We’re in the process of building a house right now, and it’s really starting to get to me how expensive the whole process can be. And I’m not even referring to the whole building-a-house process. It’s all the other stuff that goes into it. As I will suddenly have a proper garage in which I can work on my cars, I’m going to need to buy a better set of tools than the side-of-the-road emergency set I have. But that’s not even the worst of it.
Suddenly, we’re going to have a proper basement entertainment center, meaning our pair of 40″ and 44″ HDTV’s suddenly seem woefully inadequate for that large of a space. I do have most of the pieces I’ll need for a proper system, but as I look at it more and more, I keep discovering little details that I should be factoring in: I really should have another AppleTV at this point here… I should give myself an extra set of power outlets… I’ll need a conduit run through the walls for the HDMI cable… It all starts to get expensive in a hurry.
What’s that one obsession that would quickly drain your wallet if given the chance, but you just can’t give it up?
Tools, of all kinds and fashions. Especially expensive ones that wouldn't get used all that often. I'd love to get my hands on a decent metal lathe for the times that I need to fabricate a metal gizmo, but I just can't justify it. Yet. Camera equipment is another money pit that never fills. Fancy collectible knives are another. Must…stop…thinking….
Tools are a vast pit of wallet destroying fury. Especially when combined with my obsession with craigslist and its vast collection of really nice old shop tools. You know, the kind that take a forklift to move and never ever wear out? Yeah… I have a problem.
I envy you the floor space you must have in your shop. But I sympathize with your problem, I'd have it too, given the chance.
Well, we just moved and right now my 'shop' is actually the entire unfinished basement of the house (~1400sq ft). Inexplicably, the wife insists that I need to actually finish the basement into living space, so now I have to figure out where on the property I can actually build a shop. But that means I need more tools, like a framing nailer and a roofing nailer and a new set of cordless tools to do all the construction. So the cycle continues.
http://techshop.ws/
I just joined them. I'm about to start working through SBUs. This gets around having to purchase the tools and have space to keep and run them. However, it does not satisfy the need to own them.
That sounds like a neat idea for the people that can't have their own shop or workspace. Yes, owning is cool. You can go out and fire up the tablesaw or planer at 3:00 AM, just because you can. And I do.
And you should.
Crap. Why can't any of this cool stuff be here
in Dallas?
I was sure tools would be near the top of the comments,I love tools and equipment both new and old,they just keep finding me.
Hookers. What do I win.
/kidding, or am I? No I'm kidding.
I should have said, "Apart from the obvious ones…"
Obvious to whom?
But you didn't. I take that as a sign that you really wanted that answer from someone cause you couldn't put it up yourself.
You think hookers are expensive. Take my ex-wife. Please.
Guns, Cars, and Books probably top the list. I was heavily involved in competition shooting 10-15 years ago. Now I can't really find the time to go shooting, but also it has gotten just too expensive. Ammo cost at least 2-3X what it did 10 years ago and for no real good reason. At first prices skyrocketed due to political fears, then the excuse was shortage due to war, next the excuse was higher raw material cost. I'm sure all of this plays some part, but still, it is ridiculous. Sure I could save a good bit loading my own, but even the component costs have increased dramatically. Also, since it is hard to find time to shoot, it is even harder to find time to reload.
I'd love to get back into recreational shooting, and acquire a few hand guns. But like you say, it's an expensive pastime, and I already have too many of those, dammit.
My dad used to shoot competatively, he was a load your own guy. I remember when I was young helping him load a ton of centerfire rounds (I forget what caliber). He's had the same issue with time when it comes to shooting.
He plays golf now.
I forgot to mention, that if I became super wealthy the gun collection would expand to include Class 3 full autos. The current starting price for a machine gun is about $3500, for what would be a $250 semi-auto, and goes up to the low six figure range. I came close to making the jump once, but bought an engagement ring instead.
Starting my own company and working for myself. The next year is going to be interesting.
Ah, so, I know this isn't the Hooniverse, but my answer is of course old cars. I own four spread across three states, to include this $100 Scout. Most of what I want would not necessarily have much of an initial investment, but I am sure they would make that up eventually.
<img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6709430975_51b236dbd0_b.jpg" width="500">
Love the scout.
My first truck was a '70 800A. I'd say you did pretty good getting that bad boy for a Benjamin. Of course, given the cost of IH parts these days, I'm guessing it won't stay a small investment.
Thanks! The bad part is it moved from one sitting spot to another, and hasn't moved since I picked it up in Sept of 2009. But I am scheming to go retrieve it soon!
And I think you are on the money about the money.
"What’s that ONE obsession that would quickly drain your wallet if given the chance, but you just can’t give it up?"
One? One? ROFLMAO. I wish.
Tools, audio equipment (especially vintage), guitars (vintage if I could afford them), motorcycles (especially vintage, particularly Italian), cars (especially vintage… seeing a trend here?), beer (brewing equipment and fancy expensive beer), wine, scotch. I'm sure I could keep going. It seems like every couple of months I manage to add a new hobby or two and they are inevitably even more expensive than the other 28 I have.
The ad bar on my browser just loaded an ad for "Hoarder Cleanup Services"
That's just not nice.
As a side note, I really want to create a new high-end mayonnaise, and name it Roffle-Mayo. I'd make a fortune, and laugh my way right to the bank. ROFLMAO right to the bank, as it were.
SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!
Blearg. Egg allergy here. No sale.
Very nice.
My only question is what exactly makes a 'high end' mayo? Somehow more delectable fat than normal?
Marketing.
Ah, voodoo magic. Gotcha
Project Bikes. I can never afford to finish them properly, but I can't help but start a new one every few years.
<img src="http://www.tanshanomi.com/project-x/mockup-11-3-11-modified.jpg" width="360">
Where are the pedals and front sprocket? Among other things.
Ha!
Actually, I am budgeting no more than $100/month in parts and tools, so it will be a long, long time before all the parts are there. Last month I bought a set of crankcases for dummying up the engine mounts, a rear motor mount bracket, and two different swingarm pivots (KTM and Honda) in order to see which one works better.
Synthesizers, samplers, keyboards, recording equipment, and pro audio gear would be my obsession. I'd build myself a really impressive home studio and perhaps never leave.
Smoking
but I did purchase an electronic cigarette that gives me all the nicotine with none of the carcinogens! So now I only smoke about a pack a week instead of every two days. Maybe this will be the year I quit…
I have the same monkey, and he's gotten to be an expensive bastard to feed. I'd love to quit, if I didn't go starkers every time I try. I've only read a bit about those 'electronic ciggy' things, and they weren't very encouraging. What do you think of yours?
It's helping but I fell off the wagon over the weekend due to a death in the family.
For now I just purchased a Blu disposable ($10) but am considering upgrading to a rechargeable unit ($50-70).
I've cut way back in my smoking during the two weeks I've had it, so it is promising.
I promised myself that if I successfully quit smoking I would buy myself another Sportster, a long awaited replacement for one that was stolen from me years earlier.
5 years clean and I bought myself a sweet late 70's XLCH Ironhead. It blew up on the way home. I've now spent twice what it is worth on a pretty garage decoration… but it was still totally worth it.
You fool! You already owned ONE, and you went and bought ANOTHER? And that is why I buy stock in AAA. Thank you for your kind donation(s).
And I will likely own many more. Them early Sportsters were 2 wheeled Hemi-motored hot-rods. Mechanical wonders.
Of course if I have my way there will also be a few Nortons, BSAs, and old school Bonneville choppers to keep them company. Maybe an Elsnore or Bultaco, and half dozen Rokons, CT70s and tote-goats.
Man, now I'm Jonseing for a ride…
Sounds like fun. I used to ride when I was much, much younger, and single. Broke my hips twice, when I was 15, then 16. That wasn't as much fun. Never had a chance to ride a Harley, but I got to play with a Triumph and a Norton.
Have fun and don't highside.
congrats on kicking the habit! I've heard/read its harder than heroin to quit.
Should I ever get to be comfortably solvent, I'll immediately become insolvent by way of motorcycles (which kept me poor for fifteen years previously), stupidly impractical but stylish furniture, and watches. I have simple but expensive wants.
Btw, I do hope you and CF are designing a hose-out pen in the garage so I can visit.
There will be a guest room. I'm insisting it should be able to be easily hosed-out with a pressure washer in case of visiting Calgarians.
I have an unreliable motorcycle for when I just feel like wrenching. Right now it's sitting in the garage ready to ride. Pretty cheap that.
Having a computer habit gets expensive. Whether that is people who live by Apples every item, nothing wrong with that, or those like me who buy every alternative. There's always that great big toy to get. Whether that's a tablet, a new camera, a new laptop, a new video card, rebuilding an old computer or laptop, or some other waste of money.
Then theres the money pit of being the techy friend of people where your spare parts keep their old machines running out of the kindness of your heart. And then go on to fail anyway and you realize you could have done something better then that.
Heck even PC gaming is a leech that steals your money. Thankfully we are moving to a Free2Play model in MMO's but games aren't cheap
<img src="http://www.washington.edu/news/archive/images/20091015_pid52705_aid52703_harrell37_w400.jpg" width="400">
Now that I've gotten rid of that money pit of an MGB, nothing springs to mind.
It's that damned house behind you, a money pit if I've ever seen one. Burn it and get a 3rd hand trailer. Just think of all the amber lenses that you could then afford…
Eh. I rent.
<img src="http://www.automotiveartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/sc2_7.jpg">
Come now, it only costs $500, that's downright affordable.
(Do I really need the /sarcasm tag here?)
<img src="http://www.thelifeofluxury.com/images/sugar_bowl_ski_resort_lake_tahoe.jpg">
Also known as: Why I own a 4×4. Were I to get suddenly wealthy, I'd probably invest in a house/cabin/etc up in the Lake Tahoe area. As it is, well, I've got a set of completely ridiculous high-end gear (totally worth it), and would spend endless amounts on gas and lift tickets just to go up there every weekend. I almost got a season pass this year (I just got hired), but decided to play wait-and-see to find out what the terms of employment would be.
Next year? Who knows. I can probably get away with working part time out of coffee shops in Truckee and storm chasing. As long as there are storms… (I am currently cursing the weather gods with all my heart that the rock depicted above is largely rock and not snow right now. Picture not selected at random. It's a personal favorite.)
In the meantime, I need to finish fixing said 4×4, in case it starts snowing in February (supposed to get some rain later this week, close, but not enough, hopefully it is the start of more, much more).
You're nuts. I moved to Sacto to get away from all of that damned white stuff. It is pretty to look at though. I don't mind it so much when I don't have to live in it.
I'm not going to argue with you here. I am definitely nuts. I rather enjoyed living in the snow last winter. I hope someday to find out how many winters I can tolerate in a row. Also, I really like driving in the snow. I look at it as an ability test. And skiing is, well, it's a special drug.
But, but, busted water pipes. Frozen drains. Frozen toilets. Block heaters. Shoveling snow. While it's still snowing. Shoveling snow. Having a megaton of snow slide off the roof onto where you just shoveled. Studded tires. Idiots driving on hard pack snow like it was dry pavement, because they have studded tires. Freezing cold toilet seats in the middle of the night. An inch and a half of hard ice on your windshield because you had a wet snow and a hard freeze that night. Black ice. Other drivers on black ice.
You like that stuff?
See: Crazy. Also, I don't necessarily like all of that stuff, I just haven't had my fill yet. And I'm a skier. It's an addiction. We'll put up with much to feed that addiction. Between that and the beauty of the mountains, I'd put up with quite a bit…
What you define as crazy, many of us define as every six months. Although, to be fair winter is only really from November to mid-March here, so I certainly can't complain. Especially this winter, only one four or six inch wet snow/ice storm followed by pretty much spring weather. There has only been like two weeks total that have been below freezing. It has been glorious and in the 50's.
Thank you La Nina.
There's also the fact that pretty girls enable very creative ways to keep warm on cold nights.
Also, studded tires are fun. Powersliding around every corner because you have to, and catching no grief about it because the cops are doing it too.
And skiing is a ton of fun. I really gotta get out there and do it again. I miss it.
Bah. I was born and raised in a place in Oregon where summer was noted by three weeks of poor sledding. I learned to drive on studded snow tires and could drive a Travelall backwards at 30 mph while still in third gear on packed snow after an eighth mile run up. I learned to fear black ice more than the police. Yeah, where I come from, pretty girls will keep you warm in the winter as long as you don't mind the smell of horse. I went skiing once. Fell down a lot. All the way down the mountain a lot. Wasn't much fun, and I never went back.
You guys can have it all.
Oh, you must mean the other side of the Cascades. I've heard of that place.
You're from the rainy side, aren't you? It's all beautiful country up and down both sides, but you end up having to decide whether to put up with mold or with frostbite. I always tell people that it's a great place to be from.
Yeah, born in Eugene (but never lived there before starting college) and raised on the coast. I remember it snowing a handful of times during my childhood. One occasion was particularly exciting because it stuck for several minutes before melting.
Ho ho, you lucky guy. I'm from Klamath Falls, and there were several times that it snowed on the 4th of July when I was growing up there. My wife and kids never believed this, until we took a vacation up there over the 4th, and it snowed, then rained, then hailed, all on the same day. Being from Sacramento, they were quite impressed.
Other drivers are annoying, but snow is one of the few occasions where I'll still take the car out just to go for a drive.
I live in Utah which produces some of the best perfectionist audio speakers and other stuff in the world. We also have "The Greatest Snow on Earth", so snowmobiles (skiing is for people who can't operate machinery), and also a new Wildcat from Arctic Cat and since we have a lot of canyon roads, something amazingly good handling with four wheels, preferably from the Kirkham brothers. And a canyon home to get me out of the winter inversion.
But nothing expensive.
The few times I have been to the Rockies skiing I always made a point to take one day on a snowmobile. I could barely handle the green ski slopes, but had no trouble with 75+mph on a snowmobile. My thought was "downhill is for wimps". I went to Yellowstone and did a snowmobile tour one day. 110+ miles in one day on a snowmobile was a little much. I could barely walk at the end of the day.
Snow is something I like to visit, not live with. Last year here in Georgia we had a little snowstorm and our usual snow removal plan (wait a day it will melt) failed and everything was shut down for almost a week. This happens once every 10 years or so here.
A tour of the area around Yellowstone is the thing to do. You don't crawl along at 8mph, you get to actually climb mountains.
In the SLC area there are a number of places that do tours that actually allow speed, perish the thought, and lunch with one hell of a view. Once I finish at the comically titled U of U the wife and I will go to Daniel's Summit. They rent sleds and have a hot tub.
Next weekend, snowy parking lots mean opposite lock in the Subie.
Most of our tour in Yellowstone was at 45-50mph to travel between places. My wife actually had a hard time keeping up the first hour our two, it was her first time on a snowmobile. I had been snowmobiling on ski trips to Colorado. A few times there I had some wide open blasts in big open meadows and climbed above the tree line.
For me, it's racing small sailboats. I've been doing it for 18 years now and it still hasn't gotten old.
Breeding
I got back in to Steelhead fishing about 7 years ago. Between rods, reels, lures and camping goodies, Cabella's has gotten most of my future retirement fund lately.
[youtube gOV8cNXLluI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOV8cNXLluI youtube]