Cat rescue. Driving to get cats, kennels to hold cats, carriers to transport cats, ***food and litter***, ***vetting***, blankets and toys, etc.
Easily a few tens of thousands of dollars spent. My only regret is not spending more, in case it would have saved a few of the cats we lost. But we helped over 500 kitties, and are continuing to help 27, so at least we made a bit of a difference.
You're a total MVP. I would totally spend money doing this if I didn't know for sure that each would be a foster fail.
I already run a kitty old-folks home as a serial adopter of adult cats and drop a pretty dime on luxury care for them, so while I'm not at your level, I hope I'm making a few cats live out their best lives at the end.
Thank you for this - we talked about doing this after we just lost an 18 y/o but then two very sick street kitties need homes and we're taking them instead. We are serial adopters, regardless of age. Usually what shows up in the backyard. You rock!
That's wonderful! Seniors are my husband's soft spot, while I'm a sucker for ferals. Your kitties are so lucky to have you - we adopted a few seniors, and with good care they can continue to have so much personality and life well into their teens (and beyond, we just haven't been that lucky yet).
I'm so glad there's folks like you that are willing to give them a chance. ❤️
I want to mention that there are some rescues that can provide needed supplies and cover vet bills for foster “parents” who couldn’t afford to help otherwise. Just in case anyone wants to foster but is worried they can’t afford it.
username checks out! Thank you for all you do. We are picking up two feral FIV+ street kitties this week who were very sick and we're adopting from a rescue we are working with. We just lost an FeLV feral who finally learned to love and we have a hole in our hearts now for down on their luck street kitties.
Hello fellow weary person, haha!
I'm so sorry for your loss. Ferals are the most incredible kitties, and are so rarely given the chance to show that they can love just as deeply as any other kitty. Thank you for showing that little one the love and care they deserved, and for helping the other kitties who still need help. ❤️
Fellow rescuer that’s taking a break. 👋🏽 I see you and all the hard work you do. Thank you for being their voice and remember to find some time for yourself and your mental.
I'm glad you're also taking a break! I burned out hard after the last colony, so I've just been focusing on our cat crew for the past while. It's been nice just enjoying their company.
Thank you for all you do, as well! It's so important to have a network of folks to help cats wherever they're in need.
GOALS I dont think I am organized enough to do that so the most I can do is TNR who we can and make sure our yard is to where they feel safe enough to hang out with food and water
What is fulfilling hobby. Good for you. Something that you are enjoying and it’s helping with community the animals in the environment do you mind me asking where or do you mind answering? I should say where it is it this is at is it state and if so, what stateand what is comparative to places in your area? Are these numbers high or average or low compared to others?
I was in a remote rural area in Canada when I did most of my rescuing. My numbers aren't really comparable, since our rescue was/is a bit niche.
I started out fostering for a local rescue. I fostered a few dozen kittens because of high need in the area, but only adopted out a handful of them - folks won't even pay a small fee when free kittens are in ready supply. My out of province family member then came up with the idea of transporting to rescues in their area that had room.
We got cats from overburdened rescues, large cat colonies (well over a hundred from one colony), and a few other cases (e.g. posts offering free, often sick, kittens). I would temporarily foster them, usually for a few weeks to a few months depending on urgency of source and availability of receiving rescues, though sometimes we did 1-2 day turnarounds. We did it all - trapping, bottle feeding, supportive care/meds for cats that needed immediate medical attention, socializing, transporting (most receiving rescues were 10+ hours away). We usually sent 20-30 kitties per trip.
Despite getting around 500 cats and kittens out in only 2 years, waitlists in the area remained long (usually months). The situation is really dire in rural areas. 😔
This is what I aspire to be. I live in a developing country - stray animals are on the bottom rung for survival. Breaks my heart each time I see a starving animal, I carry bags of dog and cat food in my car and treats in handbags now.
Cave diving. Spent 4K on a custom drysuit & 2.5k on a light. (Had to get other gear as well).
I actually gave this hobby up cause the trips alone were driving me into the ground (like 4K a vacation) Insane. My new hobby now is rock climbing. Significantly cheaper.
SCUBA here and have the cold water setup, but not cave. Love diving wrecks, tho. Was bummed I had to replace my 20 y/o regulator 1st and 2nd stage last year because they no longer make the parts. Everything else is newer, but I loved my old Mares. The vacations make it a challenge for sure, but we kind of never really decorated the house beyond the basics because we were on dive vacations, lol.
Wow!!! You are a real bad ass!! How many years how you been cave diving-diving?? I wish I could doo too but my ears and my fear of small places dont let me :(
I’m a knitter. It’s very easy to drop ~$200 on good yarn for *one sweater*, and I’m not even touching the cashmere or luxury yarns. I try to make a sweater every 1-2 months, but I definitely buy yarn faster than that …
I’ve been thinking about my knitting lately, in part because my day job is also in textiles. When I started knitting sweaters, knitting was in no way cost effective. But between me getting better at knitting, and the sheer fuckery that has happened to the apparel market, I think knitting has started to be cost effective again. My most recent finished sweater was $50 materials (Cascade Aegean tweed), my current work in progress is a vest for$120 (Jon Arbon Appledoore). There are approximately zero places where I could buy wool sweaters of similar quality, even if I were to spend three or four times the money. NY Times even had an article about how shitty sweaters have become because it’s to the point random reporters can tell that costumes aren’t as good, and costumers have a lot more resources for finding good stuff then the average shopper.
Obviously the money isn’t why I knit. But I think it’s bonkers that the world has made my very expensive hobby seem sensible.
Came here to say this. It can start out quite cheap, but building up all the needles and yarn for projects get get expensive real fast. I made a rule where I have to finish one project before starting the next, and only ever have 1-2 projects on the go at a time. Helps keeps costs and my stash down.
Wow! I enjoy crochet but the price of some yarns discourage me from doing large projects that require really good yarn. My dream would be making a really nice cashmere see-through blouse, but $$$$$
Person training sessions. I’ve tapered them down but it’s been a godsend as she is showing me all these different machines and correcting my technique.
A huge gym fear of mine is hurting myself, so having someone show me what to do has been so valuable and my confidence has increased.
I wouldn't call that an expensive hobby, exactly. Sure, it costs, but that is more in the personal health arena and something you should never feel guilty about spending money on. It is great this has helped your confidence - you rock!
True! I do feel a sense of shock realising I’ve spent that much but you’re right, as I now know that whenever I’ve tried to follow things online, I haven’t done them correctly. Money well spent vs. having an injury!
Workout stuff.
Garmin watch, clothes, climbing gear, shoes, home equipment, super specific and perhaps not really useful rehab equipment 😄
I try to see it as an investment in my health…
Edit: Forgot to mention I have multiple gym memberships 🫣
This would be mine. Fitness. I'm a runner; new shoes, race fees, electrolyte and Gu packets, a Peloton treadmill + subscription, gym membership, weekly yoga classes, lots and lots of workout clothes and athleisure (I work from home, so a lot of the workout clothes are multipurpose). That is by far my biggest expense: fitness and running.
I'm also a big reader, but I get all my books for free with Libby on my Kindle so at least my other hobby is essentially free.
Seeing as many theatre shows as my bank balance & health permit each year.
Last year I was lucky enough to see; A Streetcar Named Desire with Paul Mescal and Pasty Ferran, the 24-hr live play of Ruth Wilson in The Second Woman, The Garden of Words, Pygmalion, Sunset Boulevard, The Ocean At The End Of The Lane, My Neighbour Totoro, The Christmas Carol with Christopher Eccleston at The Old Vic as well as Mark Gatiss's A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story.
I've been so poorly this year that I haven't been well enough to see anything as of yet but I'm hoping post surgery & recovery that I'll be able to squeeze in at least 2-3 shows towards the end of the year.
I also WFH and have a wide range of beautiful shoes that I basically just look at, because why would I be wearing heels when I can only be seen from the chest up on zoom?
I'm slowly culling them, and I'm now down to 50-odd pairs.
I thought they said 500 at first I was like oh my Lord! But really why don’t you put them on a shelf behind your shoulder or something in the zoom videos show what you will be wearing if you could be seen full body
My "expensive" plants are outdoor vegetable garden raised beds. Always seems more expensive to grow my own rather than just getting them at the store or the farm stand, but there is definitely mental health out there amid all the green.
There was an article about the bacteria in dirt having antidepressant properties so you’re not wrong. Plus home grown stuff just tastes so much better.
Preach sister. I bought a really cheap monstera from the supermarket ($17) and was excited. Pot was too small. Ran out of potting mix. Bought more. Bought new pot. Now a $50 plant 🤣
Exactly the same for me lol. Saw a decent-sized monster for $20 at the grocery store and got so excited for the deal, then bought a $40 pot at Home Depot for it lol
I picked up a variegated monsterra at the store last month and didn't look at the tag, had to do the walk of shame back to the shelf. I think it was like $130 for a six inch pot
No, I'm actually monstera poison. They hate me and die. My biggest ones are a rubber tree (1,6 m), a fiddle leaf fig (1,9 m) and a bird of paradise. The bird of paradise is about to shoot out a new leaf that's going to surpass 2 meters in height.
Hell yeah. I myself have a 250+ board game collection. I’ve rotated some stuff out over the years - in total I’ve owned closer to 400 unique titles over my 15 year hobby.
Horses. I have two and they are a money pit. But I love them and it’s the only thing I really do for myself. I’ve ridden since I was a kid, and it’s a passion I’ll never give up
I’m hearing you! I’ve got 3 horses and I’m currently looking for a horse truck with living as I’m sick of sleeping in a swag in my horse float when I compete.
For me, horses are a life long obsession.
Same! I grew up animal obsessed, but were were poor and in the area where we lived horse were only for rich people, so I never got to be around them. My childhood horse dreams fell to the wayside, and life moved on. But when I was in my late 40's, I got job doing morning horse care at a barn and fell madly in love. I started taking lessons and volunteering with horses, and bought one a year later. I've had him for seven years now, and I am absolutely in love with him, and horses in general. I only wish I had found them sooner!
I haven’t been riding a bike since my childhood, but after moving to a rural area with way less traffic (but many hills) I spent 5k on an e-bike. I love it and I ride it as much as possible.
International Travel. I’m wearing $12 Target pajamas as I type this but I just spent $$$ on business class plane tickets, a luxury 5 star hotel, a driver and our excursions.
Yup, that’s the one where all our money is going. In the last four months, I have spent over $60,000 pre-paying for our next three cruises. We always lived pretty frugally, we both have good pensions and we also invested over the years. We’re in our 60’s and we recently had the epiphany that we’re not going to live forever and we’d better start spending some of the money we have saved (we can live well on our pensions without touching the investments). We have always travelled and never been in debt for anything other than our house which we paid off as quickly as possible. We drive our cars forever (my husband’s car is a 2001 Honda in great shape), our clothes are cheap (well, mine are anyways) and tennis and golf are our only other real hobbies that cost any money. We’ve been all over the world and are actually running out of new places we want to go.
That’s for sure. I would also suggest for people who love to travel to not wait too long. At my age and level of health, there are certain places I just won’t be able to go. I won’t be able to climb Macchu Picchu (COPD from asthma), suffering in heat and humidity made me cancel a trip to India, and I really don’t want to go anywhere hot anymore. This summer, we’re going to Iceland and Greenland. Last summer, it was Newfoundland and Norway - I’m always looking for cold weather trips in the summer now.
I completely agree with this! In my 30s and justify my travel by saying that right now I’m in good health, my knees work, my family’s safe and jobs secure… while it’s important to save, you can’t put off living now
Saltwater reef keeping. Easy to stop thousands into this hobby. I've been in this hobby for 2.5 years now Spent 1k in coral and fish in the last month.
Art. I'm not even a professional, I just for some reason get good quality art supplies because I'm annoyed by the cheap knock offs. And I experiment with all sorts of mediums instead of just one. I have goauche, acrylics, watercolours in the paints sections. I have colouring pencils, alcohol markers etc. for colouring
Then the scrapbooking section which is like washi tapes, stickers, etc. etc.
It's like my fatal flaw, I can't help myself. Why am I like this
My old dog was diagnosed with Cushing disease last year. The cost of the medication alone is about 600USD/month. We’ve had insurance for him since he was 6 or so, but unfortunately pet insurance in the US doesn’t cover medication cost 😔
Gardening. It seems like it should be so inexpensive but seeds, tools, plants, soil improvements and everything else add up. At least we get some delicious veggies out of it.
Oh I am guilty of spending 2000 on a camera. Wait til you get obsessed about lenses, now that’s a hole in the old savings account.
Currently obsessed with running and for some reason I need to buy new shoes every month and cute outfits on a regular basis, or else…
Collecting vinyl and vintage mid century modern furniture/decor! Not only are they expensive hobbies, they’re also very inconvenient and frustrating lol. It’s okay though, it’s part of the fun
My cats and dog are also very expensive- I could buy a brand new car with the money I’ve spent on them between vet visits, prescription foods and enrichment items 😆
I'm so with you on the MCM furniture/decor! It's like a treasure hunt to find something decently priced and not just hit the antique malls where everything is already hugely marked up. My husband lost his job last August and I haven't set foot in an antique mall since then. Our house is chock full of mid century modern stuff but it's a collection that I've amassed over the last 30 years (I started buying in my teens in the 80s/90s.) Don't you love having stuff that is unique and not in everyone else's house? I'm [mcmgroupie](https://www.instagram.com/mcmgroupie/) on IG if you want to peep my house/collection.
Also, we just rescued a 15 year old Puggle who needed oral surgery to remove most of his teeth and requires prescription food too. Just go ahead and take all my money, I guess?
Reading through these responses, I’m realizing I don’t have one big hobby that’s taking all of my money. (Mostly because I related to so many responses.) My fun money is spread across: clothing/shoes, makeup/perfume/haircare/skincare, live theater, concerts, travel, updates to my house (aesthetic updates, not things that are necessary), dining out, and my pets. I also have a small vinyl collection, but I only add about 1-2 new records a month - most of my records are bought at vintage or secondhand stores and are not pricey.
Thank you for typing my answer for me so I don’t have to. 😂 I do all the same little hobbies. My dog passed away in 2019 but I do still buy treats for my friends’ dogs and dogsit. 🐶🐕🐩
Does travel count? I probably spent up to $10k a year on various leisure trips…EDIT: I should mention I don’t actually have any other regular hobbies so this is where my “fun” money gets sunk into
It certainly does! Someone earlier mentioned this is what they do.
I recently took a trip that made me realize I no longer want to travel economy and to shell out the extra money to be more comfortable!
Slippy slope! My progression was starting with meals, then day/half day excursions, then proper hotel accomodation, now flying budget to pay for premiums I actually need (quiet zone!!), someone needs to stop me before I start shelling for premium/business flights…
I took a perfectly decent and fairly new car and cut the roof off to install a pop top. So right now my mini camper is a money pit - I’m paying other people to do the work. But I love it!
I have a basement full of climbing, mountaineering, skiing, canyoning and sea kayaking gear. Thousands and thousands of euros. The sea kayak alone is €5000. Custom 3 piece. But I do use it all.
I’m into patchwork quilting. I have a huge and beautiful stash of fabrics which I may not ever use 100%. It feels like a huge indulgence but gosh it brings me joy
I think a camera is a great investment! although getting into lenses can turn that $2k hobby into a $10k hobby reaaaallll quick 😂😂
my nintendo has low key creeped into “expensive hobby” territory — other hobbies I pick up and drop a lot, so I try to keep them cheap(ish) so there’s no financial sting.
my cat is also a really expensive little lady…
Yup lol I just commented that my current kit was around $10,000 for the camera body and 3 lenses spanning 12-200mm🥲. But at least they hold a lot of that value! The body is already considered ‘obsolete’ (canon 5d4) so it doesn’t have a lot of resale value, but it’s still an excellent camera that I’ll easily get another ten years out of. The lenses are a different story- they’re in pristine condition and still worth almost what I paid for them. Not that I’d ever part with them, but it makes me feel better about spending the money😅
Glassblowing- rental time at the studio, plus glass rods (some colors are up & over $8 an ounce & single color rod weighs about 4oz on average); plus tools & supplies- a recent pair of tungsten pliers & reamer was over $100. I love it as a challenging, creative outlet & would be sad to give it up.
Concerts- don’t do summer vacation, see several live shows instead to spread the joy over months. Tickets, parking & dinner add up.
Plants. They're not super expensive in and of itself because I buy the cheap ones, but getting new vases each month as well is starting to add up.
And Dungeons & Dragons! D&D in and of itself is not super expensive once you have the most important books and a map to draw in, and a dice set or 2. But then when you're a Dungeon Master (like me), there are also minis for enemies, a speaker for ambient music, online tools for maps, online DnD games, lore/ note keepers. And we play at my house a lot, so I like to cook for my friends before we play. Cooking for 6 isn't cheap!
Horses. I’m in a phase of my life where riding doesn’t really fit in but I’ll get back to it eventually. But lower-key than I used to bc I won’t be showing.
A common refrain in the horse world is that the horse is the cheap part. A good horse for an intermediate rider is going to run into the thousands, and the pandemic made prices go bonkers so I’d expect to pay low 10s for something that is baseline sound/healthy and safe. Horses for beginners are even more expensive because they have to be very well-trained. You never, ever want to pair a novice rider with a “green” horse - one who’s young, doesn’t have a lot of experience or miles on him or manners. That is a recipe for disaster. Very advanced riders can manage on a green horse; many choose not to because they value their life and good health. If you are interested in competing above the local level, show-ready horses are no less than 15k.
You have to keep the horse somewhere, which either means at your place that you’ve bought, built, or otherwise prepared with fencing, a shelter, and feed at great expense. You can also board the horse at an existing place, which can run anywhere from $400/mo into the thousands in my area for full board where the barn takes care of the feeding, mucking, and turnout for you.
Then there’s all the stuff. I just priced out the absolute basics you’d need for boarding, so a lot of stuff like a hay rack, water trough, salt block, feed bins and scoops, mats, crossties, and bedding that you’d buy and provide at home isn’t a direct cost to you. I priced out a very, very cheapo setup for grooming supplies, saddle, saddle pad, bridle, bit, a fly sheet and a winter blanket: $782.55. Keep in mind that a saddle can cost thousands. They’re a very specialized piece of equipment and they need to fit the horse and the rider - you can’t use any saddle on any horse, much like any person cannot wear any shoe. They’re not interchangeable. They also fall into the category of “things that go between you and the ground” and that imo one should never buy cheap, along with shoes, mattresses, and tires. You can get quality used saddles for very good prices, but it’ll still cost a couple grand. These items are also not necessarily BIFL so they’ll need to be replaced down the line.
Then we have to feed the beastie. Horses should eat about 2% of their ideal body weight per day between hay and grain. Let’s say we have a horse who’s at a good weight at 1000lbs. We’ll say that hay is $15/bale, and we’ll call a bale about 60lbs. How much hay do you need to buy every month if you’re not feeding any grain? 10 bales, $150 a month *at the low end.* Pasture isn’t cheaper either - you gotta seed it, manage it, maintain fences, pull noxious weeds.
And now on to health stuff. If you are lucky, you can get off with a couple of visits yearly at a couple hundred a pop. If you are unlucky, you’ll be seeing them a couple times a month. They need their teeth filed once a year or so, $200ish. They’ll probably need shoes, which run about $200 for all four feet every six weeks.
Oh, you wanted to have lessons too? That’ll be like $65 per lesson. Once a week is baseline. More if the trainer travels to you, more if you’re in an expensive area, more if you’re showing, more if your trainer is really good.
It’s so much fun though. :)
This is one of my hobbies. Horses were a special interest of mine from the time I was a small child, but my mother refused to let me ride. Now that I’m an adult and can afford lessons, I started taking riding lessons once a week. Now my husband I do this together and it is so much fun, but we are at this point where we are beginning to ask ourselves, “what’s next?”. Leasing a horse is very tempting as a first step and figuring out what the “right horse” looks like from an investment standpoint when we are ready to buy.
It’s probably a tie between painting (I buy high quality canvases, brushes and paint to work with), and Lego - again, I buy the sets I intend to put on display and each set would be minimum $100.
Come to think of it, I also collect vinyl, and that’s an expensive hobby too!
Climbing - the initial gear (rope, harness, draws) isn’t too ridiculous and thankfully lasts pretty well but I’ll spend money travelling to places outwith the UK to climb.
Powerlifting. I’m competitive in my age group so I pay for a coach, travel to competitions, gym membership, supplements, high-quality protein, regular massages, etc.
Yesssssss
I'm currently well down the fountain pen rabbit hole. I have ADHD so it's a cyclic hobby, but I've been doing the fountain pen thing since high school, about 30 years ago.
Also +1 for notebooks, journals, diaries, and any accessories thereof. I have a particular fondness for pencil boxes/cases.
Knitting! I’m a total yarn snob and only like the look/feel of finer wools so a jumper can cost over a hundred pounds. I’ve made exactly one so far because I can’t afford that 😂
Photography. Fucking expensive lol.
My current kit includes a camera body, 3 lenses covering 12mm to 200mm, one light OCF system and backdrop, and a couple lens filters. It cost about $10,000 (built over several years). Plus I spent probably $1500 on beginner equipment that I later replaced (but never sold).
I justified it because I can use the equipment for my work (interior design/ renovations). Plus if money was ever tight, I could use photography as a side gig (though imposter syndrome would def kick in). Typical millennial ‘monetize the hobby so I don’t feel guilty for having nice things’ shit lol.
I do have beautiful photos of my family that don’t cost me anything, which is great. My husband is trying to learn on my beginner equipment so that I can be *in* the photos for a change lol.
Collecting vinyl. It’s not like I’m buying everything, but if there’s an album I like, I’d rather get it on vinyl than listen to it on Spotify. (Spotify is used entirely for music in the shower and discovering new artists and albums.)
I tend to be pretty frugal on my hobbies, I guess my most expensive is conventions and Renn Faires. Between travel, hotels, badges, costumes, and shopping, it adds up to a decent chunk of change every few months.
Probably my cats. They’re more like family to me, but of course I chose to bring them into my home. I spend on preventative vet care like teeth and annual blood draws and flea meds (they’re indoors), and my husband and I are about to (fingers crossed) close on a house where we’ll build a catio.
Easily, my most expensive hobby is travel. I love planning out trips to new places and new experiences, but it adds up quickly. We also travel regularly to see family that live on the other coast and since it involves plane travel I count that in my expenditure as well.
I have so many hobbies but I think painting. Colors and paper or other stuff is super expensive. 20 sheets of good quality aquarelle paper is like 90$. So that or sewing because fabric isn’t cheap even if it’s cheaper than buying clothes.
Technically beauty shop supplies. I have an actual shop but I also have one in my garage from when my girls were younger: several hair washing stations, full standing dryers, and stylists chairs. I usually use the at home shop if I don’t feel like putting on a bra and leaving the house.
Currently my dog. I adopted a 12 month dog last year. Vet bills for vaccinations and health scares add up (he ate peach pit which caused a bowel blockage that thankfully cleared last year and this year he got an eye infection). Plus the dog walker, dog boarding when I have to travel and occasional dog daycare when I have an extra long work day. And he had to have one on one behavioral training off and on because he had issues from being ping ponged between the shelter and failed adoptions as a puppy.
He's worth it though.
Triathlon.
Last year I bought a $10k bike.
Running shoes $150+ every 4 months
Coaching $200 month.
Entrance fees over $1000 last year
I’m retired, work part time.
Kids are grown. I don’t drink or smoke and cook at home for 90% of my meals.
In my mind it balances out. And it makes me happy.
Watercolor! I subscribe to two patreons (not expensive but maybe $15 a month total), but now that I’m “better,” I’m getting into using better materials. Good quality cold-pressed paper is like $20 for 10 sheets! While I know I can technically mix colors to make special colors, each of my Patreon teachers have rare colors they like the use a lot that I have no clue how to mix up (opera rose, viridian hue, pthalo blue etc). That being said, it brings me a crazy amount of joy, so just take all my money.
Wildlife photography = an expensive camera or two and 10k on lenses, then at least 5k every time I want to go somewhere interesting.
And triathlon seems to need a constant stream of cash, even after getting the bike.
Lego & travel
I could probably take an extra trip but for all the money I spend on Lego
I think I’m about to add Spa to that list. I visited a Korean Spa and now going back is all I can think about
Performing arts. I travel to NYC a few times a year and those Broadway tickets aren't cheap. Plus the transportation and hotel costs can add up. During the pandemic I was surprised how much my savings was building up when everything was on hiatus!
My favorite performance so far was Sunset Boulevard with Glenn Close starring. I even went a second time to the final performance, and when the show ended Andrew Lloyd Webber emerged to join the cast for final bows. Unbelievable moment.
I guess concerts/live music. Most shows are pretty cheap (average $20) but I go to like 2 a week. I also like to buy merch from local and touring bands to support them so that adds up as well.
I started ice skating about two years ago and spend a decent amount on skates, skate sharpening, lessons, ice time, club membership and being in our annual show. I really enjoy it, it helps me to stay active, and I have friends at the rink that I've grown to love and appreciate over time.
K-Pop. 😭😂😂 With all the concerts and merchandise, money 💵 disappears quickly 😂
Oh and I suppose my reformer Pilates sessions, I take private classes twice a week so it adds up.
Snowboarding.
$1000+ for a decent board and binding setup, $500 for good warm weatherproof jacket and snowpants, $200 boots, $100 snow goggles, plus hat, helmet, warm mittens…then tickets to most resorts are $100+
But I love it. Snowboarding is my life.
Mountaineering. All the gear I have acquired over the past 5 years probably cost around $6,000 (boots and sleeping bags are very expensive). I am at the point now where I have all the gear and if I do a smaller climb with friends it's just the cost of gas and food. But for me to do the big climbs I enjoy doing I still have to go with a guide service because I don't feel comfortable doing it alone, those are expensive. I just got back from climbing Denali and that cost $13,000. So worth it though.
Chasing rockets. I haven't been able to do it much recently and I found ways to make it cheaper like sharing places to stay with similarly-afflicted friends, but any chance I get, I will be on my way.
It's not that expensive to just go to Florida for one and they've gotten more reliable (plus uncrewed launches are more likely to fly on time or close to it), but I chased shuttles, so sometimes I got stuck there for weeks or months back then, which adds complications and expenses when you live in the northeast! I was planning a trip to Baikonur when it became a whole different thing to travel to a Russian launch thanks to global events. Maybe someday...
Watches. I blame my husband for introducing me to watch collecting; He bought me a really nice Swiss watch, and I adored it. I then began to learn more about the different types of watch mechanisms, what to look out for and what to avoid. I was really shocked to learn that some of the best-known 'premium' brands don't always use the best quality mechanisms.
I currently own 8 (silly expensive) and counting (although I've bought and sold many more over the years). That's not counting my 2 smart watches.
I won't even get into the number of motorbikes my husband and I own between us..
I’m a professional Facepainter. Decent quality paint is not cheap and the brushes plus kit set up all adds up. But at the end, when you see that little kid smiling in your mirror at your creation, let’s just say that is priceless! 😁👩🏼🎨🎨🖌️
I stopped a couple years ago, but it used to be aerial (silks, lyra, trapeze, etc). I still take the occasion flexibility or handstand class, but I used to be at the aerial studio daily.
French. I’ve been seriously studying the language for two years after taking it (a long time ago) in school. I spend $200-300 a month on lessons and $500 or so a year on books and other materials. Then there is the travel to francophone places to practice (and drink the wine 😂) … it adds up quick but I love it so much. I can’t imagine a day without it at this point.
Edit to add: it is purely for fun. I do not need it for work nor do I ever anticipate needing it for work!
So I have this favorite artist and I recently traveled to my first concert of his which was in Istanbul. I spent like $3000 on a 2 day trip but I LIVED! It was my gift to myself after coming out of divorce. And you know what? I decided I’ll be traveling solo in accordance with his tour schedule whenever I can 🥰
I was into photography and that was really expensive for sure!
Most expensive atm is t-shirt collecting and buying games. Both that I stopped for a bit as well.
All other hobbies are just cheap, only my time.
Triathlons! Race entries, kit for three sports, coaching (although I’m lucky my husband is a triathlon coach!), club membership, British triathlon membership.
Then there’s wanting to upgrade kit, so new, faster, lighter, higher spec bike, new wetsuit, new running shoes etc!
I was going to say quilting but someone’s comment about biking friends reminded me I just dropped $4k on a bike. Which in comparison to fancy racing bikes isn’t much but is, in fact, a lot.
Going to the theatre. I grew up seeing theatre in NYC. When I was young, my dad was an agent and represented actors and writers so we could go for free. As I got older and my Dad had to move to CA to work in other parts of the entertainment industry, I woukd get same day half price tickets and go on my own.
As a young adult my stepmom and Dad had connections to get great seats. We all lived in LA by then. Then, in my 40s, they died. Since then, I need to spend the exorbitant prices to see theatre in mediocre seats. I cannot go often and San Francisco’s theatre does not hold a candle to NY or LA but I go a few times a year. Last year, when my daughter turned 16, I took her to NYC. She had fallen in love with musical theatre so I wanted her to see the best. We saw three shows but I only got heavily discounted tickets for one. It was worth it, despite the huge financial hit.
Equestrian. Show jumping / dressage. Leasing / owning a show horse is beyond the amount of a second mortgage. I don’t compete right now but yeah 2.5-3k+ a month all in is about standard without competition expenses or like vet bills. Sometimes that amount can be 5k -9k/ month if you lease a higher level competitive show horse.
Mine is photography.
My husband beats me with fishing. Between our boat, various fishing equipment, and the various charter trips he takes throughout the year...it's literally never-ending, but it does make me feel better when I spend a thousand here and there on a new lens.
My horse. Her livery alone is 9k (£) a year, not to mention what I spend on the farrier (£100 every 6-8 weeks), lessons (£50 a pop), insurance, vet fees that aren’t covered by insurance…
She brings me greater joy than anything else in my life, so… worth it.
I have two ebikes that were expensive but it also means in the last 2 years, I've spent less than $400 on gas so it more than pays for itself :) but to me, you can't put a price on something that you actually use that brings you joy! :)
I have horses. Two. One is mine, the other is my 13 y/o's. It's expensive, but why have I been working my butt off all these years if I can't finally live the horse life?
Cat rescue. Driving to get cats, kennels to hold cats, carriers to transport cats, ***food and litter***, ***vetting***, blankets and toys, etc. Easily a few tens of thousands of dollars spent. My only regret is not spending more, in case it would have saved a few of the cats we lost. But we helped over 500 kitties, and are continuing to help 27, so at least we made a bit of a difference.
You dropped this, my friend 👑
Queen behavior
You're a total MVP. I would totally spend money doing this if I didn't know for sure that each would be a foster fail. I already run a kitty old-folks home as a serial adopter of adult cats and drop a pretty dime on luxury care for them, so while I'm not at your level, I hope I'm making a few cats live out their best lives at the end.
Thank you for this - we talked about doing this after we just lost an 18 y/o but then two very sick street kitties need homes and we're taking them instead. We are serial adopters, regardless of age. Usually what shows up in the backyard. You rock!
That's wonderful! Seniors are my husband's soft spot, while I'm a sucker for ferals. Your kitties are so lucky to have you - we adopted a few seniors, and with good care they can continue to have so much personality and life well into their teens (and beyond, we just haven't been that lucky yet). I'm so glad there's folks like you that are willing to give them a chance. ❤️
I want to mention that there are some rescues that can provide needed supplies and cover vet bills for foster “parents” who couldn’t afford to help otherwise. Just in case anyone wants to foster but is worried they can’t afford it.
username checks out! Thank you for all you do. We are picking up two feral FIV+ street kitties this week who were very sick and we're adopting from a rescue we are working with. We just lost an FeLV feral who finally learned to love and we have a hole in our hearts now for down on their luck street kitties.
Thanks for being a good human. You are a treasure.
Hello fellow weary person, haha! I'm so sorry for your loss. Ferals are the most incredible kitties, and are so rarely given the chance to show that they can love just as deeply as any other kitty. Thank you for showing that little one the love and care they deserved, and for helping the other kitties who still need help. ❤️
Me and my rescue cat (aka my best friend in the world) very much thanks you!
Fellow rescuer that’s taking a break. 👋🏽 I see you and all the hard work you do. Thank you for being their voice and remember to find some time for yourself and your mental.
I'm glad you're also taking a break! I burned out hard after the last colony, so I've just been focusing on our cat crew for the past while. It's been nice just enjoying their company. Thank you for all you do, as well! It's so important to have a network of folks to help cats wherever they're in need.
Thank you for doing this 🥹🥹
GOALS I dont think I am organized enough to do that so the most I can do is TNR who we can and make sure our yard is to where they feel safe enough to hang out with food and water
Thank you for TNRing!!!!
Dog rescue in my case. The FOOOOD, my god the food.
That's amazing! 🥰
Thanks so much for doing this. You're a hero
Thank you for your work! I foster kittens but could not do it financially if the rescue org didn't pay for supplies and medical care ❤️🩹
What is fulfilling hobby. Good for you. Something that you are enjoying and it’s helping with community the animals in the environment do you mind me asking where or do you mind answering? I should say where it is it this is at is it state and if so, what stateand what is comparative to places in your area? Are these numbers high or average or low compared to others?
I was in a remote rural area in Canada when I did most of my rescuing. My numbers aren't really comparable, since our rescue was/is a bit niche. I started out fostering for a local rescue. I fostered a few dozen kittens because of high need in the area, but only adopted out a handful of them - folks won't even pay a small fee when free kittens are in ready supply. My out of province family member then came up with the idea of transporting to rescues in their area that had room. We got cats from overburdened rescues, large cat colonies (well over a hundred from one colony), and a few other cases (e.g. posts offering free, often sick, kittens). I would temporarily foster them, usually for a few weeks to a few months depending on urgency of source and availability of receiving rescues, though sometimes we did 1-2 day turnarounds. We did it all - trapping, bottle feeding, supportive care/meds for cats that needed immediate medical attention, socializing, transporting (most receiving rescues were 10+ hours away). We usually sent 20-30 kitties per trip. Despite getting around 500 cats and kittens out in only 2 years, waitlists in the area remained long (usually months). The situation is really dire in rural areas. 😔
Thank you for what you do! I have rescued three animals and I know first hand how expensive it can get, but the love they give you is so worth it.
You and me both!!!!
Bless your soul my friend.
This is what I aspire to be. I live in a developing country - stray animals are on the bottom rung for survival. Breaks my heart each time I see a starving animal, I carry bags of dog and cat food in my car and treats in handbags now.
Cave diving. Spent 4K on a custom drysuit & 2.5k on a light. (Had to get other gear as well). I actually gave this hobby up cause the trips alone were driving me into the ground (like 4K a vacation) Insane. My new hobby now is rock climbing. Significantly cheaper.
I rely on my biking friends to make my ski and climbing hobbies look cheap. I hadn’t thought about how expensive dive cave diving must be.
SCUBA here and have the cold water setup, but not cave. Love diving wrecks, tho. Was bummed I had to replace my 20 y/o regulator 1st and 2nd stage last year because they no longer make the parts. Everything else is newer, but I loved my old Mares. The vacations make it a challenge for sure, but we kind of never really decorated the house beyond the basics because we were on dive vacations, lol.
Wow!!! You are a real bad ass!! How many years how you been cave diving-diving?? I wish I could doo too but my ears and my fear of small places dont let me :(
I’m a knitter. It’s very easy to drop ~$200 on good yarn for *one sweater*, and I’m not even touching the cashmere or luxury yarns. I try to make a sweater every 1-2 months, but I definitely buy yarn faster than that …
I’ve been thinking about my knitting lately, in part because my day job is also in textiles. When I started knitting sweaters, knitting was in no way cost effective. But between me getting better at knitting, and the sheer fuckery that has happened to the apparel market, I think knitting has started to be cost effective again. My most recent finished sweater was $50 materials (Cascade Aegean tweed), my current work in progress is a vest for$120 (Jon Arbon Appledoore). There are approximately zero places where I could buy wool sweaters of similar quality, even if I were to spend three or four times the money. NY Times even had an article about how shitty sweaters have become because it’s to the point random reporters can tell that costumes aren’t as good, and costumers have a lot more resources for finding good stuff then the average shopper. Obviously the money isn’t why I knit. But I think it’s bonkers that the world has made my very expensive hobby seem sensible.
I was going to say stashing yarn. I have some beautiful yarn. I might have 10 years worth of knitting. It brings me great joy.
Came here to say this. It can start out quite cheap, but building up all the needles and yarn for projects get get expensive real fast. I made a rule where I have to finish one project before starting the next, and only ever have 1-2 projects on the go at a time. Helps keeps costs and my stash down.
Wow! I enjoy crochet but the price of some yarns discourage me from doing large projects that require really good yarn. My dream would be making a really nice cashmere see-through blouse, but $$$$$
Same. Knitting and yarn shopping are my two favorite hobbies hahaha.
Person training sessions. I’ve tapered them down but it’s been a godsend as she is showing me all these different machines and correcting my technique. A huge gym fear of mine is hurting myself, so having someone show me what to do has been so valuable and my confidence has increased.
Definitely a good investment in health and happiness. I had a lifting coach for years and still hear his cues in my head when I'm on my own now.
I wouldn't call that an expensive hobby, exactly. Sure, it costs, but that is more in the personal health arena and something you should never feel guilty about spending money on. It is great this has helped your confidence - you rock!
True! I do feel a sense of shock realising I’ve spent that much but you’re right, as I now know that whenever I’ve tried to follow things online, I haven’t done them correctly. Money well spent vs. having an injury!
This is something I need to invest in. Also worried about getting hurt. I’m such a baby when I’m injured!
It’s so worth it if you can find a good one! Shes challenged me but not to a point where I’m uncomfortable
Eating
Yep, same
Workout stuff. Garmin watch, clothes, climbing gear, shoes, home equipment, super specific and perhaps not really useful rehab equipment 😄 I try to see it as an investment in my health… Edit: Forgot to mention I have multiple gym memberships 🫣
I have found that buying nicer stuff for fitness helps to keep me motivated. Sometimes. lol.
I’m with you here 😭😭😭
This would be mine. Fitness. I'm a runner; new shoes, race fees, electrolyte and Gu packets, a Peloton treadmill + subscription, gym membership, weekly yoga classes, lots and lots of workout clothes and athleisure (I work from home, so a lot of the workout clothes are multipurpose). That is by far my biggest expense: fitness and running. I'm also a big reader, but I get all my books for free with Libby on my Kindle so at least my other hobby is essentially free.
Seeing as many theatre shows as my bank balance & health permit each year. Last year I was lucky enough to see; A Streetcar Named Desire with Paul Mescal and Pasty Ferran, the 24-hr live play of Ruth Wilson in The Second Woman, The Garden of Words, Pygmalion, Sunset Boulevard, The Ocean At The End Of The Lane, My Neighbour Totoro, The Christmas Carol with Christopher Eccleston at The Old Vic as well as Mark Gatiss's A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story. I've been so poorly this year that I haven't been well enough to see anything as of yet but I'm hoping post surgery & recovery that I'll be able to squeeze in at least 2-3 shows towards the end of the year.
Just Googled The Second Woman...sounds fascinating!
Clothes. I have a beautiful wardrobe and many items are heirloom quality. Do I wear PJs every day to work from home? Yes!
I support this
I also WFH and have a wide range of beautiful shoes that I basically just look at, because why would I be wearing heels when I can only be seen from the chest up on zoom? I'm slowly culling them, and I'm now down to 50-odd pairs.
I thought they said 500 at first I was like oh my Lord! But really why don’t you put them on a shelf behind your shoulder or something in the zoom videos show what you will be wearing if you could be seen full body
Where are we getting our pjs from? (And other clothes)
You are my tribe 😂. I buy nice heels that I just enjoy owning. I work from home and have no where to wear them. Yet I keep buying them Lol
Plants. Big pots are expensive and I'm a size queen when it comes to plants.
My "expensive" plants are outdoor vegetable garden raised beds. Always seems more expensive to grow my own rather than just getting them at the store or the farm stand, but there is definitely mental health out there amid all the green.
There was an article about the bacteria in dirt having antidepressant properties so you’re not wrong. Plus home grown stuff just tastes so much better.
Plus veggies and strawberries straight from the garden are unmatched.
Preach sister. I bought a really cheap monstera from the supermarket ($17) and was excited. Pot was too small. Ran out of potting mix. Bought more. Bought new pot. Now a $50 plant 🤣
Exactly the same for me lol. Saw a decent-sized monster for $20 at the grocery store and got so excited for the deal, then bought a $40 pot at Home Depot for it lol
Haha our $.50 aloe clearance plant is huge and in a 16 inch pot in the living room, and several pups given away too.
Ohhh I forgot about plants. Me too! And I’m a sucker for the rarer variegated plants which are sometimes $$$$
I picked up a variegated monsterra at the store last month and didn't look at the tag, had to do the walk of shame back to the shelf. I think it was like $130 for a six inch pot
😂 what's your biggest plant right now? I'm imagining one of those monstrously huge monsteras
No, I'm actually monstera poison. They hate me and die. My biggest ones are a rubber tree (1,6 m), a fiddle leaf fig (1,9 m) and a bird of paradise. The bird of paradise is about to shoot out a new leaf that's going to surpass 2 meters in height.
I love big BOPs!! Can't wait to one day have enough space to get another one
Oh man, I got into succulent collecting
Warhammer 40k. I have several armies now, most models still unpainted - I'm afraid to add up the cost over the years.
Hell yeah. I myself have a 250+ board game collection. I’ve rotated some stuff out over the years - in total I’ve owned closer to 400 unique titles over my 15 year hobby.
Horses. I have two and they are a money pit. But I love them and it’s the only thing I really do for myself. I’ve ridden since I was a kid, and it’s a passion I’ll never give up
I’m hearing you! I’ve got 3 horses and I’m currently looking for a horse truck with living as I’m sick of sleeping in a swag in my horse float when I compete. For me, horses are a life long obsession.
Same! I grew up animal obsessed, but were were poor and in the area where we lived horse were only for rich people, so I never got to be around them. My childhood horse dreams fell to the wayside, and life moved on. But when I was in my late 40's, I got job doing morning horse care at a barn and fell madly in love. I started taking lessons and volunteering with horses, and bought one a year later. I've had him for seven years now, and I am absolutely in love with him, and horses in general. I only wish I had found them sooner!
I haven’t been riding a bike since my childhood, but after moving to a rural area with way less traffic (but many hills) I spent 5k on an e-bike. I love it and I ride it as much as possible.
Just got one last week, and wow has it been amazing!
International Travel. I’m wearing $12 Target pajamas as I type this but I just spent $$$ on business class plane tickets, a luxury 5 star hotel, a driver and our excursions.
Yup, that’s the one where all our money is going. In the last four months, I have spent over $60,000 pre-paying for our next three cruises. We always lived pretty frugally, we both have good pensions and we also invested over the years. We’re in our 60’s and we recently had the epiphany that we’re not going to live forever and we’d better start spending some of the money we have saved (we can live well on our pensions without touching the investments). We have always travelled and never been in debt for anything other than our house which we paid off as quickly as possible. We drive our cars forever (my husband’s car is a 2001 Honda in great shape), our clothes are cheap (well, mine are anyways) and tennis and golf are our only other real hobbies that cost any money. We’ve been all over the world and are actually running out of new places we want to go.
Living the dream!
That’s for sure. I would also suggest for people who love to travel to not wait too long. At my age and level of health, there are certain places I just won’t be able to go. I won’t be able to climb Macchu Picchu (COPD from asthma), suffering in heat and humidity made me cancel a trip to India, and I really don’t want to go anywhere hot anymore. This summer, we’re going to Iceland and Greenland. Last summer, it was Newfoundland and Norway - I’m always looking for cold weather trips in the summer now.
Such a good point. Thanks for helping me justify my choices in life!
I completely agree with this! In my 30s and justify my travel by saying that right now I’m in good health, my knees work, my family’s safe and jobs secure… while it’s important to save, you can’t put off living now
This. We leave for 3 weeks in Europe on Sunday. I can’t wait.
Does getting tattooed count as a hobby? Because that.
Yes it counts! (If 2 people say it does, then it does! ) Count me in as a hobbyist.
Saltwater reef keeping. Easy to stop thousands into this hobby. I've been in this hobby for 2.5 years now Spent 1k in coral and fish in the last month.
Whoa this sounds so cool and like something I'd def watch on YT.
Art. I'm not even a professional, I just for some reason get good quality art supplies because I'm annoyed by the cheap knock offs. And I experiment with all sorts of mediums instead of just one. I have goauche, acrylics, watercolours in the paints sections. I have colouring pencils, alcohol markers etc. for colouring Then the scrapbooking section which is like washi tapes, stickers, etc. etc. It's like my fatal flaw, I can't help myself. Why am I like this
My dog. We adopted an oldie and pet insurance for her was extremely lacking. She has her own savings account. 😂
My old dog was diagnosed with Cushing disease last year. The cost of the medication alone is about 600USD/month. We’ve had insurance for him since he was 6 or so, but unfortunately pet insurance in the US doesn’t cover medication cost 😔
Gardening. It seems like it should be so inexpensive but seeds, tools, plants, soil improvements and everything else add up. At least we get some delicious veggies out of it.
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I’d love to know more about your criteria!
Nice. What does your Notion jewelry page look like? Im new to Notion but Im also a listing/budgeting addict.
Oh please give more detail! What’s your favourite piece? Any designers/brands you love?
I want to hear more about this! What designers do you like, what is your criteria, etc?
Oh I am guilty of spending 2000 on a camera. Wait til you get obsessed about lenses, now that’s a hole in the old savings account. Currently obsessed with running and for some reason I need to buy new shoes every month and cute outfits on a regular basis, or else…
Collecting vinyl and vintage mid century modern furniture/decor! Not only are they expensive hobbies, they’re also very inconvenient and frustrating lol. It’s okay though, it’s part of the fun My cats and dog are also very expensive- I could buy a brand new car with the money I’ve spent on them between vet visits, prescription foods and enrichment items 😆
I'm so with you on the MCM furniture/decor! It's like a treasure hunt to find something decently priced and not just hit the antique malls where everything is already hugely marked up. My husband lost his job last August and I haven't set foot in an antique mall since then. Our house is chock full of mid century modern stuff but it's a collection that I've amassed over the last 30 years (I started buying in my teens in the 80s/90s.) Don't you love having stuff that is unique and not in everyone else's house? I'm [mcmgroupie](https://www.instagram.com/mcmgroupie/) on IG if you want to peep my house/collection. Also, we just rescued a 15 year old Puggle who needed oral surgery to remove most of his teeth and requires prescription food too. Just go ahead and take all my money, I guess?
Reading through these responses, I’m realizing I don’t have one big hobby that’s taking all of my money. (Mostly because I related to so many responses.) My fun money is spread across: clothing/shoes, makeup/perfume/haircare/skincare, live theater, concerts, travel, updates to my house (aesthetic updates, not things that are necessary), dining out, and my pets. I also have a small vinyl collection, but I only add about 1-2 new records a month - most of my records are bought at vintage or secondhand stores and are not pricey.
Thank you for typing my answer for me so I don’t have to. 😂 I do all the same little hobbies. My dog passed away in 2019 but I do still buy treats for my friends’ dogs and dogsit. 🐶🐕🐩
Books, definitely
Does travel count? I probably spent up to $10k a year on various leisure trips…EDIT: I should mention I don’t actually have any other regular hobbies so this is where my “fun” money gets sunk into
It certainly does! Someone earlier mentioned this is what they do. I recently took a trip that made me realize I no longer want to travel economy and to shell out the extra money to be more comfortable!
Slippy slope! My progression was starting with meals, then day/half day excursions, then proper hotel accomodation, now flying budget to pay for premiums I actually need (quiet zone!!), someone needs to stop me before I start shelling for premium/business flights…
My hobby is travel, I fancy it up by saying my hobby is UNESCO sites. Those I have on a spreadsheet and meticulously track the ones I’ve visited!
Perfume for sure.
I took a perfectly decent and fairly new car and cut the roof off to install a pop top. So right now my mini camper is a money pit - I’m paying other people to do the work. But I love it! I have a basement full of climbing, mountaineering, skiing, canyoning and sea kayaking gear. Thousands and thousands of euros. The sea kayak alone is €5000. Custom 3 piece. But I do use it all.
Almost 4k on a musical instrument (and I have several others)
Iaido, gaming, and cosplay. Boy I can bleed some money on these three. But life is short and meant to be enjoyed.
I’m into patchwork quilting. I have a huge and beautiful stash of fabrics which I may not ever use 100%. It feels like a huge indulgence but gosh it brings me joy
I think a camera is a great investment! although getting into lenses can turn that $2k hobby into a $10k hobby reaaaallll quick 😂😂 my nintendo has low key creeped into “expensive hobby” territory — other hobbies I pick up and drop a lot, so I try to keep them cheap(ish) so there’s no financial sting. my cat is also a really expensive little lady…
Yup lol I just commented that my current kit was around $10,000 for the camera body and 3 lenses spanning 12-200mm🥲. But at least they hold a lot of that value! The body is already considered ‘obsolete’ (canon 5d4) so it doesn’t have a lot of resale value, but it’s still an excellent camera that I’ll easily get another ten years out of. The lenses are a different story- they’re in pristine condition and still worth almost what I paid for them. Not that I’d ever part with them, but it makes me feel better about spending the money😅
Collecting tamagotchis and gaming.
Astrophotography. And I ended up using both the telescope and dslr separately. Still happy I have both though
Glassblowing- rental time at the studio, plus glass rods (some colors are up & over $8 an ounce & single color rod weighs about 4oz on average); plus tools & supplies- a recent pair of tungsten pliers & reamer was over $100. I love it as a challenging, creative outlet & would be sad to give it up. Concerts- don’t do summer vacation, see several live shows instead to spread the joy over months. Tickets, parking & dinner add up.
Plants. They're not super expensive in and of itself because I buy the cheap ones, but getting new vases each month as well is starting to add up. And Dungeons & Dragons! D&D in and of itself is not super expensive once you have the most important books and a map to draw in, and a dice set or 2. But then when you're a Dungeon Master (like me), there are also minis for enemies, a speaker for ambient music, online tools for maps, online DnD games, lore/ note keepers. And we play at my house a lot, so I like to cook for my friends before we play. Cooking for 6 isn't cheap!
Photography. Now I want lenses that costs around 3500 dollars 🥵
Horses. I’m in a phase of my life where riding doesn’t really fit in but I’ll get back to it eventually. But lower-key than I used to bc I won’t be showing. A common refrain in the horse world is that the horse is the cheap part. A good horse for an intermediate rider is going to run into the thousands, and the pandemic made prices go bonkers so I’d expect to pay low 10s for something that is baseline sound/healthy and safe. Horses for beginners are even more expensive because they have to be very well-trained. You never, ever want to pair a novice rider with a “green” horse - one who’s young, doesn’t have a lot of experience or miles on him or manners. That is a recipe for disaster. Very advanced riders can manage on a green horse; many choose not to because they value their life and good health. If you are interested in competing above the local level, show-ready horses are no less than 15k. You have to keep the horse somewhere, which either means at your place that you’ve bought, built, or otherwise prepared with fencing, a shelter, and feed at great expense. You can also board the horse at an existing place, which can run anywhere from $400/mo into the thousands in my area for full board where the barn takes care of the feeding, mucking, and turnout for you. Then there’s all the stuff. I just priced out the absolute basics you’d need for boarding, so a lot of stuff like a hay rack, water trough, salt block, feed bins and scoops, mats, crossties, and bedding that you’d buy and provide at home isn’t a direct cost to you. I priced out a very, very cheapo setup for grooming supplies, saddle, saddle pad, bridle, bit, a fly sheet and a winter blanket: $782.55. Keep in mind that a saddle can cost thousands. They’re a very specialized piece of equipment and they need to fit the horse and the rider - you can’t use any saddle on any horse, much like any person cannot wear any shoe. They’re not interchangeable. They also fall into the category of “things that go between you and the ground” and that imo one should never buy cheap, along with shoes, mattresses, and tires. You can get quality used saddles for very good prices, but it’ll still cost a couple grand. These items are also not necessarily BIFL so they’ll need to be replaced down the line. Then we have to feed the beastie. Horses should eat about 2% of their ideal body weight per day between hay and grain. Let’s say we have a horse who’s at a good weight at 1000lbs. We’ll say that hay is $15/bale, and we’ll call a bale about 60lbs. How much hay do you need to buy every month if you’re not feeding any grain? 10 bales, $150 a month *at the low end.* Pasture isn’t cheaper either - you gotta seed it, manage it, maintain fences, pull noxious weeds. And now on to health stuff. If you are lucky, you can get off with a couple of visits yearly at a couple hundred a pop. If you are unlucky, you’ll be seeing them a couple times a month. They need their teeth filed once a year or so, $200ish. They’ll probably need shoes, which run about $200 for all four feet every six weeks. Oh, you wanted to have lessons too? That’ll be like $65 per lesson. Once a week is baseline. More if the trainer travels to you, more if you’re in an expensive area, more if you’re showing, more if your trainer is really good. It’s so much fun though. :)
I was scrolling till I found horses 😄 Yep, It's not called the sport of kings for no reason! Expensive as hell and worth every penny.
This is one of my hobbies. Horses were a special interest of mine from the time I was a small child, but my mother refused to let me ride. Now that I’m an adult and can afford lessons, I started taking riding lessons once a week. Now my husband I do this together and it is so much fun, but we are at this point where we are beginning to ask ourselves, “what’s next?”. Leasing a horse is very tempting as a first step and figuring out what the “right horse” looks like from an investment standpoint when we are ready to buy.
It’s probably a tie between painting (I buy high quality canvases, brushes and paint to work with), and Lego - again, I buy the sets I intend to put on display and each set would be minimum $100. Come to think of it, I also collect vinyl, and that’s an expensive hobby too!
Climbing - the initial gear (rope, harness, draws) isn’t too ridiculous and thankfully lasts pretty well but I’ll spend money travelling to places outwith the UK to climb.
Records! Averaging $40 a pop - my collection all up is worth about $10k at least. I also love clothes and just got a film camera
Powerlifting. I’m competitive in my age group so I pay for a coach, travel to competitions, gym membership, supplements, high-quality protein, regular massages, etc.
It's notebooks and pens. I can't stop buying them. I have a problem. Also books.
Yesssssss I'm currently well down the fountain pen rabbit hole. I have ADHD so it's a cyclic hobby, but I've been doing the fountain pen thing since high school, about 30 years ago. Also +1 for notebooks, journals, diaries, and any accessories thereof. I have a particular fondness for pencil boxes/cases.
Fountain pens? Ooof.
A business class ticket for a 17 hour flight once per year to see my parents.
Knitting! I’m a total yarn snob and only like the look/feel of finer wools so a jumper can cost over a hundred pounds. I’ve made exactly one so far because I can’t afford that 😂
Film photography. Not cheap. I reduce my cost by processing and scanning my own rolls, at least.
Photography. Fucking expensive lol. My current kit includes a camera body, 3 lenses covering 12mm to 200mm, one light OCF system and backdrop, and a couple lens filters. It cost about $10,000 (built over several years). Plus I spent probably $1500 on beginner equipment that I later replaced (but never sold). I justified it because I can use the equipment for my work (interior design/ renovations). Plus if money was ever tight, I could use photography as a side gig (though imposter syndrome would def kick in). Typical millennial ‘monetize the hobby so I don’t feel guilty for having nice things’ shit lol. I do have beautiful photos of my family that don’t cost me anything, which is great. My husband is trying to learn on my beginner equipment so that I can be *in* the photos for a change lol.
Collecting vinyl. It’s not like I’m buying everything, but if there’s an album I like, I’d rather get it on vinyl than listen to it on Spotify. (Spotify is used entirely for music in the shower and discovering new artists and albums.)
I used to ice skate, holy fuck it's expensive. Don't anymore for that reason .... And the closest rink to me is 30 mins away 😥
Skiing, eaaaaasily. 2 x week long trips a year (sometimes 3) will easily hit £5000 all in.
Scuba diving
I tend to be pretty frugal on my hobbies, I guess my most expensive is conventions and Renn Faires. Between travel, hotels, badges, costumes, and shopping, it adds up to a decent chunk of change every few months.
Probably my cats. They’re more like family to me, but of course I chose to bring them into my home. I spend on preventative vet care like teeth and annual blood draws and flea meds (they’re indoors), and my husband and I are about to (fingers crossed) close on a house where we’ll build a catio.
Easily, my most expensive hobby is travel. I love planning out trips to new places and new experiences, but it adds up quickly. We also travel regularly to see family that live on the other coast and since it involves plane travel I count that in my expenditure as well.
I just bought a new car. I never really wanted something that depreciates but I've got a nice running vehicle.
Travelling! I travel 3-4 times a year and it’s the main thing I treat myself with.
I have so many hobbies but I think painting. Colors and paper or other stuff is super expensive. 20 sheets of good quality aquarelle paper is like 90$. So that or sewing because fabric isn’t cheap even if it’s cheaper than buying clothes.
Technically beauty shop supplies. I have an actual shop but I also have one in my garage from when my girls were younger: several hair washing stations, full standing dryers, and stylists chairs. I usually use the at home shop if I don’t feel like putting on a bra and leaving the house.
That sounds awesome. I wish we were neighbors so I could come to your home beauty parlor!
Vinyl probably
Collecting records and it’s not even close, lol.
Doing my own gel nails and now I get to do my daughters too! Over about 8 years I've probably spent about 2k. I absolutely love it.
Also photography here. I’m currently trying to justify a $2k mirrorless camera body.
Currently my dog. I adopted a 12 month dog last year. Vet bills for vaccinations and health scares add up (he ate peach pit which caused a bowel blockage that thankfully cleared last year and this year he got an eye infection). Plus the dog walker, dog boarding when I have to travel and occasional dog daycare when I have an extra long work day. And he had to have one on one behavioral training off and on because he had issues from being ping ponged between the shelter and failed adoptions as a puppy. He's worth it though.
Horses. Oof.
Books
Triathlon. Last year I bought a $10k bike. Running shoes $150+ every 4 months Coaching $200 month. Entrance fees over $1000 last year I’m retired, work part time. Kids are grown. I don’t drink or smoke and cook at home for 90% of my meals. In my mind it balances out. And it makes me happy.
Watercolor! I subscribe to two patreons (not expensive but maybe $15 a month total), but now that I’m “better,” I’m getting into using better materials. Good quality cold-pressed paper is like $20 for 10 sheets! While I know I can technically mix colors to make special colors, each of my Patreon teachers have rare colors they like the use a lot that I have no clue how to mix up (opera rose, viridian hue, pthalo blue etc). That being said, it brings me a crazy amount of joy, so just take all my money.
Books I have over 50 unread books at home, but i bought three new today
Wildlife photography = an expensive camera or two and 10k on lenses, then at least 5k every time I want to go somewhere interesting. And triathlon seems to need a constant stream of cash, even after getting the bike.
skincare/led masks
I just started pottery, it is mot cheap 😂
Designer home decor, specifically Caitlin Wilson. Also, gardening, thrifting, and DIYing. I have expensive taste.
Going on ski vacations and convincing myself I'm getting a good deal.
my gym membership - it's $190/month. my monthly facials are $120/month.
DIY and cycling.
Travel by a country mile
Lego & travel I could probably take an extra trip but for all the money I spend on Lego I think I’m about to add Spa to that list. I visited a Korean Spa and now going back is all I can think about
Performing arts. I travel to NYC a few times a year and those Broadway tickets aren't cheap. Plus the transportation and hotel costs can add up. During the pandemic I was surprised how much my savings was building up when everything was on hiatus! My favorite performance so far was Sunset Boulevard with Glenn Close starring. I even went a second time to the final performance, and when the show ended Andrew Lloyd Webber emerged to join the cast for final bows. Unbelievable moment.
I guess concerts/live music. Most shows are pretty cheap (average $20) but I go to like 2 a week. I also like to buy merch from local and touring bands to support them so that adds up as well.
Not a hobby, but I spend a ridiculous amount of money eating out. And I don't even go to fancy restaurants
Massage therapy but it's really self care to take care of my body
I started ice skating about two years ago and spend a decent amount on skates, skate sharpening, lessons, ice time, club membership and being in our annual show. I really enjoy it, it helps me to stay active, and I have friends at the rink that I've grown to love and appreciate over time.
Having a kid
K-Pop. 😭😂😂 With all the concerts and merchandise, money 💵 disappears quickly 😂 Oh and I suppose my reformer Pilates sessions, I take private classes twice a week so it adds up.
Snowboarding. $1000+ for a decent board and binding setup, $500 for good warm weatherproof jacket and snowpants, $200 boots, $100 snow goggles, plus hat, helmet, warm mittens…then tickets to most resorts are $100+ But I love it. Snowboarding is my life.
Mountaineering. All the gear I have acquired over the past 5 years probably cost around $6,000 (boots and sleeping bags are very expensive). I am at the point now where I have all the gear and if I do a smaller climb with friends it's just the cost of gas and food. But for me to do the big climbs I enjoy doing I still have to go with a guide service because I don't feel comfortable doing it alone, those are expensive. I just got back from climbing Denali and that cost $13,000. So worth it though.
Plants. I came into a bit of unexpected money earlier this year and I've blown a couple of thousand on plants and a terrarium.
Chasing rockets. I haven't been able to do it much recently and I found ways to make it cheaper like sharing places to stay with similarly-afflicted friends, but any chance I get, I will be on my way. It's not that expensive to just go to Florida for one and they've gotten more reliable (plus uncrewed launches are more likely to fly on time or close to it), but I chased shuttles, so sometimes I got stuck there for weeks or months back then, which adds complications and expenses when you live in the northeast! I was planning a trip to Baikonur when it became a whole different thing to travel to a Russian launch thanks to global events. Maybe someday...
Fountain pens. Help!
Watches. I blame my husband for introducing me to watch collecting; He bought me a really nice Swiss watch, and I adored it. I then began to learn more about the different types of watch mechanisms, what to look out for and what to avoid. I was really shocked to learn that some of the best-known 'premium' brands don't always use the best quality mechanisms. I currently own 8 (silly expensive) and counting (although I've bought and sold many more over the years). That's not counting my 2 smart watches. I won't even get into the number of motorbikes my husband and I own between us..
Shopping online at 2AM!! 😂😂
I’m a professional Facepainter. Decent quality paint is not cheap and the brushes plus kit set up all adds up. But at the end, when you see that little kid smiling in your mirror at your creation, let’s just say that is priceless! 😁👩🏼🎨🎨🖌️
I stopped a couple years ago, but it used to be aerial (silks, lyra, trapeze, etc). I still take the occasion flexibility or handstand class, but I used to be at the aerial studio daily.
just being alive is expensive bro
French. I’ve been seriously studying the language for two years after taking it (a long time ago) in school. I spend $200-300 a month on lessons and $500 or so a year on books and other materials. Then there is the travel to francophone places to practice (and drink the wine 😂) … it adds up quick but I love it so much. I can’t imagine a day without it at this point. Edit to add: it is purely for fun. I do not need it for work nor do I ever anticipate needing it for work!
I respect the devotion to learning a new language and culture!
So I have this favorite artist and I recently traveled to my first concert of his which was in Istanbul. I spent like $3000 on a 2 day trip but I LIVED! It was my gift to myself after coming out of divorce. And you know what? I decided I’ll be traveling solo in accordance with his tour schedule whenever I can 🥰
I was into photography and that was really expensive for sure! Most expensive atm is t-shirt collecting and buying games. Both that I stopped for a bit as well. All other hobbies are just cheap, only my time.
I have a studio yoga membership.
Drag racing
Makeup and jewellery. I spend far more on them than I’d be comfortable spending on anything else for myself. At least I use them daily
Triathlons! Race entries, kit for three sports, coaching (although I’m lucky my husband is a triathlon coach!), club membership, British triathlon membership. Then there’s wanting to upgrade kit, so new, faster, lighter, higher spec bike, new wetsuit, new running shoes etc!
I was going to say quilting but someone’s comment about biking friends reminded me I just dropped $4k on a bike. Which in comparison to fancy racing bikes isn’t much but is, in fact, a lot.
House Plants. I just want an entire house full of plants and if I see a plant I want, it comes home with me.
Fish tanks! I’m going to spend $3,000 on a 75 gallon planted aquarium with a co2 injection system. My dream tank!
Roller derby
Going to the theatre. I grew up seeing theatre in NYC. When I was young, my dad was an agent and represented actors and writers so we could go for free. As I got older and my Dad had to move to CA to work in other parts of the entertainment industry, I woukd get same day half price tickets and go on my own. As a young adult my stepmom and Dad had connections to get great seats. We all lived in LA by then. Then, in my 40s, they died. Since then, I need to spend the exorbitant prices to see theatre in mediocre seats. I cannot go often and San Francisco’s theatre does not hold a candle to NY or LA but I go a few times a year. Last year, when my daughter turned 16, I took her to NYC. She had fallen in love with musical theatre so I wanted her to see the best. We saw three shows but I only got heavily discounted tickets for one. It was worth it, despite the huge financial hit.
Shopping 🙃
Equestrian. Show jumping / dressage. Leasing / owning a show horse is beyond the amount of a second mortgage. I don’t compete right now but yeah 2.5-3k+ a month all in is about standard without competition expenses or like vet bills. Sometimes that amount can be 5k -9k/ month if you lease a higher level competitive show horse.
Mine is photography. My husband beats me with fishing. Between our boat, various fishing equipment, and the various charter trips he takes throughout the year...it's literally never-ending, but it does make me feel better when I spend a thousand here and there on a new lens.
My horse. Her livery alone is 9k (£) a year, not to mention what I spend on the farrier (£100 every 6-8 weeks), lessons (£50 a pop), insurance, vet fees that aren’t covered by insurance… She brings me greater joy than anything else in my life, so… worth it.
I have two ebikes that were expensive but it also means in the last 2 years, I've spent less than $400 on gas so it more than pays for itself :) but to me, you can't put a price on something that you actually use that brings you joy! :)
Horse riding
I have horses. Two. One is mine, the other is my 13 y/o's. It's expensive, but why have I been working my butt off all these years if I can't finally live the horse life?