BUDGETS!

[dodiano]

Hey Guys talking with some of the guys I was wondering what do most of you guys have for planned budgets?? If you have one or how you manage your finances for your projects really curious about this! I mean I´m planning on a $5000 budget from what I already have which most will go on a second computer, the shell and the planned Overhead and hardware for it!!

Take care,

Roberto

[ekezz]

From one of my older stories in the forum you can calculate how much I have spent so far.

At present I want to spend a max of 100 euro per month, but the CPflight MIP board coming out didn't help staying on target (an overshoot, you could say). And then I wanted some switches from Engravity to hook up to my two new Phidgets.
Come to think of it, this does add up to approx 400 euro, and being end of april I'm exactly on the glideslope!

I want to spend more but we had car trouble and had to replace it so this year will be slow, unless I get a nice bonus, hehehe.

Without this 'event' you could say that I would have decided on the Engravity Overhead panel this year, including switches etc.

Budget would then be 2500 Euro per year.

[dodiano]

LOL!! No kidding, It´s always something else coming out! I still think I can manage to do it with the Budget I´m targeting I hope so!

Roberto

[Bob Reed]

One of the things to be careful of when putting a "budget" together for your project is not to look at the overall cost!! THis will kill a project before it gets started. Not too many of us have spent what we have invested all at once. In fact mine has been over about 7 years. Do I have a lot invested? Yes.. But break that down over 7 years and it is not too bad for a hobby at all! I would have probably spent the same amount or more for like golf! And I know I have not spent as much per year as I did when I was flying RCs! I try ( and it is not too hard) to spend some every month on it. If I have a more expensive thing I want, I save a few months for it and or sell something I am no longer using to get the money. Time and hard work will make this a very enjoyable hobby if you do not concentrate on the down side of things.

[AndyT]

I also have to budget not just my sim, but my real flying also. That costs me $200 / month so that only leaves me a small amount to spend on my sim. My wife still doesnt get it, but she allows me my fun as long as I dont overspend.

[dodiano]

Yeah real flying is turning expensive due to Gas prices going high! Are you making a career out of it or just flying for fun??

Regards,

Roberto

[AndyT]

I've already had one career in the computer industry and I gave that up. Its time to do something else. I think flying would be a great new career! Now I just have to find someone who will hire me at my age.

[dodiano]

How old are you my friend?

Roberto

[ekezz]

It's never too late to pursue your dream
I have heared of a person who took flying lessons as a second career and transferred through some airlines and all of a sudden he was 747 captain. Amazing but true. And now he is a MD11 capt and flies to the Caribbean. Not bad.
So go for it!

[AndyT]

I am 44 now.