress but I do not want to be sitting in front of the telly. I hate that damn thing.

So, building models allows me to continue to be creative, yet not go blind staring at a screen. Additionally, every man needs his sanity space as I call it. Some place he can get away and just be left alone.

Just look at what other men do. Fishing, hunting, cars, planes etc. Look at all the money THEY spend. Our hobby is tame in comparison. Besides, if you really want to justify your expenditures do what I did.

"Honey look around. I've given you a home. All the furniture you chose. The knick-knacks are yours. The Garden is yours. You have the entire house with things you like. I have my hobby shed." Of course I quickly say this as I am headed out to my hobby shed.

All in all, as others have said, it keeps us out of trouble and the wife knows where we are and where the money goes that we spend.

As much as I might spend, I'm not spending as much as my friend who likes to restore old Porches.

So I've got that going for me, which is nice.

Lysus wrote:As much as I might spend, I'm not spending as much as my friend who likes to restore old Porches.

So I've got that going for me, which is nice.

Old Porsches can be an increasing asset year after year....our model stashes, not nearly much
I would kill for a nice 911 Targa top in Adriatic or Maritime blue mmmmm

Spend what you can afford on what you like and enjoy it while you are here. It doesn't take much to make you dead..... and after that it isn't enjoyable anymore.

Twokidsnosleep wrote:

Lysus wrote:As much as I might spend, I'm not spending as much as my friend who likes to restore old Porches.

So I've got that going for me, which is nice.

Old Porsches can be an increasing asset year after year....our model stashes, not nearly much
I would kill for a nice 911 Targa top in Adriatic or Maritime blue mmmmm

Spend what you can afford on what you like and enjoy it while you are here. It doesn't take much to make you dead..... and after that it isn't enjoyable anymore.

Operative term in bold

Twokidsnosleep wrote:

Lysus wrote:As much as I might spend, I'm not spending as much as my friend who likes to restore old Porches.

So I've got that going for me, which is nice.

Old Porsches can be an increasing asset year after year....our model stashes, not nearly much
I would kill for a nice 911 Targa top in Adriatic or Maritime blue mmmmm

Spend what you can afford on what you like and enjoy it while you are here. It doesn't take much to make you dead..... and after that it isn't enjoyable anymore.

Here here!

Desiderius Erasmus said, 'when I have a little money I buy kits. If I have any left over I buy food and clothes.' Actually he said books not kits but the sentiment is the same.

Been doing this two months. Amazon shows I've spent upwards of $350USD, I'd say I've probably done another $300 in paints, consumables, random crap I didn't need from local hobby shops. I'd say in all it's money well spent. My other hobby is long range precision shooting, and that can be boggling how much I've spent on it. Though, you hit a point where you really have everything you need except consumables (projectiles, caps, gunpowder, etc. or in this case, paints, kits and Q-tips.) and the cost involved really backs off.

Meh, it keeps me out of trouble and I have something to show for my efforts.

Willem wrote:

Avgas wrote:
Apologies if you actually do live alone in a garret smelling of broken biscuits.

Hey. No offense taken.

I'm in a fairly new relationship so we have seperate places. She hasn't seen the whole stash yet but I've seen how many pairs of shoes she owns so I'm prepared.

It might be pointed out that we use up far more space, with displaying models and work bench
My advice display your enthusiasm and stash for modeling early....they don't bark as much then of course extolling the virtue of one who is home, reliable, dependable and not out chasing other women...

I've spent less than some friends who have extremely expensive hobbies! But I do know I have spent far more on food and bills, which has not brought me a single ounce of joy

I don't even want to know how much I've spent on this hobby lol

I think all of ISM members would actually want to know that question Paul......come on give us a ball park, maybe do a daily, weekly, monthly, yearly expenditure...

digger303 wrote:

Willem wrote:

Avgas wrote:
Apologies if you actually do live alone in a garret smelling of broken biscuits.

Hey. No offense taken.

I'm in a fairly new relationship so we have seperate places. She hasn't seen the whole stash yet but I've seen how many pairs of shoes she owns so I'm prepared.

It might be pointed out that we use up far more space, with displaying models and work bench
My advice display your enthusiasm and stash for modeling early....they don't bark as much then of course extolling the virtue of one who is home, reliable, dependable and not out chasing other women...

The last girl I dated I hid nothing.

Married with two kids now.

Lysus wrote:

digger303 wrote:

Willem wrote:
Hey. No offense taken.

I'm in a fairly new relationship so we have seperate places. She hasn't seen the whole stash yet but I've seen how many pairs of shoes she owns so I'm prepared.

It might be pointed out that we use up far more space, with displaying models and work bench
My advice display your enthusiasm and stash for modeling early....they don't bark as much then of course extolling the virtue of one who is home, reliable, dependable and not out chasing other women...

The last girl I dated I hid nothing.

Married with two kids now.

i am sure if I knew you better I would have an appropriate response........... But sincerely well done

ive been modeling for 5 months and have over 50 unbuilt kits. i said id never buy an airbrush and have 3. just bought this today... http://pegasushobbies.net/catalog/p121/ ... _info.html

Just realized we have all become SHOPAHOLICS

digger303 wrote:

Lysus wrote:

digger303 wrote:
It might be pointed out that we use up far more space, with displaying models and work bench
My advice display your enthusiasm and stash for modeling early....they don't bark as much then of course extolling the virtue of one who is home, reliable, dependable and not out chasing other women...

The last girl I dated I hid nothing.

Married with two kids now.

i am sure if I knew you better I would have an appropriate response........... But sincerely well done

A little Monty Python is most appropriate for this response

[youtube]AGrvQ1c5khU[/youtube]

Twokidsnosleep wrote:

digger303 wrote:

Lysus wrote:
The last girl I dated I hid nothing.

Married with two kids now.

i am sure if I knew you better I would have an appropriate response........... But sincerely well done

A little Monty Python is most appropriate for this response

[youtube]AGrvQ1c5khU[/youtube]

Youtube? Luxury! Back in my day we had to mail you a projector and film, and the postman would smack us until the money for the postage fell out me pockets!

Ahh the wonders of modern technology
I did that sitting on the toilet BTW

Twokidsnosleep wrote:Ahh the wonders of modern technology
I did that sitting on the toilet BTW

Honestly that's the best time to browse; no interruptions and the soft whir of a fan to soothe the addled mind.



Edit to add:

[youtube]Xe1a1wHxTyo[/youtube]

I also get a rather large dog sitting between my legs...she has taken to giving me toilet support most times I errr, have to go
Apparently not that rare of a thing to do in the dog world
Ahh that is waaaayyyyyy TMI, sorry mates

Twokidsnosleep wrote:I also get a rather large dog sitting between my legs...she has taken to giving me toilet support most times I errr, have to go
Apparently not that rare of a thing to do in the dog world
Ahh that is waaaayyyyyy TMI, sorry mates

Don't worry, there's a kit for that, apparently: http://www.intscalemodeller.com/viewtop ... 58&t=16719

Oh ya, I am all over the toilet humour thread
K, now I have to stop f'ing around and work on the Bugatti engine
CYa