This maybe a lame question, but I assure you its a serious inquiry. I'm curious to know what some of you have done to earn extra money to fund your hobby. Personally, I've taken on unnessary risk in the stock market and started gambling again.

I've been draining through my cash really fast. I have 2 providers i'm seing. My dilemna is I have to choose between them, but can't. One is a longtime sentimental attachment, the other is just fucking hot. Advice?

then you probably ought not to be hobbying.

The methods you suggest are sure fire ways to blow a lot of money, and then where will you be?

Rather, find some good, less expensive gals and see them only when you've siphoned off enough cash to do so.

Find ways to economize at home:  drive less, brown bag your lunches, cut back on other hobbies, etc. and keep building up some cash in a "kitty" fund to use hobbying.

It's the only good way to do this.

Or, knock off a drugstore.  It's all good.

I think you're taking financial risks, and the sooner you stop, the better.  If you're single, then the damage will be bad, but bearable, but if you're married, can you really afford to face the consequences when your wife finds out?

Consider hobbying form the same point of view as going to a casino (especially considering the fact that you mentioned gambling).  Only hobby with the money you know you can afford to lose.  For instance, if the bills are paid, everyone in the household is well-fed and clothed, and you have money left over, go have fun.  But don't dip into the funds that are supposed to be used for fixed expenses.

You should really only be hobbying with disposable income. If you are gambling or dipping into money that should be used for bills, etc. then you may need to take a step back and get your finances under contorl before coming back to the hobby. It is okay if you change your spending as Mr.Fisher suggested to save a little extra cash on the side for hobbying, but if you are risking yourself financially to hobby you have a problem.

Based on my salary, I probably shouldn't be hobbying as much as I do, but I was smart with my money and saved a lot when I was younger and I have managed to put myself in a position where I have minimal bills to pay. So what money I do make can be used for whatever I want! Get your money situation straightened out first and then use any extra money toward hobbying.

I agree with what everyone has said.  If you want to be able to sustain your hobbying long term, only use your disposable income.  I'm very new to the hobby.  When I started, I set a budget for myself for the year.  And based on the average price of the providers I see, I know the number of times I can hobby for the year, no more, no less.  

But I think that playing the market and gambling to fund your hobbying won't get you anything but a world of grief in the future.  

And as for the two providers, can't you just switch off between them?  If not, I don't think anybody can make the choice for you.  It depends on what you're looking for from a provider.

I am sure everyone here would like to know where to find some extra money.. But as others have said, you simply must learn to live within your means. It is easy to get caught up in the fun and drain your funds.

It sounds to me from your post that you have an addiction problem. Until you realize this, the problem will only get worse. There are all kinds of addictions, gambling certainly can be. I have been to LV one time and saw how this can happen very easily. I haven't started hobbying yet, but I also realize this can easily become an addiction. You can't put yourself(or your family)at financial risk. Certainly the stock market is not a good gamble. By now I am sure you know that the HOUSE is all that is going to win in the long run with gambling. Like I have heard before, IT IS A SETUP! Gambling I mean, not hobbying.

Yeah..LOL. My pt exactly

I am retired from one job, and 'working' as a lifeguard.  My salary is my play money, plus what ever I can scrounge.

Wwim

Disposable income is all that I use for my hobbying.  I do not use rent money, utility money, eat P B & J instead of steak, etc.  

I keep a separate stash of funds gathered from bonus checks (not big in my line of work) and an ocasional rental property check that doesn't make it into the regular checking account.

I think the above advice is absolutely correct. If you are draining your funds, its time to take a break and do some budgeting!

But to answer your questions -

I have cut down on unnecessary expenses, such as not eating out. I also work occasional weekends for a friend doing landscaping and roofing. This goes straight to my hobby fund. Anything I can think of to earn (not risk) a little extra goes into the pot.

When I first started I knew I would spend all my money fairly quickly. After I did just that, I looked back to find the average # of times I was hobbying and adjusted the time between to a budget of sorts. This budget does not include any extra funds, only what I can afford from my bi-monthly income. This way I actually get to hobby more often, and further help to stimulate the economy!

When extra money, over and above my budget, comes in, I put it aside. I can usually average $35 to $50 per week. I plan visits well in advance after I have enough put away for each visit.

Of course I'm envious of those who post about seeing ladies every month or every week. I can average about 3 or 4 visits a year, but the ladies I have seen have been well worth the wait and have lived up to my anticipation.

Screen carefully. Plan ahead. Budget within your means. Then, ENJOY!

You've gotten good advise.  You must get your spending under control.  You must stop taking excessive risks and gambling.  

I'd hobby every day if I could but I can't.  My recreation budget covers once a month, that's it.  I accumulate it in cash, a little every week.  If it ain't there, I don't spend it.  I pay all my bills first.  

When I started this, I promised myself I'd not do anything stupid.  (Leaving obivious tracks on the computer, unseceured e-mail, cell records, money shortfalls are all unnecessary risk.) You are daring to be caught...  You will make us all look bad.  Maybe you'll not be in the news like the love gov but that's how it'll go down.  

The very fact you posted indiates that you know you're in over your head.  Stop it on your own, get help if you can't.
S

I love shoes,and panties... have too many but still feel I need more.
I will see a pair I just have to have...and IF I have the cash, thats not bill or grocery $$ then I am good to go. Other than that...I have to work within my financial restraints.

-- Modified on 3/31/2008 7:24:07 AM

I love the hobby but ultimately I have to determine my priorities as this can easily be addictive.  

I love variety but also have a few atf's who I try to see as often as possible.  Problem is that looking back, last year alone I spent nearly nearly a quarter of my annual gross on the hobby.  Luckily I don't have a SO or kids.  But still it's funding I probably should have saved part of, especially since I just got word that my company will be closing by year's end.  

My point is, if you are looking for new ways to earn extra funding, maybe that's a sign it's time to take a break or limit your hobbying.

It is starting to take over your life.  You should not be gambling and so forth to support your hobbying.  Get a second job, cut expenses elsewhere (eating out, etc.) or just stop hobbying all together.

considering the amount of money I've spent on both I probably shouldn't be giving advice on this subject, but OTOH maybe I am the perfect person.

You already know the answer, by the simple fact that you are posting here it is obvious you need to get your finances under control. You don't need to choose between two providers, you just need to cut back on your spending. If that means temporarily quitting the hobby all together then so be it.

You don't say if you're married or single. If you are married the solution is simple, quit hobbying until you get your finances together. If you are single, you have to decide how important the hobby is to you. Unless you have a way to increase your income eventually the choice will be made for you. You'll go broke and have to quit hobbying. I hope you get a handle on things before that happens. Good Luck to you.

... I fund this "hobby" with the winnings from my other "hobby" -- poker!  That, along with any monies I get as gifts (birthday, Christmas, etc.) goes into my "secret stash".  Of course, my situation is a bit different as I'm HAPPILY married (i.e. hobby only approx 1x month when wife is on the rag) and the wife would notice any changes in the income.  The thing is, I only play poker once or twice a month (and it's not a big stakes game).  However, I always win a decent amount.  When my wife asks how I did, my standard reply is, "Oh, I won a couple of bucks.  Not too bad, considering I was down most of the evening.  It was fun."  Over time, I've gone months without hobbying for various reasons (probably pretty common for most of us, irregardless of marital status), and I've built up my "stash".  So, I fund both of my "hobbies" on winnings as opposed to any regular income.

On the whole though, I agree with your advice (as I do most of the time).