Managing "hobby" budget

[dlee02]

Just wondering how y'all/yinz go about setting/managing your "hobby" budget? Do you have a set limit/allowance or just go with the flow? If you have a budget, do you set it aside somewhere until you find someone that strikes you fancy?

 

Not interested in exact figures and such, more curious of the methodology and how etc.

 

Any thoughts appreciated

[Rudynate]

The volume of my hiring isn't great enough for me to think I need to manage the budget for it. I look at a lot of guys, but I'm only moved to hire a few times in a year.

[+ Truereview]

::: Pink Soapbox Alert - this thread is one of my triggers!:::

 

I started this hobby very loosely, and over time, my control and discipline freak have taken over. Above all else, my hobby budget is designed and maintained at the beginning of the year only after my bills, savings, charity, etc budgets have been set and accounted for. The hobby budget comes from base salary, never from bonus, commissions earned.

 

I set a per hour and per overnight/daily rate limit for hires. I also set a limit of how many guys per month I will see in my travels. Bc my portfolio is mostly regulars, I start with those I "must see" when I'm in their city. Call me dumb or loyal, but I'm just built that way - regulars to the front of the line always! I also have a cushion to try out new talent (this keeps my portfolio fresh but it is also exciting to meat new guys ). Whenever one of my regulars retires, moves, or becomes otherwise unavailable, I shift that portion of the budget towards someone new to me or another regular that is particularly enticing to me. I'm on the hunt for new talent in Miami btw...please PM me with suggestions!

 

I do have a budget line for hotel since I don't typically host and I'm too picky to be hosted - judge all you want, I'm just very OCD. I never mix hobby hotel stays with my business hotel stays - that's my own ethical compass, not judgin how others choose to handle their hobby. That hotel budget line eats a lot of my overall hobby budget but the peace of mind, the points earned, and the upgrades are fun. I do have an incidentals budget line for things like gifts. My toughest budget line to handle is tips. After I get to know a guy really well, I tend to be a bit of a softy. Thru reading this forum, I learned that a meaningful small gift can make a much greater impact on my companion than a big tip. I'm getting better at managing the tip line item.

 

Finally, I'm constantly looking for ways to improve my budget process. This is why Im an avid forum reader and participant. I learn a ton here. Oh, one more thing, I've added an annual budget for forum $ support. I made a promise to Mr @stevenkesslar that I intend to keep on an annual basis:)

[jawjateck]

I have an annual budget, and yes, I track companion fees and all expenses to ensure I remain under budget. I established the annual budget about 4 years ago when I estimated the fees, travel costs, meals, outings, gifts, etc and determined that I spent way too much hobbying that year. Considering I'm still in my 40s (barely), semi-retired, and hope to live comfortably on my savings for the rest of my life, some restraint is necessary.

 

The good news is that I have over 50% of my available 2016 budget to splurge. I intend to make merry this fall.

[+ Keith30309]

Wow - I feel really inadequate compared to everyone; I'm much more reactive than proactive. My planning horizon is about 6 inches.

[marylander1940]

Just wondering how y'all/yinz go about setting/managing your "hobby" budget? Do you have a set limit/allowance or just go with the flow? If you have a budget, do you set it aside somewhere until you find someone that strikes you fancy?

 

Not interested in exact figures and such, more curious of the methodology and how etc.

 

Any thoughts appreciated

 

I hire twice a month and I always pay cash, I keep that money on the side and I don't touch (cash) my stock. I used to have a renter in my basement who would pay in cash I still have some of it, I kept it all for my hobby.

[+ Truereview]

My planning horizon is about 6 inches.

Size doesn't matter in budget planning... Kidding aside, in my view, every budgeting process is good as long as you are being thoughtful on managing finances bc this hobby can be not only a luxury but can also get out of control.

[+ ArVaGuy]

OMG!! @Truereview will you marry me? We are kindred spirits in our hiring budget process.

 

 

 

 

 

::: Pink Soapbox Alert - this thread is one of my triggers!:::

 

I started this hobby very loosely, and over time, my control and discipline freak have taken over. Above all else, my hobby budget is designed and maintained at the beginning of the year only after my bills, savings, charity, etc budgets have been set and accounted for. The hobby budget comes from base salary, never from bonus, commissions earned.

 

I set a per hour and per overnight/daily rate limit for hires. I also set a limit of how many guys per month I will see in my travels. Bc my portfolio is mostly regulars, I start with those I "must see" when I'm in their city. Call me dumb or loyal, but I'm just built that way - regulars to the front of the line always! I also have a cushion to try out new talent (this keeps my portfolio fresh but it is also exciting to meat new guys ). Whenever one of my regulars retires, moves, or becomes otherwise unavailable, I shift that portion of the budget towards someone new to me or another regular that is particularly enticing to me. I'm on the hunt for new talent in Miami btw...please PM me with suggestions!

 

I do have a budget line for hotel since I don't typically host and I'm too picky to be hosted - judge all you want, I'm just very OCD. I never mix hobby hotel stays with my business hotel stays - that's my own ethical compass, not judgin how others choose to handle their hobby. That hotel budget line eats a lot of my overall hobby budget but the peace of mind, the points earned, and the upgrades are fun. I do have an incidentals budget line for things like gifts. My toughest budget line to handle is tips. After I get to know a guy really well, I tend to be a bit of a softy. Thru reading this forum, I learned that a meaningful small gift can make a much greater impact on my companion than a big tip. I'm getting better at managing the tip line item.

 

Finally, I'm constantly looking for ways to improve my budget process. This is why Im an avid forum reader and participant. I learn a ton here. Oh, one more thing, I've added an annual budget for forum $ support. I made a promise to Mr @stevenkesslar that I intend to keep on an annual basis:)

[mike carey]

I am just the opposite of @Truereview and @ArVaGuy in that I don't do much budgeting at all, but I am generally careful with what I spend on everything. It could be said that if I had any sort of budget I really blew it by travelling to the US for the January DC forum meeting (I will deny that the trip was escort-related, that was merely an adjunct to it). I am approaching a tripping point in that my windfall earnings about the time I retired are about to run out and I will need to start drawing my retirement pay and/or realising assets to fund my living expenses. That said, I hire infrequently (and I agree that it can become an addictive and expensive habit), so I'm not all that worried about sending myself to ruin with my hiring expenses.

[MikeBiDude]

Size doesn't matter in budget planning... Kidding aside, in my view, every budgeting process is good as long as you are being thoughtful on managing finances bc this hobby can be not only a luxury but can also get out of control.

I do budget and have a source (not my primary source) of somewhat variable outside income I draw from for this hobby. So sometimes it fluctuates. To be honest budgeting my TIME is more difficult!

 

But budget wise - do you/we budget for new meets that don't work out? See I kind if do - I'll often see someone who spikes some sort of interest to me. Many on the forum will say that one I like is "too str8", "won't do....", "doesn't like..." Fill in the blanks. Unless there is an an obvious comment from a well known poster saying pointing out specific reasons not to meet, I often crack into the budget and take a chance.

[+ sf westcoaster]

I do not budget a specific amount for this hobby, however I do employ a disciplined approach to the amount I spend on this activity. I find that I will go in spurts of hiring, most often the spurt is connected with travel or a special event.

[+ Truereview]

OMG!! @Truereview will you marry me? We are kindred spirits in our hiring budget process.

Are you proposing a merger of equals whereby we can do more men together by combining our resources ? Imagine the possibilities and the group fun to be had....I will await eagerly by my mailbox for your starting bid or a diamond ring.

[+ Oliver]

I do not budget (although I should) and I'm certainly not disciplined! Nor do I want to be ... ;) (Please note, whipped guy.)

[Lookin]

Owing to a foolproof investment that actually wasn't, it's been a while since I've been able to fund a formal hobby budget.

 

Nowadays, should the fancy take hold, I see what I can manage to lay my hands on. http://www.boytoy.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif

 

http://www.people.com.cn/h/pic/20121217/45/11353230223619773445.jpg

[Reluctant Daddy]

I've always set aside a certain amount of "mad money" every week to treat myself to something special. Now that I discovered this hobby, I'm afraid that it will all go toward this. It's quite addictive. The minute more escorts start accepting credit cards, I'm done for.

[+ Funguy]

I don't budget and when I'm horny I go for it as long as the cash is in my drawer.

[+ Truereview]

I don't budget and when I'm horny I go for it as long as the cash is in my drawer.

Note to self: check funguy's drawers...I see good fortune in my future

[BasketBaller]

I've hired two or three times a year when I find myself with some spare funds. I have to be able to justify it, so of, for example, the twins have a growth spurt and both need all new shoes, well, hiring gets put off.

[+ Funguy]

Note to self: check funguy's drawers...I see good fortune in my future

The combination to the safe is - oh! wait! I don't give that out.

[rocky]

What a great thread. I've been thinking of this because over the last two weeks I've sort of gone crazy with using my play time money. I've never set a limit and I really don't need to although I certainly want to be comfortable in my retirement. I use to budget about $21k per year. For some reason this year I stopped, perhaps when I had medical problems and only saw my regular once a week but after getting better I expanded my hobby budget and perhaps it was because I'm looking at my medical conditions and saying, hey better for me to have fun than someone else. But I'm now looking at some control, trying to stay at about $500 per week and mind you that doesn't mean several times a week but at my age, 62, a few good men and always seeking for more.

[+ Eric Hassan]

OMG!! @Truereview will you marry me? We are kindred spirits in our hiring budget process.

 

I'll fight you for him

 

Seriously, True, something pretty fucking hot about your post. I'm thinking about traveling to Miami now ...

[beachboy]

I

I'll fight you for him

 

Seriously, True, something pretty fucking hot about your post. I'm thinking about traveling to Miami now ...

I think there might be quite a queue - count me in!!

[MikeyGMin]

I budget this just like I would anything else. I've always allocated an amount I consider disposable (unnecessary clothes, shoes, restaurants, etc.) and saved specifically for an annual splurge trip to Vegas. When I hired infrequently (due to a lack of local talent), I just spent less on the unnecessary things that month. When I met someone that I wanted to see regularly, it was no real sacrifice to give up the Vegas trip. Seeing my regular a couple times a month is way, way more fun.

 

I'm pretty disciplined when it comes to budget and number of sessions, but that all goes out the door when I get a bonus. When I have a windfall...my guy has a windfall. There will be gifts!

[Decatur Guy]

No real budget. If I hire more than once in a month, I make sure the next month I don't do any.

[JayNY]

Already completed my 2017 budget for strip clubs & RM guys. I stick to my budget each year, I don't go over it. I know excatly how much I spend each year on strippers and RM guys. I also try to stick to hiring (RM guys) once every two months, and one strip club visit a month.