Since I have renewed my interest in magic I've spent about $500.00 US in the last 4 months. I do look to slow down pretty quick. Most of that was on Books and DVD's. I look to by a few props that my books and DVD's require. It won't be as much.

I figure I can do at least $100.00 since my wife smokes, and I don't. If she can "burn" over $100 a month on a habit, then so can I on a semi-hobby. But I will have something to show for it afterwards other than cancer.

Doulos

I buy books, books, and more books. Something about books- magic related of course that excites me. Maybe it's just knowing that someone put together a great collection of effects and thoughts- and it's at my disposal. At any moment I could pick up Harry Loraynes, 'Apocalypse' volumes and find whatever I need to. Or pick up Aaron Fishers, 'Paper Engine' and answer the questions I had about a particular sleight. That I can get information whenever I need it! That I could create and expand on what was printed.

So, nowadays I just buy printed material. Volumes of them at my home. Even when I'm overseas here- I still put in orders for books every week. Literally. They are just piling up. Now- some may say, 'Are you ever going to read them?' YES- I am an avid reader. I just enjoy collecting them too.

How much do I spend on them though? A pretty penny usually....

Read books- expand on the basic, 'coin through the hand' trick found in Tarbell- and make it unique!

best regards,
Matt Tomasko

A) I'm not here to be loved by magic dealers.

B) I'm not addressing desire. If he wants to do something, he hardly needs a concensus to tell him what he wants. I'm telling him what he "needs". If someone feels inclined to break the bank buying magic knick knacks, that is certainly something they are free to do. I assume we are big boys and girls. If someones goal is to be a magician, my list is complete. Mark Wilson's CCIM, and Tarbel.

I am a hobbyist and have spent >A$ 2000.00 over the last couple of years. On a monthly figure, not too much I guess. I went through the gimmick phase, and am now keen to work on cards only until I can comfortably, and correctly, perform a 30/40 minute routine with cards. I have enough other props to then move on. Some of the money has been on 'one-trick-wonders' (Tenyo); but these have mostly been for my kids. We 'do' magic together and it is fun.
I have some good book resources: Giobbi vol 1-4, Bannon Smoke and Mirrors, 'The Magic of Ascanio'. So I am generally happy with the money I have spent. I have recently moved to DVDs, less 'tricks per dollar' but I get to see some performance.
My next few dollars should be on more cards (approx eight dollars a pack here); though I am keen to get Darwin Oritz's 'Strong Magic', and judging by many posts in the Café - Mark Wilson's CCIM.
I may break my rules an buy a chop cup? A 'local' store has an interesting looking pool ball and cue for sale.

I tend to 'study' in isolation, so perhaps my future 'magic funds' should be accessing a group of like-minded people.

I spent $3,000 on magic in one month. I cannot believe it.

///ark

I enjoy collecting books - and have quite an extensive collection. Over the last few years I've certainly spent less. Its the only hobby I have (this thought helps me justify to the wife!) and I work hard - so I don't really think about the cost.

I am very lucky able to spend somewhere around $5000 or $6000 a year on magic and mostly on books, lecture notes and other manuscripts, some DVDs, lots of utility stuff, a small amount of collectable things, but not a whole lot on tricks; maybe a grand or so. After buying magic for the last 24 yrs. I realized long ago that tricks come and some stay and some quietly go away, but it’s funny how books written years and sometimes decades and even centuries ago are still ordered by shop owners year after year. There's a good reason for that; tried, tested, and proven. Buy the classics, recent and older; they will almost always be of more value in the end than most tricks.

I love to buy magic books...

So do I!!! When holding a big tome I feel like a grand old wizard paging through my book of "spells"!

Too much, I am afraid.

Woooow, and I thought I spent a lot in magic, LOL, I think with 200 dlls a month in magic you coul make a very vast and cool repertory, I personally invest like 300 dlls, every four to six months and then practice those till I get those right then I spend some more

Adam,

you are very lucky indeed . . . Your library must be rock solid . . .

Andy

I only buy teaching books at the moment. I was interested in the 1902 Erdnase book on EBay, but obviously didn't appreciate its value (it sold for just over $200.00).
Would be a good book for the collection I guess!

Does anyone here buy the old and collectible books? I guess this would send the monthly budget up a fair bit.

When I was younger I brought loads of gaffed decks and self working tricks. Then I left magic alone for 20 years. When I got back in to it I started to re buy bits and bobs but then I met 2 magicians at work and learnt of them, also borrowing and trying out stuff from them helped.
I now just value a few effects done well rather than load of effects. I also try and use stuff that I can find laying about in a any were any time style.

I got back into magic to help quit smoking. I needed something to keep my hands busy, as they were just itching for something to fill the cigarette void. So as a reward for not smoking, I save up the money I would have blown on smokes and take it to the local magic shops. That makes my magic budget is $9.25 per day.

I'll pipe in an say maybe $250 per YEAR (carefully chosen). It's hard for me to justify spending more money on more stuff when I haven't mastered what I have.

Too much!! I used to buy all kinds of tricks and gimmicks, then I started buying books which I think give the best value for my money. I keep trying to cut back on my spending on magic but can't help myself. When I go shopping with my wife, I find myself looking for items I could use in a magic effect (cards, small balls, shot glass, rope, etc.) I don't really think a lot about the amount I spend on magic as long as we have some left over for food, gas, etc. (ha ha)

Are you aware that the 1902 edition of Expert goes for between $1000-3000 USD depending on condition?

That's a profit of $800 right there.

For me it depends.. Ill go for a month with out buying anything. The next month Ill spend a Grand. It just depends on if what Im looking for is available.

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Are you aware that the 1902 edition of Expert goes for between $1000-3000 USD depending on condition?

That's a profit of $800 right there.
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Wow, I didn't know that. To be honest though I would rather have the book for the books sake - ie. nice to have such a rare magic book - than for the potential profit. Would have been nice to pick it up though.

cheers