when I was working, I discovered it was far easier to buy fabric then actually use so developed quite a stash, I felt guilty once I retired and had time to organize it and see how much I had. I have been retired 11 years and now I think that fabric stash I acquired when I was working was one of the best retirement savings plans, I could have! What I paid $5-6 dollars a yard for then is now going to be 11-12! Also, I have noticed that my older fabric actually has a better feel to it than some of the newer, thinner, yet quilt shop fabric that is available today. I also have developed quite a fabric, rotary cutter blades, cutting mats, patterns, books Stash as well. So, my hobby has not cost much these last few years although I did splurge and got a couple of new machines as my old ones just were getting clunky and outdated.