Author Topic: Hobby or indulgence?  (Read 8971 times)

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Offline DarkHalo

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Hobby or indulgence?
« on: September 04, 2008, 08:53:57 PM »
Ive had hobbies my entire life. Ive been a woodworker, landscaper, tournament chess player, sky diver, drag racer and it goes on and on. But my question is where do you draw the line between hobbie and indulgence?

My dad was a Chevy salesman and I grew up driving all the great GM muscle cars. As you might expect cars have been a passion of mine my entire life since I started going to my dads car lots with him during summer vacations.

I ask this question because of something a co-worker said recently upon seeing a car I just bought. She looks over to another co-worker and says "Talk about someone over indulging themself...".

Does something become an 'indulgence' after a certain price range? Or is it above a certain percentage of a persons income? (Means testing for hobbies? Part of the next liberal platform possibly) All of my children are grown and other than my car hobbie I live a very simple life.

Do you think this is just a case of sour grapes from someone that drives a POS or is it a valid point?

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Offline Chris_

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #1 on: September 04, 2008, 09:28:41 PM »
A difference without a distinction.

The word "indulgence" is based on jealosy.

And after you have worked for what you want, you get to "indulge" yourself as much as you want.

If it gives you pleasure, more power to you.
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline Miss Mia

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #2 on: September 05, 2008, 07:53:53 PM »
Can you pay your bills?  Can you make your mortgage payment?  Can you still afford to eat?

Then it doesn't matter how much you spend on a hobby.  :)  If it's something you enjoy, isn't is always a little bit of an indulgence? 
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Offline Chris

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #3 on: September 05, 2008, 08:03:53 PM »
Do you think this is just a case of sour grapes from someone that drives a POS or is it a valid point?

Somebody sounds jealous.  :p

It's just a car.  If you sold your house for the down payment on a Bugatti Veyron, she might have a point.
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Offline Duke Nukum

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #4 on: September 05, 2008, 08:05:41 PM »
On some level every hobby is an indulgence.  Your coworker is expressing sour grapes.  Who cares what other people think?
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Offline Miss Mia

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #5 on: September 05, 2008, 08:07:10 PM »
On some level every hobby is an indulgence.  Your coworker is expressing sour grapes.  Who cares what other people think?


Exactly.  I have to say, when co-workers see my awesome crocheted hats they're jealous too.  :p
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Offline DarkHalo

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #6 on: September 06, 2008, 12:02:09 AM »
Do you think this is just a case of sour grapes from someone that drives a POS or is it a valid point?

Somebody sounds jealous.  :p

It's just a car.  If you sold your house for the down payment on a Bugatti Veyron, she might have a point.

Ever see the review of the Veyron on Top Gear? OMG.
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Offline Chris

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #7 on: September 06, 2008, 12:08:01 AM »
Do you think this is just a case of sour grapes from someone that drives a POS or is it a valid point?

Somebody sounds jealous.  :p

It's just a car.  If you sold your house for the down payment on a Bugatti Veyron, she might have a point.

Ever see the review of the Veyron on Top Gear? OMG.

I saw it once, but it's been a while.

I watch the Ariel Atom review religiously.  At least I can afford one of those.
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Offline Donpeyote

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #8 on: September 06, 2008, 12:11:31 AM »
 Pre 1920 Stamps (With emphasis on world leaders from 1900 to communist revolution) is both hobby and indulgence for me ...
« Last Edit: September 06, 2008, 12:18:32 AM by Donpeyote »

Offline DarkHalo

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #9 on: September 06, 2008, 12:13:14 AM »
On some level every hobby is an indulgence.  Your coworker is expressing sour grapes.  Who cares what other people think?

Well, the thing is I am a 'technician'. In our industry technicians are somewhat lower than janitors and dishwashers and our pay is generally commensurate. About a decade ago our company needed a network admin with some high powered Microsoft certifications to qualify for government bids. They offered me a massive increase in pay if I would do that. And I did. Frankly I busted my ass getting a systems engineer certification from Microsoft and have enjoyed the benefits of it. But co-workers still resent it. Doesn't matter that I run the network and nobody else there has a kl00 how to. I am still just a tech in their eyes. An uppity tech because I dare to drive corvettes and Mercedes, lol, but still just a tech never the less. It pisses off the sales guys the most as they are usually the only ones that can afford such toys. I am expecting to be 'asked' not to drive my personal cars to work anymore so as to not upset people, lol.
« Last Edit: September 06, 2008, 12:14:55 AM by DarkHalo »
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Offline DarkHalo

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #10 on: September 06, 2008, 12:17:10 AM »
Pre 1920 Stamps (With emphasis on world leaders from 1900 to communist revolution)

Ahhh Donpeyote...as inscrutable as always I see  :lmao:
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Offline Chris

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #11 on: September 06, 2008, 12:17:55 AM »
I worked with a guy that had his MCSE and CCNP.  His degree was in music. 

Another guy I know that does security for the state has a degree in biochemistry.
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Offline DarkHalo

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #12 on: September 06, 2008, 12:20:28 AM »
I worked with a guy that had his MCSE and CCNP.  His degree was in music. 

Another guy I know that does security for the state has a degree in biochemistry.

It often happens that way. In my case though I am an MCSE and I do admin Windows networks.

It was somewhat of a 'passion' originally. Now, sadly enuff, it is just a job.
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Offline SaintLouieWoman

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #13 on: September 06, 2008, 10:29:22 PM »
I worked with a guy that had his MCSE and CCNP.  His degree was in music. 

Another guy I know that does security for the state has a degree in biochemistry.

I was an English teacher a long time ago, but became a sales rep. There's a guy who works at our company who used to be in sales, but hated the pressure. He's got an administrative assistant job (but there are no high powered administrator's at my place), a job that some younger women without much experience would take. He drives a BMW, relatively new. He and his wife own property along the Alabama coast. I'm sure people talk, but I think more power to him.

Don't worry about it. The woman was being petty. If you can afford it, enjoy it.

And congrats for those certifications. At our Christmas parties, I hang out with the techs. They're nicer than most of my fellow sales reps. One of the service managers is a good buddy who sends me some greyt conservative stuff---on the company email. Good thing the owner is a Republican.  :-)

It often happens that way. In my case though I am an MCSE and I do admin Windows networks.

It was somewhat of a 'passion' originally. Now, sadly enuff, it is just a job.

Offline rich_t

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #14 on: September 06, 2008, 10:49:28 PM »
Enjoy your hobbies.  The hell with what others think.  It is mostly a matter of jealousy anyway.
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Offline Donpeyote

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #15 on: September 06, 2008, 10:58:04 PM »
Enjoy your hobbies.  The hell with what others think.  It is mostly a matter of jealousy anyway.
Especially if  Boats,Firearms or Motorbikes are involved  ! :cheersmate:

Offline md11hydmec

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #16 on: September 07, 2008, 12:43:23 PM »
Indulgence? Maybe, but then again, I think I'm worth it!   :cheersmate:
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Offline Chris_

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #17 on: September 07, 2008, 01:20:52 PM »
On some level every hobby is an indulgence.  Your coworker is expressing sour grapes.  Who cares what other people think?


Exactly.  I have to say, when co-workers see my awesome crocheted hats they're jealous too.  :p

Everyone needs one:

If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline debk

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #18 on: September 07, 2008, 02:16:47 PM »
DH.....

Do you go to work every day?

Do you do your job to the level you are supposed to or above?

Do you pay your rent/house payment yourself,  on time?

Do you pay your bills yourself, on time?

If you can answer yes to all of the above questions....then you can spend your money any way you want to.

That's the reward you get for working.

Something many people just don't understand.

To hell with 'em.

Congrats on having a successful life. :bravo:
Just hand over the chocolate...back away slowly...far away....and you won't get hurt....

Save the Earth... it's the only planet with chocolate.

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Offline LC EFA

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #19 on: September 08, 2008, 05:14:18 AM »
All my hobbies are indulgences.

Not a single one puts cash in the bank. Some may put food on the table, but most do not.


Offline Airwolf

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #20 on: September 09, 2008, 08:31:05 PM »
Do you think this is just a case of sour grapes from someone that drives a POS or is it a valid point?

Somebody sounds jealous.  :p

It's just a car.  If you sold your house for the down payment on a Bugatti Veyron, she might have a point.

Ever see the review of the Veyron on Top Gear? OMG.

The one by itself on the track in Germany or the race between it and the Typhoon at the RAF base?

The Car VS Jet

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKCvVbqPhp0&feature=related[/youtube]

The Veyron in Germany

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk1t6S737Cs[/youtube]
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Offline DarkHalo

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #21 on: September 13, 2008, 03:23:29 AM »
DH.....

Do you go to work every day?

Do you do your job to the level you are supposed to or above?

Do you pay your rent/house payment yourself,  on time?

Do you pay your bills yourself, on time?

If you can answer yes to all of the above questions....then you can spend your money any way you want to.

That's the reward you get for working.

Something many people just don't understand.

To hell with 'em.

Congrats on having a successful life. :bravo:

I think that some people resent it when others enjoy life. Some people are bitter and angry that someone else has it better than them. I hadnt thought about it but Ill bet that angry woman votes Dem. Ill have to check on that.

For a lot of years me and my sons barely scraped by. But things have improved a LOT over the last 8-10 years. A decade ago I could not even have imagined my job being what it is, my house being as nice as it is now or owning a Mercedes roadster.

Thanks for the congrats.  :cheersmate:

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Offline DarkHalo

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #22 on: September 13, 2008, 03:40:12 AM »
Do you think this is just a case of sour grapes from someone that drives a POS or is it a valid point?

Somebody sounds jealous.  :p

It's just a car.  If you sold your house for the down payment on a Bugatti Veyron, she might have a point.

Ever see the review of the Veyron on Top Gear? OMG.

The one by itself on the track in Germany or the race between it and the Typhoon at the RAF base?

The Car VS Jet

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKCvVbqPhp0&feature=related[/youtube]

Just above his left shoulder on the wall is the squadron patch for the 527th Aggressor Squadron that I belonged to at RAF Alconbury in England. We got to play the Soviets in dissimilar air combat training (DACT) and blew away Eagles and Tomcats left and right with our cheapo F-5E's.


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Offline JohnnyReb

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #23 on: September 13, 2008, 10:14:57 AM »
I indulged myself once. 14 years ago I bought a new sawmill $23,000(had a used one, just wanted a new, more up to date hydraulic one). They would deliver it for free if I let them advertize the delivery and then supply a few logs to demonstrate it to other prospective buyers.

So the big day comes and we have a pretty good crowd show up. A deer hunter comes in a little late. He's driving a new 4x4 with a rifle rack full of rifles in the back glass and a nice new 4-wheeler in the bed. He asks me why I bought the sawmill. I tell him I just wanted a better one and it's just for my hobby, not planning on sawing for others or to try to make money. He just goes off on how in the world can you spend that kind of money for a sawmill and just use it occassionally for a HOBBY.
I told him, "Well, some people spend 20 thousand for a 4x4 pickup truck, 800 or more for a rifle, 3 thousand or so for a 4 wheeler, then go climb a tree and hunt dear for a hobby." He laughed and said, "You made your point."
 
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Offline seahorse513

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Re: Hobby or indulgence?
« Reply #24 on: January 01, 2011, 06:15:55 PM »
I agree with Deb, if you can afford to do so why not indulge in something you like to do?? photography for example can be quite expensive, if you go out and buy an expensive camera, and all the lenses? Hunting if you have alot of guns. I do alot of sewing, hence a very expensive sewing machine. I love doing creating and designing things I want to make. More importantly, a hobby can give someone a sense of personal accomplishment. Some hobbies are more expensive than others, however.
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