If you can't pay your bills, don't hobby, And, you're not going to catch much interest from the civies. Invest in some ways to increase your income or get a second job.

The minimum income you would have to make is $9.75 an hour. That's what I make and I do just fine.
It's never about what you make, it's what you do with it, at any income level.
You can save a fortune by doing little things.
Eat less. You'll save money and get all fit 'n trim.
Perfectly good clothes can be found at thrift stores. Plaid and paisley are highly under-rated if you ask me.
Personal hygiene. This is HUGE. You're unemployed so it's not like you have to go somewhere every day and impress anyone. Toothbrushing is optional. Only when you have a date. Shaving. Have you priced blades lately?!?! Let it go. Just shave your face and balls (same blade of course) before a date. You'll have to choose what you're willing to risk getting nicked though. Choose where to shave first wisely.
Transportation. Lose the car and steal a bike or skateboard.
Condoms. Re-use the ones you might have....or if the lady provides one make sure YOU get up to "clean up". Slip that sucker off, rinse it out, and save it for next time. Let her pay for part of your hobby adventure! Ha!

It's really easy if you just give it some thought.
Works for me.

Gotta run. Have a date tonight just as soon as I find a streetwalker who doesn't mind a dude on a bike.
Now.....what to shave first..........

but I knew I really wanted to hobby.

So, I did without and lived like a hermit for years but once a month I had saved enough to get a hj at a half decent MP.  I got hooked.

I like to think that the hobby gave me an incentive to better myself which I did, and within time I could afford a lot more.

Keep positive about the whole thing and keep your eye on the prize.  It is worth it.

I know some guys who used their unemployment benefits to hobby.

It is all relative to your personal situation, where you live and the market rate for providers.

It is possible to hobby making minimum wage with no wife, kids, house / car payments, credit card debt and cutting back on stuff like cable, $ 100 phone bill etc.

On the other hand, a married man with a wife, kids, mortgage payments, two car payments, insurance bills, credit card debt, property taxes etc might not be able to hobby making $ 50,000 a year.

I know, I know, you said it better and more diplomatically!

My alias says it all. LOL.  Me personally I was wondering if you think you should be making a certain amount of money before it reasonably makes financial sense to be a hobbyist.  Me personally, I am currently unemployed but was working for a retail chain that rhymes with Ballpark making $10.70/hr. I lack some social skills and figured like some of us do that a SP is cheaper than a GF or at the least a SP never needs to know where I work or my lack of income.  On the flip side, I LOVE SEX and have seen myself sacraficing some bare essentials in my everyday life where I have chosen to spend that money on a lady rather than on myself or my bills. It could be that I have a more serious issue than just my lack of income, but as a general rule of thumb is there a certain amount of income you would have to make to truly feel comfortable hobbying without it affecting other areas of your life?

No matter your income range, hobbying will affect other areas of your life. The more you have available to spend, the more you will spend. Thus, the less you have to spend in "other areas".

No longer will once a month with a $200 lady be enough. If you have it, you will spend thousands a month. And thus, not be able to afford the Bently. But, the Toyota works just as well.

Budgeting is always about setting priorities. If hobbying is a priority to you, accept it, and live with the sacrifices.

if you are giving up bare essentials to live, chances are you don't make enough.

I make about $270k/yr, and I barely feel financially comfortable seeing one nice provider per month.  My wife makes good money too, and she's "comfortable" spending $4k/month on clothes and cars and crap.  I guess we all have different comfort levels... sigh...

...you have to budget your $ wisely.  Some people smoke 2 packs a day, and are spending say $10/day on cigarettes.  That's 300/month.  If you stopped smoking, then you could afford to hobby once a month, and not change anything except smoking.  The same goes for buying lattes at Starbucks every day.

Now, if you save every penny, and still have no $ left to pursue any activity that would cost that much, then obviously, don't do it. It is stupid to waste $ you don't have.  Pay your bills. Don't get into debt to fund your fun. Thats how people go bankrupt.  You will make more $ one day, and you may meet women who will have sex for "free" (although nothing is truly free).  Save what you can, and spend wisely.  But pay your bills!!

Recreation is AFTER all your bills are paid.   Put this on the back burner until you have spending money.  Don't be dumb.

You need to ether be going to collage, learning a trade, or trying to start a business with what does not go to bills. The hobby is a luxury and a very expensive one at that. At your currant income of unemployment off of a $10.70 an hour job you will be lucky to keep a roof over your head. You cannot live off of a retail job very well. Heck right now you don't even have a job doing retail. You can't afford the hobby.

As a minimum income to hobby you must be able to pay all your bills, eat a balanced diet, save 10% of your income for emergency expenses and/or retirement then have money left to hobby with. If you single and living in a small apartment in a cheaper city to live I would guess that amount to be at least $50k after taxes more if your married, have kids or live somewhere like New York think much more than that. Even then more then once or twice a month will a stretch.

Sorry, but the hobby is not worth crippling your future for. Go raise your income, pay off your debt and then come and hobby. The hobby will still be there if you still want/need it.

No matter what level of income you have that money dosen't come back.(I don't regret what I spent)
I started hobbying after I quit my job(not my best decision) and because I had plenty of time to do so. I did find a job recently making 1/3 of what I previously made so maybe once or twice a month I can book an appointment. I still have expensive taste  I spent $3600 on my ATF in a two month period there was a break in between but priorities come first.

... I wanna grab a hunk uv yew.  Mah littul man sez he's a seekrit admirer of yorz!  Heez such a ittul gaylord, I think he wants ta do ya!  Butt don't wurry, my yeest infekshun will be cured soon and I will have my way wit youse!

Knowing I can be where your 'product' came out of makes me want to put your ankles behind your ears.

Then, after you clean me up, you get your skank-ass in the kitchen and make me something to eat.

And I'm talking biscuits and gravy. From SCRATCH! With sausage. And sliced tomatoes. And green chile.

And while you're making that, you better fetch me my beer. And gargle my nuts while you're at it.

Yeah. That's the ticket!

This is the wrong hobby for you.  Your income is too low.  The ladies in this hobby are only interested in money.  Many civilian women also are money oriented, but there are other women who have other objectives.  In this hobby, your age is also against you, as many providers cater to "mature" men.  On the other hand, in the civilian world your youth would be an asset.  There are even some "cougars" out there that would be willing to indirectly pay for your companionship.

...is finding my ATF, seeing her twice within a month, then getting blindsided by company downsizing. At least I have those great memories.

working? If your money brings you no pleasure you dont need it!