Yet Another Perspective on How Much Money We Spend on Our Hobby

Enjoy it.  I wish I had that time back to spend with my dad. It's precious but most don't realize this till its too late.  Peter

I understand if you go to a Dodgers game every 5th guy looks like those two that beat Brian Stow into permanete brain damage. Plus everyone is yelling extremely vulgar language and throwing things.

Add a little bit to that $16,000 and you can buy a new Civic for cash. That makes the $2,000 for a new Big Boy seem like a good deal even though you can buy a good running car for that.

Yeah, but don't forget that the value of those season tickets will only grow over time...

I actually put other purchases in model train perspective.  

I have 1 Lionel VL Big Boys' worth of stacking landscape stone in my yard… that's exactly the way I thought of it when I bought it.  

Oh, and anytime you can catch a ball game with your Dad, it is priceless.  

Actually you are. For "something to think about" That's over half the AMI for a family of 4 around here.  

Just to be clear, I'm really not judging anyone here, nothing inherently wrong with being wealthy/rich/affluent/whatever.  We make alot more than our neighborhood AMI that and happily take periodic advantage of my buddy's 4x season tickets.  But let's be honest, if you're spending that kind of $ on railroading, in the scheme of things you're rich.

As PJB said its a matter of priorities.

have fun in your life

B O A T   BUST   OUT   ANOYHER   THOUSAND      Choo Choo Kenny

It's probably cliche, but I've heard it said that a boat is a big hole in the water that you pour money into.

I'm not sure, but I think that over time (assuming both bought new) model trains depreciate considerably less than watercraft.

Just to be clear, I'm really not judging anyone here, nothing inherently wrong with being wealthy/rich/affluent/whatever.  We make alot more than our neighborhood AMI that and happily take periodic advantage of my buddy's 4x season tickets.  But let's be honest, if you're spending that kind of $ on railroading, in the scheme of things you're rich.

 

Hmmm. I don't think anybody on this forum considers themselves rich. Maybe fortunate, in some manner or fashion, but not rich. This is a forum of good people, discussing their interests, train and toy train related. Not societal commentary unless warranted and this is not warranted as Mike Caruso was merely providing an apples to apples example.

My dad used to take my two brothers and me to White Sox games in the early 70's. They were always double headers. Wouldn't by no food or drinks. never enjoyed any minute of it

The last Nascar race I went to was Bristol in 05. That trip between tickets for Busch and Nascar race, food, lodging and gas was 1100.00. And this was with two other people.

I was just on the site for the NY Mets. The least expensive tickets available for their next game are $15 each.

Just because people can list all sorts of other costly past times, doesn't mean that "O" gauge trains aren't expensive. I am glad I can afford them. There have to be people out there for whom the cost is a deterrent.

Another perspective.

Most people do not realize how much they are spending on smart phones over a 10 year period. Some families have 4 smart phones. You could buy a lot of trains with that money over 10 years, just by only using basic cell phones. It is all about the way you want to spend your hard earned money. If you are rich it may not matter.

quote:

Most people do not realize how much they are spending on smart phones over a 10 year period. Some families have 4 smart phones. You could buy a lot of trains with that money over 10 years, just by only using basic cell phones. It is all about the way you want to spend your hard earned money. If you are rich it may not matter.

If I had to choose between our family smart phones and trains. The smart phones would win. They are a tool which I would not want to see any family member without.

I have season tickets for the Minnesota Wild. Four seats in the lower bowl behind the goal (not the most expensive section) run just over 13K. However, I share them with a lot of people. When all is said and done, I end up with 5 or 6 pairs for the season, about $800. Playoffs are extra, this year about $350. The Wild have never made it to the cup.

Eliot,

I think a lot of people do like you do with season tickets; share the tickets and cost with friends.  My former manager has been on the waiting list for Steelers season tickets for 15 years.  He buys some tickets now and then from friends.

I do recall the North Stars making it to the finals in '91.  8th seeded team blew through 3 rounds, and gave the Penguins a lot of trouble before the Penguins finally took control.  I don't recall how they did back in the early days after they and the Pens joined the league in '67.  I just know the Penguins stunk most of the time.  A jolt after the Pittsburgh Hornets won the AHL cup in their last year, '67.

I guess you do need to take some time off your Dreams Nightmares layout to do something else!  ;-)

And once again MWB shoots and scores by summing it all up in two sentences.

GNNPNUT

When it comes to hobbies, I've never understood why people try almost any argument to justify what they do, while referring to other people's hobbies as a silly waste of time and/or money...

It's in any hobby that you'll see this type of behavior.

Yeah Mark, I went to one of those finals games back then. A train buddy, who is also one of my season ticket partners now, had season tickets to the North Stars. I still have the stub around here somewhere. I want to say they were $20 for the Stanley Cup finals!!! My how times have changed.

Interesting thread and stories.

About 5 years ago I gave up the country club membership.    Family was too busy to go more than 3-4 times a year, and I played golf less than 10 rounds a year and usually ended up in tournaments where I had to pony up more $$$ anyway.  I used the money to take sailing lessons, buy a used boat, and get back into trains and attend concerts, sporting events, and shows. 

Or I could go back to playing golf less than 10 rounds a year but forking over all of that cash.

Juuuuuuudas Priest!!  With all the money I spent on season tickets, playoff games and trains, I could have bought a free agent or two for the Phillies and Flyers. 

But the trains will last longer! 

"But the trains will last longer!"

Brian, I could not agree with you more. Well said in very few words!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Apparently it took the warmer weather of Dallas to get the Stars over the line. Being from MN and having lived in Dallas, it was bittersweet. Love the Wild though, and love hockey up close and personal. if I lived closer, they would get whatever money I didn't spend on trains. 

San Francisco Giants $50 parking,$78 ticket,$9 beer but what an organization unlike the 49ers who solicited everyone to pay for their stadium,the Giants built their own stadium and the trains are not that expensive when you think that they will always be there.

Mikey

My Dad and I enjoyed the hobby of three rail trains as I grew up, every Christmas had ALL the trains running in the living room with the tree, adding what was new that year. As we both aged, his two car garage became our train room, bought items at flea markets and train shows/shops.  We were amazed in 1977 when we spent a total of 2500 dollars that year!  And this was for a 2332, 773, 736, and many pieces rolling stock, operating accessories, track, etc.  But, the time spent together as father and son was priceless..... as we all know.  My father is now passed, but running trains we purchased together, ran together will only grow in value.  yes, I have added much over the years, and spent time with my sons doing same... all well worth any expenses.

We will occasionally spend a fun night watching the local minor league team - the Frederick Keys.  $12 for a reserve seat (in a small stadium all seats are near the field!), free parking, and a fireworks show afterwards.  What a great place to take the family for under $50.

Jim

IMO It is a privilege, gift, to have expendable income that can be spent this way/any way.  Enjoy what ever you do, note that many on this revolving rock are not so fortunate. IMO.

Mike CT