For me ukulele is saving me money
. I too have expensive hobbies like golf, and motorcycle but because of the Ukulele I have dialed those hobbies down. Green fees and motorcycle cycle insurance are comparatively expensive compared to the US. It's about $750 a year for motorcycle insurance (I'm on the cheapend!), and green fees around the greater Toronto area range from 50-200 dollars a round. It adds up.
As for the Ukulele... You buy one or two, and playing it doesn't cost you a penny. However, I am trying to resist what golfers coined, "equipment ho-ing" which is the same as UAS. We are looking for that magic bullet to improve our game. But I try my best to refer to the old adage, "It's not the arrow, it's the Indian." Like golf, people would benefit from teaching lessons and instruction than an equipment change. That new golf driver, ain't gonna make you hit straighter. Or that new ukulele ain't gonna make you play in time according to the sheet music. Having learned that valuable lesson, I end up, buying books, supporting Ukulele websites (RockClass, Ukulele Way,etc), and Patreons who offer so much to the community. 10 bux a month for those websites, Patreon members, you can donate a dollar which is less than a cup of coffee to get access to a bunch of songs and tips. Improving your playing skills goes a long way. You see dudes like George Elmes who started on a $20 dollar Ukulele and how great of a player he has become. At that point you can buy any Ukulele you want
It's like new golfers purchasing expensive "blade irons" that pros use, instead of opting for the game improvement iron set......
With that being said, and dont wanna risk offending anybody. If you have the means to buy the latest and greatest. Or vintage and greatest, go ahead. Life it's too short.
My wife uses some program to track spending, but she doesn't include my random purchases, so ukuleles aren't included. Neither are golf or motorcycles.