How has the economy impacted your hobbies?

[szidlon]

With the economy in an apparent shambles, I'm curious as to what if any impact it has had on your hobbies. Of course I'm referrring to mainly our fish addiction, but it can be any hobby you may have.

I've always ordered a lot of my fish supplies online due to lower cost and in most instances the lack sales tax more than makes up for the shipping. I watch for my favorite online spots to offer free shipping. Since I now live so far out of Houston, LFS excursions have slowed to a trickle. So, when I do go out locally, I have a substantial list of wants, but most of it's frozen food or livestock. I've also been holding off on purchasing new, looking for used equipment or fish posted here, on at an auction.

For instance, one of my, and many others, favorite places to go is two toll booths each way and 25 miles each way. A trip there and back, including food for my gas hog is around $7 to $8 for me. That doesn't mean I won't make the trip, I just make sure I get as much as I can while I'm there.

While I've not cut back on any tanks in the past year, I have not expanded either.

Inquiring minds want to know .

[eklikewhoa]

Hmmm.... no, not really.

[Delock]

The economy have been keeping me busy!

[eklikewhoa]

Same here.... I went from working a 4day40hr schedule to a 6day/however many hours to get the job done.

[Delock]

use equipment sale is what I was referring to!

[szidlon]

Well, I guess you guys are really lucky, not everyone has that job security. While you may have the job security of being a mechanic, I'm one of the people who would need to use your services and you guys aren't cheap

[Delock]

aquarium equipment

[jeb102385]

i work at the post office so no change here more hours than usual as a matter of fact

[szidlon]

aquarium equipment

I know, but I keep missing the big sales :( , I was referring to EK. This came to mind because after spending a lot of money, well a lot to me, on one of my cats this week, my stupid car is acting weird. But the cat comes first, let's just say it's well over a grand so far, getting close to two. So, I just wanted to see how anyone or everyone else was prioritizing their expenses.

[PhishPhreek]

Well, being retired and on a fixed income I feel the pinch of rising prices on Groceries and such. But USED Aquarium equipment is more plentiful & online prices are less expensive, so I guess it evens out

Then IKE & the economy took out most of the small LFS.
So I try to do as much buisness as possible with the surviving LFS.
(SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FISH STORE) but I still buy bulk items online.
I spend more money on parts, fixing old equipment and less on new equipment.

[djmatthewblack]

I try to buy more from fellow addicts or at auctions rather than purchase retail. But that has nothing to do with the economy, I do that anyway.

[imagirlgeek]

I don't think the economy has factored into what I spend, but like many other's here, work has picked up and HFB keeps me busier than usual so lack of free time may have put a damper on my spending. I've always tried to buy in bulk though (we go through a large bag of Cichlid Excel about every 3 - 4 days) so anytime we can buy multiple pounds or a case of food, I tend to jump on it.
I also believe in the barter system. If I can provide a service or a favor to someone that would normally cost them hundreds or thousands of dollars going through a stranger, I will, and I know that it all comes back around. That's the beauty of this community, I think. We all have such distinct talents and skillsets and most everyone is happy to step up and help one another.

[eklikewhoa]

You make a good point... lack of time is the only thing that has kept me from spending money but then again when I do get a chance I notice I make up for lost time.

[jeebus]

My job's pretty stable, as people are always calling 911. City council even gave us a 10% raise over two years. With everything going on I've been real fortunate. It seems the worse the times are, the busier we get - not that I hope for those times though because with Kim in the banking industry, she could be laid-off any day like many boxers here.

With that said, I'm using any extra income to pay off some "stupid-taxes" (debt) I've acquired over the years, in case (or before) things get really bad. Even with all that however, I'm still expanding the tanks, from 4 to 10. I'm just buying a lot of used & discount, and doing basic setups for now. No fancy Metal Halides or 2262's for a while.

Monthly costs are about the same. I go through about a quart of water conditioner, epsom salt, and about one measuring cup's worth of NLS and Ken's fish flake. The water bill is the same because even with frequent water changes we're still not using the minimum amount we pay for every month. As for electricity, its comparable this year to last year's rates so I can't see much difference.

[eklikewhoa]

Quality over Quantity..... rather look at one nice tank then 10 eye sores is my motto