Any Other "Spendy" Hobbies?

[Shutterbug]

I think we can all agree that, once you're bitten by "GAS", guitars can become an expensive hobby. And, if you like to collect guitars from certain luthiers, the costs can eclipse that of some fine automobiles.

But what about other pursuits?

I'm big into photography. While I still earn money with it (I work for a small local magazine and shoot for a couple of nationwide race companies), it's still my passion; one which I've had since the mid-1970's. I almost always have a proper (read: not a cell phone) camera with me. While I cringe if I spend too much at the grocery store, I think nothing of dropping cash on new camera gear. I've currently got five Canon DSLR's, and I'm looking at adding one more, if not two, to the line-up in the near future.

Lenses? Geez, don't get me started. They're more important than the bodies in most cases so, naturally, I need to have a lot of them, and I do. 600mm, anyone??

Sadly, I've learned that "GAS" isn't an affliction that affects only guitarists!

I also enjoy traveling, both domestically and internationally. I've been to Ireland, Italy and Scotland in the last ten months and have more boxes to check off on the ol' bucket list. I'm heading to New York on Saturday for two weeks, and then Ohio (and the Rock n' Roll Hall Of Fame!) in July.

So, what else do you spend your money on?

[Earl]

These days, not that much.  In the past I have spent a LOT of money on: owning and flying a Cessna, Gold Wing motorcycles and good riding gear, competitive target shooting (ammo can add up if you expend 10,000+ rounds per year), scuba diving including trips to warm and exotic places, and kayaking.  Music expenses included PA gear for performing, but my Guitar Acquisition has slowed considerably.  I've been to 16 week-long music camps too in Alaska and Hawaii, but having curtailed all commercial flying means no more camps for me.

I'm a recovering photographer, but that "12 F-stop" program worked wonders -- haven't touched my pre-digital film cameras or lenses or darkroom equipment in years, and the last time was to shoot a friend's wedding for her about 15 years ago.  Funny how the camera bag that was once so very important to me and now sits untouched in the garage.  BTW, nice 600 mm lens.

[Marco Polo]

I think we can all agree that, once you're bitten by "GAS", guitars can become an expensive hobby. And, if you like to collect guitars from certain luthiers, the costs can eclipse that of some fine automobiles.

Funny you mention fine automobiles, my other hobby.  If I didn't get into it decades ago, too expensive to get in now.

www.stage1registry.com

[Violeiro]

Mine used to be guns. My guns collection is mostly 1911s and AR15s, however it has been shrinking since I got into guitars 

[Shutterbug]

I'm a recovering photographer, but that "12 F-stop" program worked wonders -- haven't touched my pre-digital film cameras or lenses or darkroom equipment in years, and the last time was to shoot a friend's wedding for her about 15 years ago.  Funny how the camera bag that was once so very important to me and now sits untouched in the garage.

I've got a couple of medium format film bodies; a Mamiya 645 Pro, a Bronica RB67 and a Hasselblad 555ELD. I've toyed with the idea of trying to find a digital back for one of them, but they're expensive as Hell. I haven't run film through any of them since the Clinton administration, and the results were wonderful. Medium format definitely ups your game, but its use is somewhat limited...

BTW, nice 600 mm lens.

Thanks. It's a beast. I've thought about selling it over the years, but I can never bring myself to do it. It's not the most practical piece of glass Canon has ever made but, man, if I ever go on that African safari...!

[Shutterbug]

Mine used to be guns. My guns collection is mostly 1911s and AR15s, however it has been shrinking since I got into guitars 

I've got a few firearms; 15, maybe? My favorite piece is my Dad's Colt Government Model .380 that I got after he passed away. It's my go-to CWP sidearm.

I got into guns around the same time I got into watches, which has proven to be yet another drain on my wallet!

[Violeiro]

Mine used to be guns. My guns collection is mostly 1911s and AR15s, however it has been shrinking since I got into guitars 

I've got a few firearms; 15, maybe? My favorite piece is my Dad's Colt Government Model .380 that I got after he passed away. It's my go-to CWP sidearm.

I got into guns around the same time I got into watches, which has proven to be yet another drain on my wallet!

Nice!!!

I am no longer into them anymore. They were seating on my safe just for pride of ownership, I started selling them and buying guitars which I am enjoying soooo much more. I will keep a few of course, and lots of ammo in case the zombies attack. But definetly not interested in buying or keeping what I don't need anymore.

[Earl]

I've been shooting competitively since 1977, so the 1911 and AR platforms are near and dear to me.  I too am doing less shooting and reloading over the past few years, but still get my hand into a match now and again.  Knee replacements made standing and kneeling position feasible again, but my recent rotator cuff surgery (dominant hand side) has sidelined my pistol matches for the year. 

I am back to playing guitar, however.  Fingerstyle can now go for an hour, but 20 minutes of strumming still jostles the healing tissues a bit too much.

[bukarew]

Guns and guitars....two ways to really keep a wife on edge about toys.  Bless her heart, bad luck being married to someone with two expensive illnesses! I shoot some sporting clays and used to shoot 1911's competitively a long time ago.

[Strumming Fool]

Nothing besides guitars - and now that's all but stopped now that I'm retired ( I know, we'll see...). I used to be a pedigree cat breeder with my now ex-wife in the 80s and 90s. That was expensive to say the least - we sold kittens, but we traveled a lot to all the competitions - then there's care and feeding, vet bills, yaddy yadda....

[timfitz63]

It would probably be easier to list my inexpensive hobbies -- of which I seem to have very few...!  No matter what hobby grabs my interest, it seems to costs money...!  Fortunately, I have only myself to answer to for the expenditures...  And I almost never trade or sell; just accumulate...  On the upside, I tend to meander from one hobby to another at any given point in time, so I'm not spending money on all of them simultaneously...

But one or another responder to this thread has already covered most of my expensive ones:  coins, photography, firearms, aviation, cars, SCUBA diving, guitars.

I've been shooting competitively since 1977, so the 1911 and AR platforms are near and dear to me...

I did some local-level IPSC competitions when I was living in Virginia and Kansas in the mid- to late-90's; also tried my hand at some high-power rifle.

... My favorite piece is my Dad's Colt Government Model .380 that I got after he passed away...

Similar to you, I wound up with one of my father's prized pistols when he passed away:  a Colt Model 1905 Marine Corps.  It's one of the civilian models; less than 1,000 made.  My father had served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War, so anything connected to the Marines was special to him.  He had stipulated that the pistol was not to be sold; he wanted it to remain a family heirloom.  So it will get passed on to one of my nephews.

Funny you mention fine automobiles, my other hobby.  If I didn't get into it decades ago, too expensive to get in now.

My youngest brother was always into the classic GS Buicks -- although he's never owned one.  And like you said, with the values always reaching for the sky, he's not likely to ever own one (pardon the pun) at this stage...

I myself gravitated to the Corvettes and Pontiacs.  I still own a 1989 Firebird Formula that I ordered new from the factory; it only has 53,000 miles on it.  What makes it unique (other than the low mileage and almost complete originality) is that it has a 5.0L tuned-port V8 with a 5-speed manual transmission and a factory dual-catalytic-converter exhaust system.  Very rare combination.  Production numbers are largely based on speculation for these cars, as the records have seemingly been lost by GM, but Car & Driver magazine once hinted that mine may be one of only about 50 built that year...

Some years later I picked up a 1998 Corvette coupe in a rare color (Aztec Gold Metallic); it's one of only fifteen built in the color, and in fact, mine is the final one built (#15 in the sequence).  Then, to tie in that hobby with guitars, I picked up an early Taylor T5, also in Aztec Gold.  So I have a C5 and a T5 in the same color (see attached photo)...!

[sacredground]

Going fast on bicycles. Carbon. Titanium. It’s a sickness!!! Right now I’m allowed only three guitars. But only TWO bikes. My world is a dark wasteland...

[Guitar Cowboy]

Horses, hence my UTGF name. They eat a lot and there are some significant expenses associated with having these large pets including feed, tack, vet bills, barn maintenance etc. But I couldn't imagine looking out my back door and not seeing them.

[Jersey tuning]

1.  Bird Watching.  Swarovski binoculars, Leica spotting scope, special software,  lots of gasoline $$ spent tracking down desirable birds, etc.  Relatively speaking, 1/10 the investment of GAS.
2.  Wine.  Have around 150 bottles, some dating back to the 1980's, and a 1970 vintage port .  Total value somewhere near a custom Taylor made from any wood other than Brazilian.  Most expensive bottle now worth somewhere around a GS Mini, originally bought for what around three packs of Elixirs cost.

[Marco Polo]

My youngest brother was always into the classic GS Buicks -- although he's never owned one.  And like you said, with the values always reaching for the sky, he's not likely to ever own one (pardon the pun) at this stage...

I myself gravitated to the Corvettes and Pontiacs.  I still own a 1989 Firebird Formula that I ordered new from the factory; it only has 53,000 miles on it.  What makes it unique (other than the low mileage and almost complete originality) is that it has a 5.0L tuned-port V8 with a 5-speed manual transmission and a factory dual-catalytic-converter exhaust system.  Very rare combination.  Production numbers are largely based on speculation for these cars, as the records have seemingly been lost by GM, but Car & Driver magazine once hinted that mine may be one of only about 50 built that year...

Some years later I picked up a 1998 Corvette coupe in a rare color (Aztec Gold Metallic); it's one of only fifteen built in the color, and in fact, mine is the final one built (#15 in the sequence).  Then, to tie in that hobby with guitars, I picked up an early Taylor T5, also in Aztec Gold.  So I have a C5 and a T5 in the same color (see attached photo)...!

SWEET!!!!!!