"Waste of Money?"

I only consider something a waste of money if nothing is gained from it. Once you've satisfied your basic needs to survive and general comforts that making living pleasant should one still have money to spend on things they enjoy isn't a "waste" to me. Throwing money in the blender and putting it on puree with some water for added measure is a waste of money. Going 75 miles an hour down the freeway making it rain outside the passenger window while being chased by the police is a waste of money (in more ways than one, legal fees aren't cheap!)

If I spend money and get something out of it that I feel is equal to the amount spent, that isn't a waste. Last time I checked, that's what money is supposed to do- be traded for something of equal value. All it is, is the bartering system humans have used for ages in a form where value is easier to determine.

To me, spending money on things that make a person happy will never be a waste. Unhappy people aren't exactly the most productive bunch. It is an investment into ourselves and our personal well being. What we do afterwards may be a waste, but that depends on the individual, don't you think?

 

Does it make you happy? Then your money has not been wasted.

 

My response would be that I budget very carefully, and if I use my entertainment money for dolls it's really no more a waste than eating at a restaurant, going to a movie, doing a different hobby, etc. It's not like I do this instead of paying my bills or saving.

 

If you as a person are spending your own money, pay all your bills and take care of your other responsibilities, maybe put a little money away, and then enjoy your hobbies... IMHO no one can really tell you you're wasting your money. As long as your responsibilities are taken care of its your money to spend how you want to spend it, and come on, there are many many many expensive hobbies out there. I've seen sport & concert tickets, for ONE event mind you, cost as much as a BJD brand new from the factory.

Just don't get addicted to new dolls and spend way beyond your means, because that can lead to disaster.

 

Atm I dont really own that many dolls, but my mom thinks it is kind of alot. And whenever I tell her my future dolly plans, she is always like 'Dont you have enough dolls?' . Tbh, I am fine with it, since most of my dolls were paid with my own money I made during summer job/saving up lunch money, so its not like I am making my parents or anyone else pay for my dolls. Its my money, I do what I want to.

 

My husband thinks they cost a lot but as long as I help with the bills we share and take care of the ones that are mine alone then he's fine with it. Plus if it makes me happy then he's happy.

 

Most of the people I've known who will say that drop more money on non-essentials than I ever do. $500 phones are a waste of money. So is buying $10 worth of coffee and a $6 fast food lunch every day yet people I know think nothing of doing that. My SIL thinks nothing of dropping $150 on a bag or a pair of shoes yet thinks me buying a doll for $150 is a waste of money. She's got a closet full of designer clothes, bags and shoes, probably paid 15K at least for it all but I'm the one wasting my money? Uh yeah. I laugh when people say it. I spend so much less than most of the people I know on my stuff it's absurd. I almost never go to the movies, eat out, go out clubbing etc. I don't buy expensive beverages or designer clothes.

If it was up to me I'd only have internet and a pay as you go phone because I think paying $150 a month for cable TV is a total waste of money but my Dad likes to spend time here and he pays for the 100 channels plus so he can sit in my back bedroom and watch TV and play with my cats. About the only thing I probably pay way too much for is running the air conditioner a lot and that's actually not a luxury it's a necessity because without it I can get very ill as heat and autoimmune disease don't mix well. My bills total under a grand a month. They have to or I can't afford them. You can imagine how hard it can be to keep under that these days with the cost of rent, food, etc. Yeah, I budget in a few bucks for dolls but you'd be surprised at how little that amount is given the scope of my doll collection.

Everyone I know spends tons of cash compared to me. When people make comments about my dolls I just joke that it's cheaper than therapy and try to leave it at that. It's the truth pretty much. My dolls are therapy for me. So are my animals. They're not a luxury if they keep me sane and they do so that's all I have to say about THAT and if people don't like it OH WELL, it's not their wallet I'm wrecking so they can just shut their mouths and leave me be about it or just go away... :P

 

My mom loves my doll. My father on the other hand, does not. He thinks she's a waste of money. They are a bunch of money, but they aren't a "waste". I don't expect him to understand because he's a man guy thing, but I wish he'd let me spend my money as I please :/

 

Heh. My father will label everything a waste of money, unless it's something he's into himself. $800 for a doll that will still be worth a good chunk of its present price in a few years? Waste of money! $1000 for flights and fees for a Tango event halfway across the continent? Perfectly fine ...

I just shrug it off. Haters gonna hate. I'm not passing judgement on his hobbies, and if he can't return the favor, I'll just stop talking to him about them and share my joy with people who understand.

 

I still argue with myself over whether or not these dolls are a waste of money. My husband sees how much bun I have with them and is happy to let me buy the more affordable ones when we have the money to spare.

 

I'm new to the hobby, so so far only my boyfriend knows about the dolls I ordered. He did bother me with saying they were expensive, but he also spends a lot on money on games and gadgets and whatnot. Luckily we both haves jobs/steady income, so we decide what we spend our own money on ^^
As long as you enjoy your purchase, it's not a waste of money - I think! Gotta spend it on something ^^

 

I suppose I could be saving up the money I spend on my BJD hobby, but I would rather enjoy the present than penny pinch every dime that doesn't go towards bills and those boring ol' necessities. My partner's eyes get kind of scrunchy and a wee bit disapproving when I go on a BJD binge, but, same as Marlou said, he spends money on electronics, gaming consoles and his own hobbies, so he totally understands even if the dolls don't really appeal to him. We keep the money we earn in separate bank accounts and manage our own funds, so I will spend my money on whatever I please. I take pleasure in the BJD hobby and the BJD hobby takes my money. Everyone is happy.

 

alisameow I agree, that's the best way to do it I think!

 

I do kind of think that any expense that doesn't go towards basic living needs is kind of risk or waste of money. You never know what might happen in the future and how you might need it. Fortunately, I think with dolls we have a good chance of getting most of our money back. Many hobbies can't say the same.

 

Well, it depends on who's money is being spent and whether they think it is worth it. When it comes to hobbies it is often hard for people not in them to understand why things worth what they cost.

If I am spending my own disposable income on fun things or activities then I don't need or expect others to understand or agree with my spending choices as long as they respect them. All I need to say is that my chosen hobby makes me happy and I wish they could respect my choices.

If it's their money for some reason then it's more complicated. I would avoid spending other people's money on things I know they think are not worth it. For example, if my mother give me cash for my birthday or asks what I wanted, unless she specifically offer to buy me something doll related I would not use the money toward a doll. I would used it to pay for necessities and that would enable me to save up my own money faster at exactly the same rate

 

As long as you budget your finances, i don't see why anyone should tell you how to spend your money. I think fancy cars are designer bags are a waste of money, but they may be very important to someone else. BJDs are the same deal, if you like them and they make you happy, then they are not a waste (n_n)b

 

I've had family members tell me that they think BJDs are a waste of money, but I just brush it off. Honestly it does not bother me, since I do not expect everyone I come across to understand why they mean so much to me. I would challenge them to look at what they spend in a month in their hobbies. I also do not plan to have children, and I know that allows me more wiggle room spend on my own hobbies than if I did (nothing against anyone who does have children, of course).

I feel it is rude to call another person's hobby a waste, and would not judge others because they clearly see value in it or they would not continue investing in it.

 

I see this hobby as an investment in art. When someone buys an expensive piece of art from an artist and hang it on the wall, do they look at it
say "why did I waste my money?" I never did. I enjoyed looking at it every day. The same with my dolls, to me they are a work of art from the artist that sculpted them, and then they transform into my personal work of art in my hands.

 

Someone might think dolls are waste of money, yes. Is using same amount of money to smoking, alcohol, make- up, clothes, hairdressers, shoes, eating out, etc..not? Or buying fancier and more expencive car when you already have one that works well? Renewing your kitchen when it is in god condition just because you are bored with it? Buying expensive things just because they are "IN" and everyone should have one?

When you are able to pay your bills then I think you can do whatever you want with your money. If you want to put X amount of money to your new kitchen it's OK. Or if you use same amount of money I put on buying one doll to clubs and bars in one single night it's up to you.

 

Sometimes I feel a bit down about how much I have spent on dolls, clothes etc but my partner tells me "You only live once and your disposable money can't go with you, do what makes you happy"

He is so soppy haha