Your monthly gun budget...Poll

[bear71]

In response to many of the posts on my most recent thread, I would like to have a poll to see how much money, on a monthly basis, the posters on The High Road are spending on their firearms hobby. Please take time to view the poll and vote if you wish.

If you choose to vote, please be honest and include all money expended including guns, ammunition, reading materials, accessories, ffl fees, gunsmithing fees, gas expended to and from shows/shops, etc.

If you don't have a budget, take a few minutes to do some math to give us an idea where you're at with your hobby spending.

 

[Kalashnikov]

well I'm in the military and thus my expenses are going to be slightly differant than normal but... I'd say I spend about 1/5 of my net income on firearms and related materiasl (including magazines and such).

 

[Dr. Dickie]

I'm working an extra job to generate some cash to spend on my addiction.

 

[phreeq]

I don't get much money for my guns...I've had to save what little I get for b-day/xmas and use that.

Hopefully, with income tax returns, we may be able to get some bills paid down, then I can spend more...right now, I have one rifle (AR) that I only have 40 rounds for and another (K31) that I have no ammo at all...

 

[sumpnz]

Averaged out over the last couple of years? Probably $60-70/month. That's mostly the last couple guns and holsters I've bought, plus some ammo, range fees, etc. That's not the budget, that's what its worked out to. Current budget is more like $30/month for all (not just gun related) discretionary spending (we're finally getting things under control). I make about as much as you and your wife do, though my wife does not work outside the home. It's still "our" money, not "my" money.

I highly recommend you check out www.daveramsey.com and find a Financial Peace University class nearby that you AND your wife can take together. It's a 13 week course that shows you the power of responsible spending and how get responsible with your spending. If you go through a church it's usually $100 for the pair of you. In fact, you know what, I'll make a deal with you. If you and your wife attend and graduate from FPU, I'll pay the $100 fee to the church that you take it from (it'll be up to you to make the arraingements to be able to get your money back from the church).

 

[JWarren]

I don't have a real budget per se. Mine is more of what can I get away with without the wife going ballistic.


John

 

[D.A.C.]

My hobby is about 70% self sustaining. In 05', after a couple of slow two or three gun years, I raked in 19 guns. Last year, I got 7. My budget varies. I also buy, sell, and trade, and am determinded not to loose money on my deals. Recently I've gotten my FFL, but really haven't got to using it big time yet. My wife doesn't care what I spend on guns as long as her and the kids are taken care, food's on the table (got a year's supply), and the bills are paid. The only arguement we've ever had about guns is over a S&W M19 I put on layaway and didn't tell her about till the next day. She was mad not because I couldn't afford it, but because I didn't tell her. The kicker is, I'm poor, I make $35,900 a year and my wife doesn't work, she stays home with our small kids and we have one on the way.

 

[spartan55]

Bear

I saw your last post about your wife and gun budget, I feel for you guy. I had the same problem but only for awhile, We decided to get separate bank accounts and split the bills a bit like this.......

I pay for my vehicle, she pays for hers.....
I pay the house note, she pays for daycare and groceries.......
I pay the electric bill, she pays water........
on and on and on

What works for some does not work for all
I buy guns, she buys whatever, her money who cares

Last month I spent some $$$$$$: I bought a glock 19 $400, $100 ammo 9mm, I bought an M44 carbine $120, $80 dollars on ammo 7.62x54R, half a case of 7.62x39 $100, I bought 2 AR-15 lowers one complete one stripped $350, I bought 1 upper complete w/ bolt and charging handle $400. The wife does not have a clue

That is nooooo way my monthly budget I spent little the last 2 months and most likely will not spend a whole lot next couple of months, with the expemtion of ammo for shooting my new toys and staying proficient with my CCW.

My point is this... for me, short of divorce having my wife not know what I am doing makes both of our lives and marriage worth having.

 

[strat81]

The past couple of months are not indicative of my spending since I just bought a G26, took my CCW class, paid for my CCW licenses (NE & UT), bought a holster, bought a reloading press, and bought a ton of reloading supplies. If I spread that all out over a year, I'm about $150/mo.

Bear, I hope things work out for you. I'm getting married in May and stories like yours (and those other members have shared) make me nervous. However, don't stay together "for the kids." My parents should have divorced when I was a kid. Growing up, my sister and I had to deal with a physically and verbally abusive father, and saw my parents act like two strangers living in a hostel. Sometimes civil, always tense. Staying together isn't always the best solution. Best of luck.

 

[CannibalCrowley]

After averaging things out I'm in the 25-49 range. Of course I'd like to spend more; but I give myself a weekly recreation allowance and guns/shooting aren't number one on my list (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is).

I intend to get my CPL and start shooting IDPA this year, so I might get bumped up a slot; but not by too much since I'm trying to save for a bike and a house while keeping my daughter clothed and fed.

 

[MD_Willington]

I get paid every two weeks, I try to put $200 into savings every month, sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't...

Nice only having two big payments now, Mortgage and car payment... & those are fairly low.

 

[2TransAms]

You left out the option for "fluctuates".

As the sole money-maker in my home, the wife and I have a budget that we both think is fair. X is always the same amount here.
1: PAY BILLS FIRST - ALWAYS
2: X to church
3: X to savings
4: X cash spending money (she gets more than me - that's probably why she thinks it's fair )

Whatever's left stays in checking, to use as we see fit. Sometimes it's a lot,sometimes it's nothin'. So I don't have a dedicated "gun budget". And last year was a slow gun year for me anyway because of a complicated pregnancy.

 

[03Shadowbob]

last year I bought a bunch of guns and a safe and a few holsters and some rounds and a bunch of range time so I figure it probably added up to just under $400/month however this year will probably be less than that but I do foresee 2 or 3 new additions.

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

It's up and down.

One year I might aquire one or two guns, for me or the boys. The next. Nothing. The next, 3. I don't really have an allowance. But I keep mad money on hand. I don't hide it from mama. She knows I've got about $500 in the safe. Just for that recent good deal here on THR for an ATN Digital for just over $100shipped. Buying used goes a long way. Especially from people here that have more money to spend. They get tired of something and dump it at some really good prices. You have to be patient, keep an eye open, and have some cash on hand- to save money. Kimber Stainless II for $600 shipped to the door. My local gun store couldn't touch that price.

I offset as much as I can by reloading and pouring my own lead.

Before anyone posts the link to reloading expense charts, I've been reloading with most of the same equipment or some I've traded up from for more than 20 years. It's long paid for itself if you compare the amount of shooting I've done calculating in retail ammo prices. I also inherited a good amount of powder and components I've been whitling away at for years.

I do try to buy certain things in bulk or go halves with someone else so we both get the best price possible. I keep an eye out for sales too.

I don't buy guns that need gun smithing. Or, I buy guns that I can work on myself. I prefer stainless so I don't have to pay for rebluing. Not that I don't have blue'd guns. I have several, but new stuff will be ss. I can bead blast or polish to refinish them. -For nearly free. Sure there's a restoration project I need to get off the ground for my dad's old ACE, but I'm gathering mad money for that with some Ebay selling.

I just convinced my local club to get CMP affiliated. That'll save me 10% on my next purchase. That covers the shipping charges on one of two HR 12's a friend and I are buying. It all adds up.

It's not just guns... I've got hunting licenses and tags to buy for me and my two boys. They still get to fish for free this year. I'll be buying a fishing license too.

I just re-new'd the family membership at the gun club for a year.

Oh, and also just re-new'd the Concealed Weapon Permit... Good for four years. Wife's is next.

-Steve

 

[Cuda]

I just added up what I spent last year +- a few bucks because I can't remember all and it came to about 200 per month. That also included the wifes gun purchases, so I guess I'm at about 100 per month...

We don't have a budget for hobbies we just mention what we might want to do and if it's possible we go for it if not we save and wait awhile...

Also we don't have separate accounts, all my money and the wifes go into one checking account all the retirement and investment accounts are joint. We've never had mine and hers it's ours.. That way we both have a stake in the house, hobbies and our eventual retirement.

I also don't fear divorce, I've known my gal for 30 years. Be honest with your spouse and you will have more fun.


C

 

[Ala Dan]

Undetermined?

Sometimes it may be $0; and at other times it might exceed $500~!

 

[mpmarty]

I'm lucky

No mortgage, no car payments, no credit card debt, wife and I both work and bring in six figures annualy. Wife and I worked our a**es off to get where we are and she is totally supportive of my doing whatever I damn want regards buying and selling guns. We built the home we live in ourselves, no hired help and drew the plans ourselves and paid cash for materials as we went along. My wifes income comes in spurts, some months nothing and then several thousand dollars in the next month. I pay all bills (health insurance, electricity, telephone, cellphones etc) she saves all her income except she buys the groceries and pays for the gas in her Suburban, I pay for my Saab and BMW motorcycle.

On average I spend between four and five hundred a month on guns and gun related items.

 

[imprezagm4]

Well I'm not going to buy anymore guns until I turn 21. So probably around $45 in ammo a month. With that I'll be able to "bank" 100 rounds of 7.62x39, 500 22LR, and about 20 00 buck. If I decide to take people shooting probably double that.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Averaged

Averaged over the last three years, you could call my "budget" about $200 to $250 per month.

This, of course, does not accurately reflect the spending patterns at all.

I had a single 10/22 for several months. That was it.

Then I got a nice bonus, and suddenly I had an XD40 and a CX4 9mm.

More months go by. Then another 10/22. More months. Then a MkII. More months go by. Pair of old carbines. And so it goes.

There are blips that represent Father's Day and birthday. And a blip for Xmas.

Random ammo. Some days, I skip lunch and buy a box or two. A cleaning kit here and there.

Tax refund. Another rifle and pistol.

Now the basics are covered. (Yes, I know, anyone with no 1911 doesn't have the basics.)

I'm at the point now where I need to accrue cash against the occasional great buy. Now it's gonna be trickle, trickle, trickle, BUY; trickle, trickle . . .

Wife is slowly coming over the the dark side. She saw the Taurus OSS .45 in the latest pulp glossy and quoth: "We need to get two of those. What do they cost?"

As an aside, while we are all amused by references to the "dark side" -- complete with evil smileys -- I would just point out: what we jokingly refer to as "the dark side" is actually enlightenment. Very loud, high velocity enlightenment.​

 

[Abby]

It's hard to figure, because I've had a weird work situation the past couple years (random Army orders, deployment, unemployment, etc). So I don't have a set amount "per month."

Maybe it would average out to $150 or so? Maybe less, now that I think about it.

I'm fortunate in that I have a (small) ammunition stockpile and a big heap-o-targets. I belong to my range, so whenever times are lean, I can go a month or two shooting regularly with NO cash outlay.

Let's see...I've purchased 5 firearms in the past 6 months. Two turned right around and found better homes, and one was "for the children."

I have been "accessorizing" (sp?) lately, though, and that's spendy.

My husband's very supportive of me "skimming the excess" to fund my hobby. Of course, that's probably because even when I'm making good money, I'm equally supportive of funding his (not saying I don't wish he'd find a hobby without two wheels and a tendency toward messy wrecks...but...whatever floats his boat).

I don't think it's a function of numbers, so much as communication and priorities. We don't have debt, we have savings, the bills get paid. After all that, we're both cool if once in a while our hobbies lead to a "broke til payday" situation.

 

[ArmedBear]

I highly recommend you check out www.daveramsey.com and find a Financial Peace University class nearby that you AND your wife can take together. It's a 13 week course that shows you the power of responsible spending and how get responsible with your spending. If you go through a church it's usually $100 for the pair of you. In fact, you know what, I'll make a deal with you. If you and your wife attend and graduate from FPU, I'll pay the $100 fee to the church that you take it from (it'll be up to you to make the arraingements to be able to get your money back from the church).

DITTO

BTW, you never answered any of my questions from the previous post, bear.

How many rifle/pistol/3gun matches you win this year? You on a trap or skeet league? How much hunted meat has your family eaten this year? Do you reload?

Or are you just addicted to BUYING guns?

The sport of shooting can run up quite a bill, but not nearly as much as a consumption addiction. The AMOUNT is a separate issue.

 

[exar]

0$. My gun budget is now my 06 chevy budget. Ya win some and lose some

 

[davera]

About $100 a month

My wife and I each have $100 per month that is purely "do what you want with it" money. Sometimes I can squeeze a little more out of other budget categories that did not get fully used in the month but more often there are other needs and wants that get used up there. It has allowed me an average of two new (or used) guns per year over the last 5 years.

 

[romma]

Kids! Although my Biological son that lives with his Mom will be eighteen in 51 weeks. I will have a lot of extra money after my legal obligation is fulfilled. I will still help him with school should he go, but I will have more disposable cash at least.

 

[bear71]

"How many rifle/pistol/3gun matches you win this year?"

Didn't win any. You must be a master champion.

"You on a trap or skeet league?"

Nope. I shoot with buddies. Are you the president of your league?

"How much hunted meat has your family eaten this year?"

Alot. Sounds like you need to buy some peanut butter, living exclusively on game meat and the shortage of fats will make you sick.l

"Do you reload?"

Nope, not yet.

"Or are you just addicted to BUYING guns?"

Nope. What are you addicted to?