BJD hobby expenses

I didn't back then, but if I ever come out of hiatus, I probably will. It's a very clever thing to do even if you don't intend to sell anything at all.

 

I don't. For me it does not matter so much. I buy when I have the money and if I ever sell I just look for the item or similar ones and put a reasonable price on it.

But then, I am not good at keeping track of my money (thank God for my husband who keeps some track) so it is probably better to know how much you spend. =)

 

I probably should do this. I keep a semi-mental tally but I'm afraid I'll feel super guilty if I have an exact number. >_>

 

I have! I have a spreadsheet on my computer titled "Sticking my head in the sand"
It has EVERYTHING on it. Item name, where I got it (company and or person on doa or ebay), if it was in a GO who ran the order, price, shipping. I even have my freebie stuff I have gotten over time on there.

I do not like to look at the bottom line total too often.

 

I am keeping a file. I also hate the TOTAL line. But I cannot do anything if I see something I need for my doll.
I started keeping the file jus to remember which items I ordered and which I should pay for and expect. But then I decided to add that Total line to see where it brings me up in the end. It seems there is no end though.

 

I've spent too much to want to do such a thing. I think it's a good idea but I'll be too scared to buy anything once I see the total number.

 

I have been keeping track of the dolls-- Base price, extras, shipping.

Items-- I tried, but am not consistent. Mostly I try to get a picture of the item when I buy it, and put basic info in the filename--so I have a visual reference. Lots of stuff doesn't get saved or noted down, however.

I only WISH I were as organized as some of you, with all the spreadsheets and everything!

 

It's a great idea, and I've been meaning to do this. I probably won't go all the way back to my first few dolls, but definitely for the ones I have now. It's also a handy reference in case a doll were stolen or something.

I assume that purchase dates are on the list, but I would also add things like order numbers, serial numbers or scanned images of COA, point of sale or previous or future owners (in case of a second-hand doll), and maybe even screen caps of receipts and details of mods/damages.

 

Hmm this would be a good idea for me as i am just starting and I can start my pricing out of things.

 

I don't want to see how much I've spent on this hobby! lol That is a really good idea and wish I had done so from the start. I could add up the price of my dolls but I don't remember too much about all the eyes, wigs, shoes, etc. It would be a scary high amount, for sure.

 

I track my hobby expenses. I like to know how much I spent, and where, and when. I don't keep track in case I need to sell something, but in case I need a point of reference. I also save major doll expense-related receipts in the even that I need them for anything insurance-related.

 

I drew up a list once with what I'd paid for each doll - not their wigs, eyes, clothes etc., just the dolls. I did it because I was curious, and partly also to see if I had any hybrid dolls whose price amounted to the sort of price I'd feel uneasy paying for a complete doll :P. But seeing all that money listed was a bit ... I dunno, I didn't really like seeing that XD. I like to have some idea of what I spent, but I don't need the sordid details, thanks .

 

I definitely don't. I collect for a year now and the dolls with shipping costs plus custom fees alone eat all my money. I spend $500-1000 every month, if I count it or not, it's just too much...^^

 

I wanted to do the bjd hobby for years but moms health put a halt to things (and she supported my back then too). But after she passed I decided I was going to go all in. My first jump into the bjd pool and Im over my head ^^. Good thing I ca swim. First doll plus outfits will run me about 2000$... I will slow off after I lay the base items all in ^^. I used to collect Barbie and if i spent on average 10-20 a month (aveage mind you) that was alot. I am not by nature an impulse buyer... but boy I could be with bjd's lol. And I have at least 500 more to spend. (This is in a way my 'starter' kit?). Ive waited over 6 years so I can't feel bad about the costs. If my eyes don't fail first I want to learn to sew becase much of what I want to dress my dolls in is very specific.

 

I've not kept a record of the expenses but I think the overflowing (large) box in the corner with all of their stuff in and the 4 (one off topic, one not here yet) dolls speak for themselves. I do however tend to go through one phase every year of about two weeks where I buy lots of doll things then don't buy anything related to BJDS for the rest of the year. I definitley have a 'one doll a year at most' cap on myself.

 

i tend not to keep track.....when i have extra money i will get what i want if not then i save for what i want.

 

I do and I don't. I have a sort of reference spreadsheet that I keep. It has everything from measurements to purchase date. I keep track of how much I have spent on specific dolls per season. I do this to stay on budget too. Sometimes I will push a doll back to later in the year so that I don't over spend.

I have a total doll budget which I haven't hit yet and I've set my dolly limit to no more than 7 - 8 for that reason. I'm not worried about the "upkeep" costs, like refreshing wigs, shoes, clothes, art supplies, maintenance. I see all of that as a part of the hobby general expense that's ongoing (or can be) and 1/2 the fun. But if I kept track of that too...ouch!

 

I keep a basic idea of what I've spent on the dolls themselves, and it's frightening! @_@ I don't even attempt to count cost of clothes, wigs, eyes, shoes, accessories, etc, since I'm buying stuff weekly with my "allowance" after bills are paid. I could have paid off a decent chunk of my house by now, or bought a really nice car with what I've spent.

 

Same here, I definitely think I'll be taking this to heart. Especially with the amount of import taxes I'll be paying for my country, it'll be really great to have on file.