How do you afford your gear?

[Toronto Bassist]

So this has always been a topic of interest to me. Money's been around for quite a while, so institutions and people have been able to come up with quite a few ways to pay for all that nifty expensive gear we pine for.

Speaking for myself, the store that I go to allows for payment plans/financing, giving me the luxury of forking over chunks of cash each month. However, their selection isn't always great, so if I want something really cool (like a Rick), I'd probably have to save up.

[Jazzdogg]

My gig money goes into a music fund, with which I buy and maintain gear, strings, sheet music, straps, and so forth; if there isn't enough money in the music fund, I don't buy it: No debt.

In the interest of full disclosure, when I build an instrument, pedal board, rack case, etc., I charge a different (woodworking) cost center, although I sometimes provide cash for at least part of a construction project from my music fund. Some call me quirky.

[mister-o]

Where's the option for "a have a decent job and don't care at all for boutique gear, so it's really just waiting for a little while if I have GAS and no other major commitments?"

[johhn smith]

usually i try to have a couple of grand or so that i have put aside for the express purpose of being able to take advantage of some deal that will not last. then, like a spider, i wait for something to come into my web, hahahaha.

[johhn smith]

sorry for the addendum, but i also will not go into debt for anything musical, i have enough nice things that i don'e need anything that bad

[Toronto Bassist]

Originally Posted by mister-o

Where's the option for "a have a decent job and don't care at all for boutique gear, so it's really just waiting for a little while if I have GAS and no other major commitments?"

I didn't include it because it's obviously a filthy, filthy lie.

[Rathead123]

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

My gig money goes into a music fund, with which I buy and maintain gear, strings, sheet music, straps, and so forth; if there isn't enough money in the music fund, I don't buy it: No debt.

Money I make playing, buys my gear. That should have been an option on the poll, cause I'll bet theres a few more doing the same.

[spade2you]

Hmmmm, I didn't quite fit into any of those categories. Currently and until the end of 2008, I was able to cash out unused vacation time at will. They just ended that, but I use that a BUNCH and it was great! I also happen to work in a field that's always short, so I can also pick up overtime any time I want it. So, I basically pay for most of my gear by picking up overtime and cashing out vacation time.

[AlembicPlayer]

there was no poll option for crime,
stealing, mugging, dealing drugs, and running ebay scams,
so I just put other.

[excane]

I'm single, have a great job, very careful with my money, and being a pimp on the side helps.

[alembicguy]

Gig money and my daily job!

[dave64o]

Originally Posted by mister-o

Where's the option for "a have a decent job and don't care at all for boutique gear, so it's really just waiting for a little while if I have GAS and no other major commitments?"

Sounds like my response exactly, so I voted "other".

[Lady Kayri]

I too have a local store that lets me put something on layaway and then pay on it as/when I can. If I want something they don't carry, I gotta save up money until I have enough to pay cash. I cut up all my credit cards a long time ago...been there, done that, and don't want to go down that path again. Money comes from the few tips I get, money left over from pay after bills / food are paid, and after $$ goes into the 'emergency fund' for things like hot water heaters needing to be replaced, etc. Once I get good enough to start playing with a band and make some money, those 'gig funds' will go into the gear fund as well...

[Deacon_Blues]

Originally Posted by mister-o

Where's the option for "a have a decent job and don't care at all for boutique gear, so it's really just waiting for a little while if I have GAS and no other major commitments?"

Pretty much the same here. However for the larger purchases that do happen once in a while (1/year perhaps) I tend to use my Visa card. (sigh, I'm not a proud man... (Sorry Maki for stealing that phrase )

Wish I was able to save up money better, but I honestly suck at that and with a regular income I haven't bothered waiting to get the stuff I want as long they don't cost a fortune. However, one of my main goals now is to get rid of all the debts on my credit cards because of the uncertain world economy. It would suck to have a lot of debts and suddenly find yourself without a job....

[Valerus]

I buy used, I don't buy expensive stuff. My rig cost me $700.

Well, It's worth about $1300 but I get good deals.
Hooray for saving $800!

[Ely]

There was no option for "carrot farmer"

[Rattman]

Two ways actually:

1. I buy just what I need to be ready for most playing occasions (I maintain all that gear too)

2. "Scour" the net for deep discounts

[ryco]

See something I want
Discuss with wife
Buy with card, pay off at end of the month

Sometimes just drop mega hints
Pretty much buy used stuff - not always. No boutique.

Not into big toys or bad habits.

[GeneralElectric]

I selected other. I work for my gear.

[Jefenator]

I usually ring up the credit card then quickly sell other gear so I can pay it off.

In this economic climate, I'm leaning towards saving up the cash before splurging.