Books (or music, games, movies) - how do you pay for your habit?

[Imbri]

There's no doubt about it - things we love often cost money. My main money-busting hobbies are books and yarn. Well, fencing, but that's in another category, so I'm politely ignoring it right now.

I subsidize my yarn habit by taking on commissions for people; the price I charge is double the cost of the yarn. I don't do a lot of commissions, because knitting is something I do for fun. I don't want to start viewing it as something I have to do, y'know?

That leaves books. I get a lot of them. No, really. A *lot*. Kindle is awesome, and I routinely haunt sites like Pixel of Ink for freebies and discounted books, but I also believe in supporting authors. so I purchase plenty. I also refuse to totally give up physical books in favor of e-books, so the UPS driver regularly stops at my house with deliveries.

In order to offset some of the costs, I came up with a system that I've used the last few years - I pay myself to read. It's based off of the way I used to (well, still do) afford presents during the holidays for my family and friends when I was in school: I put all my loose change in jars and then rolled it and used that. It's amazing how much it adds up to over the course of a year!

The first year, I put $2/book in a jar. I earned $200 that year, which I converted to Amazon cards and applied to my account. Then I got some of the stuff I'd been throwing on my wishlists. Last year, I upped it to $3/book and this year it is $5/book. I set a goal of 125 books for the year, which I will probably go beyond (I'm at 82 so far). My goal is about $600 to put on my account so I can pick up the games, music, movies, and of course, books that will be catching my eye next year.

So, how do you get your hot little hands on the stuff you want?

 

[Midoriya]

I don't have an allowance, so I usually just ask my mom for something whenever I want it. And she's fine with that because I usually only want 2-3 things a month. Sometimes none at all if I'm still working on a video game or book.

EDIT: I'm planning to get a job soon anyway though. I'm only 16 though, and I don't think I'm mature enough for a job, so idk.

 

[Chris]

I'm 21 and unemployed. My experience is field-specific (film/journalism) and I live in a dead town: the majority of the local businesses income came from tourism, and once the recession hit everything just shut down. There are no job opportunities here and I can't afford to leave just yet.

My father's job also means I'm ineligible for funding. I hate that I have to rely on him to pay for things for me. I even had to move back in with him and my mother due to lacking the finances to continue living alone. x.x However, I struck a deal with my parents: as long as I am (a) in full-time education, (b) take all work experience I'm offered, and (c) continue with my volunteer* work, then they'll pay me to do the housework. My father works full-time and my mother has health problems, so it works for everyone. It's not even a quarter of what I'd earn at a part-time job if I still lived in the city, but it's something and I'm grateful for it.



As for what my money goes on... I cherish experiences more than I do belongings. I plan what shows (both theatre and gigs) I'm going to go to months in advance to make sure I will be able to afford to go. Same with meals out with my friends - I need a little notice just to make sure I will have the money there. Bar nights are a little more spontaneous, so I always make sure to have a spare ?20 in my wallet just in case.

In a more materialistic sense, I spend quite a lot on music and aesthetics (clothing/make-up). These mean more to me than video games! ^^; I also make my own 3D nail art. I've even considered selling them, but I'm not sure yet.

I'm lucky that my main interests, filmmaking and writing, are cheap. Writing simply requires the use of my laptop (my current one was a gift for my 21st!) and I am able to sign out professional video cameras & other equipment free from the department at college.


* I work with girl guides aged 5-7, and I also get involved with many community projects.

 

[laceydearie]

I get an allowance twice monthly. I usually buy a game or two and maybe something off Amazon I want if it isn't expensive. I also need to pay for lunches and such at my college however, so I try not to spend too much at once unless I've been saving. I've been told not to get a job, since I'm a full time student.

 

[Keenan]

I find it very difficult to spend my own money, so I rarely do. I really only buy Steam games, food, and movie tickets. I use tips from my job to pay for small things, but I just wait for holidays and special occasions to get big things. I got $200 for Steam last Christmas, it was worth the wait.

I almost never buy anything; there's not much I need.

 

[twinkinator]

I spend my money on foreign money. I collect coins and bills from other countries and enjoy learning about the history of the countries and their currency in the process. I currently have over 1400 coins and bills and have been collecting since my grandparents brought back coins from their travels abroad. I usually spend about $25 a month at local coin stores and/or the local numismatic club auction. I can usually rely on saved money from birthday, Christmas, etc.

 

[Colour Bandit]

I'm doing lots of volunteering right now, so my parents are paying me to volunteer. They pay me the minimum wage (?3.68 for my age group, though it's getting bumped up to ?3.72 in October) so with my two current volunteer jobs (I finished one just before the summer holidays and I've got another starting in the autumn) I'm making about ?55.20 from one and from the other I'm making ?110.40. I tend to have two volunteer jobs on the go, though I'm thinking of cutting down to one when I go for a Christmas job and when I get an Apprenticeship.

Right now most of my money is going towards comics, that are mainly being bought on my Kindle Fire since there are more available and they are much cheaper than the smaller selection at my local comic store. I am still buying physical comics, like the whole of the Avengers Vs X-Men series all in one, so I'm still supporting my local store.

 

[Puuhi]

I'm really lucky to have had a full-time job for the past three years. It's a pity that there are things such as rent and electricity bills though, otherwise I could really buy anything I want. I'm not complaining though, I realise how fortunate I am to be in this position.

 

[Imbri]

Puuhi - Like you, I'm fortunate to have a good full-time job. I've been at it for 15 years now, so my paycheck allows me to take care of my bills and have discretionary funds for things I love- like books.

Tina - I'm sorry you're unemployed and hope things turn around soon for you.


I hope I didn't come off sounding as though I was flaunting my book funds at anyone. I'm able to set the amount I have aside because I don't do other things, like buy coffee, go to the movies, go out to restaurants often. I don't have unlimited funds, it's just that this is where I've chosen to focus them, because I love books so much. In the interest of full disclosure, I should say that I chose Amazon because I am also what my friends have called a shoe whore. Having gift cards lets me take care of that obsession at the same time as the books.

 

[Hazy]

I hope I didn't come off sounding as though I was flaunting my book funds at anyone. I'm able to set the amount I have aside because I don't do other things, like buy coffee, go to the movies, go out to restaurants often. I don't have unlimited funds, it's just that this is where I've chosen to focus them, because I love books so much. In the interest of full disclosure, I should say that I chose Amazon because I am also what my friends have called a shoe whore. Having gift cards lets me take care of that obsession at the same time as the books.

I like your book fund idea, Imbri.
I buy a lot of stuff (jewellery, books, clothes) from charity shops - they're some really good ones in my town. It's so cheap and lets me donate to good causes at the same time

 

[Colour Bandit]

I hope I didn't come off sounding as though I was flaunting my book funds at anyone. I'm able to set the amount I have aside because I don't do other things, like buy coffee, go to the movies, go out to restaurants often. I don't have unlimited funds, it's just that this is where I've chosen to focus them, because I love books so much. In the interest of full disclosure, I should say that I chose Amazon because I am also what my friends have called a shoe whore. Having gift cards lets me take care of that obsession at the same time as the books.

I think I might adopt your idea of saving money, especially since I'm going to have to budget my spending a bit more efficiently. Comics are going to have to move down in my list of priorities so by putting the spare change in a jar just for that would help me save my money while still getting my comics!

 

[SecondSider]

Usually I rent movies from my local library. I always get the ones that catch my interest. I don't care where the movie comes from, I just care it's going to be good.

And also, it's usually free to rent them, but it does cost money to bring them back.

 

[Micah]

I work 50+ hours a week.

I like to collect board games (Dominion and Catan, please), and I budget if I want to buy one. Otherwise, the rest of my money goes into savings.

 

[Mino]

I spend my money on foreign money. I collect coins and bills from other countries and enjoy learning about the history of the countries and their currency in the process. I currently have over 1400 coins and bills and have been collecting since my grandparents brought back coins from their travels abroad. I usually spend about $25 a month at local coin stores and/or the local numismatic club auction. I can usually rely on saved money from birthday, Christmas, etc.

Want some banknotes from Cambodia, Vietnam, or Thailand? I have some that I'll never get to spend.

 

[Burumun]

I buy mostly games and books (especially manga, lately). I don't make money myself yet, being 16 (though I'll have to do an internship next year, and I'll get some money from that), so I use my allowance and holiday money to pay for them.

 

[oath2order]

I work in retail and use my employee discount