What is your most expensive hobby?

[rainbow21]

When I first looked to buy an ukulele to get started five years ago, I spent $100 for the most expensive "beginner" ukulele. At the time I thought that was really cheap, having paid $1200 for my son's trumpet for middle school. About three months later I had a KoAloha in hand and never looked back.

But even the KoAloha did not seem that expensive for what was the high end of ukuleles five years ago. I was choosing between the three Ks. It was easy for me to spend having come from many expensive hobbies over the years, including photography, bicycling, golfing, beanie babies, etc. I remember that it cost well over $1k to upgrade the stereo in a new car purchase. I figured bowling once a week for $20 (it likely is more) is already $1k. Fishing, archery, and other hobbies are gear intensive and can also be expensive.

So what are your hobbies that can influence your attitude toward ukulele spending?

 

[kerneltime]

When I first looked to buy an ukulele to get started five years ago, I spent $100 for the most expensive "beginner" ukulele. At the time I thought that was really cheap, having paid $1200 for my son's trumpet for middle school. About three months later I had a KoAloha in hand and never looked back.

But even the KoAloha did not seem that expensive for what was the high end of ukuleles five years ago. I was choosing between the three Ks. It was easy for me to spend having come from many expensive hobbies over the years, including photography, bicycling, golfing, beanie babies, etc. I remember that it cost well over $1k to upgrade the stereo in a new car purchase. I figured bowling once a week for $20 (it likely is more) is already $1k. Fishing, archery, and other hobbies are gear intensive and can also be expensive.

So what are your hobbies that can influence your attitude toward ukulele spending?

Sharing a home with a bank…

 

[keenonuke]

Ukulele/Mandolin and
building computers
But at the rate I'm going out dreaming, definately those string instruments listed on the first line. Although the two are so similar.
Yep 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 string instruments.

 

[KaminTheWeaver]

I'm just glad my love and curiosity for guitars does not match my love and curiosity for ukuleles.

 

[Stoneyrun]

Surfing the interwebs.

 

[CPG]

I play a few different instruments so I would say that my current most expensive hobby is “musical instrument enthusiast”.

Woodworking was the most expensive hobby I ever had. Even once you’ve invested a in crap load of tools you still need to spend hundreds of dollar on lumber when you want to build something, plus finish and glue, etc. That’s not to say that woodworking can’t be done on the, relative, cheap. It can, but if you wanna build hardwood furniture it gets real expensive real fast and is a continuous investment.

 

[badhabits]

Used to be golf (clubs, range balls, greens/cart/tournament fees) and cycling (bikes, nice bikes, really nice, gear, race/ride entry fees). Both are massive time sucks (to be good), and require daylight and decent weather. Almost can't be done (well) at the same time.

 

[frets alot]

Music, since 1973.
Guitars (my first love (1973) and main instrument) - don't ask how many
Mountain Dulcimers (my second love) - don't ask how many
Native American Flutes - curently 6
Alto Saxophone and Flute (my band days)
Fiddle (my grandpa's 1914 fiddle, but I'm not very good)
Banjo and mandolin (never stuck with it)

 

[rustydusty]

It’s a toss up between hot rods and boats… these are what I’m currently working on. I probably spend about $500 a year on musical instruments and accessories.

 

[ploverwing]

I've spent way more on yarn over the years than I have (yet!) on ukuleles! So I'd say my crochet/knitting habit is the most expensive. Although I also spent way more on art supplies and equipment (printmaking press and tools) when I was still actively making art. Hmm, that might be the most expensive!

 

[Joyful Uke]

Ukuleles. I'm boring. I don't really spend on other hobbies.

I get books and stream movies from the library. I do sometimes buy a book or some music, but very few these days.

Lots of free courses on the internet, (like Coursera, and can get things like The Great Courses from the library site), that keep me busy.

And that's all I can find time for these days, so that keeps me plenty busy.

 

[pmorey]

Like @badhabits mine used to be golf, then road cycling. Now it's solely ukulele.

 

[Captain Simian]

Definitely music. I’ve spent more on instruments than I do comics and toys overall. I don’t even remember the last time I bought a comic or bought a toy to keep instead of trying to flip, so I’m very seriously considering selling off my comics and toys now. I’m going to keep 20 comics and 10 figures because of sentimental reasons, but everything else might just go away soon. If I do that I may use that money for a custom built uke or at least something a bit more high end. But yeah, music is pretty much where my money goes.

 

[Mike $]

Woodworking. SInce I'm using hand tools, I don't really spend a lot of money doing it, actually I save a lot of money when I build my own furniture or instruments. But it's really my only hobby that costs any money.

 

[ksiegel]

When I first looked to buy an ukulele to get started five years ago, I spent $100 for the most expensive "beginner" ukulele. At the time I thought that was really cheap, having paid $1200 for my son's trumpet for middle school. About three months later I had a KoAloha in hand and never looked back.

But even the KoAloha did not seem that expensive for what was the high end of ukuleles five years ago. I was choosing between the three Ks. It was easy for me to spend having come from many expensive hobbies over the years, including photography, bicycling, golfing, beanie babies, etc. I remember that it cost well over $1k to upgrade the stereo in a new car purchase. I figured bowling once a week for $20 (it likely is more) is already $1k. Fishing, archery, and other hobbies are gear intensive and can also be expensive.

So what are your hobbies that can influence your attitude toward ukulele spending?

Roving. Spinning Wheels. Yarn. Looms. Used to be travel, now it is trying to get a 1955 mid-century modern home updated and ready to move in, then moving out of the current place, and getting my mom's home ready to sell when she moves in with us.

And the $1250/month for the storage rooms, after we moved my late mother-in-law's possessions to NY from San Jose, CA... We need to sort it all.

I've averaged considerably less than $1000/yr on my ukulele hobby. Maybe $1100/yr, when you include the mics, stands, speakers, PAs, mixers, DI boxes, and music stands...

 

[Pissodes]

Watches. I've spent more on those than anything else. After that it's probably fragrances. As a family, our travel budget far exceeds all other hobbies.

 

[Mercury59]

Fender and Gibson. I have a few.

 

[Tin Ear]

Building a Nuclear Reactor

 

[rhiggie]

Definitely sailing. BOAT means bring out another thousand! But Ukulele is way easier to plan into your schedule!

 

[oldjazznut]

I've got maybe $ 3 grand invested in ukes, spare strings, parts, books, etc..

$14K in my biggest hobby. I have $6K in firearms, $5K in ammunition, and $3K in assorted parts and gear.
Yes, I'm a "gun nut". I conceal carry, and I have one of those Evil Assault Rifles; though mine is for the little .22, not military caliber.

I shoot a lot better than I play ..

...