First off, I would like to say that I have spent a 4-digit sum on magic already when I just
started magic for barely a year. I am a student ;). I have over a 100 old decks of cards at home. A gigantic card tower. 2 drawers of 20+ DVDs and 6 Books. I have also a really big magic set which
I have never used in my life. Looking at my friends who have hobbies from playing DoTA to
collecting Pez sweet dispensers, I guess magic is really the MOST expensive hobby.

No, you could just buy 1 book and you can be a magician.

Unless you define a magic hobbyist as someone who likes to collect stuff, then...

Btw, I am VERY SHOCKED :wacko: that some1 could actually spend so much, not to mention within a year!!! OMG o.0 Hopefully, you did learn things and make good use of the money.

Sometimes people are only paying for the trick to know how its done but have never performed it.

Some newbies are tempted to spend on tricks after tricks when they have not mastered one. This is normally the case (I was like that in the past).

I have been into magic for nearly 3 years but have not spent that much! I think the solution now is to sell off some props or DVDs that you don't need.

I guess ANY hobby can be the most expensive hobby if YOU choose to make it so. My brother collects chess sets and watches. Do you think that's expensive? (I wouldn't even want to start counting how many watches and chess sets he has got) My dad collects paper currency (ie. $$). That's really 'expensive' too.

For me, I would put it this way: Magic is not THE most expensive hobby, it was a hobby i chose to spend most of my money on. ('Was' because it has evolved to be so much more than just a hobby to me now ^_^) And it's entirely worth the ride so far, regardless of how much I've spent on it (though of course my heart still aches over those 'stupid' buys right at the start of it all).

This is simply because Magic is no doubt something I've spent a lot on, but it is also something that through the process i have gained so much from. I can safely say that without magic, my life now would be entirely different - so much so that i shudder to think "what if i had not picked up that fateful book that led me to it..."

A. :)

Actually, I think Magic is a hobby that gets cheaper and cheaper.

Firstly, you'll start to get more selective about the learning materials and won't just buy anything new that comes out. Money will be spent just on the effects that really suits you.

Secondly, you'll start to learn more from books, which are always cheaper than DVDs.

Thirdly, you'll be less tempted to buy those special decks from E or Theory 11. So you save money on the decks. For coins, they can be reusued again and again, provided you don't lose them.

Fourhly, you'll be buying less gimmicks and learn more sleight-of-hands stuff, thus saving a lot on "props". Unless you aspire to be a stage magician.

Lastly, you'll tend to know more people in magic circle, and probably if you are on good terms with them... you can learn from them, just over a cup of coffee.

Very well said Muscleaxl.

Never buy magic tricks on impulse or later it will becomes a white elephant. As a Chinese saying "Flower seller will always claim his flowers smell better".

Check out the trick and reviews first before committing.

As you become more knowledgeable, experienced in magic and can afford. You might like to start collecting magic props made by reputable manufacturers. Fake copies has no resell value.

For me, I have a good collection of gimmicked coins and cups.

For coins, I go for Johnson which is affordable while Todd Lassen or Jamie produce a more premium stuffs and of course cost more.

For cups, I own the Paul Fox, Sherwood, Ross Bertram, Mega Monti, Johnson & Olde English.

Enjoy your magic

Uncle Bob

Yes Axl, very well said.

Trust a financial planner to cut to the crux of the matter especially when it involves $$$$$

But yes, I agree. Magic gets 'cheaper' the more you do it.

Another thing: Enrico shared at one pf our gatherings (the chalet one) that as he is a professional magician, his gaffs begin to pay for themselves.

E.g

1 set of extremely well made She__s costs US$200.
Using the gaff over 100 performances => Cost-Per-Use: $2

V.s

1 lousy gimmick that can't be used/breaks/impulse buy/ etc. costs $15
Use one time then never use anymore => Cost-Per-Use: $15

Enrico went on to share that the well made gimmick helps him get gigs, and he needs just 1 gig to recover the capital spent.

I suppose the example probably won't apply to most of us, as we lowly mortals are simply in it for fun/as a hobby.

But I sincerely believe that having this mindset from the start will help all of us save money in the long run, no matter if you are amateur or professional.

Great advices from everyone!

IF I manage to see this post long before I started learning magic, I will not have so many things became white elephants now. I strongly agree that 'ANY hobby can be the most expensive hobby if YOU choose to make it so'

To me, sometimes It's not about the $ that you spent. It's more about whether are the money spent worth it or not, are we making full use of the items. Planning is important! Plan out what we want to buy/order before we starts to make any purchase. In this way, we are able to keep track what are the things we need, rather than just browsing around, see see look look then buy it on the impulse! After planning, probably check out reviews or ask around.

There's so much advise from the everyone here! I believe if any1 happens to bump into this post will be a big help to them.

Anyway, I think eating is the most expensive hobby =) because we need to eat! :lol:

Cheers!
Edwin

Wow, this is a fantastic thread! I especially like the posts by Muscleaxl and Uncle Bob...

Anyway, there are some people out there who like collecting stuff, and that in itself can become really expensive, depending on the item collected. I like to collect the custom decks, so it can be quite expensive and useless depending on how you look at it.

Yup, networking is also very important. I have personnally learned from some of the more experienced magicians out there and they taught me "how to save money" in magic. (if you know what I mean, good for you) Note: I am not talking about piracy here.

Great posts
Now to think back from my journey as a magician, i don't really spend much on magic props or dvds.
I spent a lot on custom decks and collectibles, which defines me as a card collector and not a magician

However , for magic, I usually do sponge balls,ropes, cards and coins for my casual show, therefore it will not cost a bomb to me

For stage show or any special events which require better gimmick/ props, i do buy props that the pay of the event is enough to cover, so that I don't spend my money on magic and uses magic to generate more money instead. :P

So, magic is inexpensive unless we keep following up with the hypes on those magic websites

Hi

Well, all I can say is that it depends on what you get out of your hobby, if what you spent gives your the satisfaction, which is intangible, then its not expensive.

I know of people spend tens of thousands of dollars on stuff which I personally find worthless cos it doesn't interest me but it gives them great satisfaction ... who am I to judge ?

IMHO, if you get your money's worth from what you spent ... then its no more expensive, it becomes money well spent on your hobby.

Peace

Lordjim