Money spent on this hobby

[BIGTRUCK]

I had to upgrade my home owners insurance and added my kits to the policy. It added $90.00 a year for $10,000 worth of coverage. I started adding up how much I had spent over the last 10 years and WOW between what I buy, travel to out of town shows couple times a year the amount gets up there. Funs not as cheap as it use to be the cost sneaks up on you a little at a time.?

Edited July 8, 2015 by BIGTRUCK

[vintagercr]

I'm afraid to add up what I have

[Agent G]

^^What he said^^

G

[Speedfreak]

It's way cheaper than drugs, or , hookers.

[thatz4u]

I used to think about the expense until I realized two things...

You only live here once, when you go all your stuff stays here, including the money.

After thought, money loses value as time passes, takes more of it to buy less stuff.

Hope I brightened your day...

[disabled modeler]

I don't have all that much now compared to what I use to have but from first hand experience and dismay insurance is a very good idea. When our house got broken into a few years ago...priceless memories and promos/kits/build ups of mine and my dads were taken and damaged along with the rest of the house. Money was tight and I did not have insurance to cover what I had regretfully.

[Howard Cohen]

It is very important to have a complete list of all your models, complete, kits, projects, parts, paint and tools, etc. If not, most insurance policies will not cover you. I am in the process of getting an appraisal done to make sure I am properly covered. I have a list of all my models which I update regularly. One thing to note, you cannot easily change the value of your collection. You may need a new appraisal every year or so. Just because your $20 model sells on Ebay for $50, doesn't mean your model is worth $50 Without a full list and an appraisal, many insurance companies will not pay for your collection. Also, make sure your policy has 'all perils' or you may not be covered for floods or tornados or theft.

As for how much money I have spent on expenses other than models...lots An average out of town for an NNL weekend, such as Toledo or NNL East is $500. Add in the local shows that are a one day trip, all the trips to the hobby stores, visits to friends for model building sessions and the overall cost is..........priceless. You can't put a price on friendship and camaraderie

[Howard Cohen]

Oh, your list should also include photos of everything Anyone can write a list but the photos will prove you have it

[Jantrix]

I gotta say compared to most hobbies, scale auto modeling if fairly low buck. My RC pals spend WAY more than I do. Heck, the average weekend golfer spends more per year than I do.

On the whole I got no complaints. The increased kit prices we're seeing lately I don't even bat an eye at. I look at it as entertainment and enjoyment over time, considering it takes me 6 months to finish a model. I also have a very small stash, just 53 kits including WIPs. I don't buy because it's a great kit, or it's a new kit. I buy either because it's a model that speaks to me and I have an idea for it, or because I need parts from it. And I almost never buy multiples. The Revell '67 Charger is the sole exception to that rule.

[ZTony8]

I have about 1300 kits in my stash so even at $6 a kit that's $7800 sitting in my basement.Many of my kits are definitely worth more than six bucks(and some less,like the NASCAR stuff) so the total is likely well over the $7800 figure.The value sneaks up on you because the money isn't spent all at once.

[JTalmage]

In the past year since I've gotten back in to it heavily.... way to freaking much. I've been neglecting my real 1:1 cars badly.

[Jaguar man 21]

I've been building for three years and I've defanilty spent over $500 on kits alone not including paint and other neesseacitys

[BIGTRUCK]

Oh, your list should also include photos of everything Anyone can write a list but the photos will prove you have it

Your right ,I had to take pictures of all insured items with box open unless its sealed and put it on disc plus a spread sheet of description as proof if a claim is made. My policy is not set up for replacement value, I have it set up for what I paid for some of it. The policy for replacement was costly. Im down to 850 kits. Im playing the odds I never need it.

[High octane]

I've had a PAP or Personal Articles Policy for my kits and die-cast collection and it is affordable, and a good idea. I've been thinnin' the herd lately, and now buy as few kits as possible as I'm tired of tradin' cash for plastic that just sits on a "pile."

[BIGTRUCK]

. I've been thinnin' the herd lately, and now buy as few kits as possible as I'm tired of tradin' cash for plastic that just sits on a "pile."

I've thinned mine out also Nick , sticking to buying mostly older kits and resin, but I guess if you need insurance you probably have to much, oh well.

[BLOODBANE]

It is like any hobby. I just dropped 2k on new rims and tires for my Ranger. The tire that were on it were fine, but they get tore up on the street (35" BOGGERs and I went with 36" IROCs)Pic, just cause I like whoring it out....

This does not include the other monies spent on getting to this point (425 hp, 347 stroker engine). I also just bought sliders for my Samurai. Another 300. When I replace the tires on my wifes JEEP I will have to spend another 2k on just tires (38" Super Swampers). Compared to the other things I enjoy, I feel its on the cheaper side. Sure its nothing to spend 100.00 at the hobby store on supplies or kits, but what I want for my vehicles runs in the 1000's.

Enjoy it while you can, and you will have the memories always. Is it pointless? Is it a waste of money? Probably, but if it brings you some happiness, do it a lot more. This world needs more of that.

[AC Norton]

....the cost factor makes it difficult to justify the trips and shows attended like thru the 80s and 90s for me, personally. much as we all moan about EPAY, it makes getting things cheaper in the long run. glad most all of my old stuff was sold years ago, and reissues are abound these days, as building and enjoying them is just as much fun for me.......the ace....

[Petetrucker07]

I know it's way more than wife thinks it is. But I tell her there's worse things I could be doing. This keeps me home.

[Roadrunner]

I used to spend disproportionately large amounts, considering that I let my house fall apart while doing it, and my car too. Too busy buying all this junk that I really had no need for, only to end up selling most of it at a loss. House is gone, car is still a beat up piece of junk. Clever.

[Tom Geiger]

You can't put a price on friendship and camaraderie

And I've had more than a few cold one with Howard!

Money spent on my hobbies is money spent on my sanity. I never have used money on the hobby that was needed for my family. I've always worked hard, saved wisely and put two kids through college. And next summer I'm paying for a wedding... which makes my model purchases look like chump change!

If I have $25 I can buy a model kit or a case of beer. At the end of the week I still have a model car!

[Harry P.]

I don't have a big stash of unbuilt kits like a lot of you guys have, but even if I did I couldn't care less what happens to them after I'm gone. They're just plastic pieces in cardboard boxes.

But what I have thought about is what happens to my built models after I'm gone?

I have put a lot of time and effort into my built models, and I really wish there was some way they could find a home after I'm gone besides the garbage can. It's not so much their "value" I worry about, but the fact that they represent a large chunk of my life. I guess I hope that my kids will realize the value of my models (not the $$$ value) and act appropriately. Kind of morbid, I know... but I do think about that from time to time.

[Tom Geiger]

Harry, I get that in a big way! Those of us who see our modeling work as our art would like to know that our work does get appreciated past our lifetime!

I've done some work with the International Model Car Builders Museum in helping them acquire a model or two from guys who have passed away. The museum does want work from known modelers, especially vehicles that were trend setting or had magazine coverage. A lot of people haven't given this any thought, and it has been a challenge to approach heirs, especially after they've been accosted by a hobby ghoul or two! Mark Gustavson has said that when he's at the museum late at night, he can feel the presence of modelers past whose work is within those walls. That's cool and I would like to rest there myself someday. My wife does know which models go to the museum.

I also have a few pieces in my collection from friends who have died. It's just nice to have that model on the shelf to remember them by. I hope someday people feel the same way about my work.

[Helix]

Thought about the same thing Harry and that's a valid point mate

I thought about donating my built kits to http://www.thepartsbox.com/ and they can display my builds with all the other builds they have on display

As for the un-built kits, somebody will buy them no doubt!

Ray

Edited July 11, 2015 by Helix

[Ridge Rider]

It is a shame that the dedication and skill of this hobby are not appreciated by the masses. The costs of a hobby is only truly relevant if you can't afford to even be involved. I'm guessing most if not all of us here are involved at some level and have spent a different % of our time and incomes to get the same satisfaction. But in the end, it matters nothing. Let's just enjoy the ride and awesome builds and forget the cost and where our builds will end up. This is just my opinion, I don't mind hearing others.

[Mike 1017]

I am going to retire in about 3.years.So I have been on a buying spree as of late. Who knows what the future price of a newly release kit is gonna be in 3 years or more. Being on fixed income could I justify spending $25.00 on a kit? I don't know. If I build up my collection now the only things I would need to buy in the future would be supplies.

I just ordered 3 Moebius models from Hobbylinc 2 Hudsons and 1 Chrysler for $12.46 each. With shipping $45.37.At Hobby Lobby this week I picked up that GTO Snap Kit for $ 12.95. It was on the Clearance Table.

I look at it as an investment in my future.

The Hobbylinc Clearance Sale is going on.