does anyone feel like they've spent too much money?

When I ordered my doll (I saved up because I wasn't trusting myself with the layaway option) a was adamant about not buys her anything else (she comes with a wig) but since them I spent about the amount I payed for my girl in props, more wigs, commissioned clothes and such... So yeah, I kinda get what you mean since it's been 3 month since whatever is spare on my paycheck is entirely spent in doll things (but the truth is... I have no regrets!!).

 

I know the feeling. I thought after a year if collecting I would feel less guilty but it hasn't abated. Anytime I buy a doll or accessories I feel it's a waste of money. I tell myself I should leave the hobby but it's so addicting I can't. My kids tell me it's ok and I deserve it so I try to take heed but it's still difficult. I say as long as it makes you happy go for it!

 

I've always been very self analyzing when it comes to money..and lately I've noticed how my average balance is significantly lower than it used to be in the past. I think it's the dolls.

I love all my dolls and I don't regret buying them but I definitely need to find a way to slow down when it comes to buying stuff for them or acquiring new resin friends. My normal methods for telling myself no aren't working so I need a little help.

Please share your money saving (or money making) tips and advice below.

 

This is what I do now (I used to live for buying doll things):
Make a NEED list - this is for rent, utilities, insurance, cell, etc.
Make a WANT list - dolly stuff, new shoes, clothes, etc.

DO NOT make rush decisions on purchasing things on your want list. Give yourself a day or two to think about whether or not you and your doll really needs that thing. IF it's not an auction or something, maybe consider selling something you don't use in order to use that money towards the new thing.

As far as new resin friends... I have two with one on the way. I am getting ONE more after that. 4 is enough for me.

However.. I know how hard it is to always want more. I collect another type of dolls and once had over 60. Now, I've downsized due to my realization that I just do not need a million dolls. The more you have, the more difficult it becomes giving them equal time.

I hope that helps!

 

I am a total failure at stopping crazy shopping and spending--but it is because I don't follow any good advice. One thing that some people do to control themselves is to make a separate account for doll spending. They pay all their necessary expenses. Also keep money they need to save for emergencies. After everything else, they put a little money into that doll account. They do not buy anything unless they have enough in the account. They only put into the account what they know they wish to spend on dolls.

It also helps if you keep an account of every single little thing you buy for dolls and watch that amount of money (basically--keep a budget with a careful account of doll spending--in detail. That way it is easier to see what you are buying and if it is too much. Have a good idea of what you are spending, basically, and also of what you CAN spend within your budget.

I really need to do all this! When I do keep track and I add up all the money I spend and see all the little wigs and bits of clothes that I buy that I don't really need, it makes a bigger impression.

Others will not buy anything more unless they sell something in order to make money. Basically, they stop putting any money into their doll budget unless it comes from something they sell. This is a good idea so that you don't have clutter around that you don't use, and also will enforce the idea that doll money shouldn't be viewed as easy to get without any consequences.

And do not use credit/credit cards.

Good luck!

(I need to sell a lot of stuff! And keep an accounting of what I spend on dolls and have a good budget!!!)

 

What's helped me cut spending just in general is recording down EVERY transaction you make. Get yourself a notepad that you can keep on your person and make a format for recording expenses that you're comfortable with. Mine goes something like this:

Date (I do mmdd format) / What I bought or reason (usually categorized, like "food", "grocery", "phone bill", etc) / Amount put in or out of account / New total that is in account

Ex:
0227 / Food / -5 / XXXX
0227 / Deposit / +200 / XXXX
(I round my expenses to the nearest dollar just for ease since trying to do the math every time is discouraging if I'm not in the mood and then I end up not recording anything)

Do the same with your credit card, obviously adding up each expense as you go rather than subtracting. It doesn't seem like much, but when you know pretty much EXACTLY how much money you have, spent, and owe, you'll become way more conscious of how you spend it. Also you'll see what you spend the most on and you'll be able to figure out what spending habits need to be altered and what's more important.

I also have an amount in my account that I've mentally set that I try not to go under before my next pay day. Of course, this amount fluctuates depending various factors like how much I have left over after paying for necessities. With my expenses recorded, I know when I'm getting close to that limit and I can then prioritize my purchases.

 

The above suggestions are really great. When you do list your expenses and how it compares to your earnings, tracking doll funds and budgeting becomes easier. Sometimes spending money is like snacking--you don't realize how often you do it and the little things add up. Also, I try to keep a separate account for doll earnings to help track my funds.

I have recently started to set goals. Almost all my dolls are RP characters. I've determined who I want, and who I can "live without" in doll form. Then I prioritize. Who means the most to me. (This is pretty similar to the "want" list.) This year, when I made my resolutions, I decided I'd put together a dolly goal list--not just stuff to buy but things lie learning to sew, more pictures, etc. That way I have less impulsive purchases (always a killer on the bank account) and more planning. This goal includes "perfecting" or "finishing" dolls that I have (eyes/wig/'canon' outfit) and budgeting those expenses in. Planning can help a lot. Also, have little notes and reminders and such to help reinforce these goals--and help you be more patient while you wait for dolls/clothes/accessories. Waiting can be so hard--but if you keep your eyes on the goal, it's all worthwhile.

Also, always budget a little of your pay check to go into a Savings account . (I know that's old hat advice and something most people do, but always saving a little helps give you a more comfortable buffer for unseen expenses you can encounter--and it's always worth mentioning.)

I hope this helps!

 

My sure-fire way to stop myself from spending is usually imagining the disappointed look my Mom would give me for spending too frivolously. She's a very practical person and spending responsibly is something she has always tried to instill in myself and my siblings. I'm generally pretty good about it, but I can sometimes get too excited about new dolls that pop up. I also try to think ahead... not just about what I am spending now, but what do I need to have money in reserve for - car maintenance, vet checkups, etc.

 

These are all great. Very well though out advice.

 

I'm not sure how seriously you use the word 'addiction' as I find it hard to interpret tone on the internet. But if you're serious, please consider professional counselling. My mother has a shopping addiction, due to a complex combination of depression/anxiety/trauma, and it has resulted in bankruptcy for her. But if it's less serious, everyone else has given great advice. Good luck!

 

The trick I use is that I have three bank accounts. One is for needs, one is for saving, and one is for my hobbies. As I get money I try to put away as much as possible in my savings account, spending as little as I can off the needs account (making sure I don't buy things I don't actually need). In the hobby account I put money that's not really accounted for, i.e. money I got at Christmas or birthday, money for things I've sold off, every little penny that isn't from my normal income. That ends up in the hobby account. Luckily, I do crafts so I tend to sell some BJD-clothing every now and then, so it's fills up. Slowly, but still. This helps a lot, at least for me so I hope it works for you as well, since you get more picky about what to spend your hard earned money at and are not as likely to buy something on an impulse. Also, even if it's something you really like and have thought about buying for months - when you have the economy for it, take another couple of days just to think over it one more time. Don't go spending it at the moment you get the money, just think about it. If you've waited all those months, a couple of more days won't hurt. It's really easy to want to buy things when you don't have the money, simply because you subconsciously know you can't buy it, the trick is to see past that feeling of want and see if it's something you really want/need, or if it's something you want/need just because you cannot afford it at the time. Then, if you're still as convinced you want and need it, and you're sure beyond any doubts that you can afford it. Go for it. Then you've done what you can and no one can do more than that (And you probably want it real bad and should get it, money are meant to be spent, just not on the wrong sort of things ;3)

I think it's harder to spend money if you have less. So even if you have lots of money on a savings account, if you're allowed to just use the ones in the hobby account, it's harder to waste it. Especially if you see how hard it is or how long time it takes for that account to fill up again after being dried out by a buy. It's not like the needs account that gets a refill every month by salary or whatever income one lives by, the hobby account only have the money you've acquired through other means. If you don't have other ways to get money, just put a steady percent of your income in the hobby account, and make sure you use that and only that money for your hobby

I wish you the very best, and that you find a way that works for you and your economy :3

 

Because I'm running on a very tight budget where I have to flip every penny I've got, this is what I do to make sure I don't spend too much:

At the beginning of the month, the day of the paycheck (or in my case, the first day of the month, since I don't have a job), I calculate how much money I need for rent, insurance, gas/water/electricity, phone and all other necessities and I write this down on a notepad. Then, I calculate how much money I need for groceries this month.
When all necessities are calculated for, I set aside a fixed amount of money on my savings account. This money is for emergencies only. I don't do any unneccesary purchases until the last week of the month. This way, I know exactly how much I can spend AND it gives me a few weeks to consider if I really want that doll/dress/game/cd etc, or if it was just a spur of the moment thing. If by the end of the month I still have a few bucks left, but it isn't enough to buy what I wanted, I put it in my 'hobbies' account and save up it.

 

I'm currently on a dolly-shopping hiatus. I had summed up all doll related expenses that I've made over the past two months or so and I'm not happy with myself. Nor is my wallet.

So for now, I will no longer be purchasing anything new for my doll for a couple of months. I have bought- at least what I think- all the "essential" and standard items, so that I won't end up with a naked or eyeless doll for example. But from now on, I will be MAKING anything I want to have badly enough, like a shirt or an outfit and such. Harsh punishment? I don't think so. My wallet will be proud of me. Plus, I get to concentrate on other parts of this hobby, not just the buying and spending fun :P More on the crafting and creative aspect! And maybe I'll whip up some nice little tutorials for others on hiatus like me, haha!

 

Yes, this is an expensive hobby by most standards, and I will always feel like I've spent "too much" on it for that reason. However, I make sure I can pay my bills plus set some aside for savings before I dedicate money to BJDs. I live within my means and don't overspend unless I know I have extra money coming in for some reason (work bonus, tax return, etc). In the past, my living situation was different and I was more carefree with my finances, but I've definitely matured a lot and have a better handle on spending than when I first joined this hobby 8.5 years ago. ^^

 

I've spent an amount of money I'm not comfortable disclosing even without a doll at hand yet :'/ so it's a definite yes. I'm swearing off dolly shopping for a good while.

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Well...I honestly feel bad for this every single time i buy new stuff because i cant keep it to only a few items...xD the worst is that i feel bad for a few days and then, when i have some money, i just go ahead and buy even more. no regrets. (at least not for long)

 

Yes, I do... I can say I buy things for doll more than buy for myself... Sometimes I just feel bad about it. That's why I begin to sew clothes by myself more and limit the number of doll collection.

 

I fall into this a lot. I wouldn't say I impulse spend, but if I ever have money to spare I'm more likely to spend it on stuff for my dolls than for myself, and I'm always finding things I want or think my dolls "need". But if I wait, often just a few days later I don't want it nearly as badly, and so I've saved a lot just by telling myself it's not urgent, I can sleep on it and buy it later. If I give it a few days or maybe a week or two, sometimes I find I've completely lost interest and that's how I know I don't really want the thing as badly as I thought. With the unpredictability of secondhand sales as well as company events and extremely limited availability, etc., the level of stress involved in acquiring the items can make you perceive them as more important. But dolls and outfits and accessories come and go and in my experience there's always going to be another one that comes along that you want just as much if not more. So with that in mind it's easier for me to really think through my purchases.

Honestly, though? The most surefire way to reduce spending that I've found is just to take a breather from forums and the collecting community periodically. Being exposed to all the pictures and discussion out there and the social aspect of it is maybe half of what I enjoy so much about collecting, and it does really feed into the constant "need" for new things when you're spending a lot of time looking at doll websites and admiring what other people have, and all of the beautiful things that are for sale. I love going on forums to chat with people and see all the creativity and love for the hobby that's out there, but if I feel like I'm spending too much money, I find that it's better to just take a little time and immerse myself in other things in my life.

 

I'm not in debt, my bills are paid, food on the table, clothes on our backs, etc, but every doll is a little bit (or a lot) more money that doesn't go into the savings account and sometimes I do wonder if it's worth it. I thoroughly enjoy having them and they give me so much in return, but I still cringe at that amount I've probably spent on them.

 

Yes and no. At this point, I make all my doll's stuff, but materials still cost money. However, I run the budget for my entire family, and we account for every penny we spend. So, I always know if I can afford materials or not, especially if I'll have to sacrifice something for my husband or daughter for my doll. That's a big no-no for me. I don't work, so there is the added worry about spending the money my husband makes on something so frivolous. So, I 've started following some of the suggestions on the how to get doll money thread. That helps.