[Guest]

How do you maintain a collectioin and still be abtle to afford a nice 1:1, house, family and other other life's necessities? :giggle I'm a student at college and am considering stopping my collection (I collect Autoart models, Exoto, Minichamps and some of the Biante Australian models) becasue I'm "thinking ahead" so to speak as I really want an Audi S4 before I'm old!! Should I stop now and make some sacrifices? Or should I keep collecting, assuming a steady income when I leave school will keep me up to date with maintaining a collection, a real car etc later on? I know the most feasible answer would be to limit my collection somewhat and budget for this, but I'm sure we all know if we can't have what we want, there seems to be no point in collecting (if that makes sense LOL). All the models I buy are what I need for my collection, not what I want, so limiting myself makes it even more difficult.

I guess the gist of the thread is to know what your thoughts are, whether the other youngins out there have considered the same, and for the oldies giggle) to assure I'll be fine. I don't want to look at what I missed down the track once I get the car I want, house etc and feel regret for stopping my hobby. Conversely I don't want to continue collecting and realize later on that I couldn't get "other" things I want becasue of the expense of models. I've got another year to go with my course and I'll be a designer when I finish. Silly thread probably, but I thought I might share it!!

By the way, fantastic forums and finally I've decided to post :nicejob.

:cheers

 

[Denali]

:welcome

I'm also a college student, I manage my models and school budget quite well. I'm just hoping I land a job that will keep me in the hobby for the rest of my life.
:giggle

 

[Guest]

First things first -

to DX!!! :cheers

About the question...

For me, it comes down to managing. I'm family man (wife & kid), so I do have to spend wisely. I divided my income with a simple chart. One check goes into saving and the other check for food, rent, and other necessities before 'toys'. I have several credit cards, but all have very low balance because I know one can get into some serious debt if not careful. Don't get me wrong, I use them to buy models that I like, but I'm not silly enough to get myself into serious debt with creditcard companies. This hobby is about enjoyment, not misery. I know how bad things can get if one does not keep ones book in check.

That's how I do it. :happy :cheers

 

[mosteller]

You say that you buy the models you need rather than the models you want and you'll be a designer when you graduate. I presume, therefore, that your collecting is in part related to your education. If so, then continue to collect the ones you need; the ones you want you can get later and they may well be different than what you want now. Be a little patient, its taken me years of work and saving to afford the house, car, etc. and the hobby. You'll get there but it won't be tomorrow unless you win the lottery.

 

[Guest]

Welcome aboard and glad to have you :welcome

Hope you enjoy the forums :cheers

I just had this conversation with another DX member just today.

I really don't know how to answer your question as the answer to 'how do you do it' are many.

Even though we consider it just a hobby, it can be still be pretty tough on the wallet. Which is evident by the collectors who have come and gone.

If your buying what you 'NEED' instead of what you want, that could be the source of your concerns. Try reversing that and buy what you want instead of what you need and see if that works a little better.

The reason I offer that bit of advice is because it worked for me. After revamping my collection and selling off some "must have items" that no longer appealed to me, I am now able to enjjoy the items that I wanted and acquired much more now.

 

[Guest]

Just hang in there and have a decent approach to spending. Not much but thats all I can think of that anyone else hasn't said.

 

[Ford GT]

:iagree You just have decide whats important. Obviously, other things are far more important than diecast. Buy only the diecast that you really would like. For instance, right now I'm looking at about 5 different cars, but I am only alowing myself to buy maybe two of them :giggle

Think of what is best for your collection and what would fit, don't just buy what looks good :cheers

 

[Guest]

:welcome to DX!!

One thing I learned quickly was to FOCUS (easier said than done).

When I started collecting seriously about 7 months ago I had maybe 5-7 models that I really wanted. But, between eBay searches, online retailers, and DX :giggle , my "want" list quickly grew from 5-7 to 20-25. Sometimes tangents can lead you to amazing models, and that's part of the fun of the hobby: finding the model you love of a car you didn't know about before you started collecting.

Decide on 2-3 models (depending on price) and focus on getting those. Maybe replace one with another but adding to the list can become overwhelming.

My "want" list is 20-25 but my "to-do" list is 2-3.

And, prioritize. Diecast collecting is a hobby but most models will be available, although even on eBay some can be rare to appear. Don't think you have to get a model "right now" if there's another more pressing expense to be handled. Car and home repairs, medical, etc.

Sorry to sound so serious... One more thing:

Have fun!! :danbana :happy :cheers

 

[Guest]

:welcome

I am too a University student. I think I have the same questions in my mind right now.

But I thought it this way. I will surely keep collecting, so, it is best if you reduce your wishlist. Think about all the cars availible and choose which cars would do for yours. Obviously, there will be a need for sacrificing. No doubt with that. Purchase the ones which you REALLY would appreciate. And maybe start collecting smaller themes....

For example I chose Lamborghini, 3 cars and I will have all the set, 12 in all in one year. No exoto, CMC or other top end manufacturers, just middle range to keep my costs down.

I would, however, temporarily stop collecting. Until I start working and see how much really I am getting income. Then I would make a realistic budget and see if I can really continue collecting. I guess your years in College will open your path to higher income jobs... so one or two models a month can be easily smuggled in your house.

 

[JSB 33]

:welcome to the forums :cheers

Very interesting question :cheers
Obviously you don't want to sleep on the floor because of diecast but by the sounds of it, you wouldn't be very happy without collecting in some small way. Since you are only buying what you "need" :giggle you are already hooked!

In my case I ask myself this question at least once a week. I have a really big investment in my collection and its nice to think that if I wouldn't have bought them I would have all kinds of extra money but this is not the case. I will always spend on something.
I used to be into 1:1 car very heavily and spent a small fortune. I slowed it way down when I was building my business and setting up house and changing diapers but I still found ways to have "toys". Then I pretty much tired of always working in the garage and eased out of that and started on another hobby that had always held my interest (guns).
After going hog wild into learning, buying and participating I kind of reached the point where I felt I had done all I wanted to do.
I have also always enjoyed watches and I am quite sure if I wasn't into the diecast now I would have many more expensive swiss watches siting in my safe than I do now.

I really think its a character trait/flaw that decides for us if we are going to be collectors or not. Somehow we will find away to come up with the money.
All I can say is good luck and I hope you fins a really good job! :giggle

 

[LUW]

:welcome aboard, JRH! :cheers

It all depends on your income. 10 years ago I wouldn't be able to afford my collection, and absolutely impossible when I was in college. Nowadays I can indulge myself, but back then it wasn't possible just because I didn't make enough money. With age comes certain advantages. :wink

 

[Road Runner 72]

:welcome :happy

I make sacrifices so I can get diecast :giggle , also have made sacrifices selling off diecast to help with some family problems, so keep collecting as it seems you have a passion for this hobby, like most of us do & in time if you need to cut back do so, I do regret selling some of my early Biantes & such, but I had to makes some $$$ at the time.

Hope the choice you make, makes YOU happy.

:cheers

 

[Guest]

:welcome

JRH !!!

 

[kenrobinson6]

:welcome

to DX JRH

Obviously it has been said many times before, but like others I have a 'diecast budget' in my mind, with a small 'hidden extra' in the back of my mind for those 'impulse' buys. I only buy what I want, never what I need

 

[Guest]

not drinking or smoking affords me this wonderful hobby. if only i had a better poker month i would have bought more.

 

[Oldtimer]

I think I replied to a post about this topic within the past year, and will offer the same advice:

I am 55, married for the third time to a wonderful young woman (she is 37). We met over the Internet because we share a common interest (no, it's not diecast, it is Mexico and SCUBA diving). I started collecting when I was in my mid to late 40's, after I had acquired my first retirement income, and was into my second career. My second wife hated my hobby, which I started as a substitute to my previous involvement with automobiles, which was owning and driving a Trans-Am quality Camaro in the Sport Car Club of America amateur series.

I collect cars that appeal to me for the period of time that I was involved in auto racing, mostly 60's through 90's sports car or road racing, but also Nascar. I am fortunate that in my second career, I am not only able to feed my "habit", but also put my wife through college, where she will be entering post-graduate studies in the Fall.

My advice: Wait until you have established yourself, and do not bankrupt yourself on the back of this strange habit we call collecting. From the ten years that I have been involved, I have seen the cyclical nature, and what was once cheap is now expensive, and vice versa.

Just wait for it, if you were meant to have it in your collection, it will appear. If you weren't, then something else will take its place.

:mine

 

[ricallen]

I have personally found that enjoying the hobby does not always have to constitute spending a lot of money. In fact, I have not even been able to afford to buy a new diecast over the last few months! None-the-less, the enjoyment of this hobby (in no small part because of DX) is still there. Of course, I am itching to add a LOT to my collection, but just try to keep an understanding of what my priorities are from day to day.

:cheers

 

[Guest]

Ric,

Thats a great point :cheers

 

[Guest]

Die cast collecting is a hobby for most of us i guess apart from those who run it as a business.
As such you must put your priorities in order.Day to day living expenses come first.Most of us are probably guilty of the 'i want it now syndrome'.
there has been some great advice given by members on this topic,and unless your parents are in the Donald Trump league you will have to do what most of us have done.......wait till you are in a position to afford more.
until then you can enjoy looking at and reading about the very many great cars here at DX.
It will happen for you,just a little patience.FWIW :cheers