Okay, folks. Let’s hear how you do it. Do you squirrel away a few dollars each week (as I do), or do you whip out the plastic
(no pun intended[:D]) or do you divert the money from your electric bill when you see that kit you’ve just gotta have. And do you keep track of all the money spent on modeling? [8]
Beg the ol’ lady
Have my monthly allowance … right now I think I’m 3 months in arrears
plastic, title pawn, second mortgage, what ever it takes!!! [:D] [;)]
I try not to go nuts really though.
Eric
Since the doctors put me on the wagon, I can go nuts at the hobby shop or at some of the mail order sites, and still be ahead when compared to some of the bar tabs I used to have at the club!!
It’s varied over the years. I’m not married so that helps. When I was young and without any responsibilities I amassed a huge collection of kits, a large portion of which has been sold or used very shrewdly over the years as trade bait.
I got into consistent buying and selling at an early age and continue to do so today. And It really helps to know a fella who changes modeling interests with the frequency of a cheap HAM radio and who sells off his collection regularly at ludicrous prices. [:p] I’d buy his collections, keep what I wanted for my personal stash and use the rest as trade bait and table filler at shows.
Commission building jobs and selling my artwork also helps here and there.
So that’s how I support the habit.
Fade to Black…
Since I build patterns for a number of people, that’s where I get the money for my kits, books, mags, materials and tools. It has allowed me to get stuff, mostly tools and books that I would otherwise never have bought. In terms of kits, I mostly do smaller scales and even for my own pleasure, a lot of scratchbuild, so my expenses there are quite reasonable really. I also get ‘free’ access to my customers’ catalogues and I therefore have a lot of kits coming from there.
I very rarely buy conversion kits in resin or PE sets. There’s more pleasure and challenge in doing that myself. This saves me a lot of dosh. I do buy decals, though, mostly for airliners. When I think of it, I actualy may spend more on kits for pen-pals than for myself…
- monthly allowance
- Beg the wife
- Getting into building for others
Lee
My hobby budget consists of spending as much as I can without the wife noticing anything unusual. Can I help it if some of the shopping bags go straight to the shop with out the wife seeing them? All transactions are strictly in cash! Wouldn’t want to leave a pesky paper trail. Never announce that you are making a trip to the hobby shop, that will only get her attention and invite questions about your purchases later. Always “SWING” by the hobby shop on your way home from somewhere.
Sometimes I think shes on too me and lets me think she doesn’t know. As long as she says nothing, I’m not saying a word [;)].
Darren
Buy, sell, trade mostly. If I want to buy something though, it’s not a problem. My wife incourages my hobby so I guess I’m in good shape. I stopped vendoring at shows a number of years ago and my wife (who helps at my tables) keeps asking to start up again. Boy do I love that woman! ! ![^][:D]
Hey the wife gets a new pair of shoes, so I get a new model. Seriously, if that were the case my hobbyroom would be flooded with unbuilt kits. I try not to stockpile too many kits, because I just can’t build them fast enough, so the occassional birthday gift or Christmas gift is one way I amass. Lately I’m buying them if I can get them on sale, such as my recent Panther with p/e parts. Usually the money I have hidden away from wife is the preferred method of payment. [:)]
Got a monthly budget, which I usually exceed. I also gunsmith on the side and prep rifles and shotguns for friends for the various hunting and shooting seasons. Occasionally rebuild match rifles for friends. Hope for a winning lottery ticket! 
!
Ed you ever build any 1911’s[?]
I used the same method Tigerman used. I bought my wife a horse.
No questions asked…
Mike
Woody, the answer is yes. I have two Match grade Colt Gov’t models that I built, as well as a Springfield Armory Match grade. I’ve built or customized a few for friends. I do it as a hobby, not as a profession. Used to do it in the Army, but I didn’t choose it as a career.
I spend like a drunken sailor[:D], I have no wife so I go nuts and buy anything at that I like[:D], I figure you only live once…besides having a huge stock pile brings me infinite pleesure, just sit and stare.Looking forward to getting the huge Revell Germany B-1b( any opinions on this kit?)
Sad but true[:)][:)][:)][:)]
How much do you guys spend on the hobby anyway? let’s say per month/ per year… To be honest the modeling hobby doesn’t take a lot of money…compared to many other things to do in the spare time. You spend a couple of hundred on a compressor, an airbrush, some paints, and rest is just kits…which is on average 30-40 bucks each. Once in awhile you get a big scale Tamiya kit which would be 90-100 bucks on Ebay. Or you might throw in some miscellaneous such as modeling books or magazines, but still…for a family with even average salary, those money are pretty much negligible. Assuming you don’t buy a new kit everyday…
I’m saying that because even a spoiled kid’s video game collection takes more money than this hobby.
WHAT BUDGET?!?!?!?
Let’s see; $45 for Tamiya 1/350 USS Missouri, then $36 for the GMM PE set, and another $40 for the resin 40mm pom-poms. Add in about $5 for paint, $4-5 for anchor chain, and about $10-25 for other things (rigging line, super glue, styrene glue, sheet styrene, paint brushes, etc.) and I realize I"M SICK!! I NEED HELP!! I need MA (Modeler’s Anonymous). No wonder the wife has been screaming about the balance on the credit card!
Gip Winecoff
There really is no argument in my house about any of my purchases. She gets her nails done and buys countless clothes and accessories that she doesn’t need, and modeling supplies and kits are my counterattack. [}:)] Alls well with the world. [:)]