and once you find your perfect switch, you cease all your activities besides posting in the off-topic section.
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Great read man, thanks for that. Much like yourself I spent entirely too much money on this hobby in the early days because I got swept up in the hobby, wasn't until I started adding up all the purchases that I realised how reckless I was being. I'd rationalise things however I needed to in order to buy things and then wonder why the items would sit there un-used.
Last year I resolved not to spend more than $100 a month on keyboards and I've been sticking to it so far, the first couple of months I blew through my cash instantly but the last couple I've barely even thought about it. I'm still going to collect but I'm keeping it to things I will actually use (ie. Brobots, Clacks and GMK sets). Luckily I've got two custom 60% boards now in addition to my Filco and four GMK/Cherry sets so that should keep me satisfied until Hyperfuse arrives.
Much happier now, not constantly worrying about how I'm going to pay for GB's or selling off other items to fund the madness. Haven't made a keyboard related purchase on eBay in months either, realised after a while that while it can be fun browsing through eBay looking at all the interesting vintage boards 99% of them are useless for modern boards. Better off buying something with a keycap friendly layout first time and then picking up a decent set of caps off the classifieds instead of stuffing around with vintage sets.
Dude, glad you were able to get it under control. You make a really good point too about browsing. The natural mindset is:
see something cool --> must own it
However it often turns out that owning it is not as great as you expect. A surprising amount of pleasure can be had just by enjoying photos online and living vicariously...
at the end of the day, you'll find a highly correlation between regrettable purchases and 'just because' reasons.you never know if buying a keyboard with the desirable seemingly-perfect switch will be regrettable or not.
at the end of the day, you'll find a highly correlation between regrettable purchases and 'just because' reasons.you never know if buying a keyboard with the desirable seemingly-perfect switch will be regrettable or not.
a tester will show you 20% of truth.at the end of the day, you'll find a highly correlation between regrettable purchases and 'just because' reasons.you never know if buying a keyboard with the desirable seemingly-perfect switch will be regrettable or not.
Most of those problems can be solved with a switch tester these days though, at least with MX. Most people should be able to narrow it down to one or two switches based off a couple of minutes with the tester. Topre is a whole other story though and it can be pricey to try them out, one of the main reasons I haven't gone down that path.
I stopped looking at classifieds.
And then I found that someone sold an OG Tri in Deskthority classifieds for just $80 Euro! OMG!!!!!!I stopped looking at classifieds.
This is a big one for me. Apart from a quick glance every now and again for clack trades I don't bother looking at FS items. The first 6 months I practically lived in that sub!
and once you find your perfect switch, you cease all your activities besides posting in the off-topic section.
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And therefore the spending will not stop. tp4, you are not helping in this thread!
Keyboard height, placement, chair, it all has to come together for a complete experience..
And therefore the spending will not stop. tp4, you are not helping in this thread!
Keyboard height, placement, chair, it all has to come together for a complete experience..
2015: The year of the anti-wallethack. Long live budgeting, saving, and most importantly: counting your stacks.
Joking aside, I've always wondered how people supported this hobby. I've had a budgeting system that I've put into place when I first started my real job. I've broken that budget a few times but overall, I've kept it on pace. Which is definitely a good thing.
The second reason why I loved meetups so much is that it was a much cheaper way to experience *A LOT* about this hobby with minimal investment. Obviously the first reason is that so many GHers are cool to hang out with. But it's great to see that some of you are realizing that keeping your money right is just as important as owning that next Clack.
I know I was snarky about the budgeting stuff in another thread but I forget that not everyone grew up in a household where saving and budgeting was strict and the normal. Hopefully this helps someone people realize that they call be a baller on a budget ;)
And seriously, if you want help with your finances, check out Mint.com. I used that for a while until I setup a system that works for me.
not trying to be rude or anything but I often wondered how anyone can be a week to week guy? Do you just spend all the money you earn on good stuff - expensive food, clothes, entertainment, booze, clacks, cars, girls or something? I mean, I don't think I have ever had to live on a week to week. It's a very scary thing to me. I always make sure I have savings for rainy days.
Saving is a massive goal for me this year. I've been a week to week guy my whole life despite earning good money and now that I'm getting older I just want to have a safety net. I'm on the right track though, last year put me about $5K in debt being out of work for so long but now that I'm working again I've got that cleared up and I next month I should finally be in the black.
not trying to be rude or anything but I often wondered how anyone can be a week to week guy? Do you just spend all the money you earn on good stuff - expensive food, clothes, entertainment, booze, clacks, cars, girls or something? I mean, I don't think I have ever had to live on a week to week. It's a very scary thing to me. I always make sure I have savings for rainy days.
Saving is a massive goal for me this year. I've been a week to week guy my whole life despite earning good money and now that I'm getting older I just want to have a safety net. I'm on the right track though, last year put me about $5K in debt being out of work for so long but now that I'm working again I've got that cleared up and I next month I should finally be in the black.
Expensive in Perth? They say that there's nothing to do there! I'd imagine Sydney or Melbourne being more up and expensive.not trying to be rude or anything but I often wondered how anyone can be a week to week guy? Do you just spend all the money you earn on good stuff - expensive food, clothes, entertainment, booze, clacks, cars, girls or something? I mean, I don't think I have ever had to live on a week to week. It's a very scary thing to me. I always make sure I have savings for rainy days.
Saving is a massive goal for me this year. I've been a week to week guy my whole life despite earning good money and now that I'm getting older I just want to have a safety net. I'm on the right track though, last year put me about $5K in debt being out of work for so long but now that I'm working again I've got that cleared up and I next month I should finally be in the black.
Nah that's not rude man, happy to explain! Honestly I've had pretty bad impulse control issues my whole life, drank a lot when I was younger but I'm coming up on 2 years without a drink now so I'm starting to put things together. Weirdly my dad was always really good with money and tried to instil good habits but once I moved out of home and had to take care of myself that all kind of went out the window.
It is pretty easy to blow through cash on day to day life in my city though, it is ridiculously expensive to live here.
Expensive in Perth? They say that there's nothing to do there! I'd imagine Sydney or Melbourne being more up and expensive.not trying to be rude or anything but I often wondered how anyone can be a week to week guy? Do you just spend all the money you earn on good stuff - expensive food, clothes, entertainment, booze, clacks, cars, girls or something? I mean, I don't think I have ever had to live on a week to week. It's a very scary thing to me. I always make sure I have savings for rainy days.
Saving is a massive goal for me this year. I've been a week to week guy my whole life despite earning good money and now that I'm getting older I just want to have a safety net. I'm on the right track though, last year put me about $5K in debt being out of work for so long but now that I'm working again I've got that cleared up and I next month I should finally be in the black.
Nah that's not rude man, happy to explain! Honestly I've had pretty bad impulse control issues my whole life, drank a lot when I was younger but I'm coming up on 2 years without a drink now so I'm starting to put things together. Weirdly my dad was always really good with money and tried to instil good habits but once I moved out of home and had to take care of myself that all kind of went out the window.
It is pretty easy to blow through cash on day to day life in my city though, it is ridiculously expensive to live here.
I did this pretty hardcore with headphones and I did it with keyboards. In the end, I wound up with three pair of headphones and four keyboards that I use regularly. I have a few extra sets of caps (ugh, Topre!) and some odds and ends I probably don't need.
However, I can't say I would be where I am on either "hobby" without having gone through a LOT of stuff to get there. It's weird. Psychologically, I know that dropping a dime on something is better (USUALLY) than dropping a nickel, but rarely do I do it. I should have just started with an HHKB and a Poker II (plus mods), but I didn't. I went through the motions (BlackWidow Ultimate > Das Keyboard > ...) and got to where I was. Fortunately, I had someone to buy most of my other keyboards.
Either way, it's a good cautionary tale. I'm looking into other hobbies now (cameras!) and doing research and then buying. I love experiencing things, but when you're looking at $600+ for a good lens, it gets a bit more daunting than a $80 keyboard or $40 set of caps.
Anyway, great post. Good advice. Sound logic.
Usually, I am a serial hobbyist, jumping from one hobby to the next in approximately six month intervals. But I have found something here, with the support (enabling?) of fellow Geekhackers, that just speaks to me for some reason. I too have done pretty well financially in the past few years, and allowed that to be an excuse for my spending.
madness induce buttons
and once you find your perfect switch, you cease all your activities besides posting in the off-topic section.
(Attachment Link)
My gosh rowdy, you house must be a junkyard or something. I'm surprise the missus does not get pissed off with you!
Now that my student loans have kicked in and are stealing away half of my income (WHAT?? :eek: ), I've had to be even more mindful of my spending, so I'm actually really happy that I started thinking about this a few months ago. I started a mindset of spending less, and it has made the adjustment much easier. :thumb:
... a HHKB, a B.mini, a GON HHKB styled 60%, a Viper, and an Octagon. Done.
Now that my student loans have kicked in and are stealing away half of my income (WHAT?? :eek: ), I've had to be even more mindful of my spending, so I'm actually really happy that I started thinking about this a few months ago. I started a mindset of spending less, and it has made the adjustment much easier. :thumb:
Welcome to debt slavery, the modern American tradition.
... a HHKB, a B.mini, a GON HHKB styled 60%, a Viper, and an Octagon. Done.
Whoa. That must be nearly $2k of keyboards :O
Now that my student loans have kicked in and are stealing away half of my income (WHAT?? :eek: ), I've had to be even more mindful of my spending, so I'm actually really happy that I started thinking about this a few months ago. I started a mindset of spending less, and it has made the adjustment much easier. :thumb:
Welcome to debt slavery, the modern American tradition.
:-\ I'm just thankful to be in a position where I can pay off the loans. :-X But yes, welcome indeed... :rolleyes:
Would you want to be the guy with thousands of dollars worth of expensive keyboards but never does anything meaningful with them, or the guy with a cheap standard rubber dome keyboard but codes awesome software, or makes kickass music and videos, or writes amazing novels and screenplay on that keyboard?
Would you want to be the guy with thousands of dollars worth of expensive keyboards but never does anything meaningful with them, or the guy with a cheap standard rubber dome keyboard but codes awesome software, or makes kickass music and videos, or writes amazing novels and screenplay on that keyboard?
You're drawing conclusions here that force your argument. You're viewing the keyboard only as a tool, a mean to an end, rather than as a possible "end". And you might say "well surely a keyboard is a tool, you use it to accomplish tasks." and you're right. But then why is writing amazing novels and screenplays a valued activity? Why can't the keyboard be as artistic and valued as a screenplay? Why can't I spend a bunch of money here to eventually end up with a keyboard that I view to be more valuable than any screenplay you could ever write? And who are you to tell me that it is or is not as valuable as I've just said it is?
I understand where your argument is coming from, and I don't strictly disagree; I just think that the root of your argument only applies if you share the same opinions and values as you do.
Would you want to be the guy with thousands of dollars worth of expensive keyboards but never does anything meaningful with them, or the guy with a cheap standard rubber dome keyboard but codes awesome software, or makes kickass music and videos, or writes amazing novels and screenplay on that keyboard?
You're drawing conclusions here that force your argument. You're viewing the keyboard only as a tool, a mean to an end, rather than as a possible "end". And you might say "well surely a keyboard is a tool, you use it to accomplish tasks." and you're right. But then why is writing amazing novels and screenplays a valued activity? Why can't the keyboard be as artistic and valued as a screenplay? Why can't I spend a bunch of money here to eventually end up with a keyboard that I view to be more valuable than any screenplay you could ever write? And who are you to tell me that it is or is not as valuable as I've just said it is?
I understand where your argument is coming from, and I don't strictly disagree; I just think that the root of your argument only applies if you share the same opinions and values as you do.
Yes, but I didn't dictate what is or isn't meaningful--I said you have to assess what your own aspirations and life goals are--it could be anything, from being an Olympian athlete, a special forces operator, a professional gamer, a chef, a great father, a wonderful son, a noble humanitarian, a scientist, a custom keyboard designer/builder, to anything else. Keyboard hobby (or any other hobby) only becomes a problem if it's stealing too much time/energy/money away from your more important aspirations and responsibilities in life, and if your aspiration/goal IS to become a great keyboard modder/designer/manufacturer/retailer, then your keyboard hobby is no longer a hobby but a serious pursuit in your life. And of course, the pursuit of having an amazing keyboard in and of itself can be an aspiration/goal, and I'm not making any value judgments on whether that is a worthy goal--only you can make that judgment.
Think about what's causing your anxiety with "missing out" on group buys, or must have the latest and greatest, or the need to hoard a collection. Does it have anything to do with negative personality traits that you'd like to eradicate? Is it insecurity? Emptiness? low self-esteem? Lack of meaning in your life? Self-loathing? The need to instant gratification? Avoiding more important things in your life because they are much harder to accomplish/deal with? When you can home in on the real cause of your behavior, it'll be a lot easier to control your behavior and change your mentality.Great write up, Lunatique. Lots of points to ponder upon but I really like what you said about negative personality traits. This probably hit home for me and it is something that I have been thinking a lot on. And it is not just keyboard related. Before I discovered keyboard, I spent money on video games. Those Steam sales are pretty damning to the wallet and I can't help but buy them, even though I know I might not have the time to play the games. It's always a 'one day I will get to them' excuse. I stopped buying video games and the recent winter sales only saw me buying one game. Which is a great achievement for me. But of course, I bought a lot more keyboard stuff in Dec... so I didn't really improve, just shifted the focus from video games to keyboards.
Note: This is a pretty personal message but I suspect it'll resonate with some folks, hope you find it worthwhile. I know it was helpful for me to put this into writing.
When you get into the mechanical keyboard hobby, you learn a few things right away:
- Acquiring stuff is part & parcel of the hobby -- it's an inherently materialistic pursuit
- There's always something new to try, and the 'perfect switch' to chase
- You're always subject to the fear of missing out (FOMO) because of Group Buy and artisan dynamics - the really interesting stuff isn't available at regular retail, so there's constant pressure to buy now or get left behind
- Building a collection this way is addicting - it's called WalletHack for a reason
Great thread, thank you all for sharing. I'm a noob and I am somehow afraid to dig deeper into this world as I might see myself spending unrational amounts of money on keyboards and related stuff.
This is just a dumb thread.
If you can't control your spending, get married.
If you can't afford anything, make more money.
If you can't find the perfect keyboard, get a HHKB Type-S
If you have mental issues like 95% of this board, smack yourself or drink coffee.
No need to make threads about this.
i'm willing to bet a lot of people would get rid of a good chunk of their stuff if it wasn't for their hoarding issues. deep down they know, hhkb is the only board they need.
Great thread, thank you all for sharing. I'm a noob and I am somehow afraid to dig deeper into this world as I might see myself spending unrational amounts of money on keyboards and related stuff.
Great thread, thank you all for sharing. I'm a noob and I am somehow afraid to dig deeper into this world as I might see myself spending unrational amounts of money on keyboards and related stuff.
This hobby is a very dark, and lonely hole of ***, nobody around you will understand why you have paid hundreds for a piece of utilitarian old technology that can easily be replaced with a cheap modern keyboard, of course, you will come here immediately looking for your peers reinforcement. However, you will always have secret regrets on your purchases unless you have reach the point where you were indoctrinated into the clacks extremes, then, you will think that paying hundreds for a piece of plastic is totally right, a piece of plastic that most of your close people will think is fugly; when you reach that point, then a new board or key set that cost hundreds will look cheaper in comparison, after all, a nice metal case values more than a clack, what am I saying?. Any way, welcome to the GH reality distortion field, where members will encourage you to spend, and that will hit you with rocks when you ask why something is so expensive... some day you will start writing your very own thread titled "I am deeply depressed because...".
demik has attained keyboard enlightenment!i'm willing to bet a lot of people would get rid of a good chunk of their stuff if it wasn't for their hoarding issues. deep down they know, hhkb is the only board they need.
/me sobs.
It's like you know me.
... I am depressed.
(Attachment Link)
... I am depressed.
(Attachment Link)
OH MY GOD! I've been so blind! GeekHack isn't really a site devoted to keyboards. It's research honeypot/marketing machine for Taylor Swift.
That must mean... you are all alt accounts for Taylor Swift?!
Oh my god, I have to wipe my profile before the TS mafia hunts me down and silences me.
every thread
I am sure she is fapping over her new Mopar Diagnostic Machine and SSK as we speak,
come for the keyboards
stay for the community
Mopar Diagnostic Machine with SSK = GeekHack Sybian?
This is a well thought out and written thread. Please don't derailed it with GIF :p
This is a well thought out and written thread. Please don't derailed it with GIF :p
Dear Mr. Belfong: Just in case you have not noticed it, the thread has been derailed already, and not only by the GIFs; in any case these have embellished the otherwise dark and lonely stack of sadness the thread was before.
I've noticed I have felt no remorse selling any of my boards or caps, which is rather refreshing, that way I don't get attached so any of it and I feel okay with selling at a reasonable price.
I've noticed I have felt no remorse selling any of my boards or caps, which is rather refreshing, that way I don't get attached so any of it and I feel okay with selling at a reasonable price.
Welcome the GHA -geekhackers anonymous support group- where geekhackers are in recovery to be again productive and happy citizens.
So, I've changed my mind.
**** it, embrace the wallethack. :D
"We throw our money
Into the vaporous void
Sometimes we get stuff"
Great thread, thank you all for sharing. I'm a noob and I am somehow afraid to dig deeper into this world as I might see myself spending unrational amounts of money on keyboards and related stuff.
honestly, ignore novelty caps and keysets, and you'll be fine.
nobody here actually needs all the keyboards they have. we could all live with our main board. and i'm willing to bet a lot of people would get rid of a good chunk of their stuff if it wasn't for their hoarding issues. deep down they know, hhkb is the only board they need. and if they don't, well, they deserve to go broke for not following the topre way.
Update...
Doing well almost two months in....
Have only bought one item I didn't plan for in OP.... a TECK from Binge.... also have sold some stuff that I was just sitting on...
The addiction is loosening its grip...
What if there is a Bro Caps sale in March?Well, since I never win, it won't matter if I skip it, right?
ha ha ... we will be watching! :cool:What if there is a Bro Caps sale in March?Well, since I never win, it won't matter if I skip it, right?
I have now learned in the months of late Feb and early March, wallethack is almost inevitable because of all the GB's and boards.
the former, obviously. getting your wallet hacked in the first place is a guarantee once you signed up for the site. matter of time more than anythingI know intelli was looking for a TA and even offered finders fee. I didn't realize intelli was the OP of this thread. My spirit is broken! The only person whom I thought is wise turned out to break his own promises! I'm disillusioned! I should spend spend spend!
intelli, what are your feelings on acquiring your grail board? and do you see yourself getting hack'd further this year?
I should spend spend spend!
I just spent $500 on weeaboo crap..wtf! what is that?
Don't ask..
Fvck..
I just spent $500 on weeaboo crap..wtf! what is that?
Don't ask..
Fvck..
I just spent $500 on weeaboo crap..wtf! what is that?
Don't ask..
Fvck..
$500 in watermelons
I just spent $500 on weeaboo crap..wtf! what is that?
Don't ask..
Fvck..
$500 in watermelons
just to Drop the watermelons
I just spent $500 on weeaboo crap..
Don't ask..
Fvck..
I just spent $500 on weeaboo crap..$500 in sex toys
Don't ask..
Fvck..
I just want to say, I am reading all the replies. Thanks for sharing your stories! I hope everyone is eventually able to achieve peace of mind and wallet.Is that the reason you are unloading some caps, speaking of which I've also PMed you, if it's still available :)
I did a bad thing: BroCaps sale. With the new prices it's amazing how quickly the total rises.
Going to need to unload some of my artisan collection to compensate. And hope that the end of V2's means future sales are less tenping... Yeah, right...
Ah! You are whining, that you've earned too much money, so you had to spend an insane amount of it on keyboards. Zero comiseration for that from my side :-) Obviously things in your life go way too well, so that you don't suffer from real problems. Don't get me wrong. I envy you for your "little" problems.
And I don't think that this hobby is mainly about spending money and piling up goods. For me it is about learning the technical knowhow for do-it-yourself keyboards, which aren't even necessarily expensive. Tinkering and getting things done normal people have no ability for. That is keyboard hacking for me. McGuyvering keyboards, so to say.
If this was a one sentence thing, it might have been a joke, but this took some time to write, and obviously thought went into it. Mega douchey, because someone else's spending, especially someone you don't know personally, should be none of your business.Ah! You are whining, that you've earned too much money, so you had to spend an insane amount of it on keyboards. Zero comiseration for that from my side :-) Obviously things in your life go way too well, so that you don't suffer from real problems. Don't get me wrong. I envy you for your "little" problems.
And I don't think that this hobby is mainly about spending money and piling up goods. For me it is about learning the technical knowhow for do-it-yourself keyboards, which aren't even necessarily expensive. Tinkering and getting things done normal people have no ability for. That is keyboard hacking for me. McGuyvering keyboards, so to say.
Unless you're joking, this is super douchey. You can always argue that there are worse problems, but this is something I know at least I struggle with as well. It's just being personally responsible, I'm sure the man has other problems in his life as well.
Ah! You are whining, that you've earned too much money, so you had to spend an insane amount of it on keyboards. Zero comiseration for that from my side :-) Obviously things in your life go way too well, so that you don't suffer from real problems. Don't get me wrong. I envy you for your "little" problems.
And I don't think that this hobby is mainly about spending money and piling up goods. For me it is about learning the technical knowhow for do-it-yourself keyboards, which aren't even necessarily expensive. Tinkering and getting things done normal people have no ability for. That is keyboard hacking for me. McGuyvering keyboards, so to say.
But the more I think about it, this is by far the best keyboard ive had in my life, and I never used to even fuss over what keyboard I used to complete the task. The keyboard is a tool, and if the tool you have is good and still works, then why look to replace it?
My problem is artisan caps. They're rare so if you get into a sale or find a cap forsale you feel like you have to take part or forever lose your chance, then you have to search forever for one again.
My problem is artisan caps. They're rare so if you get into a sale or find a cap forsale you feel like you have to take part or forever lose your chance, then you have to search forever for one again.
The thing with keycaps especially the rare one, the liquidity is high in the market from what I see
so if one day you need money, somehow you can just sell at the price you get it and there will always/almost someone who will buy it
keyboards market is growing fast nowdays, especially in Asia
You know, on my introduction thread Rowdy posted a link to this one and I'm really glad he did (it's a fantastic idea to do this with new members). Reading through this has actually prompted me to edit my original post since I realized this isn't something to joke about (and my post was, in essence, in jest).
Last month I bought a really nice guitar, learned a couple chord progressions in a few weeks, then returned it within the grace period (thankfully). I wanted to play guitar because I thought it would impress other people and make me seem like a more well-rounded person. When I actually got one, and realized the motives behind the purchase, I couldn't bring myself to do it. This brought on a period of sober introspection wherein I've gotten rid of pretty much everything I owned that I did not use or could not come up with a reason to keep. I was hard on myself -- nothing is left except the things I absolutely use (e.g., bed, fan, desk), will use for reference (e.g., textbooks), or derive pleasure from (e.g., jump ropes, history books, classical music). It has been one of the best decisions of my life, and in the process, I've gotten organized, have a spreadsheet of everything I own, and have a greater capacity to empathize with others who live with less. Obviously this extreme isn't for everyone, but it is possible to break free and control yourself. It's not easy though.
I think the most important quality of frugality is not recognizing what you can't have, but recognizing what you already have. I live in America. I have parents that value my education and are paying for my undergraduate degree so that I don't come out laden with debt. I have been blessed with intellect and have scholarships easing the load on my parents. But it could be different things for different people. Family; relationships; a passion for humanity and the plight of others; spirituality; there are plenty of things to find contentment in that don't require the acquiring of material possessions or FOMO thinking. If you define yourself by your needs, hopes, aspirations, and goals within the realm of keyboards, what other people have is only of concern so much as it enables you to enjoy a shared connection.
My purpose for joining GH was because I enjoyed the community spirit and valued the advice that could be obtained therein. Like others before me on this thread, I'm not here to have this become a dominant part of who I am, I'm here to get enough knowledge of keyboards to make the purchase that will tide me over for the rest of my life, and give back to the community as much as I can. I'm a very research oriented individual, and GH (along with DT and r/MechanicalKeyboards) provide the means to find the best keyboard for me based off the help of others who are more knowledgeable in the area than I am. I code for coursework and write a lot on the side, so typing (and keyboards) have become important to me since they directly affect things I am passionate about. It could be that you are passionate about keyboards themselves, or modding and the maker movement. Whatever you do, keyboards need to have a purpose when you buy them. The purpose for me is utilitarian. The purpose for you might be hours of enjoyment from soldering PCBs and switches and comparing ABS and PBT keycap sets. But we can't pass judgement on each other's motives because only we know the necessity or pointlessness of our own purchases, and only we can change ourselves -- if we are honest enough to look inward and see why we really do things.
Just my 2c
Good for you. I hope GeekHack's legacy reflects that sense of community you mentioned. I personally don't visit the classifieds. I've taken part in several group buys, though, and my favorite part about them is the sense of teamwork and camaraderie (and sometimes hype) leading up to the end of a buy, particularly towards the end.
Establish self control early on. It is a valuable life asset. It's especially unique for a college student. You will likely experience another wave of materialism, though, some day when you've become established in a career and are enjoying your first period of relative success. Just know that it's okay to responsibly indulge your interests and enjoy "things."
Among the objects of contentment you listed was spirituality. As a person whose faith is very important to me, I've noticed sometimes people think that having nice things is antithetical to religious devotion. But as Solomon says, "Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one's labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward." This obviously needs to be understood in context of everything else the Bible teaches (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, to name a few). The point is, do your work, meet your obligations (family, etc.), and then enjoy life.
I now see that I spent most of my life in doing neither what I ought nor what I liked.
Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb,
and as everyone comes, so they depart.
They take nothing from their toil
that they can carry in their hands.
Ecclesiastes 5:15
I also thought, "As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust and to dust all return. Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?" So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?
Ecclesiastes 3:18-22
Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we shall die.
1st Corinthians 15:32b
I appreciate the context and structure of the book, but I don't think you should dismiss Solomon's findings; he's still the wisest man that ever lived. And my point was that it's okay--and even necessary--to enjoy hobbies and recreation (such as keyboards) in moderation, balance, and proportion to life's other obligations.I really don't think we're expressing different ideas, we're just using different words and emphasizing slightly different aspects of Solomon's message. Hobbies, recreation, and relaxation are God ordained and a necessary part of a believer's life. Moderation, like you said, is the important part. I think generally I tend to come down a bit harder than I probably should sometimes on such things because the Church visible in our day tends to emphasize them disproportionately and ignore the fearing God part of Solomon's message. Or, to put it more bluntly, I think people could do with a bit more sobriety and a bit less hedonism (on the whole). It's probably better in the overall scheme of things to pursue God a bit "too zealously" than not enough :).
My update : D
I downsized my whole collection and am selling all my extra stuff, and w/ the low end / medium customs I have, I sold enough of them to afford a high-end board. Once everything finishes selling, I will only have 2 boards and a few key sets.
My update : D
I downsized my whole collection and am selling all my extra stuff, and w/ the low end / medium customs I have, I sold enough of them to afford a high-end board. Once everything finishes selling, I will only have 2 boards and a few key sets.
For the store, not me ;DMy update : D
I downsized my whole collection and am selling all my extra stuff, and w/ the low end / medium customs I have, I sold enough of them to afford a high-end board. Once everything finishes selling, I will only have 2 boards and a few key sets.
...and a stack of Leeku PCB's.
So far my strategy of buying the most expensive keyboard I could find and then nothing else is going nicely. Don't see myself ever buying another keyboard, just working through some restorarion and modding projects for the price of materials. Quality over quantity has been my modus operandi and I think that's been helpful.
So far my strategy of buying the most expensive keyboard I could find and then nothing else is going nicely. Don't see myself ever buying another keyboard, just working through some restorarion and modding projects for the price of materials. Quality over quantity has been my modus operandi and I think that's been helpful.
The 356 Mini, right? O.o
And what about all those other keyboards in your sig? ;) :P
So far my strategy of buying the most expensive keyboard I could find and then nothing else is going nicely. Don't see myself ever buying another keyboard, just working through some restorarion and modding projects for the price of materials. Quality over quantity has been my modus operandi and I think that's been helpful.
The 356 Mini, right? O.o
And what about all those other keyboards in your sig? ;) :P
I'm going to open up a bit and admit that I've got a bit of a problem when it comes to spending on keyboards (not beyond my means though, just more than what should be spent).I think this is a pretty common problem among Geekhack here, so nothing to fear, I guess.
I'm going to open up a bit and admit that I've got a bit of a problem when it comes to spending on keyboards (not beyond my means though, just more than what should be spent).I think this is a pretty common problem among Geekhack here, so nothing to fear, I guess.
I'm going to open up a bit and admit that I've got a bit of a problem when it comes to spending on keyboards (not beyond my means though, just more than what should be spent).I think this is a pretty common problem among Geekhack here, so nothing to fear, I guess.
Thread is obsolete - expired last year.
Thread is obsolete - expired last year.
It never expires for those with the problem. Like me. So far I've done computers (very expensive), bags, computer games, board games, rpg games, tech gadgets, kickstarters, and I'm sure more. Now it's keyboards. As we are keyboard enthusiasts, I think we should also continually support each other in this. Sometimes just talking to someone with the same problems helps, I've found.
Did I say that?
When did I say that?
I point people towards this thread all the time!
Thread is obsolete - expired last year.
Did I say that?
When did I say that?
I point people towards this thread all the time!Thread is obsolete - expired last year.
Perhaps I misunderstood your meaning. But thread is obsolete means... thread is obsolete?
Did I say that?
When did I say that?
I point people towards this thread all the time!Thread is obsolete - expired last year.
Perhaps I misunderstood your meaning. But thread is obsolete means... thread is obsolete?
"Unhacking the wallet in 2015"
It is no longer 2015, therefore thread is 'expired' ;)
Did I say that?
When did I say that?
I point people towards this thread all the time!Thread is obsolete - expired last year.
Perhaps I misunderstood your meaning. But thread is obsolete means... thread is obsolete?
"Unhacking the wallet in 2015"
It is no longer 2015, therefore thread is 'expired' ;)
Hi, I'm John and I'm a recovering gadget-a-holic. I'm much better since the self-imposed moratorium on browsing after drinking.
Hi, I'm John and I'm a recovering gadget-a-holic. I'm much better since the self-imposed moratorium on browsing after drinking.
:)) Welcome John! I wish you luck in avoiding the wallethack.
I have decided in 2016 to get my finances in order once and for all. I only have a few things I would like to spend money on in this hobby now, those being orange artisans, my customs in the mail, and maybe GMK Classic Beige if we can ever get it going again.
The rest will be saved for my current car, a prospective car towards the end of 2016, and maybe another Kustom if I can get one for a reasonable price. I can't give in to Classifieds and Group Buys like I have been doing this year. I've managed to steer clear of Massdrop largely, other than GMK RGBYK, but I don't plan to buy much else on there, even if I would like to get in on the GMK SNES buy.
Granite is going to be on PMK soon as a regular item, so we should have that set coming out our ears.
Granite is going to be on PMK soon as a regular item, so we should have that set coming out our ears.
Granite is going to be on PMK soon as a regular item, so we should have that set coming out our ears.
PBT or ABS?
I'm at the point where I know I have too much money sank into them, but for the sake of the collection I'm not going to sell any because that would mean all my work would've been for nothing.I am past this stage and now all I am doing is just buying when the maker has sales and if I win them, I'll be happy, if not, I will just enjoy the photos. I am content with my collection and use the keys daily and changing them as often as I like. I have enough to cycle around. But yeah, I have stopped looking at Classifieds and scorned at eBays. You should be glad you are only focusing on one design instead of multiple. I am limiting my choices to BBv2, Clacks and hopefully Ewoks.
I'm at the point where I know I have too much money sank into them, but for the sake of the collection I'm not going to sell any because that would mean all my work would've been for nothing.I am past this stage and now all I am doing is just buying when the maker has sales and if I win them, I'll be happy, if not, I will just enjoy the photos. I am content with my collection and use the keys daily and changing them as often as I like. I have enough to cycle around. But yeah, I have stopped looking at Classifieds and scorned at eBays. You should be glad you are only focusing on one design instead of multiple. I am limiting my choices to BBv2, Clacks and hopefully Ewoks.
Granite is going to be on PMK soon as a regular item, so we should have that set coming out our ears.
PBT or ABS?
Just bought a Realforce 10AE 104UB-KB45S XF140S. Figured I might as well put my chips in and really give Topre a shot.What a great product name!
I need to get away from keyboards, seriously. :P
I think I slightly unhacked my wallet by selling $2500 of artisans... Getting there.
I think I slightly unhacked my wallet by selling $2500 of artisans... Getting there.
There's no getting away from this hobby unless you literally just pull back from the community or somehow resist the temptation of every hot new thing coming out every other week or showing up on the classifieds.There are very few new things coming out, though, and even fewer provide any benefits.
Definitely food for thought. Bough my Corsaird K70 Vengeance back in september, my very first mechanical keyboard. Thought very long and hard for years about getting a vintage IBM Model M and just purchased a 1986 one that's 2 months older than myself. Got another one from 1992 right away that's arriving today while the 1986 one is in the US and a friend is bringing it over when she's coming over to the Netherlands. Now I'm finding myself spending on various drops on Massdrop to get cool switches and caps.So long as you don't go into artisan and is just buying keyboards, I think you are fine. I feel sorry for your wallet IF you start being curious about artisan :eek: :p
The reason why I'm not feeling too bothered is the feeling that I should've been on this forum years ago. In other words, I'm spending money on an investment long overdue: quality keyboards with some style. For someone working with videogames for over a decade, I feel very late to the mechanical keyboard party.
Let's see where this goes Wallethack will take me eh :D?
Definitely food for thought. Bough my Corsaird K70 Vengeance back in september, my very first mechanical keyboard. Thought very long and hard for years about getting a vintage IBM Model M and just purchased a 1986 one that's 2 months older than myself. Got another one from 1992 right away that's arriving today while the 1986 one is in the US and a friend is bringing it over when she's coming over to the Netherlands. Now I'm finding myself spending on various drops on Massdrop to get cool switches and caps.So long as you don't go into artisan and is just buying keyboards, I think you are fine. I feel sorry for your wallet IF you start being curious about artisan :eek: :p
The reason why I'm not feeling too bothered is the feeling that I should've been on this forum years ago. In other words, I'm spending money on an investment long overdue: quality keyboards with some style. For someone working with videogames for over a decade, I feel very late to the mechanical keyboard party.
Let's see where this goes Wallethack will take me eh :D?
I haven't been doing anything with keebs lately.
I've resisted a couple of boards I've really liked, and felt the relief when the GB period has ended, which is some small victory for common sense.
I have only joined in a couple of GB for key caps that I really like, far from the group hyping train. The key is not to let the hype building thing to catch you in.Yeah I'm only in for solarized dark and that's because I really loved the set. I've been trying to be smarter about which artisan sales I enter too and not just go hog wild. It's been hard, but having a goal in mind helps too.
I think the worst moments I've ever had in this hobby were literally pacing back and forth considering what I should buy, and literally mulling over it for hours on end to convince myself it was fine. I was dealing with a **** ton of cognitive dissonance and that was really horrible. It's true that this hobby can pull out tendencies that are dangerously close to substance abuse.
2.5 years later, I can conclusively say my wallet is unhacked. What finally worked?
Taking a huge step back... a complete break from keyboards and other money-hungry hobbies. Quitting cold-turkey. I found scaling back to not be effective. It helped some but I never really felt like I had things under control.
Only stopping completely and staying stopped for 1 year+ truly fixed me.
2.5 years later, I can conclusively say my wallet is unhacked. What finally worked?
Taking a huge step back... a complete break from keyboards and other money-hungry hobbies. Quitting cold-turkey. I found scaling back to not be effective. It helped some but I never really felt like I had things under control.
Only stopping completely and staying stopped for 1 year+ truly fixed me.
This is a big reason I stopped posting on GH. It wasn't possible to develop new habits while continuing to participate in keyboard discussions and be exposed to all the new products.
Interesting things to note. At the end of it all, after going through 100+ keyboards, the couple I kept were the ones I started out with. If you're just now starting to go down the rabbit hole, be careful. Don't chase perfection...it absolutely doesn't exist. With every new keyboard, the novelty wears off sooner. The getting is never as good as the wanting. And you can end up making yourself pretty unhappy with this cycle.
It's all about habits, I think. You need to rewire your brain by performing the correct action over and over until it's the default.I think the worst moments I've ever had in this hobby were literally pacing back and forth considering what I should buy, and literally mulling over it for hours on end to convince myself it was fine. I was dealing with a **** ton of cognitive dissonance and that was really horrible. It's true that this hobby can pull out tendencies that are dangerously close to substance abuse.
Nailed it..
After reading a lot of old threads it's evident the community is pretty ****ing great here and if you can resist the hype and FOMO it seems like a fine way to hang out online.
I think I've been cured of my keyboard spending habits.
I would decide on something I "need", delay purchasing it for a few weeks, by that time I don't even want it. In fact often times there is a sense of gratefulness upon myself that I didn't go forward with the purchase.
I think I've been cured of my keyboard spending habits.
I would decide on something I "need", delay purchasing it for a few weeks, by that time I don't even want it. In fact often times there is a sense of gratefulness upon myself that I didn't go forward with the purchase.
That's a good approach.
Works even better if you don't have the money for the purchase in the first place.
I just use my paypal account as a buffer for all my "acquisition disorder" items. I make things, sell things, and buy things all separately from my bank account. It helps keep my fun money and my life expenses isolated. Also not growing attached to things helps. I have my 'must keep' items but generally everything has a price tag. Half the fun is gone once something is complete for me.
I just use my paypal account as a buffer for all my "acquisition disorder" items. I make things, sell things, and buy things all separately from my bank account. It helps keep my fun money and my life expenses isolated. Also not growing attached to things helps. I have my 'must keep' items but generally everything has a price tag. Half the fun is gone once something is complete for me.
Yet, you basically have a cognitive dissonance disorder in regards to your finances, or worst, you are a finance bi-polar individual. :p
I have to count myself lucky as I'm not so much collection-focused, so I don't look at rare and vintage items the same way as others. Having particular builds or projects in mind makes this hobby much less spendy than it could be.Funny you mention this, what I had in mind was an ergonomic keyboard that I'd actively use.
I have to count myself lucky as I'm not so much collection-focused, so I don't look at rare and vintage items the same way as others. Having particular builds or projects in mind makes this hobby much less spendy than it could be.Funny you mention this, what I had in mind was an ergonomic keyboard that I'd actively use.
I have to count myself lucky as I'm not so much collection-focused, so I don't look at rare and vintage items the same way as others. Having particular builds or projects in mind makes this hobby much less spendy than it could be.Funny you mention this, what I had in mind was an ergonomic keyboard that I'd actively use.
Quit the Beast while ya'll are ahead..
Tp4 only browses Home improvement tools these days..
Functional above all else.
I have to count myself lucky as I'm not so much collection-focused, so I don't look at rare and vintage items the same way as others. Having particular builds or projects in mind makes this hobby much less spendy than it could be.Funny you mention this, what I had in mind was an ergonomic keyboard that I'd actively use.
Quit the Beast while ya'll are ahead..
Tp4 only browses Home improvement tools these days..
Functional above all else.
But doesn't it usually cost more to make something yourself than buy something a megacorporation has amortized? 🤔
My policy: only go three-wide with group buys at any time - join not more than three concurrent GBs :D
EDIT: In this definition, a GB "ends" when the items have been delivered to my doorstep.
I think that is still very much but it introduces a ceiling. Exception to the rule is allowed if and only if my personal kryptonite occurs, i.e. reruns of GMK Skeletor or Nautilus (guess what - Nautilus 2 is currently in IC).
And I put every item I buy to use, no collecting. This should saturate the "need" to buy eventually.
My policy: only go three-wide with group buys at any time - join not more than three concurrent GBs :D
EDIT: In this definition, a GB "ends" when the items have been delivered to my doorstep.
I think that is still very much but it introduces a ceiling. Exception to the rule is allowed if and only if my personal kryptonite occurs, i.e. reruns of GMK Skeletor or Nautilus (guess what - Nautilus 2 is currently in IC).
And I put every item I buy to use, no collecting. This should saturate the "need" to buy eventually.
What would you do if all three GBs get caught in GB Hell? :confused:
It's certainly a good rule. :thumb: Anything to keep things in check is a positive.
My policy: only go three-wide with group buys at any time - join not more than three concurrent GBs :D
EDIT: In this definition, a GB "ends" when the items have been delivered to my doorstep.
I think that is still very much but it introduces a ceiling. Exception to the rule is allowed if and only if my personal kryptonite occurs, i.e. reruns of GMK Skeletor or Nautilus (guess what - Nautilus 2 is currently in IC).
And I put every item I buy to use, no collecting. This should saturate the "need" to buy eventually.
Well, I am starting on this world now. Kind of.
As the OP I started with a DAS Keyboard, later bought a second one. I kept one at home and another at work. I was really happy and had no idea of what the mech keyboard scene was like.
A while ago, when the virus start hitting, I became aware of custom builds and 60% boards.
More than once I was about to buy stuff for assembling one myself, but refrain since I was having doubts if I could do it. I got some soldering cheap tools, just to understand a bit on how to use it, and to get some of the technique. I ended up buying a Drop Alt, and this is my daily driver since April 2020. I got some keycaps in Ali Express, still not with me due to a few logistic issues. And just today I purchased an used Infinity Ergodox, that should arrive in a few days.
I can feel the trend, the rabbit hole calling me. In December/January I will have at least 2 weeks off, and I want now to buy parts and build my own keyboard, from top to bottom. I still have many doubts on the parts to get, the switches to choose, if a 40%, 60% or Ergodox layout. I go to sleep asking myself if I should go full throttle on soldering or if I should get a hot swapable board. All of it without thinking for a moment how much it would cost. I am playing on the card “I deserve it”, and here is where it gets dangerous.
It is true that as adults we are the captains of our lives, and that our parent’s are not there to stop us to make questionable decisions. But if you are married or have kids, all can change. Today my main deterrent to giving up to the siren call is the judgmental look of my wife, each time a new keyboard appears in the house. If boxes of parts start arriving at the front door, I bet I will have a hard time from her - on her view it is a bad choice of where to spend money. I am aware she will not be happy when the Ergodox arrives...
In a way I thank her. On the other hand, here I am, lurking in a forum on a Sunday morning reading about mech keyboards.
I hope it all ends well...
Are things like computers and bikes (either motorised or human-powered) really investments though?
They are two of my interests (for bikes, human powered) and normal purchases depreciate like crazy, unless you've got something like a mint condition Apple Lisa sitting in it's original sealed box.