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I, like most of you probably, do not have a huge amount of money to burn. I work hard at my job, pay my bills and save some money. The rest is my spending money. However since I started this game I have been going into my savings a bit with frenzied spending. I know its an expensive hobby and I can afford it, just not as fast as I am going.

So how do you guys put a curb on the excitement? I was thinking of either A) Adding it into my budget or B) Only buying a new squad after the one I previously purchased is painted and assembled.

So for you non rich folks, whats your secret

My way of dealing with the pricing was to watch ebay for a while, know what you want in advance and know what you want to spend, and be patient, you will eventually get a bargain. I got approximately £80 worth of eldar for £25, all boxed and sealed, I got lucky with a bargain. If you can be patient it doesnt have to be expensive.
Thats about it really,
Cheers, Matt.

When I want to buy something, I tell myself that I'm stupid and I'm wasting money.

If my stupidity overrides that, then I buy it.

Excessive spending is a great way to end up with a) masses of unpainted plastic, and b) a depressing credit card debt.

Whilst I no longer have this problem (less to buy, earning more), I used to spend more than I earnt, and its a stress you really dont need.

I recommend you strictly budget your spending to what you can actually afford, and only buy when youve painted what you have. However also keep a jar for loose change that you would otherwise 'waste' & you'd be surprised at how it adds up after a while, you may get an extra unit or two a year.

As too the ebay thing, thats a good idea. However I like to buy from my store to help support when I can.
That change jar is a good idea! I havent gone to the point where I am ruining myself. Its just a trend Im seeing that is showing up.

Buy when you're done painting something.

Warning: the positive feedback loop might cause you to paint faster and buy more to paint.

eBay and other discount sites (Wayland, Maelstrom, etc) are great ways to lessen the hit to your pocket while still getting what you want. I know you said you want to support your store but really... what do you notice more; the support that you give your store, or your wallets contents hastily dwindling? In the end its your money and you can do what you want with it, but I personally try to look out for myself and if I can find a better deal on something, I will take that. What's one customer in the grand scheme of things?

avantgarde wrote:When I want to buy something, I tell myself that I'm stupid and I'm wasting money.

If my stupidity overrides that, then I buy it.

I totally agree.


I told myself, I need to paint.

Why blow money on models, to have them gak on the shelf, unpainted.


You just spent money for a dust collector!

Oterhwiese, if you are really needing something to game, then get it.

If not, work on what oyu got! Buy later. Its ALWAYS going to be there ;P



or come visit the link below ;P TRading is a good way to save, and not spend!

I used to have problems with spending control myself when I was younger, so I feel your pain.

I just budget myself to a certain amount now. I absolutely loved all of the Tale of Four Gamers articles and thats how I base my spending. I create an army list and slowly build it up, not buying new stuff until everything is painted. Play some games with what I got, adjust my army list plan accordingly, and on it goes.

Spectacular new releases are fair game though. Looking at you Trygon...

Ya I play nids as my main army. Im screwed!

I have a great spending control.

She's called my wife.

Still, she does allow me to buy anything I need with her credit card, so it balances out (and since I am not overly fond of FW QC, it's safe from overspending).

Another idea:

A separate debit account with your fun spending balance.

Finish painting both forces, and start gaming.

Play your army until you know it in and out.

I buy faster than I paint...and luckily I don't have a credit card to burn

I found out (the hard way) that pre-planning is essential to curb your spending. Set aside a certain sum per month for your gaming needs. If you need to make a larger purchase (say, scenery or FW goodness), save up.

Although I should have added, I put tighter limits on my spending than she ever has.

I've never spent more than $50-60 per month on my gaming hobby. My other hobbies, though (my Stormtrooper armour cost me $400 and six months of weekends to get it right ).

Recently I've found the best way to avoid spending money is to run out of it.

The $40 I've got in my wallet has to last me 'til the 9th.

Just give in to the temptation. You can fight it all you want, but GW always wins in the end.

I am guilty of overspending on this blessed hobby only two days ago I went and impulse bought a Skaven Battalion then oooops I bought a nice shiney Devestator squad for my Space Marines.

I litterly need to be held down to stop me buying Im not surprised if I get divorced over the amount I spend on this hobby. LOL but I blame White Dwarf!!

Cheese Elemental wrote:Just give in to the temptation. You can fight it all you want, but GAME COMPANY OF CHOICE always wins in the end.

This is how I read your post

Time for a second job, I think.

Yes, Give into your dark side. Let the urge to spend FILL YOU!!!!

Muh ha ha ha

I go through a simple test.

Is my want of the item > my desire to avoid my wifes bitchin.

Just buy, buy, buy, until you get sick of it. Worked for me. It did take about 10 years of spending all my disposable income on GW, but I finally feel like I own enough.

My sig says it all. But sometimes I lapse!

R3con wrote:I go through a simple test.

Is my want of the item > my desire to avoid my wifes bitchin.

agreed, plus I leanred the hard way when I was rich (well richer then I am now at least) about buying excess models. I still have tons of extras, but i get them in trades or off ebay.

This hobby is a lot like a drug (hence the term "plastic crack", the term does in fact have merit). Like any drug, it can become an addiction, but let it consume you and suddenly all of your thoughts and motivations become focused on getting that next fix.

Thankfully addictions can be treated and so can this. Rather simply in fact...

Stop buying gak and be happy with what you have.

My secret? I don't have one other than simple logic. If I spend more than I earn... In due time I'll lose everything.

When I spend less than I make, I get very confused about what to do with what's left over. Buying models is the only way to preserve my sanity.

I know exactly how much disposable income I have each month, I’d love to spend it all on myself but I have a wife, need I say more. Therefore I limit myself to £25 to £50 per month, which is about my painting rate.
Occasionally the wife remembers she loves me?? And treats me to one of the many must have models that I’ve pointed to her. I’ve not managed to get the Warhound yet, she obviously does not love me that much, but Xmas is just around the corner, who know maybe this year.

I also support the "Buy them as you paint them" mantra.

Also, I set a limit on what I'll spend for a piece, usually 60% of retail. Then I bid on e-bay at that price. You lose 90% of what you bid on, and what you win you've gotten a great deal on.

Spending Control Tips:

1. Start an extensive conversion project that requires low costing/free materials.

2. Make custom terrain; also very inexpensive.

3. Set achievable goals and after achieving them then buy new stuff

4. Get into the X-Mas spirit and give to others instead of yourself although that only helps not spending $$$ on GW stuff