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Post by allurose on Jan 31, 2015 13:31:01 GMT -8
Let's face it, this is not a cheap hobby! What do you go through to afford your dolls, or how do you plan your finances so you can spend the way you want? Thread idea by Sutton, thank you!
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Post by allurose on Jan 31, 2015 13:38:01 GMT -8
I will start things and share my thoughts. I don't make much money in my field so I have to be very careful. I never buy a doll with a credit card or on layaway, it makes me too nervous. And I make sure I always have a certain amount of buffer in my checking/savings before I make a purchase. Most of my income goes to essential things like bills, food, and medical expenses. Only 4% of my spending last year was on dolls, but in years when I have made more money it was closer to 10%. I track my expenses very precisely to make sure I stay on track for my saving goals. I use mint.com, which I highly recommend.
But really, I cope by just not buying very often. I try to find other ways to enjoy the hobby, like making jewelry, improving photography skills, customizing dolls, learning new skills, and of course this forum!! Sorry, I guess my story is not too morbid...the morbid part is watching SO many beautiful dolls that I can't buy! T.T
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Post by kamia on Jan 31, 2015 14:26:37 GMT -8
Can I add to this question and ask how do you budget for the ebay dolls? It's so easy to get attached, I worry that if I had a budget and I'd worked up to it for a particular doll for a long time it might be blown in the last few minutes of ebay greed! Is this just a losing battle?
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Post by nordicfairies on Jan 31, 2015 14:41:17 GMT -8
Ok this is kind of a confession i hope not to be judged. I got My first Job and discovered art dolls, My mother passed away being very depressed person when i was 18. started with collect small polymer clay dolls a year after that, later disc bjds and after that porcelain bjds. Made by forgotten hearts. These we're My first bjd porcelain dolls i ever saw and Loved, so i struggled to get money And at 2013 i bought My first custom doll Lilly, since Then it has Been ups and downs and actually took a Loan to buy dolls, and had Much trouble and stomach pain and stress. Now i have come to more realise that i have to wait and wait and have money until i buy a doll and not on credit, even though i love the doll, i now almost have 3 fhdolls in porcelain and it Will be My last that arrives now. Until i got My economy on feets again, well Shall i say im Young and very impulsive? Or that since My mother died 3 years ago something within me missing and have to get comfort in material things.. Well i dont know.. I know that a have a hobby for dolls. And enjoy Talking to other people Having the same hobby. Not thinking im crazy. And have Much fun and share with each other. <3
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Post by nordicfairies on Jan 31, 2015 14:45:46 GMT -8
Can I add to this question and ask how do you budget for the ebay dolls? It's so easy to get attached, I worry that if I had a budget and I'd worked up to it for a particular doll for a long time it might be blown in the last few minutes of ebay greed! Is this just a losing battle? I should never save money to buy a doll on ebay auction, it would be to stressful, and dissapointing if loosing the doll, i prefer custom made dolls or you have to be prepared to be outfbid or another buy your dream doll from you :/
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Post by allurose on Jan 31, 2015 14:50:06 GMT -8
Nordicfairies, the doll hobby can be SO addictive. I hope you can get on your feet and feel happy about your money and dolls. It's very hard to find a balance...
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Post by Snegurochka on Jan 31, 2015 14:50:33 GMT -8
Can I add to this question and ask how do you budget for the ebay dolls? It's so easy to get attached, I worry that if I had a budget and I'd worked up to it for a particular doll for a long time it might be blown in the last few minutes of ebay greed! Is this just a losing battle? I should never save money to buy a doll on ebay auction, it would be to stressful, and dissapointing if loosing the doll, i prefer custom made dolls or you have to be prepared to be outfbid or another buy your dream doll from you :/ I prefer custom dolls for this reason too! I only got one of my girls from an auction, and it was nerve wracking. I hope I never have to bid on a doll again....
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Post by Snegurochka on Jan 31, 2015 14:53:06 GMT -8
Meh, I just cut down on my daily bottle of champagne sipping and do tea instead. NO seriously(I don't drink much), I have a very generous husband and dolls are usually early or belated Christmas gifts, or birthday gifts. Otherwise, I have so many hobbies and likes that I doubt I could save up for expensive dolls myself. I also have a kind of fixed price in my head, besides not wanting to take advantage of my husband's good nature, dolls that would require a really huge monetary output are ignored. I'm not going to deprive the family of things just to buy a doll, but if I won an obscene amount of money from a lottery I would definitely commission more dolls from my favorite artists. Although, I would refuse to pay obscene amounts no matter what. I am the same, only its my very generous parents who help me out. I have health problems, and don't make much money, so if it weren't for my parents, I would maybe be able to save up for one doll, and that would be it. But my mom and I are in this hobby together, and we share all our dolls, which is really fun ^_^
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Post by nordicfairies on Jan 31, 2015 14:53:45 GMT -8
Nordicfairies, the doll hobby can be SO addictive. I hope you can get on your feet and feel happy about your money and dolls. It's very hard to find a balance... thank you i really hope so 2! im lookimg forward to recive my doll now anyway because i know i afforded her. i saw on tracking she is in demark now so she is soon in sweden yeyy
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Post by nordicfairies on Jan 31, 2015 14:56:06 GMT -8
Meh, I just cut down on my daily bottle of champagne sipping and do tea instead. NO seriously(I don't drink much), I have a very generous husband and dolls are usually early or belated Christmas gifts, or birthday gifts. Otherwise, I have so many hobbies and likes that I doubt I could save up for expensive dolls myself. I also have a kind of fixed price in my head, besides not wanting to take advantage of my husband's good nature, dolls that would require a really huge monetary output are ignored. I'm not going to deprive the family of things just to buy a doll, but if I won an obscene amount of money from a lottery I would definitely commission more dolls from my favorite artists. Although, I would refuse to pay obscene amounts no matter what. I am the same, only its my very generous parents who help me out. I have health problems, and don't make much money, so if it weren't for my parents, I would maybe be able to save up for one doll, and that would be it. But my mom and I are in this hobby together, and we share all our dolls, which is really fun ^_^
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Post by nordicfairies on Jan 31, 2015 14:59:37 GMT -8
I am the same, only its my very generous parents who help me out. I have health problems, and don't make much money, so if it weren't for my parents, I would maybe be able to save up for one doll, and that would be it. But my mom and I are in this hobby together, and we share all our dolls, which is really fun ^_^ i wish i had generous parents or a generous husband XD but i might get a generous husband im only 22 will not marry yet lol. my dad should probobly help me with dolls if he was rich. its an expensive hobby indeed. but when i saw porcelain and feel it i could not just collect resin dolls i think. i had porcelain dolls when i was maybe 6 years old the cheap with creepy face and eyes, funny is a was afraid of dolls like porcelain dolls, exept for miniatures dolls. when a kid and now love them XD
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Post by nordicfairies on Jan 31, 2015 15:10:03 GMT -8
Nordicfairies, I've found that making different outfits for the dolls I have makes some look like new dolls-- for a while anyway. If you can't sew, you can drape fabric. And you can try your hand at headdresses. You come first, your dolls second. That is motherly advice from me. :-) ooh i so wish i could make doll outfits but im terrible i do create jewerlys for them sometimes. and photograph with miniature things fot them. well its a very good advice ;D sutton. i would like to find someone to comission for doll outfits but in a reasonable price
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Post by Snegurochka on Jan 31, 2015 15:26:49 GMT -8
Nordicfairies, I've found that making different outfits for the dolls I have makes some look like new dolls-- for a while anyway. If you can't sew, you can drape fabric. And you can try your hand at headdresses. You come first, your dolls second. That is motherly advice from me. :-) I totally agree! A new wig can really change the look of your doll too, and even if you find you can't make one, there are a lot of wigs available in many different price ranges. I am currently making new wigs for my girls, and it really does make them seem new again!
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Post by orchidsdesigns on Jan 31, 2015 16:42:21 GMT -8
I do not spend any "real" money on dolls, we live on a shoe-string budget in real life with my husband. Instead I have my dolly seamstress business of sewing for various BJD and Blythe. Any sales I make from "Orchid's Designs Haute Couture for Dolls" I can re-invest in a newer doll to add to my collection and sew for. Sometimes when business is slow, I have to sadly let beautiful dolls go that are being sold as a limited edition or available for a short period only (My heart is broken I could not get an Iki Alvarado tiny silver BJD!!) but when business is good then I can usually adopt a new doll, sometimes even two dolls at once from different artists. It's all very variable.
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Post by allurose on Jan 31, 2015 16:51:09 GMT -8
Yes, that is a good system! I didn't realize your business was making so much profit; that's truly wonderful! I want to get there someday
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