Going Into Debt For Dolls - are the potential long-term consequences worth it?

As much as i love BJDs, i don't forsee myself going into a debt because of it.

Priorities first in terms of my bread and butter plus school fees. And if only there's anything left over, then i would probably invest it on the BJDs. Afterall, there is a limit in our likes and wants. Our needs comes first and foremost.

 

A doll definitely isn't a necessity, so as long as all my necessities of life are take care of , and all my financial responsibilities have been met then will I buy a doll. I could see how it would be very easy to make an impulse purchase of a new, beautiful doll but, I don't I'd ever be willing to eat ramen for a month and worry if I can pay my mortgage. As long as I keep that in mind sanity will prevail.

 

Debt is the last thing that I even want to get into. Been there, done that, wasn't happy. I was in debt during my early to mid-twenties, but once I started working full time, I pulled myself out of the hole I made, vowing that I would never get back in it. I've stood by my word to this very day.

In terms of the BJDs, I basically saved up for them, or put some of my money aside, while leaving enough dough for the important things in my life -- food, transportation, bills, etc. If I didn't have the money for the unimportant things, then I would hold off on them, and wait for another time. If there's one thing I learned in life is that, even if you get things later on in your life, it'll be worth it.

 

I saved up a few paychecks to get supplies for my BJD, and then waited a pay check, and then bought the doll. I planed it so that my rent, car payment, utilities, and insurance were covered before I bought my Sprites. If you plot it out on the calender, it's easier to plan ahead because debt is the last thing I need to go over into.

And I've seen that some sellers will be able to put a doll on layaway for a buyer too, and willing to wait while payments are made. Not always, but sometimes.

I have to admit, the waiting is excruciating! But worth it.

 

Personally, I think that if you knowingly go into debt over dolls, you have an addiction and should probably seek help. Not to offend anyone, as I know how tempting these dolls can be, but I think it's a very unhealthy compulsion to continue to buy them knowing you can't afford it.

 

Sadly, "consumed" is what credit counselors call a person who over spends on money, max's-out on more than one credit card, borrows money everywhere, to have what they desire the most.

In the bjd doll world, I read, heard, seen, how far a collector can go with spending alot of money on dolls, clothes, etc. It isn't surprising as in most collector-cultures, the new collector sees it all, and wants to buy/own it all. Haven't we all felt that desire?

Then, later, I've read, seen, these collectors start selling their "past-loves," and a few collectors using these sales to buy even more expensive collectibles.

All of this seems to have become a part of current culture.

If only the dolls could get jobs!!!!!!

 

It's really hard for me not to just open up a credit card just FOR dollies and dollie stuff. I mean, I could get them quicker, but I am sure that the card would get maxed out SO quickly. I think it is more satisfying when I have to save up and scrounge for a dollie...

I really hope that I never go into debt because of my dollie love.

 

I don't really think it's worth it to go into debt for a doll. I myself would feel too bad about it to even attempt it. My mom's credit card is used for emergency situations, such as she can't find her debt card when at the checkout(her purse is a bottomless pit, hehe) and doesn't want to make people wait for hours while she tries to find it. It is also used mostly for online shopping on things $50 or less(That's the rule given to me, anyways. She can probably use it for whatever she likes because it's her card). When I (hopefully) get a job I plan on doing the same, emergency situations and low cost online shopping. If I were to use the credit card on a doll, I'd make sure that I had the money on me to pay the credit card bill when the time comes. Again, I'd feel too badly doing something like that just for a doll. ^^

 

Why can't you do both?

1. Get a credit card.
2. Save up money for a doll/doll stuff.
3. Pay for the doll with the card.
4. Transfer your saved money to the card. (Pay off the card.)

You get your doll, you get your card paid off, and you generate a bit of credit in the process. Assuming I don't get my doll as a gift, this is exactly what I plan on doing (along with Faerie_Speak's suggestion of using a calendar).

I don't see anything wrong with temporary, "I know for a fact I can pay it off in 2-3 months" debt.

Edited to add: I used to be part of the "credit card is only for emergencies" camp. I hate being in debt. But then I realized that no credit card = no credit history = no credit = why should the bank give you money for a house/car/large purchase? So I got a credit card and started off small, like paying for gas. I worked my way up from there.

 

If I was going to go into debt for a doll, I would have Zoe or my unnamed Luts Aru by now. But there are things that are financially more important in my life that makes paying $300-$600 + for a doll not feasible at this point in time.

I have toyed around with the idea of treating myself when I get a permanent job *coughcontractssuckcough*, but I still won't do it until my debts are paid down and I have a little money put away. Personally, half of the fun would be saving up for my first doll.

I have heard of horror stories though of how some people pay for (or lack thereof) for their dolls.

 

I would never go into debt for a doll, or spend most of my money on one. Actually, if I didn't have the plain cash/bank money to afford it, I wouldn't even bother getting one. I bought my doll practically straight with "cash" (paypal balance, but same thing, no credits or strings attached), and I only did so because I had more than enough to afford one due to a special sidejob I picked up. Had I not recieved that bonus, then I probably wouldn't have gotten one.

I think the whole money issue comes with age. I notice, by reading around on this forum, that people get into the hobby early (in their teens), and don't have any financial responcibilities yet, so they can afford one of they save up. older people, though, have to take into consideration their bills, food, rent, etc.

 

I don't think I would ever go into debt for a doll (I'm having enough trouble buying one! ;. I love budgeting, and I definitely think it's important to have a budget. If you adhere to it enough, there can be the occasional impulse buy (though I doubt a doll qualifies as an impulse buy ; without it affecting your overall budget too much. But yeah, once I'm out there earning money, food, rent, utilities, things like that will be of the first priority. Then if I have something left over, I'll save for a doll...

 

Not to sound like a complete nerd, but I actually keep an Excel spreadsheet of all my dolly spending. It charts what the piece is, where it came from, size, color, cost and shipping.
I do this, specifically so I DON'T accidentally go into debt because of my hobbies. Also: All of my dolls are paid off in full. I NEVER put any doll stuff on my cards because I get the cash I need to pay them off or put them on layaway. I'm enough of a pariah for my interests without going into debt because of them.

 

I wouldn't want to go into debt for anything, but I wouldn't mind buying a doll with a creditcard (which I don't have O_o) and paying it off in full at the end of the month though, as mentioned earlier...

 

korebeast: I love the idea of a spreadsheet! ^^ I just have mine written down with my tentative payment schedule for my two layaway boys.

I probably jumped in over my head putting 2 dolls on layaway within a month.. but I'm managing pretty well for a girl paying for her entire tuition alone. -_- I'm working around bills, book fees, tuition, etc rather well so I'm proud of myself. Luckily I didn't take my car up with me so I don't have to worry about gas. I recently applied for a credit card, so if I get that the spreadsheet idea would probably be a great way to keep myself in line with that, even though I doubt I would buy a doll with it. I planned to buy small, cheap things for a while to build my credit.

 

What kind of a question is this? Of course it's not worth it to go into debt over a doll, it's a very simple concept, if you don't have the money for it, don't get it. But of course this isn't the case for everyone and there are people out there who are more than happy to ruin their lives over this hobby. These are the people who would write bad checks over and over again or steal someone else's paypal account, forget backruptsy, there are people who are actually willing to risk getting charged with a felony and going to prison over a toy!

 

i agree, that one should not actually go into serious debt just for the love of their "dollie habit". going into debt for any habit, be it shopping,drugs,gambling, etc. is a serious problem and needs attention. the necessities of life must come first,and pleasures later.

that being said, i see no problem with credit card debt. this is the "american" way of life. it affords you the ability to enjoy your life in the here and now,and not have to wait till god knows when. life is short, i say grab it while you can.

i have suffered the consequences of over extending myself through credit, and learned a valuable life lesson. i now spend responsibly and continue to use credit.......but pay it back, not always immediately,but in a reasonable amount of time. and,yes,i have excellent credit history.

 

Jup, that's kinda how I do it. I save up for a doll. Then, transfer the money to the bank account associated with my credit card. And then, I buy the doll. Well - at least, that's how I did it with Luken and how I'm gonna do it with the Cynical Baby I want to get for Christmas.

Going into debt for BJDs? Never. I really like them and I wish I could get them all (Rio!!! ) - but as long as I don't have the money saved up it's simply no-go.

 

I'm trying to manage mine. I was affected by my ex husband. When we were dating, he always had me ask him for permission to go to the mall and buy a book, though I had the money saved up. He was so controlling and I had to beg to get anything I wanted. So once I was finally free I went on a spending spree. I had the cash though.

Then I got my desktop. It was on credit and I was good at paying it off. I had 18 months to do it without interest and I did it in 15. It was a $1500 computer at the time. But with the card, I was able to get more...and I spent like crazy. Now, all my cash from my job goes to paying the bills. Well, not all, but 95%. But then again, I also live at home, and the only two bills I have monthy is the car insurance and the phone line.

I have vowed to stop being stupid however and actually try not to look around here or other places where I'll find something I want and go get it. It's working as well.

 

Rather than sound like I'm lecturing, I'll keep it short and sweet... They are wonderful to have, but it is not wise to go into debt for dolls when there are other real-life needs that should be managed first.