What are your Occupations/Jobs

[AggroJones]

I've seen one thread that asked how much railroaders spend on their hobby. Some of those answers suprised me! Apparently, some people spend thousands of dollars per year. Thats a shocker. [:0] I didn't know there were so many rich people out there. I spend only about $350 a year, which includes the occasional "super cost" locomotive. Some times I may go overboard with spending, and it hurts my wallet. [B)]

This causes me to wonder, what are your occupations or jobs? What do some of you do to get so much money? Just curious.

[Anonymous]

Now medically retired I live off a small long term disablity payment and "GranMa's" Wages. My budget is slim pickin's but I manage to squeeze about $80-$100/mo.

[DavidH]

I think you would have to define "rich". I spend probably between 3 and 4 thousand dollars a year Canadian (2300 - 3100 US) and I am not rich by any stretch of the imagination, although I suspect you would think I am if I told you my income . . .

David

[Anonymous]

I'm not a heavy hitter and in the 15% tax bracket.

One new steamer, the Spectrum HW Mountain. Vehicles , people, three bldgs , grave yard and MR magazine

Somewhere betwwen $350 and $450..

[Hawks05]

work at a pizza place. i'm only 17 though so thats why i don't have a good job. i make like $250 a month then have to pay for my car which is $100 and gas which is about $50 a month. in the end i get about $100 to save but mostly that goes to eating and CDs.

[vsmith]

I'm an architect, which in reality, means I'm poorer than dirt most of the time. (sorry to dissapoint, rich architects only exist in the movies) . Between house, cars, insurance, bills, and the wife, there aint much left over for my toys, but I manage a little treat every now and then ( I found two new LGB porter engines at a local discount liquidator for $40 each and was over the moon excited, my wife thought I was NUTS!).

[CBQ_Guy]

I've been what they call "retired due to disability" going back over three years now. Naturally, my income has been curtailed compared to what it was when I had a job. Luckily, the vast majority of my RR purchases took place while I was still employed. Since I am modeling a specific RR at a specific time, the amount of motive power and rolling stock is somewhat limited by that, so I don't have to keep running out and trying to keep up with it all in the past couple years. That's one good thing about picking a focus in what you're modeling, I suppose.

I didn't get my disability status automatically after I applied, in fact I had to hire a lawyer and go before a Federal judge to win my case. Consequently, I received an intital lump sum payment going back 27 months, so I just budgeted some of this for the layout. Now I can pay to have some of the room prep done I can't do myself anymore. Also, a big expense will be all the lumber, track and switches (turnouts?) I'll have to get to build the layout. But it's all in the budget.

In the past I've spent as much as $300-400 in one trip to the train store, but that's rare. It seemed in the past I was spending maybe $200-300 per month. Lately, though, since I'm trying to live on a budget from my fixed disability income, I' m averaging, maybe, $100-150 per month. It's not hard to spend that much if you're not careful either, though, so let's be careful out there!

[Anonymous]

Elementatary school phys ed teacher. I spend about 80$ to 100$ a month on the hobby.

[Catt]

I am a CNC lathe operator.I am a long ways from rich.I spend anywhere from $0.00 a month to maybe $200.00 a month.

Oh yeah,my yearly income is around 25k.

[Anonymous]

Like Vsmith, I am an architect, and not rich. However, I am still single and living in a cheaply-rented house for the moment (planning to purchase a home in near future), so I am at a decent net-positive cash flow for the moment. Of course, nominally I am saving up for the future house downpayment, but realistically I'm indulging my every modeling whim at the moment. I just spent probably $400 at the last two train shows, in the past month, and I've spent as much on Ebay as well, and there's no stopping me!

I should mention, too, that just tonight I have postponed a grocery-shopping trip for one more day. I have no qualms about spending on trains, yet I shy away from buying food...

[Hawks05]

well i had to work and try and get some money but instead i got a major stomach ache so i had to come home. i was at work for 40 minutes. hopefully though i'll have some time to look at stuff i'd like to buy and finally plan my bench work.

[nfmisso]

Mechanical Design Engineer.

[preceng]

I am a civil engineer specializing in land development design. Like my friends listed above my family obligations take up most of my fun money (need to teach my kid to skip some meals). i probably average $50-$100 a month. This includes gifts, which my wife informs everyone I prefer gift certificates to one ofthe two local hobby stores.

[Anonymous]

I work for a wood truss manufacturing company. I only make 25K a year and buying the only two Katos I own was only accomplished by saving up money.

Thanks,
Jeremy

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Hawks05
and CDs.

I didn't realize that CD's came in that small of a denomination.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by nfmisso

Mechanical Design Engineer.

And I thought you were a full time consultant to the world's greatest hobby.

[Anonymous]

I am a full time college student that fortunatly qualifies for alot of college scholorships and grant money. It was with the leftovers from fall semester and combined birthday present money that I was able to purchase my first 5 brass pieces, (Two Vista Domes and a Baggage car in GN big sky blue, and two BN (Former GN) Cabooses) And I still have about $200.00 left over that I am saving for until I find something I want.

I also work a job, which provides some money to my cause, and I also run a custom paint/model railroad design business. However that takes a back seat to classes and all my customers presently on my waiting list are aware of that fact. (However It seems everytime I turn around. present clients are adding more, and new cliants are signing up. I have eneugh work to keep me busy for a solid 6 months at this point)

When I get out of college I plan to expand into model manufacuring.

Due to the very cheap circumstances of my location I am able to make a dollar streatch quite a bit. Plus I NEVER pay list price for anything on my model railroad except those things if I wait around for the lower price I probably won't get one.

Plus I enjoy scratch building. I can build 8 boxcars for the price of one of the RTR offerings from Athearn these days.

James.

[Anonymous]

I'm 12 so my jobs are leaf raking, lawn mowing, snow shoveling , dog sitting and baby sitting. I had to save for several months but I think i might have close to 200 dollars to pend at the Oklahoma City Train Show here in a couple weeks. my income is not large so my proggress on my new layout will be limited.

Alex in the sooner state

[Hawks05]

QUOTE: Originally posted by locomotive3

QUOTE: Originally posted by Hawks05
and CDs.

I didn't realize that CD's came in that small of a denomination.

do you realize i'm talking about music CDs. i have total right now probably close to 175-200 music CDs. thats my best guess.

[Anonymous]

I drive tractor trailer...amazingly i make a great deal of money...but it makes up for itself im never home...if i didnt have this nifty cell phone that i could use as a modem to get online on my downtime id go nuts. And to be honest i hate driving a truck and i hate driving...but the moeny is to good...id never be able to make this kinda money doing anything else.

What do i spend per month on trains? Well at the Greenburg show this past saturday i dropped about $800. Id say i spend between $3500 and $7500 a year on trains if not more...but...i only have a car payment, insurance on that car, and a cell phone payment...as i said im never home so i never bothered to move out of my parents house..i mean why waste money on my own place if im never there. So i can spend more than if i lived on my own.

Johnny Dash 9

[Anonymous]

I am a construction management student. I spend about 2500 a year. Hey, I work and save a bunch.

[douginut]

Technical support engineer.
average 50-60 bucks a month
but it adds up over time.


Doug, in Utah

[eastcoast]

As many others have expressed, I am not a millionaire. I just bought a new
dream home after all my life as an adult dealing with landlords and rent.
My family and I settled down and planted roots this time. I HAVE BILLS.
You ask what I do when I am not model railroading ???? I have been in
the profession of SECURITY/ LOSS PREVENTION for 13 years now. I have
worked hard to stay in this career field, believe me. At current, I am a Federal
Security Officer for a VERY recognizable landmark. I AM PROUD TO SERVE.

I find that saving a little money at a time is best and strive to keep my hobby
spending in check. But , sometimes I realize I can go over budget.
I have been collecting my trains and accessories for 18 years and have ridden
the roller coaster of life, like millions of us do. Model Railroading is my peace.

[Anonymous]

Sound Technician. I do some lighting and video as well

[krump]

that's classified, well "almost" [;)] criminal[:p][:D][:D][:D]

[Jetrock]

I'm a social worker (I work at a residential facility for homeless mentally ill adults.) My other part-time "job" is as a musician and experimental-music promoter/nightclub manager.

[Anonymous]

I am an insurance agent and earlier this year I opened my own little one man agency. Not a lot of money at this point, but I'm an old hand at sales and expect to build it up in relatively short order. I spend from $10.00 to $100.00 per month on the hobby. In the past couple of years I have tried to become more focused in my purchasing, buying only those things which directly contribute to the era I am currently modeling. That way I don't come home from a show or the hobby shop with both a 40 foot PS-1 boxcar and a string of well cars for double stacks. Instead I bite my tongue, kick myself and otherwise force myself to buy only that which relates to current modeling efforts. Strangely enough, I find the discipline it takes to manage yourself in a self employed situation is easier than applying the same discipline to the hobby.

Cheers!

Ed

[willy6]

retired USN,work as service advisor for an automotive service center.spend $50-$100 month on the hobby.

[FJ and G]

Retired USMC 74-95

Now, editor, The Military Engineer in Alexandria VA

[Anonymous]

I'm a certified welder for a trailer manufacturer. My Husband is a laborer for the same place.

Since we are just starting in this hobby, we are probably going to spend close to $1000 before year end.

Cindy