For some reason, I jumped on board one expensive hobby, and at a time where I can barely afford it. I'm 17, in High School, working in a Comic Book Store. I find my self living my life at the lowest possible cost. I eat at home as many meals as I possibly can, and eat the smallest and cheapest meal I can when I eat out. I find my self cutting corners in my old hobbies (Electronics, comics, music, etc.) and loosing touch considering I can't afford them.

I am looking into picking up more hours just to pay off one of my kites, and already looking into a new one (Flexifoil Ion)

While I can whine and moan about money, fact of the matter is, I work this much, and pay the money because I simply LOVE kiting. I will continue to work (I will work 12 hour days 3 days a week rather then 5 days a 6 hours to make sure I have days to get out and kite) and continue paying because of this fact. Just wish I was a little bit better off, not in deficits constantly.

Does anyone else notice kiting digging gaping holes in your pockets?

Quote:

Originally posted by barnes I will continue to work (I will work 12 hour days 3 days a week rather then 5 days a 6 hours to make sure I have days to get out and kite) and continue paying because of this fact. Just wish I was a little bit better off, not in deficits constantly. Does anyone else notice kiting digging gaping holes in your pockets?

I was working 5 to 6 days a week 8 to 15 hours a day. was making good money. It was enough to pay the bills and put a little money aside. still had to watch the money. now we are cutting back at work 60 was laid off and alot of hours was cut back. now i work 2 to 5 days 4 to 8 hours a day. talking about cutting into the wallet. cut my check in half or less sometimes. but on the up side it cost nothing to fly the kites i have. even with all the cutbacks we make ends meet and still had enough to buy a new flexi buggy and a 45ft Gomberg Octopus. I found out that if i quit smoking and dipping and putting that money aside ya can save alot of money

Any RICH girls go to that school ? :wink2:

Quote:

Originally posted by snowbird Any RICH girls go to that school ? :wink2:

Haha, if only I could get a girl to buy kites... They are mostly afraid of them.

Luckily I can say I don't smoke, no worries on that part...granted I am in High School, I won't mess around, some money goes to party funds, but thats a rare occasion anyways.

I'm tempted to start looking for a higher paying job. My job right now pays poorly, but I also sit around read, and post on the internet, as I am doing now. Perhaps I will get back into web development if I can find a gig...

This kiting is definately not a poor mans sport, but on the plus side as stated above once you have the kites its free to fly.

Tearing a hole in yor pocket? Who has to pay for kites?:P I am an electrician And I catch myself working harder at picking up the scap copper laying around the job site just to help pay for kites In fact last weekend I took in my scrap anb got 250.00. So I got a Blaze & a NPW. Two kites for recycling.Way to save the planet. It maybe took me a month and a half to gather up. I think I might get another Blade next or a Ozone cult. And then.... I think I will be good for awhile. I need to get more time flying and less time buying thats my problem. I just need to get a loan and open up a kite shop. Oh and dlish, Free to fly? Nice to try to look at it like that but where do you get your gas? And NABX is only 600 miles from here one way! So yes unless you are rich It does more than burn a hole in your pocket! But what dosen't? So I don't really mind spending on what I love to do. I have to look at it that way because I see no end in sight. :P

Pay attention to what kites had the " must have " status a few years ago. Fixed bridle foils aren't changing by leaps and bounds.
Airush has stuck with the Lift and Naish the Torch because they are good kites and they haven't changed much either.
Buy quality used gear. It will serve you better than cheap new stuff + re-sell far easier.

Any rich OLDER ladies around :wink2: :wink2:

Good advise . But for now I It is a matter of opinion what is new and cheap. Right now it is what I can afford and will use the most. I like both new and cheap and used Quality. Variety is the spice of life. Hows that 9m Blade holding up?

The weekend before last I would have been shut out without it. I would have been frustrated with the 7m Bullet but the Blade was just at the point I could set and ride. :singing: It has been the perfect low wind weapon for my size a few times now and is probably the best deal I have made @ $ 200 complete. ( quality used )


The Bridle was stretched because it was used on water but I have that straightened out. Now it flys great. Presently I can say it's my favorite kite because the Pulse is still in the mail :wink2:

I am just tickled. My Quiver is complete !!!! A model of kite in every size I should need. All quality used foils. Accept the $99 ace special and Big Red the 16m Blimp !

Time to start spending money traveling to events !!!! Pity I can't just load up the buggy put up a kite and sail on down the coast to Seaside


BARNES, Life gets better. I got a trade. Now I'm paid $40 an hour to play on the internet and wait for lights to burn out. :duh:

Quote:

Originally posted by snowbird BARNES, Life gets better. I got a trade. Now I'm paid $40 an hour to play on the internet and wait for lights to burn out. :duh:

I'm looking to go to school for Computer Engineering to make sure I can manage a job like that!

yea im going to school so i can get big student loans that i can never pay off. its so much fun yea right. student loans are horrible get me out of this hell we call college.

I was expected to go to Uni' but thought skiing was FAR more important at the time. My father suggested that if I was going to put off Uni' I should pick a trade and at least be working toward a goal until I grew up ( as if that will EVER happen ) $40 an hour stress free and off at 3 ='s a good life to me ! Dad also told me to constantly learn things. I've been distracted from night school and such by this sport but will never regret it. Just like I don't regret putting skiing 1st back then !

My student loans went into car audio - funny how the fancies change as time goes by. Before this kiting nonsense hit me I was all over rc helis. Thankfully kiting has lessened the crash repair bills on that hobby front, the snow has grounded the rc planes and parked the motorcycle (of course that only costs me tires each summer).

I feel quite fortunate to be where I am today but it hasn't always been like this Barnes. I had a job working at a self service gas station through high school. This is when I found myself paycheque to paycheque, desperate for excess cash for hobby spending. Still, it was the sweetest gig ever. Sure, it only paid minimum wage but it was eight hour shifts, worked with my high school schedule and there was an eight bay wash attached where I was able to install my college tuition before I quit ; ) Beat the pants out of the retail job I had before that working for the same wage but only four hour shifts.

The only issue with it was that I had so much time to flip through the magazines and classifieds that I developed a massive list of hobby hopefuls that even included a hang glider at one point! Now, after 10 years in the post graduate workforce I am my own boss and the money has been decent (touch wood) BUT my quiver is really thanks to finding good, used gear here and on eBay.

Cultivate your relationship with your local crew ! As you are doing. When locals see your passion a potential they will get behind you.
Get good and get a sponser !

Great deal on the Blade! Is it a 1,2,3,4? I also paid 220.00 for mine. Ilove that kite.:saint:

Quote:

Originally posted by snowbird Cultivate your relationship with your local crew ! As you are doing. When locals see your passion a potential they will get behind you. Get good and get a sponser !

My local crew is nonexsistent really, but I can travel to other local crews.

Sponsors...yes please. I'm going to start getting pretty serious about learning new tricks and such for this reason. This summer I am going to be hussling. If I walk out of this summer with no injuries, that will be a miracle. :singing:

It's a Blade II but it sleeps in a Blade III bag !

Quote:

Originally posted by Sthrasher38 Great deal on the Blade! Is it a 1,2,3,4? I also paid 220.00 for mine. Ilove that kite.:saint:

Cool.