For me the spending for tools, I have to distinguish from what I love to have but aren’t necessary (such as a giant bandsaw for resawing wood slabs, large thickness sander) to what is necessary for repair and restoration work. Sometimes it’s hard because big tools does make things easier.
Me too. It’s just too easy to press that “buy” button.
My spending vice is definitely Xbox 360 games. I usually make the rounds to the different game stores at least twice a week. Most of the games I buy are second-hand so I am not spending as much. I now have close to 200 games; howver, about 1/3 of those I have not even played yet. I learned from past experience that if you see a used game in a store for a good price you better pick it up or else it won’t be there when you go to buy it at a later date. This is why I have such a large gaming backlog. Fortunately, my wife doesn’t mind because playing my Xbox makes me happy and keeps me out of trouble.
My spending vices change from year to year. A few years back it was electronics like LCD TV, HD Camcorder, and Iphones. Then it was video games. I was buying tons of shit off of Amazon for my NDS, PSP, PS3 and computer and now I’m into ukes. I just dropped almost 20k on a Kamaka.
Take out coffee , pretty sad eh 
.
Subscription to an international magazine , which works out pretty cheap actually although 2 or 3 go missing every year. It’s very exciting and kind of a miracle to see it arrive, a bit like being a kid again.
Taichung is a cultural wasteland but if I didn’t have young sprogs we would go to see some shows in Taipei.
Kindle and kindle books are another I guess. I wish I could just pay for the bits of books I read because I am reluctant to buy books which have about two chapters of substance and the rest filling or regurgitated generalist crap.
Since I’m the only wage earner I just don’t get pleasure in spending my money anymore!
Books. And nothing else.
Outdoor stuff.
AVGAS.
Nobody’s going to fess up and say toxic girlfriends? 
Nyet. Nothing to fess. I always expected a reasonable GF, and dropped 'em one after another until a reasonable one came along, then I married that 'un, lickety split. 
I just keep buying camera equipment. More and more and more. Perhaps I should sell a little of the stuff I don’t use anymore before this gets ridiculous…
I am incredibly lucky. My girlfriend loves the same things I do. Nothing makes her happier than second hand bookstores, dark chocolate or playing those machines that drop out balls with toys inside. No diamonds or expensive clothes or trips to the hair salon:D
I would say that if you genuinely need tools for work, then I wouldn’t call that a vice - those tools are required to earn you money, no?
Also interesting that a few mentioned annual trips back home - seems quite normal, and hardly excessive!
[quote=“Adam_CLO”]I would say that if you genuinely need tools for work, then I wouldn’t call that a vice - those tools are required to earn you money, no?
Also interesting that a few mentioned annual trips back home - seems quite normal, and hardly excessive![/quote]
Yes, but its very easy to stretch the definition for needs vs. the amount of work coming in. For example I really want a big bandsaw, ones with an 18" wheel. However it would cost me quite a bit, more than what I can spare actually and right now its not really necessary because I am not getting any commissions, not to mention I don’t even have a stable supply of wood in Taiwan that would make a big bandsaw purchase feasible as I would be able to resaw my own wood rather than buy from Stewmac or LMI and pay expensive shipping.
I buy from LMI because their wood is prepared for instrument making, are at the right moisture content and guaranteed from significant defect. When I buy wood from Taiwan, no one has any idea what the moisture content is, the wood has hidden defects, and while its a LOT cheaper its also riskier. Also I cannot get soundboard materials (nor do I want to) because The last soundboard I got in Taiwan had such horrible runout that I ended up using it in an ukelele.
[quote=“Adam_CLO”]I would say that if you genuinely need tools for work, then I wouldn’t call that a vice - those tools are required to earn you money, no?
[/quote]
I agree with that.
For me, camera gear, Photoshop etc are all tools I need to make a living so spending money on them is a necessary expense. Ironically I probably have less photo gear than a lot of people who just do it for a hobby because I only buy what I need rather than what I want. And a fair bit of the stuff I do have I get from a couple of photography companies that I’m sponsored by so it’s either free or at cost.
Books (non fiction)
Dive trips around Asia
UW photography stuff
Tech toys
[quote=“headhonchoII”]
Since I’m the only wage earner I just don’t get pleasure in spending my money anymore![/quote]
That is so sad! You should splurge once in a while.
Aside from buying a bit too much organic food, my only real spending vice is tea.
High Mountain Wulong
Eastern Beauty
Wulong Red Tea
Charcoal-roasted Tea
Aged Tea
(mmm, getting thirsty)
I usually distribute about half of it to friends and family, or just make up people to send it to just to give me an excuse to buy more.
Other than that, just a couple of new teapots every year. Gotta have a hobby.
I’ve always had simple tastes, and I’m fortunate to have married my match.
When I was young, I spent my money on baseball cards, pinball and candy. When I was a little older (12-23) I spent my money on music, concerts and the accoutrements. From 17 to 32 I spent my money on travel.
Recently, I’ve been spending money on toys. I take my kids to the park whenever we get a chance, and I bring a huge bag of toys for all the park kids to play with. I bring a good snakeboard (currently the most popular toy), badminton for four (half the time it’s too windy), about 20 balls including baseballs, softball, three gloves; bubble making kit, half a dozen jump ropes inclusing a very long one, juggling balls, balloons, scooter, hula hoops, big wheels, four Frisbees, little helicopers, yoyos. And then there are the bikes and other big things that we sometimes bring just for variety. These toys have actually been a very cheap investment. I have to continually replace lost or broken crap, but the neighbors really appreciate it, and I get plenty of exercise that’s more fun than the gym (or even hiking?).
I wish I could find a pogo stick strong enough for adults (I want to go on it, too). Some stilts would be cool, but I do have concerns about broken kiddie bones and the ensuing lawsuits.
These days, apps and books. Everything else is bills and kids.
Vices?? Hmmm…
Airconditioning.
I take a lot of pleasure in spending cash on handmade jewlry, fabrics, embroideries, but it is my electricity bill that leaves me with guilt!