Author Topic: How has the economy affected your hobbies? (Read 2559 times)

Smooth Groove · « **on:** March 23, 2009, 10:20:31 PM »

I've bought about 100-120 Blu-rays since the PS3 launch.

However, due to the economy's absolute collapse a few months ago, I decided that I wasn't going to buy another Blu-ray unless it's AAA material. So far I've upheld my rule and have yet to buy a Blu-ray in 2009.

In the last few months, I've just been downloading 1080P Blu-ray rips and streaming them to my PS3. The original BD discs probably look a bit better but I can't really tell the difference.

In times like this, one can't afford to have moral qualms about pirating. I guess I'd feel worse if Blu-rays aren't still being sold at ridiculously high prices.

Boogie · « **Reply #1 on:** March 23, 2009, 10:25:32 PM »

I have guaranteed employment.

And, in fact, got a mandatory raise in February.

Can't say that the economy has negatively affected me. Bought a 52-inch TV in January.

Bildi · « **Reply #2 on:** March 23, 2009, 10:29:22 PM »

Why are you spending less - is your job not secure or did you lose it? :'(

I'm lucky that my job is fine so I haven't had to change anything. I have more money because home loan interest rates have fallen so much.

Bocsius · « **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2009, 10:30:20 PM »

You're not a hobbyist, you're a slave.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #4 on:** March 23, 2009, 10:30:48 PM »

Didn't you just buy like a billion dollar computer set up Sooth Groove?

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #5 on:** March 23, 2009, 10:31:13 PM »

yeah, i'm in the middle of re-fi for my home loan and a car loan, which means i will have more cash to spend on nutraloaf

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #6 on:** March 23, 2009, 10:40:32 PM »

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on March 23, 2009, 10:30:48 PM

Didn't you just buy like a billion dollar computer set up Sooth Groove?

The fact that I can still afford PC upgrades doesn't mean that I don't need to stop spending less somewhere else.

Luckily, the best things in life, i.e., pr0n, are free.

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #7 on:** March 23, 2009, 10:42:35 PM »

Quote from: Genghis Cohen on March 23, 2009, 10:32:42 PM

Prole makes less racist jokes at work out of fear of being fired.

there *is* that

Rman · « **Reply #8 on:** March 23, 2009, 10:44:53 PM »

I'm trying so save more. I always saved, but I'm looking to have one year of living expenses socked in an money market fund for good measure. I also just joined Gamefly, which is a miracle since I love buying games new.

Flannel Boy · « **Reply #9 on:** March 23, 2009, 10:46:56 PM »

Quote from: Boogie on March 23, 2009, 10:25:32 PM

I have guaranteed employment.

And, in fact, got a mandatory raise in February.

Can't say that the economy has negatively affected me. Bought a 52-inch TV in January.

Get off your high-horse, Mountie. Oh wait, you can't because you don't drive cars.

cool breeze · « **Reply #10 on:** March 23, 2009, 10:49:50 PM »

I think twice before buying a game. I really should get Gamefly because I still wouldn't mind trying fiddy cent and wanted.

Boogie · « **Reply #11 on:** March 23, 2009, 10:53:57 PM »

Quote from: Genghis Cohen on March 23, 2009, 10:48:15 PM

I drink more

Oh ya, there's this. But I don't blame the economy for that.

archie4208 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 23, 2009, 10:54:36 PM »

I uh...don't spend as much on videogames. Kinda. Just dropped $150 for a SF4 stick and I'm gonna buy another DS soon.

Kestastrophe · « **Reply #13 on:** March 23, 2009, 10:57:07 PM »

the posting quality has gone down here since 2g2d started, including the departure of an icon

demi · « **Reply #14 on:** March 23, 2009, 10:57:13 PM »

Quote from: swaggaz on March 23, 2009, 10:49:50 PM

I think twice before buying a game. I really should get Gamefly because I still wouldn't mind trying fiddy cent and wanted.

Use my referral thanks

Brehvolution · « **Reply #15 on:** March 23, 2009, 11:04:45 PM »

I don't know a single person affected by 2G2D. IN fact, everyone I know is busier than ever. I'm not trying to make light of things.

On topic, I've spent my load on gaming shit by buying a 360, KZ2, and MLB 09: RTTS. I've got birfday money to spend, but I think I'll save it for the vacation to Myrtle Beach for a week starting 4/11.

drew · « **Reply #16 on:** March 23, 2009, 11:08:55 PM »

people actually buy movies?

who knew

Fresh Prince · « **Reply #17 on:** March 23, 2009, 11:11:13 PM »

I feel poor though it's probably got to do with moving out rather than 2G2D.

Fragamemnon · « **Reply #18 on:** March 23, 2009, 11:12:36 PM »

Only thing I've done this year differently in terms of entertainment is making my video gaming hobby revenue neutral-I've been using goozex to trade games and selling old (but still worthwhile) DVDs and PSOne games on Ebay to reduce the amount of money I've spent on games. It also helps that Dawn of War 2 and Empire:TW, two games I had penciled in as day one purchases, turned out to be shit/bin material.

I've cut back a bit on going to the movies, but that's more because I've been working way more and the wife has a ton of homework for her botany classes she's been taking, so there's less opportunity. We still spend princely sums on books, beer, and food, though, but still well within our (very savings-oriented) budget.

Oh, an I thought about splurging for a PSP since my laptop (my portable game system of choice) starting having heating issues but instead I just disassembled the thing and re-gunked the heatsinks and now it's down 25-30 C .

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #19 on:** March 23, 2009, 11:13:43 PM »

what was wrong with empire tw, frag?

Boogie · « **Reply #20 on:** March 23, 2009, 11:15:20 PM »

Oh. I should say that the economy has resulted in my agreed raise for 2009 being clawed back from 3.5% to 1.5%, and in 2010, from 2% to 1.5%...OUTRAGEOUS!

muckhole · « **Reply #21 on:** March 23, 2009, 11:17:56 PM »

I've been renting games a good deal more than I have in a while. While I haven't been affected too badly by 2G2D yet, I'm sure I'll be feeling it come summer. The other issue is that the gf just got laid off, so I imagine I'll be helping her out if need be. Once August hits, the car's paid off, then the consumer debauchery can resume.

Fresh Prince · « **Reply #22 on:** March 23, 2009, 11:19:54 PM »

Quote from: Boogie on March 23, 2009, 11:15:20 PM

Oh. I should say that the economy has resulted in my agreed raise for 2009 being clawed back from 3.5% to 1.5%, and in 2010, from 2% to 1.5%...OUTRAGEOUS!

Wait what do you again? A mountie? Now what is that again? So what does that mean?

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #23 on:** March 23, 2009, 11:21:46 PM »

i have sold fat shitloads of blu rays and games over the weekend

i just listed my wii and xtras on ebay

i'm selling my laptop

i want to make a big purchase, so i have to barter like the wandering crazies in fallout

Fragamemnon · « **Reply #24 on:** March 23, 2009, 11:26:55 PM »

Quote from: Professor Prole on March 23, 2009, 11:13:43 PM

what was wrong with empire tw, frag?

In short-Creative Assembly made a game that their artificial intelligence cannot actually play. Just to illustrate-the AI doesn't know how to use naval landings of troops-in a colonial era game. Yeah, that's going to be a problem, but it's just the tip of the iceberg-the AI also doesn't know how to make proper stacks of armies, doesn't have any sort of predictable diplomacy model (you basically always get a two front war, an artificial relic from previous TW games that challenges the player), and the list goes on. Naval Warfare is unspeakably bad. Almost everything is completely undocumented as well, the game makes Supreme Commander look transparent in design in comparison.

Medieval 2 had these issues in spades and it took modders over a year to even fix half of them (CA never bothered, not even in the expansion pack). I'll just get the game once-and if-the modders can fix it up. In the meantime, Europa Universalis 3 is a much less visceral game (since it doesn't have the tactical battles) but runs laps around Empire:TW for the meat and potatoes strategic layer. Hell, I'd rather go back and play the ever-netbook friendly Imperialism 2 than Empire:TW.

It's one plus is that it is very pretty, and has a great historical zing. It's a meal of all potatoes though, and no meat.

I'm also in the process of doing a mortgage refi. The current rates are erotic.

Human Snorenado · « **Reply #25 on:** March 23, 2009, 11:32:53 PM »

Honestly, I've been spending MORE money on games since 2G2D started. This happened because I was gifted with an HDTV for Crimmus, tho. So I went out and bought myself a 360 arcade since I could be sure it was a Jasper, a 60 gig hd pack, and traded in the PS2 and games for credit. I've spent more money on games since then, but I usually wait until GS is having a buy 2 get 1 free used sale to buy stuff. If you sign up for their mailing list, they'll email you coupons too that will get you extra trade in credit or extra off used games.

However, I *have* had to hold off of some major purchases and shit since I'm basically barely working anymore. I was gonna buy a house, and ironically enough there's never been a better time- but I probably wouldn't qualify any longer since I have crappy credit! Instead I'm going back to school in the summer or fall.

Human Snorenado · « **Reply #26 on:** March 23, 2009, 11:35:35 PM »

Quote from: Eel O'Brian on March 23, 2009, 11:21:46 PM

i have sold fat shitloads of blu rays and games over the weekend

i just listed my wii and xtras on ebay

i'm selling my laptop

i want to make a big purchase, so i have to barter like the wandering crazies in fallout

You should see if you can pay people to fix their shit. "Hey man, those guns look busted. Pay me 400 bottle caps to fix them." "WTF are you talking about?"

Fragamemnon · « **Reply #27 on:** March 23, 2009, 11:37:29 PM »

I know a guy who lives in the coastal plain that has an awesome side business of fixing chainsaws, just because he's a huge fan of chainsaws.

That's pretty awesome.

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #28 on:** March 23, 2009, 11:50:34 PM »

Quote from: Fragamemnon on March 23, 2009, 11:37:29 PM

I know a guy who lives in the coastal plain that has an awesome side business of fixing chainsaws, just because he's a huge fan of chainsaws.

That's pretty awesome.

Isn't it kinda scary that so many people in the area need to have their chainsaws fixed?

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #29 on:** March 24, 2009, 12:09:19 AM »

For those of you with SOs (not including your hand), has 2G2D affected your sex lifes? More sex seems logical since it's free and is usually enjoyable.

Eric P · « **Reply #30 on:** March 24, 2009, 12:32:57 AM »

i've started *gasp* saving money.

and doing drastic things like not buy books and records.

Kara · « **Reply #31 on:** March 24, 2009, 01:22:22 AM »

Switched to Gamefly. Gave up drinking. Pawned some of my video game collection.

jiji · « **Reply #32 on:** March 24, 2009, 02:33:55 AM »

I switched to Gamefly and cut off impulse purchases for the most part. I wish I'd done this a lot sooner.

I HAVE been spending a lot more money on film and processing since 2G2D started, and I'm wishing I had a nice Canon 5D right now, but I don't mind that too much. Film is relatively cheap.

bork · « **Reply #33 on:** March 24, 2009, 06:30:02 AM »

Still buying games, just not as many. Cut down on a lot of the portable stuff especially. We don't go out that much and generally limit eating out to once a week at someplace inexpensive. My wife is really pretty good about not buying stuff; I'm the one with the problem. $:-\$ She's been content just going out and doing stuff for free (lots of walking) and eating cheap junk food like McDonald's and the occasional Coldstone ice cream. She just got a part-time job, too. Meanwhile I sit at home like a bum every day doing jack shit. Still got about two weeks until I head back to school, then after I get a schedule I can start seeing about work.

cloudwalking · « **Reply #34 on:** March 24, 2009, 06:33:53 AM »

i just got a new, badass job, so me and jarosh's spending will probably only go up over the next couple of months.

Kestastrophe · « **Reply #35 on:** March 24, 2009, 08:51:40 AM »

Quote from: Smooth Groove on March 24, 2009, 12:09:19 AM

For those of you with SOs (not including your hand), has 2G2D affected your sex lifes?

I've been having it less, but I think that has more to do with being married $:-\$ .....

........ :'(

NME · « **Reply #36 on:** March 24, 2009, 08:58:36 AM »

No, the economy is directly affecting me as far as I know. I have other monetary issues to deal with, but they aren't the result of the economy.

I mean, don't get me wrong: my thrift savings is a black hole at this point, but I expect to have to work until about ten years after I die, anyhow.

But I do use the gamefly these days, for better or worse. If they ever bother to send me Street Fighter IV, though, I'm buying that shit.

On the plus side, I got a stupidly large tax return coming shortly. On the negative side, the money can't be used for anything fun.

Positive Touch · « **Reply #37 on:** March 24, 2009, 09:09:37 AM »

hasn't really affected me - i was poor as shit before and i'm still poor now. everything seems a little bit more expensive now (except gas, thank god), but i've always been so frugal that i haven't really had to tone anything down. I just wish i could find more quality used games for >$20

Human Snorenado · « **Reply #38 on:** March 24, 2009, 10:11:45 AM »

Quote from: cloudwalking on March 24, 2009, 06:33:53 AM

i just got a new, badass job, so me and jarosh's spending will probably only go up over the next couple of months.

Doesn't count if you just spend all of your money at your new workplace!

demi · « **Reply #39 on:** March 24, 2009, 11:10:07 AM »

God damn all you new gameflyers. Should have used one of my referrals :'(

Tauntaun · « **Reply #40 on:** March 24, 2009, 11:30:57 AM »

Quote from: Fragamemnon on March 23, 2009, 11:12:36 PM

Only thing I've done this year differently in terms of entertainment is making my video gaming hobby revenue neutral-I've been using goozex to trade games and selling old (but still worthwhile) DVDs and PSOne games on Ebay to reduce the amount of money I've spent on games. It also helps that Dawn of War 2 and Empire:TW, two games I had penciled in as day one purchases, turned out to be shit/bin material.

Dude, this pisses me off so much (I only play it because I bought it day one after playing the beta, that was dumb). I mean, how can you make CoH and then turn out a turd like DoW2? Just sucks because the gameplay is awesome when the game actually works (oh look, my commander just died because he wouldn't retreat.

). rawr

Edit: OT, I can't start a Dark Eldar Army and I have to sell a lot of my music equipment although that's more of a consolidation to get a USA Jackson Soloist.

The neck is soooo sexy.

xnikki118x · « **Reply #41 on:** March 25, 2009, 02:26:21 AM »

I don't buy new stuff for my fish tank anymore.

Fragamemnon · « **Reply #42 on:** March 25, 2009, 02:32:42 AM »

Quote from: Tauntaun on March 24, 2009, 11:30:57 AM

Dude, this pisses me off so much (I only play it because I bought it day one after playing the beta, that was dumb). I mean, how can you make CoH and then turn out a turd like DoW2? Just sucks because the gameplay is awesome when the game actually works (oh look, my commander just died because he wouldn't retreat. ). rawr

It's a decent game in 3v3, my problem is that RTS is, if nothing else, a game of inches, and when you have to rely on two other people to carry their weight, it's a pain if they aren't around. The game is absolute trash in 1v1, which is what I found most shocking.

Great campaign though supposedly. Maybe they should have realized at the start they were onto something and threw out traditional RTS multiplayer from the game altogether for a RTS-meets-Diablo style co-op experience, which would have made a hell of a lot more sense.

Loki · « **Reply #43 on:** March 25, 2009, 04:44:55 AM »

Fortunately, my hobbies - basketball, reading, and writing - don't require much (or any) money. So nothing has really changed in that regard for me.

Bildi · « **Reply #44 on:** March 25, 2009, 06:47:29 AM »

Quote from: Tauntaun on March 24, 2009, 11:30:57 AM

Edit: OT, I can't start a Dark Eldar Army and I have to sell a lot of my music equipment although that's more of a consolidation to get a USA Jackson Soloist. The neck is soooo sexy.

These are the ones with the compound radius fretboard, right? Oh god, you have to post pics when you get it so I can cummmmmmmmmmm.

Brehvolution · « **Reply #45 on:** March 25, 2009, 11:43:02 AM »

Don't know if it's due to the economy, but I've had sex 5 nights in a row.

Bloodwake · « **Reply #46 on:** March 25, 2009, 11:46:47 AM »

2g2d affected me.

My college just tried to kick me out over bullshit. They are hemmoraging money like fucking crazy. I'd say that the economy is indirectly affecting me.

Bildi · « **Reply #47 on:** March 25, 2009, 07:46:57 PM »

Quote from: Zero Hero on March 25, 2009, 11:43:02 AM

Don't know if it's due to the economy, but I've had sex 5 nights in a row.

I think it's due to you being a prick.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

[close]

Olivia Wilde Homo · « **Reply #48 on:** March 25, 2009, 08:23:58 PM »

Yes.

Financially though, I've never had more money. The company I worked for made record profit last year (over a billion) and will make a profit again this year. I won't be losing my job.

Personally though, anything other than base expenses, I save. If it wasn't 2G2D, I probably would have invested it. However, I have no faith in the stock markets and would probably see better returns if I just buried it somewhere. So there is definitely an impact there.

My ultimate goal is to be debt free by 28. This basically means living like a filthy poor for a few more years. Having done it most of my life, what is a few more years?

Quote from: demi on March 24, 2009, 11:10:07 AM

God damn all you new gameflyers. Should have used one of my referrals :'(

When my plate becomes slightly less full, I'll get a Gamefly account and get a referral from you.

Rman · « **Reply #49 on:** March 25, 2009, 08:29:35 PM »

Quote from: T EXP on March 25, 2009, 08:23:58 PM

Yes.

Financially though, I've never had more money. The company I worked for made record profit last year (over a billion) and will make a profit again this year. I won't be losing my job.

Personally though, anything other than base expenses, I save. If it wasn't 2G2D, I probably would have invested it. However, I have no faith in the stock markets and would probably see better returns if I just buried it somewhere. So there is definitely an impact there.

My ultimate goal is to be debt free by 28. This basically means living like a filthy poor for a few more years. Having done it most of my life, what is a few more years?

Quote from: demi on March 24, 2009, 11:10:07 AM
God damn all you new gameflyers. Should have used one of my referrals :'(

When my plate becomes slightly less full, I'll get a Gamefly account and get a referral from you.

That's a good plan. It's always easier to increase your standard of living than decreasing it from a mental stand point. Especially out of college, when you're used to living frugally.

Brehvolution · « **Reply #50 on:** March 25, 2009, 08:32:52 PM »

Quote from: T EXP on March 25, 2009, 08:23:58 PM

Yes.

Financially though, I've never had more money. The company I worked for made record profit last year (over a billion) and will make a profit again this year. I won't be losing my job.

Personally though, anything other than base expenses, I save. If it wasn't 2G2D, I probably would have invested it. However, I have no faith in the stock markets and would probably see better returns if I just buried it somewhere. So there is definitely an impact there.

My ultimate goal is to be debt free by 28. This basically means living like a filthy poor for a few more years. Having done it most of my life, what is a few more years?

Quote from: demi on March 24, 2009, 11:10:07 AM

God damn all you new gameflyers. Should have used one of my referrals :'(

When my plate becomes slightly less full, I'll get a Gamefly account and get a referral from you.

I admire your patience and will power. You are very mature for your age.

T234 · « **Reply #51 on:** March 25, 2009, 08:40:55 PM »

Quote from: Karakand on March 24, 2009, 01:22:22 AM

Switched to Gamefly. Gave up drinking. Pawned some of my video game collection.

wat

Serious response: Trust me, I'm doing enough drinking for the both of us. If we lose to Notre Shame tonight, I think my liver may need a transplant over the weekend.

Human Snorenado · « **Reply #52 on:** March 25, 2009, 08:45:28 PM »

Quote from: T EXP on March 25, 2009, 08:23:58 PM

Personally though, anything other than base expenses, I save. If it wasn't 2G2D, I probably would have invested it. However, I have no faith in the stock markets and would probably see better returns if I just buried it somewhere. So there is definitely an impact there.

I dunno, I think if you're savvy right now is a good time to invest. Or more specifically, a couple weeks back when in retrospect it appears we found the bottom. A friend bought 10k shares of citi when it was at $1.01 and sold it off when it reached a bit above $2.50 like a week later. That's 15k in pure profit right there.

Don Flamenco · « **Reply #53 on:** March 25, 2009, 09:26:00 PM »

At first, I decided to put my ebay/amazon game selling into overdrive to offset my game costs. Now it pays better than my real job. I don't go out as much though because I'm hoarding it all for law school :\ Mostly parties where I can drink free. But it's times like these where I'm happy I can enjoy Old Style as much as I do. I also only smoke about 2 packs a month (one or two a day)

I fucking wish I had money to invest though.

Loki · « **Reply #54 on:** March 25, 2009, 10:25:08 PM »

Quote from: T234 on March 25, 2009, 08:40:55 PM

If we lose to Notre Shame tonight

Olivia Wilde Homo · « **Reply #55 on:** March 26, 2009, 12:12:43 AM »

Quote from: The Card Cheat on March 25, 2009, 08:45:28 PM

Quote from: T EXP on March 25, 2009, 08:23:58 PM
Personally though, anything other than base expenses, I save. If it wasn't 2G2D, I probably would have invested it. However, I have no faith in the stock markets and would probably see better returns if I just buried it somewhere. So there is definitely an impact there.

I dunno, I think if you're savvy right now is a good time to invest. Or more specifically, a couple weeks back when in retrospect it appears we found the bottom. A friend bought 10k shares of citi when it was at $1.01 and sold it off when it reached a bit above $2.50 like a week later. That's 15k in pure profit right there.

In hindsight, yeah. However I was pretty oblivious to where the awesome deals could be had with the stock market. Even though we're still crawling out of the bottom, we may hit another one eventually.

Tauntaun · « **Reply #56 on:** March 26, 2009, 03:11:34 PM »

Quote from: Bildi on March 25, 2009, 06:47:29 AM

Quote from: Tauntaun on March 24, 2009, 11:30:57 AM
Edit: OT, I can't start a Dark Eldar Army and I have to sell a lot of my music equipment although that's more of a consolidation to get a USA Jackson Soloist. The neck is soooo sexy.

These are the ones with the compound radius fretboard, right? Oh god, you have to post pics when you get it so I can cummmmmmmmmmm.

Yes it is!

Sometimes I just look at pics of the neck online and

Edit:

News:

Author Topic: How has the economy affected your hobbies? (Read 2559 times)