expensive hobbies

squashroll · Post by **squashroll** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 5:39 am

I enjoy snowboarding but have concluded it doesn't really jive w/ the ERE mentality. Have had some luck in finding 'deals' on lift tickets, even so there is still mileage to resorts and gear (even used/last-year's gear can be expensive). There are alternatives such cross country skiing and snowshoeing. both would dodge lift tickets but still driving and gear costs apply. Also they don't sound like much fun.

This makes me think of another poster who had mentioned in the transportation section that he didn't want to 'be miserable for the sake of money'.

Due to my proximity to some really cool waterways I have been looking into kayaking during nicer weather; $$$...

opinions?

BeyondtheWrap · Post by **BeyondtheWrap** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 7:08 am

If you really want to keep your expensive hobby, figure out how much it costs and work it into your ERE budget. You'll still be able to retire, but you'll have to work a little longer to pay for it.

mikeBOS · Post by **mikeBOS** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 7:25 am

What if you lived closer to a mountain? I'm about 30 minutes from a skiing mountain and I know they sell annual passes because I was looking into it. <$400 gets you unlimited skiing all winter and being ERE you can go during the week when everyone else is at work.

squashroll · Post by **squashroll** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 9:11 am

mikeBOS

I had considered a midweek pass. have had them in the past, pretty good deal. Seems like when I get a pass friends/coworkers decide to go ride somewhere else :/

I'd have to stay far away from the slopes for now so I can be close to work. If I didn't work...
BeyondtheWrap

Yea more work.. No ERE budget yet. I'm in the process of figuring out how much I spend. Just discovered this blog and Fisker's book 6 weeks ago--

MountainMan · Post by **MountainMan** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 9:32 am

Get a splitboard and get fit!
I love skiing (fortunately for me I much prefer ski touring to crowded expensive resorts) and I will pursue this activity after ERE. You can rent a flat/chalet in very nice places for a few hundred bucks per month as long as you are not near a resort. You might even be able to house sit. Add a small cheap car for local transportation and you can make your favorite winter activity ERE compatible. Alternatively, try cheaper countries with snow (South America, India, Eastern Europe) if you are feeling adventurous. On the downside, the initial purchase of touring gear can be a bit painful, but there are good second-hand options available at reasonable prices.

Catanduva · Post by **Catanduva** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 11:52 am

I know what you're talking about. I am a guitarist and it can be quite an expensive hobbie. Hopefully i'm in the end of buying the stuff for it. Just two new speakers for my amp and i'm done. Oh and fuzz, wah wah and overdrive effects pedal. Oh and more cables for the effects. Oh and the korg pitchblack tuner. Oh dear.

Ego · Post by **Ego** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 3:09 pm

In the past I got one sea kayak for free and another for $40 (or thereabouts) from people who were in a pinch to get rid of them. Both were moving. One guy couldn't transport it to his new place across country. The other did not have a big garage in his new place. Both were high quality sea kayaks with paddles and seats but both were missing skirts.
Put a wanted ad on craigslist with an offer to transport it immediately. Also, watch the craigslist listings for those who are reposting every few days with a lower price.
If you don't live too far from the water you can tow a kayak with your bike.

I've always dreamed of doing a bike/kayak tour down the west coast with a folding bike that stows in the kayak when on the water and tows the kayak on land.

RealPerson · Post by **RealPerson** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 4:15 pm

That picture is hilarious. Still not an income producing hobby I imagine, but they got the cost down pretty low. Not sure about the foldable bicycle stowed in the kayak. Would the frame be sufficiently stiff to be able to safely transport the kayak and carry the person with all other gear?

MountainMan · Post by **MountainMan** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 4:43 pm

If you can ever get your hands on a packraft (http://www.alpackaraft.com/) at a discounted price you can hike, hitch a ride or cycle with the deflated raft. I wish there would be a decent second-hand market for those lovely toys!

squashroll · Post by **squashroll** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 7:39 pm

@MountainMan

Post ERE skibum? sounds super nice! especially that other country talk!! You've got me wishing I was ere now

never seen a snow country rental that cheap... I've heard people talking about the split board, looks intriguing... I kinda like MikeBOS's idea of the midweek pass.

@Toska

Prob sea kayaking, I imagine I would just return to starting point and put kayak on top of car for drive home.

@Ego

good plan! I'ma start searching for a victim, er, seller--

Ego · Post by **Ego** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 9:47 pm

RealPerson, the stress on the bike frame should be limited to the pulling and braking if the kayak is weighted over the wheels. We have Bike Friday's with suitcase trailers and they don't put much downward stress on the frame.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwStL94Xudo

KevinW · Post by **KevinW** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 11:04 pm

@Catanduva
Have you considered a single multi-effect pedal like the DigiTech iStomp or RP- series?

J_ · Post by J_ » Sat Feb 02, 2013 3:10 pm

Thanks for the youtube Ego. Really fun.

Sports and ere: the best I think if you can start from your home and that no car or energy-using-machine is needed.

I am living in winter in the mountains: cc skiing, walking, snowshoeing

Rest of the year I live in the Lowlands: swimming in lakes and sea, cycling, kayaking (my house is situed on a canal) and walking, and a combination of all of them.
Having two (small) houses, connected by public transport, is for me the solution.

JohnnyH · Post by **JohnnyH** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 10:04 pm

Shooting... I know people who reload, which helps. OTOH, they are great investments. They have been picking up the slack for my lagging PP!

squashroll · Post by **squashroll** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 10:19 pm

@J_

sounds like you have quite an enviable set up. Public transportation in the States is lacking

@JohnnyH

otoh and pp?

JohnnyH · Post by **JohnnyH** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 10:24 pm

@squashroll: OTOH = on the other hand and PP = permanent portfolio.

Mo · Post by Mo » Sun Feb 03, 2013 8:17 pm

Kinda seems like almost any hobby can be made expensive these days. Almost every activity has some sort of gourmet gear producer(s). For most folks, top of the line gear is just another form of consumerism rather than a technical necessity. As an egregious example, a friend of mine shoots an $80k gun, custom made for his body. I can't imagine he'd do much worse with an $800 model.

JohnnyH · Post by **JohnnyH** » Mon Feb 04, 2013 4:19 am

@Mo: lol $80k?!... What is it?

Seneca · Post by **Seneca** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 8:22 pm

@Johnny "Shooting... I know people who reload, which helps. OTOH, they are great investments. They have been picking up the slack for my lagging PP!"
You're not kidding. I shipped off a case of factory loaded .223 that I paid $300 for a while back, and sold at $850 yesterday. That will buy me projectiles to reload for the rest of the year on. If I didn't already own the reloading press, I could afford one of those too!
I struggle with hobby costs and ERE. My way of minimizing costs has been buying quality stuff that doesn't depreciate much, and looking at ways that sweat equity can cover costs. Also how it can give me a skill I can monetize. Jacob discusses things like this in his book.
Since most of the cost of snowboarding is travel and lift tickets, that's a tough one. Maybe work for a resort?

Jen10 · Post by **Jen10** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 9:07 pm

Not that you would want to go this way, but you could hike up and snowboard down. It has the added benefit of a killer workout (who needs crossfit). It would help to be under 30...