I consider myself a serial hobbyist, last count I had +20 former hobbies where I spent at least $1000 on gear. It looks like this:

• Watch +30 hours of YouTube about the topic

• Figure out & buy the best mid-tier equipment

• Spend a few months deep in it, then lose interest

If this sounds like you, I think I have figured out a method to stop wasting my money on hobbies that do not stick.

Do it before you buy

Use rental equipment or borrowing from a friend. The key is to make sure you have an emotional attachment. Otherwise you are going to do it a few times and the joy of it being new will fade. Then you will just stop. It might cost more to rent at first, but it will save you money over nice gear losing value in your closet.

Find people to do it with

Even hobbies that are meant to be done alone are better with passionate people around you. Go to some meetups about the topic and learn why others love the hobby so much. If you have ever been to COMICON you can see the passion in everyone’s eyes.

Find the ones you love

You are going to spend your free time doing the things that bring you the most joy. Find what those are and compare everything new to the one’s you already have. You have to make it past the shiny new object syndrome phase.

If you follow these steps, you will find the hobbies that fit into and enhance your life which will bring you more joy!

Finally, you can buy the high end gear with much more confidence.