I was just wondering if the hobby slowed down with the economy and the housing crunch? It hasn't slowed me down.

In a similar vein, how often is the average for a hobbyist to visit a provider? I am not a CEO of a corporation. I can only afford about one visit a month, possibly two. I haven't slowed down because of the economy, I just started.

About once a month for me. Hasn't slowed me down.

I have slowed down quite a bit recently.  However, it has nothing to do with the economy.  About a year ago, I was my most active.  I saw 2-4 per week plus 1-3 AMPs.  I only did that for about 3 months.  Most of the time I see about 1 provider a week for 2 or 3 hours.  To be honest though, the more I hobby, the less I do anything else.  I suppose money is a factor, but the biggest impact I feel is time.  Prior to seeing anyone, I usually scan Eros and TER, plus I make a few calls.  That time combined with travel to the provider and the session time really cuts into my day.  If I see someone, I usually can't do anything else that day.

My hobbying frequency depends much more on my sex life outside of the hobby, than it does on the economy. It ranges from 4-5 times a week on the high end to 1-2 times if I'm active in my civvie life.

Pls forgive if this is a dumb question..
Whats AMP?

I have had to slow down. My income is directly related to the construction industry, and I am hurting. I think this will be my worst year in the last 10 years. I am lucky to hobby 1-2 times per month now, where a year ago was probably more like once a week. On top of that the skitish market lately, I am holding on to what I have for now.

I'm in Sales and it's actually been my most lucrative year in quite some time. My livelihood depends on corporate spending as a whole (rather than consumer spending such as housing) and I haven't felt any negative impact at all from the economy.

Which has directly led to it also being probably my most active year for hobbying ever in terms of $$ spent. 2x a week on average but far more 2 hour appts than usual. Even did a some overnighters which I usually never do because it's such a waste of money (IMO).

Just for kicks I actually kept track of my hobby activity and expenditures over the course of this year.  It's kind of eye opening when you look back at it and how much $$ can be blown so quickly on this.  Still cheaper than a wife though

..now for the financial news:  With the risk of so many uncertainties in the financial markets and the economy: recession/inflation, rising oil/gasoline prices, the subprime lending debacle, retailers forecasting a softer holiday season because of a perceived reduction in consumer's disposal income, "the worst housing market since the depression" (per one fed open market committee official), crisis in the Middle East, etc., etc. etc.

Wow, such doom and gloom...but why didn't they ask the hobbyists?  Isn't there a "hobbyist sentiment survey" like the U of M's "consumer's sentiment survey"?  From the thread here it appears that they might get a different outlook!

Shit, I threw a 100 g's in the market last week and lost 10 of them already. That's a lot of pussy, but I won't let it slow down my hobbying.

I did the same thing. I spent about $40,000 on the Hobby last year and completely burned out. I took a brief sabbatical and then came back slowly.

Now I see a provider at most once a week. It gives me something to really look forward to and I have a better time than when I was seeing so many ladies a week. So my slow down is by choice.

OFF

Possibly Related AMP Boobiage Photo (Not)

I've got more cash than equity right now, and I think I'll continue that trend for a bit.  A crappy interest rate is better than losses.

Twice a month on average for me.  This year has been my most active year in the hobby.  I suspect I will slow down a little next year.

I've only started this past summer but I limit myself to once a month.
And btw, the economy is humming along just fine right now. Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates real GDP growth to be almost 4% each of the past two quarters (first quarter of the year sucked), which is the highest its been in two consecutive quarters since the end of 1999.

Whether the Hobbyist is up or down may depend upon ...

There is no doubt that some segments of the economy are in substantial decline. At the same time there are others that are booming. A good friend who is in sales, selling off shore production capacity to companies seeking to cost reduce their products is having his best year in 3 decades.

 My opinion, based only on personal observation, is that the majority of people are nervous about the economy in general and their jobs in specific. I can tell you with certainty that in my region of the country the traffic in strip bars is way down. Dancers uniformly reporting that tips are off and that they must work longer for less money, despite an increase in the charge for a dance. People who perceive that their economic position is shaky are more likely to reduce recreational spending than those who feel secure.

 There is another filter at work as we explore this question. My guess is that hobbyists who are in the financial position to hobby are more likely  to participate here than those who for whatever reason can't afford it. I can't prove it but I would bet that the board at any given time over represents hobbyists who are doing well relative the general population.

-J

I have heard from several providers that their business rises and falls on the price of gasoling, and that lately things are off again as gas has flown by the $3/gallon mark.

Vast majority here are doing well economically in this ever so unscientific poll.

Nah, I'm going with the media on this one, the economy is crap (j/k).

I'll tell you what impacts my hobbying, driving the 101 and 405 fwys in So California. I don't care what time of day or night you schedule an appointment, the drive is a minimum 90 minutes one-way. I have no patience for gridlock, so I tend to minimize my hobby to an occasional Saturday, then throw my golf clubs in the car and tell my wife I am playing golf.

if you think about it, this is a forum where a lot of men are very active with pages of reviews and experience with a lot of ladies. My guess is that TER men do pretty well for themeselves, so they are in the hobby, have created their own little universe for others who do well and enjoy spending that discretionary money on pussy.

Just my .02

Katie

...and it all goes back into the economy...not a bad thing at all...

katie, you are indeed a very astute individual; I thing you are right on with that kind of analysis.