talkmagic.co.uk

I believe magic is rather financially cheap compared to other hobbies/interests, although it can cost a fortune.

In the last few weeks i have never spent as much money on magic as i have since i started two years ago, although its not much. I attribute that to me putting an end to purism with cards and everyday objects

All the professionally performing magicians, hobbyists and other magicians, i was wondering approximately how much money and time you have invested in magic since you started and what stuff your money and time has been dedicated to?

I've spent a minimum £100 ($200) each month for the past three to four years and some months as much as £400 (about half a dozen occasions).

Then there's the cost of the time That's the difficult one to calculate.

Spent way too much time and not enough money

(I suppose that's the slightly better of the two evils - not sure if my family would agree).

I typically spend around 4-5hrs a night working on stuff. On my nights out I always take any oppurtunities to perform - so everyday of the week has some time dedicated to magic.

I won't total up my spending the missus might see it! (Sub -£500 though easily )

I reckon I have spent around £7000 altogether.

When I started, I bought anything, whether for close up, kids or stage.

The biggest cheque I wrote was for £3600!!!

These had been discounted as I bought 3 items at the same time.

I hadn't known that at the time, as I had worked it out to almoost £5000.


Now I am working out if I can make my own routines and then buying what I need!!!

C'mon guys, you haven't even graduated into the "real" stuff yet... single effects that cost $15,000.00 to well over $50,000.00 each

When I was doing big illusions I often joked as to how I felt like a farmer; I owned nearly a million dollars in equipment and was dirt poor... this is not an unusual circumstance; especially for those of us that have a chronic pack rat nature.

Magic can get bloody expensive very quick. But it likewise centers on perspective; there is a huge difference between a pro going out and dropping a few hundred or thousand dollars on a piece vs. a hobbyist. One will get away with it as being a "tool" for his vocation while the other will get chewed out by their spouse for bringing more overpriced junk into the house...

Since the age of 6, over 18/19 years, I would estimate I've spent near £25,000. One or two of these were silly 'big' purchases at probably near the £3k mark, and were purely for fantasy, and never used.

From that 'investment', I only have approx £10,000 of stuff hanging around, the rest is all gone. Mostly books, and dvd, and other little bits.

I'm actually ashamed at how much I've spent, as in recent years, books seem to be adequate.

I've probably spent more on cards than anything else. If I need a certain prop, I'll make it myself. With a little creativity, you can make anything from an egg bag ($3 worth of material as opposed to $35) to an impossible prediction box (for around $45 instead of as much as $1500).

Ergo, I've probably only invested $1500 over the few years I've been performing. That doesn't count what my mum bought me as a kid

Ive probally spent about £5000 and most of it was on things that I haven't seen for a long time. Nowadays I spend about £100 a month on things whether it be books, dvd or stuff I see in the high street that I can use.

Man I thought that my spent money (around 1500 euro's) was a lot for a hobbyist but when I see those amounts here it scares me!

Remember some of these guy are 'pros'.

I've been pretty good in my spending.

My magic is kept quite simple, cards, coins, sponge balls, rope, cups and balls so haven't really spent too much at all. I don't own any gimmicks except for the Raven x2 and that was an xmas present.

I doubt that I've spent much more than £200 in the 2 years I've been doing it.

Lady of Mystery wrote:I've been pretty good in my spending.

My magic is kept quite simple, cards, coins, sponge balls, rope, cups and balls so haven't really spent too much at all. I don't own any gimmicks except for the Raven x2 and that was an xmas present.

I doubt that I've spent much more than £200 in the 2 years I've been doing it.

You see thats just typical of the difference between male and 'them'.
Probably spent more on 'sensible purchases' like fluffy cushions etc.
I mean seriously what are cushions for, what purpose do they serve...
deep breaths, slowly calm down, sorry about that I need to go lie down now

hmmmm you're probabaly right Stevie, my spending on shoes, tops, fluffy pink cushions more than makes up for my lack of spending on magic.

I dont know.

Probabaly close to £1000 over the year I have been doing it. Some months ill spend just £50 but others ill just spend stupid amounts on dvd's breeze blocks of cards. £30 a DVD gets expensive then Ive bought Card college and sets like that so thats £100ish a go

Ive been good this year though. I have only spent about £150 so far this year. mainly downloads that I think 'Ah, only £10' and buy 5 of them not to mention the ones that cost $29