Shifting money sinks

[mnewsham]

I used to save up every penny I could and buy computer or electronic stuff and jazz (laptop, desktop parts, new TV, new monitor, PS3, etc.) About 2 months ago I bought a new laptop and instead of getting a major upgrade i more or less stayed the same, but got a lighter and smaller laptop. Since then I have been saving money but I haven't seen anything in the computer or tech world that is really grabbing my attention. Besides the laptop the last piece of tech I bought was an Iphone 4s and that was honestly because my contract was up and wanted a newer phone, I wasn't dying to get it or anything.

However, lately I have been fencing for school (the sport, not building a fence ) and now that the class is over I am wanting to continue fencing at a local club, I am looking at dropping 500 bucks this week on some fencing gear. While I still love computers they just don't seem as important to me anymore, I don't NEED a faster SSD, nor a better GPU.

Has anyone else shifted interest or hobbies in this way? Going from technology and computers to fencing, a fairly strenuous sport doesn't seem normal to me, but maybe a lot of people do it.


/blog

TL;DR
moving my main hobby from Computers/electronics to a sport (fencing) anyone else do this?

 

[sdifox]

Does it matter which money pit you choose?

 

[silverpig]

Once I stopped playing 3d games, I stopped caring about a lot of that stuff. My server is a Q6600 and it is plenty fast enough. I've got a 9800 GTX in it that never gets used as it isn't even hooked up to a monitor. It's got an OCZ Summit in it that is "slow" by SSD standards and I've got a Vertex 2 new in the box sitting on my shelf just because I'm too lazy to put it in the server.

I used to tweak EVERYTHING I could ~10 years ago. Every time a new beta of the nvidia detonator drivers came out, I'd install them and benchmark them myself, posting on forums when there was a 0.8% increase in performance. Seems like kind of a waste now.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Been doing the same thing with bowling.

 

[mnewsham]

Once I stopped playing 3d games, I stopped caring about a lot of that stuff. My server is a Q6600 and it is plenty fast enough. I've got a 9800 GTX in it that never gets used as it isn't even hooked up to a monitor. It's got an OCZ Summit in it that is "slow" by SSD standards and I've got a Vertex 2 new in the box sitting on my shelf just because I'm too lazy to put it in the server.

I used to tweak EVERYTHING I could ~10 years ago. Every time a new beta of the nvidia detonator drivers came out, I'd install them and benchmark them myself, posting on forums when there was a 0.8% increase in performance. Seems like kind of a waste now.

That's kind of where I am too, I could get a nice SSD for my laptop, but honestly I don't see the point as I would have to do a fresh install or use a mirror program, both of which I really would rather not bother with right now.

Just thought I would always feel that way about computers.

 

[eldorado99]

Yup, it's called life.

 

[chusteczka]

Computer technology has reached a point where the average is good enough and the top end is unnecessary, even for computer geeks.

At the same time, you have reached your saturation point and are looking to grow in other areas of your life.

I have reached a similar saturation point where my energies are focused on patent applications and developing products with the intention to sell or license. Computer work is now not as important. When friends call about their computer problems, I am no longer interested and refer them elsewhere for help. It also takes more to get me to upgrade my computer equipment since it fills my needs without needing to be modified further.

 

[manimal]

Meh

Havent had a reason to upgrade my rigs in sig in years

 

[ImpulsE69]

Shifting hobbies is normal. I have way too many expensive interests: Computers, Audio/Video (both home and car), motorcycles, pinball, music, aquariums, astronomy are just a few of many others that have come and gone.

Hell, I own 3 guitars and I can barely even play ;p (learning slowly).

I think many people go back and forth between things they like.

 

[lxskllr]

I went from white water paddling to computers. I wanted to spend more time with my daughter, and not drive all over the place looking for a run. I'd like to get back into it, but my back is shot.

I don't spend much money on computers anymore. I'm more interested in tech policy, and playing around with gratis and libre software. It doesn't require much of a financial investment, and it keeps me occupied.

 

[mnewsham]

I had been very interested in computer for the past 7-8 years now that I am in college and trying new things I guess my interests are shifting as well. I can't say im not happy with the change, I really love fencing. Lets just hope this hobby can be a bit cheaper then computers, for now anyway

 

[lxskllr]

Fencing is cool, and once you get past the initial investment, it should be fairly inexpensive... Unless you start collecting custom swords. Once you start that, you'll also have to get real battle swords too since it's related... Hmm... Better get out while you still can :^D

 

[mnewsham]

Fencing is cool, and once you get past the initial investment, it should be fairly inexpensive... Unless you start collecting custom swords. Once you start that, you'll also have to get real battle swords too since it's related... Hmm... Better get out while you still can :^D

the family already has invested in a fair number of weapons, ranging from battle axes to short spears.

And yeah the Club in the area (Rockville fencing academy) is something like $35 a month for open fencing. So after the initial gear it SHOULD be fairly inexpensive, just gotta hope the lamé doesn't get damaged as that can be fairly expensive. And I will have to try and not snap a blade.

 

[Imp]

Better than me... my new money sink is school.

I'm already signed up for a second master's degree, and I'm thinking about doing another bachelors for complete shit and giggles part-time. I've yet to finish paying of my current master's degree - not that I can't.

Thinking about sinking money on a new 30" monitor, but having to deal with potential dead pixels, personal mental break-in period, getting used to new shit, and blowing $1100 makes me not want to.

 

[Jumpem]

It's a combination of two things for me. First, current PC games are mediocre compared to what was available from the early 90's to very early 00's. Second, I now have kids, a wife, and a house, so money goes elsewhere.

 

[Zebo]

Yeah I have a 4 yr old CPU as fast as the new stuff (920@4.2) - I have best monitor ever made NEC2490WUXI so why bother? Only thing I'm still moderately interested in is video cards and OLEDs when they come. Back in the day I used to build a new computer every year.

My money sink is fishing. I fly around the world to do it and have 3 boat slips local to do it.

 

[Corporate Thug]

computers isn't that expensive of a hobby IMO. I probably spend less than $300 a year on upgrades and I can run everything on my rig.

 

[alkemyst]

I hope you aren't picking fencing to win over Arya's heart on GoT. She's a character, not real.

 

[mnewsham]

I hope you aren't picking fencing to win over Arya's heart on GoT. She's a character, not real.

Har Har, I'm still waiting to see where her story is going, after she leaves westeros and joins the house of black and white im not sure where George R. R. Martin is going with that.

Honestly my current significant other is a fencer as well, but I was fencing before we met and it is something we both enjoy, even though she kicks my ass...

 

[BrokenVisage]

Wish I could afford a sink made out of money!

 

[mnewsham]

Wish I could afford a sink made out of money!

 

[BrokenVisage]

Ha, I know what I'd be saving first in case of a fire.

 

[mnewsham]

Ha, I know what I'd be saving first in case of a fire.

"honey, grab the kids im getting the sink!"

I can see that...

 

[ImpulsE69]

It'd be one of the few things to survive the fire, so I wouldn't worry about it too much Just be sure to go back for it! ;D

 

[mnewsham]

It'd be one of the few things to survive the fire, so I wouldn't worry about it too much Just be sure to go back for it! ;D

1947.52 °F is the melting point of gold so i guess it would need to be a fairly significant fire.