just how much you spend in a year on our craft? I have never figured it out, but this year, I am trying to keep a record of what I spend for material and notions. If I would buy another machine, that doesn't go into the mix, because that is a long term investment. Has any one else ever kept track of what they spent over a year on material and notions? Just curious

And I just went to my expense sheet where I have kept track for the past 2 months, and maybe I will quit, because I added it up and was shocked. Some things are better left unknown

all my extra cash!...lol

No, I wouldn't want to know!!!!!!!!!! LOL :D:D

The idea frightens me too much!

Some might say "too much", but I say "not enough". LOL

I don't keep track because I don't want to have a heart attack!

Not me. It might make me cry.

I saved all my receipts for a long time ... but I never took the time to add it all up!

OMG! No way!

I spent much more a few years ago, but I have tons of fabric now and recently bought an Innova long arm, so I had to be good for a while and pay that off. I'm getting tired of shopping my stash, but I need to stay out of the LQS for a little while longer. Make that a long while, I promised my husband a tractor after the long arm got paid out.

Unless it would create a problem with our budget I wouldn't worry about it. My DH's hobby is woodworking and I know that the money I spend on quilting is much, much less than what he spends.

I'm too scared to add it all up!

I don't want to know at all!

I kept track of "yards in" and "yards out" one year, just to prove that I really do use it up! (I do a LOT of charity sewing, and sometimes come home from our get-togethers with bags of scraps. I use the estimate of 3 yds / lb.) I almost never pay "retail" for anything, but still wouldn't want to keep track of $$ for a year!

Ditto. Before I started quilting I spent a LOT of money at Amazon. Mostly DVDS and books. I added that up once and I was SHOCKED! Don't want to know about Quilting stuff. BTW don't spend much at all at Amazon unless it is quilting stuff LOL

If I added it all up, it would depress me too much, then I wouldn't enjoy it so much.... Nope, don't want to know. :)

I do not keep track beause I really don't want to know. I like to think I spend less on my hobby than hubby does on his and want to keep it that way. LOL

No, can't possibly leave an evidence trail!

i did for 2 months. me and the boyfriend wanted to know who spent more on their hobby. he fixed 70's and older trucks. we counted everything we bought including my new machine and any tools he had to buy. he spent way more but he has stoped spending as much on his cars and has acctually bought me some fabric when he has had to buy something expenisve for one of the trucks.Ii think he kinda feels guilt about it now.

I do not want to know..It would put a huge damper on my hobby...For each weekend that I stay in and quilt I figure its about the same as if I went out to eat or shopping in a store buying junk I dod not need...or going to the movies after buying the popcorn, candy, drinks...its a small fortune...

Very true. If it wasn't spent on quilting then it would be spent elsewhere. I certainly wouldn't be spending that time at home doing housework. lol

Don't want to know! Not gonna go there!! LOL

Besides, I know it's not near as much as DH spends on his hobbies....fishing, hunting, fishing, hunting...etc.

since i have taxes to do every year, i keep very good records of my expenses, last year was my first year to actually bring in more from quilting than i spent on supplies...but that i think is just a fluke :-D since i plan some long-arm upgrades this year. but yes i keep every receipt and keep track, there have been a couple years that were (wake up calls) where the spending was way out of control, but seeing it in black & white helped get it under control :thumbup:

Just plain don't want to know.

Like you, I am keeping a list this year. Hope I do not get too big a shock at the end.

Lol, dont want to know!

All my extra cash and more.....

My hubby and I track every penny we spend. So far the motorcycle/vehicle column is higher than my sewing col. :lol:

That is just more info than I need...lol.

Way less than my husband spends on fishing equipment. At the rate he buys stuff the fish he catches cost about $800 per pound.

I once thought I should, but then realized it didn't really matter. I would not spend a penny if it hurt the family budget. Being a non-smoker I always say I spent my cigarette money.

We keep a budget so yes I know what I spend on quilting. Shocking but not outrageous and it's so enjoyable, grin.

This is a good rule to live by.

I'm afraid to start figuring. It might look like something in the National Budget - and I have no intention of cutting back.

I figure that what I spend is less than what I'd be paying out to a shrink if I didn't do the hobbies I love. As long as I don't spend more than I have coming in...... it's nobody's business, right?

Are you kidding!?! That's probably the last thing I want to know. I was at a LQS in Kansas last week with my husband - I bought 6 yards of batiks and a bali pop. When the purchase was totaled my DH was astounded - That cost $$$!, was his response. So no, I don't keep track.

I used to bury the fabric receipts deeeeep in the trash bag but now, since almost all the quilts I make are for charity, I keep track of those receipts because I can deduct them from my taxes. I also traveled 2,040 miles last year for non-profit quilting purposes, tax-deductable as well.
When I told my tax preparer my numbers I feared DH would have a heart attack, but he managed to survive... With gas prices going up so high he's started making ugly noises about my monthly gas costs.

When I retired and was finally able to devote more time to quilting, I quit smoking and drinking wine. YES INDEED I'm still saving money, no matter how much fabric I buy!! Idon't spend more than my discretionary budget, I meet some wonderful quilters, keep my mind active, and its still cheaper than therapy...

Oh gosh... Why would I want to know the real facts and make myself sick?? If everyone on this site would stop giving the names of quilt shops going out of business or the wonderful shops that are having great sales it would be much eaiser not to spend! LOL

I'm doing my part to restart the economy. Just think of the stores I'm supporting (and their staff) the shipping industry, the cotton industry...I'm just being PATRIOTIC!!