Your hobby budget?

Whatever I can get... I'm a junior (HS) and no job... School is a full-time job already. One of the reasons I rarely if ever buy AM parts... scratchbuilding FTW! Usually I manage to milk out a few bucks from my parents every so often, but I don't have a steady cash-flow.  I probably spend $10 or so a month, usually on paint or tools. I've managed to stockpile up quite a collection of kits so my goal (until I get a job) is to make a dent in that.

You HAVE to bring that up dont you manny? For me its $20 a week into savings which i use on anything i require. Modeling stuff. Extra money for the week. Dinner out etc. Its my little "spend on whatever" pile. The rest usually goes into bills, gas, bus money, day to day expenditures etc. Whatever i have left on payday usually goes in there too.

Manstein's revenge

$229...

Per day, month or year?

I set $50 per month as a maximum budget. Some months I spend it, other times I don't. If I see something for $150 that I desperately need, then I buy it and hold off for a few months before buying anything else. I'm not concerned about the cost of the hobby, as it is quite likely the cheapest one around. It's certainly cheaper than golf, and a lot less frustrating.

$229...

Just me and my wife.No budget,I usually get what I need and want,but I am on the conservative side,my stash is about 20,never more then that.I mean if bills are heavy one week or if an emergency expense comes up then the big purchase will wait.

I have a good job which pays well, no wife/kids/pets to look after, and am able to spend whatever I like on the hobby.  My stash is 325 kits, mostly 1/48 and 1/32 WWII and modern AC.  I probably spend about $2k a year on kits, parts, and tools.

I don't really have a "hobby budget",,,,,the stash is big enough, lotsa paints, etc.

So all I really buy anymore are any new releases that may replace some of the older kits in the stash. Before I do any of that though, I talk it over with SWMBO, explaining how the new kits fit into the collection and what they replace.

One Big exception, though,,,,,,,she is a bargain hunter,,,,,,so, we go to the model shows together, and I buy or politely turn down anything that catches her eye. I've already scoured the tables looking for the old elusive kits I might need.

We eat at home, don't go out to movies much, so the shows and hobby shopping together are our forms of "outside the house" entertainment.

She likes the idea that me being chained to the stash and building is my main past time.

Rex,,,,,,,,,,and his SSgt, aka SWMBO

 I'm about dirtbag poor, especially in winter(exagerating, just a little). A bagel and glass of choco milk for breakfast and I kill my own dinner. The only real debt is to my parents for flight school. No risk of losing the house, bills paid, bellies full, including the horse, wood chopped for the fireplace! My budget is pocket change....literally. I dump my change into a jar, cash it in for contest vendor tables. About $150-$200 per year, plus a few bucks here and there for paint and whatnot.

I've managed to build a stash of around 200 kits over the years.  I've really got a nice mix of mostly WWII aircraft.  I still do look for great buys, especially on ebay.  My wife's company recently closed their doors and I still have a son in college.  So, I would feel guilty spending very much on plastic right now.  I'll spend on paint and aftermarket sales these days, especially those purdy Eduard Zoom cockpit sets.  So, I'd say right now my modeling budget is below $30 a month right now.  I even backed away from a Trumpeter 1/350 Lexington for $57 at Hobby Lobby this week.  But look out when the Revell Ventura hits the shelves.   Rick.

We are pretty fortunate here in that my wife and I both are working and making good money. We like to think that we are financially responsible and try to keep our debt much much lower than the amount of money coming in. That frees up a good bit every month for things like groceries, gas, and whatnot. We do have 6 children which can get pretty expensive. That being said, there really isn't a budget for my hobby. I dont buy if we dont have the money and family comes first. When all the bills are paid, books are gotten for school, and food is in the cupboard, I pretty much buy whatever I want/need. Of course larger purchases are discussed with the misses as I would asssume most relationships work that way for the best, but she rarely has an issue with them. She has said before, better that I know your downstairs in the mancave building than out in some bar drinking!!

Single dad raising a 10yr old son on limited income but can manage a hobby-budget of about $150~200/month( we don't eat out much, etc) easily.

Just added a new 320GB PS3 + PS3 Move(Wii style controller) and a few games(Wii + PS3) and can manage a few cheap kits.

In short I no longer earn the 6-digit+ salary I used to earn but can afford a $60+ without worries.