Blather, Waffle and Poppycock!

[fsn]

You're probably right.

It started 'cos I was planning my retirement in a few years and trying to work out if I could afford to live.

I have scared myself, not by the amount I spent but by my ignorance of what I actually spend. 

Me being me, I probably started to over analyse. 

A natural brake occurs when you survey piles of books and figures you will never have time to read or paint.

Yes, but then Pendraken release a new range that I most definitely, absolutely, positively have to have.

... and probably a book or two as well.

[DecemDave]

Me being me, I probably started to over analyse. 

I did the same to decide I could retire early which I did.   A full spreadsheet of everything .  But most of it turned out to be irrelevant.  The following dominate:
Household (food, cleaning stuff and the like that you buy every day, week, month)
Housing  (mortgage/rent, council tax, service charges, insurance,  Allowance for new kitchen/bathroom/roof)
Holidays, alcohol, ciggies (if relevant) and eating out.
Utilities (water, elec, gas, broadband, phones, prime, streaming services,..  )
Allowance for Capital Replacements  especially cars, furniture, washing machines, boilers, fridges,..
Medical (dentists, opticians,..)
Gifts (cards, birthdays, anniversaries, christmas, charities..).   

Hobbies is whats left over and under 10% in my case including all hobbies, PC and related Gadgets , newspapers, mags, lottery tickets etc   

If it looks "tight" its probably too early to retire. My state pension alone would not permit any Pendraken spending thats for sure.  And while how long is usually unknowable, your pension may have to last you 20, 30 years or even more.

Its the one time you definitely need financial advice (pension wise is free) because the bigger problem is your income and the impact of inflation on it plus scenario planning (life expectancy short or long cases, wills, possible care costs , leaving money to dependents, emergency funding..)  and in UK : IHT, LTA, CGT  etc if you are fortunate enough to have such problems.

And, yes I am struggling to resist LoA, AWI and the russo-japs.  But my will is strong.

Well I suppose a few samples wouldnt hurt..   

[Orcs]

Assuming you have first taken care of the much more expensive hobbies like housing, eating, women,

I would like to point out, The amount one woman cost me in the divorce, dwarfs my entire lifetime spend on wargames, Military books, firearms etc.

I could have brought a Brand New Ferrari for what my divorce cost. However it was the best value for money I ever got. 

[Orcs]

Realising that I am mortal has made me start to try and finish projects, and only buy figures to finish that particular army.

It has sort of worked, but in my need to want things complete I do end up purchasing extras to a project I thought I had finnished. eg I said to a freind on Friday I had finished my 20mm ww2 French for Chain of command. Only to realise I was short of  3 engineers and 4 crew for heavy weapons . The resulting purchase had 4 extra crew, 6 extra engineers, a 3 man team with LMG  in AA roll ( nice little vignette), and half a dozen figures that were better posses for Leaders than I currently had.  So 19 figures instead 7. But that should be it ........

[fsn]

I am usually quite disciplined, with planned purchases but then Pendraken release something I really, really, neeeeeeed (or I have a good/bad day and need retail therapy.)

If I get an enthusiasm (e.g. 1929), I can usually schedule it into the Plan. I'm OK unless Pendraken release two or more new ranges that interest me simultaneously.

[Raider4]

Utilities (water, elec, gas, broadband, phones, prime, streaming services,..  )

Gas bill for Q1 2022: £350.
Gas bill for Q1 2023: £834.

Puts a dent in anyone's planning.

[fsn]

Gas bill for Q1 2022: £350.
Gas bill for Q1 2023: £834.

Puts a dent in anyone's planning.

Ouch!

[Matt J]

Fortunately no where near retirement but hobby expenditure definitely curtailed last 12 months.
Bulk of my hobby either 10mm historical (Pendraken) or GW. 10mm historical is what I would class as my luxury hobby so this has taken the hit really (although I have a huge mountain as it is). The GW is the more budget stuff so that has ticked over.

[fsn]

The GW is the more budget stuff so that has ticked over.

GW is budget? 

This GW? Where Corvus Corax, Primarch of the Raven Guard Legion costs £90?

Or is there another GW?

[Heedless Horseman]

Lol. Once smoking ban came in, started internet buying for 'later'. Stopped, now! Must have £20k+ 'stuff' in piles! And just not doing anything!   

[Matt J]

Or is there another GW?

No 'the' GW.

Budget for me if you like

Example, last autumn was going to treat myself to a bigger purchase, toss up between Pendraken new Arab/Isreali range or GW Killteam Gallowdark.
Already got about dozen MBT's and other armour for Arab/IDF each side so for a workable project need infantry-2 army packs plus extra bits £70, more armour and transports say another £40, CWCII £25, desert mat £60, scenery probably £40 plus research books. So you looking at least £250 for a project that I've already got £100 worth of models for.
Gallowdark £105 from discounter - everything already in the box, 2 teams, loads of scenery, the rules, game board. Plus add another team for £20-£30 quid whenever. Similarly Blood bowl, Underworlds, £20 ish for another team, warband, easy cheap add on.
My Arab/IDF project will happen but slower burn, no instant gratification, no instant play.
My 10mm Quebec project is 13 years old....and still only half way.

[fsn]

Ah! I see.

For modern stuff, I work on a 1:1 platoon of infantry + troop of armour, plus bits and bobs comes to about £50. I did this for the Israelis and Cold War USA.   

Then I did a company + squadron of Egyptians, Soviets and Brits ... at about £150.

Oh yeah, and I did old + new equipment for the Arab Israelis, so Super Shermans and M3s, as well as Centurions and M113s ...

OK. You win.

[Matt J]

Yep, that's about right!
I work at the same ratio's and you also need every vehicle available in sufficient numbers for variety. This is just modern stuff which is relatively low model count.
1/10 or 1/20 for SYW or Naps and you looking at £100's and £100's.
Luxury hobby 

[Heedless Horseman]

HATE driving at night now! Not all that happy during day... used to LOVE driving! MGBGT... long gone.
What can WORRY, is night... YELLOW lights coming up to bend... which side of road will he Be on? Just Old!

Eh! Somehow thought this  had migrated to driving! WTH! Anyway!
Shakes Head, Drops Rat!

[fsn]

Aawwwww!

I'm re-reading a book about the Mosquito war and then you mention MGBs and I go to this ... 


... and I have a stack of 1:600 models that need painting and I've been too scared to attempt, and that made me feel bad, so I ate chocolate and now I'm feeling guilty and my blood sugar is probably through the roof.

BTW: I agree about driving. I gave it up and don't miss it at all.