Do you ever stop and think "WTH am I doing?!"

I can't say it ever actually /bothered/ me or made me feel guilty, but sometimes I stand back and laugh at the fact that I've spent more on some dolls clothing than I would /ever/ had spent on myself. Maybe that's my way of letting out some anxiety about it.

 

i know personally having some nicer things like my dolls makes the time when i can only cover the basics much easier. getting the occasional luxury item makes me feel like i'm not just scraping by. it might take me a year or more to save up, but having something to look forward to is awesome.

 

Every now and again I wonder at what I am doing when I spend money on dolls. I recently ordered a new body for a doll I have and put another doll on layaway and really I should probably be saving. The dolls make me happy though. And I budget myself. I understand where the guilt comes from. But so long as you follow your budget and it makes you happy then do as you please. Don't let others judge you either. Your money and your life. Do what makes you happy.

 

Nope. ^w^; I figure I can finally enjoy my hobby at my leisure after my father walked out and my last MSD was a trade so she didn't cost me much then the cost of her head and eyes.

 

I don't regret spending money on dolls. It's no different than someone dropping cash for the latest model of cell phone or the hardcore Mac fans out there. I've managed to be reasonably responsible with my money even with multiple doll purchases this year.

I do understand the money freak out session though. I've just recently finished training myself that its okay to spend the money I earn working on myself. I've always been very kid gloves with my money and the thought of not having at least $100 in my checking account literally makes me physically ill. Even with the money fears I had no problem dropping sizable sums on others but when it came to myself I always felt guilty--and that was stupid.

Now I look at my dolls and I feel proud. I'm finally able to treat myself like I deserve and pursue the things I'm truly passionate about. My dolls are physical representations of that feeling and I love them for it. It's a very freeing feeling.

 

kittydorkdork repeat after me: "this is a very sensible way to INVEST money" - no really it is! See how wise you feel now - and very grown-up too - well it works for me anyway

 

Yeah, sometimes I get to think like that but when I'm about to feel guilty then I just say 'nah' and get back to feel happy because I may get a new dolly hahaha. I don't really regret a single thing about this hobby, not even what it costs because as long as I can buy something I'll be glad to do it

 

I definitely don't feel guilty. I actually feel more proud of myself that I am able to save up for something and I know once I have all the money saved I am going to feel SO GOOD clicking that "place order" button. It is something that makes me happy and I have no regrets for buying anything "useless" that has brought me joy.

 

I feel guilty. I have 5 kids and rarely ever treat myself. Everything was always about my kids. I find this hobby addicting. You can't just have one, whether it's one doll one set of eyes, one wig, or one outfit. You just keep adding. I have to say though, I get so excited whenever I know something is on the way. I feel like a little kid.

 

I guess it's because I grew up on welfare and depended on the charity of others for basic necessities that I don't feel at all guilty about spending on dolls now. I didn't have nice things growing up so I indulge my inner child now. I do sometimes think about how much money is tied up in the beautiful little darlings lining the shelves and might feel a slight twinge of guilt but it quickly passes. Besides, for the last year I have adopted a "one in = one out" policy so my hobby hasn't cost me anything.

 

Oh, yes! LOL Waiting for dolls and dolly goodies to be delivered makes me feel like a child waiting for Santa!

 

TLDR; No.

Long-winded version: No, I don't. I don't think about it that way, I don't think I've ever invested in something that's made me happier than dolls make me. This hobby is not only intertwined in my work (I actually do use these dolls for artistic purposes, actual tangible artistic purposes) it has also managed to always give me something to look forward to, something to pass the time with, way more reasons to be happy and creative than I was before. These dolls are worth every penny I put towards them even if it means I have to go on a very tight budget to afford them. I'm very proud I can juggle my finances to afford all the dolls I want too, so yes... Do what makes you happy, as long as you're happy then it should be alright.

 

I refuse to feel guilty about my hobby. I know people who buy coffee at Starbucks every day at $5+ a pop; that adds up fast. At least I get to keep the dolls.

 

As long as you live within your means, see to your savings and generally handle your financial life with some degree of common sense there is absolutely no reason to feel guilty about spending what-ever amount, large or small, you've ear-marked as "fun money" on something that makes you happy. For some people it's travel or redecorating their kitchen, for others it's a weekend pub-crawl with their friends or a couple of tickets to a ball-game... for you it's dolls. Don't feel bad about that. Frugal is a Good Thing, but that doesn't mean you can't allow yourself to have some fun.

 

I have four grown kids, and when I saw how they spend all their money like there's no tomorrow, I figured it was time I did something for myself. I've never had a hobby where I actually bought something - I always made it. Well, I decided there was no point saving, and then maybe not even living long enough for a retirement, so why should it all go to my kids? It's high time I had some fun and did something purely for myself. But it is really hard to get past the "me last" mindset.

I feel exactly like that too! Especially after I get a shipping notice. Or, even more so when my dolls are at the faceup artist, and I'm eagerly waiting to see if there's pictures each morning.

 

YES! I mean I work hard for my money and it's absolutely my right to buy what I want with it, especially for my own enjoyment. But it's not like I buy one doll every few months. I buy several dolls each month. And it wouldn't matter if I bought one or two dolls less each month.

The problem is that I am not able to save at least a few bucks. I buy dolls and stuff for dolls as long as my money is gone. And that's what I feel guilty for, I am not able to limit myself...

 

Sometimes I feel like so many people have so little and I spend so much on dolls. I believe it's a good thing for me to feel this way instead of spending willy nilly and having no thoughts about how lucky I am to have what I have. Many times I think for days and weeks before I buy a doll even though I have the money to do so. I have this idea that if I really want it now if I still really want it weeks or a month later then I really want it. I do make the occasional spur of the moment purchase still but for the most part I like to think about it for awhile before I just buy.

 

I really like what you have said. Even though I find this wait pretty difficult, I think I will appreciate my doll THAT much more once I am able to get her.