Have you looked at your music expenses lately?

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 18 Oct 2012 11:28 am

Well I tried to cut down this year on my music expenses.
I noticed that each category had increased except for my music related donations (that is the only thing I had control over) I only buy tablature as a form of contribution.
These expenses don't include BIAB upgrade which was $300 and other PC upgrades and supplies related to music. Oh and no away from home food calculated in the totals.
I’m really afraid if I throw everything related to music into the list of expenses it will be too depressing to handle. Still I have found this hobby to be a lot less expensive than women.
Pretty sad picture and story for a club and church weekend only picker.

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 18 Oct 2012 11:45 am

Part of my music expense is, I build instruments, (not related to steel guitars), for the "other" kind of music I'm involved with. I was doing a show-and-tell with one of the large titanium instruments and I mentioned that even though I got all of the metal surplus, I was into it into it for over $12K.

He was incredulous, "you spent $12K on titanium", to which I said, 'and you bought a Porsche'. Oh yeah, it's not about the money.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 18 Oct 2012 11:45 am

found this hobby to be a lot less expensive than women

Si Sénor !

Dave Hopping · Post by **Dave Hopping** » 18 Oct 2012 11:50 am

"Money for nothing and the chicks for free"...

Well,maybe

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 18 Oct 2012 2:18 pm

Believe me, it's alot less than keeping a woman happy.

1)Dating= $80 per week= $4000 per year
2)After argument flowers=$100 per mo.= $1200 per year
3)Medical expenses for fights
with ex boyfriend= $5000 per year
4)Make up sex FREE

Total $10,200 per yr.

Pedal steel anyone?

Daniel Policarpo · Post by **Daniel Policarpo** » 18 Oct 2012 4:11 pm

I always thought that women dating musicians understood that they were supposed to pay for everything.

This is the first time I've missed the Tulsa Wannenmacher in years. I coudn't bear to go and just window shop.

Roual Ranes · Post by **Roual Ranes** » 18 Oct 2012 4:40 pm

Can we hear from some of yoy Bass fishermen.
Bo,
How much did you figure for Cost Per Mile on transportation?

Paul Norman (RIP) · Post by **Paul Norman (RIP)** » 20 Oct 2012 9:46 am

Transportation?

Maybe you should move closer to your work Bo.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 20 Oct 2012 4:35 pm

I was thinking the same thing as Paul - Transportation $3200? At the fed allowance of about 55 cents a mile, that means you traveled (drove?) well over 6,000 miles to do your music obligations.

Then again, you can't take it with you.

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 20 Oct 2012 7:01 pm

The expenses I listed are real not necessarily what is allowed for taxes.

The van is for music only and therefore the total expense of gas, maintenance, insurance and mileage is in that figure plus some mileage and gas from use of another auto and a motorhome at times.

The van has been used for church gospel singings and other music related trips as well. The total milage just on the van for the year is 3,800 something miles and was in the shop for repairs 3 times.

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 20 Oct 2012 7:49 pm

If you just list the expenses you write down for your gig tax return figure you are not being realistic about what you spend because of your music.

I live only 200 miles from St Louis and for me to go to the Steel guitar convention I would be lucky to get by with $800.

The last trip I took to Branson for the association meeting 2days Stuart and I spent almost $500 and we live only 90 miles away. Some folks go about every month.

If you count every concert you went to, every CD, string, pick, cord, gas, to and from music stores not to mention some of the useless music crap you bought while you were there...etc...etc....you get my drift and you'll understand that my figures are very conservative.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 20 Oct 2012 8:47 pm

Donny Hinson wrote:I was thinking the same thing as Paul - Transportation $3200? At the fed allowance of about 55 cents a mile, that means you traveled (drove?) well over 6,000 miles to do your music obligations.

Then again, you can't take it with you.

For many a professional musician working in Texas, that kind of mileage is small potatoes. That's only 115 miles/week, and we do a lot more than that, my dudes.

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 21 Oct 2012 2:41 am

Herb I know a little about where you're coming from!
I'm in my second retirement now and just confine most of my music to weekends and as I say very conservative with expenditures.
I say second retirement because I closed the office and played music as a profession for awhile
The expenses were a real consideration back then but I can't even imagine the cost of doing this for a living nowadays.
In addition to the devastating fast rising expenses the pay hasn't kept up with what they call inflation much less what the real inflation is.
They adjusted the SS checks by 1.7%.
I laughed for awhile and then it dawned on me that they are not joking.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 21 Oct 2012 5:58 am

The van is for music only...

Bo...if you have decided that you need a "music only" vehicle, then wouldn't you say you have also decided (unknowingly?) that you are not really trying to limit "music expenses".

That said, $6,100 isn't a lot of money nowadays. I have several friends who smoke a pack-and-a-half a day, and that translates to about $3,000 a year. Shucks, a latte' a day (doesn't everyone stop at Starbucks for overpriced coffee?) sets one friend of mine back about $1400 a year.

The point is: We all do what we do, and often for reasons that others might not understand.

Gary Lee Gimble · Post by **Gary Lee Gimble** » 21 Oct 2012 6:12 am

$6,100 isn't a lot of money nowadays

Spot on Donny, spot on. And since you live so close to me, please allow me to formally extend a birthday greeting, Mine! Check, money order and cashy, all accepted.

CYA soon?

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 21 Oct 2012 6:33 am

Ransom Beers · Post by **Ransom Beers** » 21 Oct 2012 7:25 am

If yer countin' expenses then yer doin' it wrong!!!!!!

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 21 Oct 2012 8:01 pm

picture expired!

Colm Chomicky · Post by **Colm Chomicky** » 22 Oct 2012 3:56 pm

Just wondering if the Wife became an ex because she came a knocking when she saw the van a rocking? Hey man, just reading the side of your van.

Dustin Rigsby · Post by **Dustin Rigsby** » 22 Oct 2012 6:57 pm

It's still less than alimony........

Roual Ranes · Post by **Roual Ranes** » 22 Oct 2012 7:24 pm

Milage to local job 30. @ $0.55 per mile = $30. Job paid $40. I better be having a lot of fun or I ain't going.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 27 Oct 2012 9:01 am

"Have you looked at your music expenses lately?"

Yes I have, and I find that since I retired I no longer have to worry about "breaking even".

Larry Hamilton · Post by **Larry Hamilton** » 27 Oct 2012 2:09 pm

I am way behind, really in the red, but my day job has made me pretty decent living for over 35 years and has allowed me to have pretty good gear even though I don't get to play much. I did a lot of sitting in for nothing just to get my "bandstand fix" but I didn't depend on playing for money. When I did/do get paid it is really a bonus and usually goes to pay for another toy. I feel really lucky to have a hobby I love and hobbies cost money.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 27 Oct 2012 2:12 pm

Kevin said:

1)Dating= $80 per week= $4000 per year

Really??? That is a cheap date for sure. Nowadays, that just covers gas for the dates.

Stuart Legg · Post by **Stuart Legg** » 27 Oct 2012 10:00 pm

Now I don't mean to criticize Bo about his young girlfriend.
He gets by real cheap since he just takes her to McDonalds, buys her a happy meal and lets her play on the slide