anyone else have this problem?

You're definitely not the only one. I've done exactly the same thing many a time. The problem is that we (most of us) don't use swords as daily tools, so it's kinda hard to justify that much money on a hobby sometimes... Erg... Stupid money.

Even with good jobs it is still the same; the only difference might be that the piece in question may be more expensive in the situation with the guy with a larger salary, but the agonizing over which one, if you should, what else might happen- oh man. It is like you caught a flash from my head...I do that with EVERY sword purchase.

Sleep on it? I can't...I just toss and turn and go over the pros and cons, the cost, potential grief I may get for it, do I really want it or just want it right now, cost justification, devil's advocate arguments...I imagine I've missed out on a number of really great deals and there was that one instance where I did actually end up needing the money so it was a good thing, but still feel bad a little.

Even now, I get just shy of inwardly cringing when I think about how much I've spent to date on swords...but that's no different than any other serious hobby. I know guys who tune cars and you're in the tens of thousands in costs bracket quite literally from the start; numismatists get turned on by copper coins- that's one I can't fathom....how does old money get to be worth more? The list goes on...I'd much rather shell out a few hundred a few times a year than to be in a hobby that would require that kind of layout in a single transaction- and even then, that would only be a part of it...

Hey, it works for me. It could always be worse; that's what I tell the wife.

Bloodwraith: I am pretty sure ANYONE could tell you that is me exactly.

I always have SOMETHING to pay for when I think I got cash.

dont feel bad BW. I just got told by the wife, who is actually enjoying my sword fetish, no more until after Christmas....damn it I guess that blew out the idea of getting that wakazashi fo her Christmas present... I will be starting back to school in Jan, and had to plop down dough for tuition. Loans and grants are not available, since my check is barely too high for it. so I have to make payments.

And Liam, I feel for you too man. I have had the times where I had to get out the glass pig for a waster or even a hanger. The good side of things, is that, because of sites like this you can find quality for a budget price.

I just had enough saved to get a CS gim and a UC black line wakazashi, and cant get them... well I could but I dont want to sleep on the couch. My wife is reading this over my shoulder and just told me the sparring match is on if I get them.... damn that girl just dont realize she know how to turn me on.

Well blood I got a full time job but to push my career ambitions forward gonna bite the bullet and go to uni next year, so the sword buying is gonna go down a bit.

the CSS Longsword was sort of my last sword buy that I could make without total agonisation, i tend to get 2 swords a year. My wife is okay on the grounds that they will last forever unlike computer upgrades, I think she would like me to spend more on training blunts then pretty shiny sharps and start training which would quantify the money a little more in pursuing the art.

But yeah I'm gonna be in your predicament soon enough blood.

Oh yeah and I've been in the narrow miss part at least 4 times where everything was clear and I had the money and was gonna buy but something made me put it off for a week and BAM ...... the car needed something, or an electricty bill was twice as big as I thought it would be.

I have the grace that I have 0 debt, no credit cards and rent at a good price.

Oh goodness, as an unemployed college student, my wallet pretty much doesn't ever agree with the swords I want to buy. I'll only buy one if I'll still have plenty of money left over, and I'm on a 1-a-year budget anyway. Though come to think of it, January/February it'll be time to get another one. ;D

Its the same with any purchase of something that you really want but isn't necessary I think

It is almost like a pre-buyers remorse I do the same with any purchase over about $250, do I really need it, what if it really isn't the one I want, what happens if I need to do this or that after spending the money... I really think you'll find even if there is disposable income in the family budget that more people are conscious of needing surplus for the rainy days now. Being a student makes it even worse as your budget is that tight / small to begin with. I remember those days

With all due respect BW, if you are on government assistance then you can't be in a financial position to buy a new sword, that is, if you are a responsible person.
Don't get me wrong, I think the idea of getting an education to better ones self is positive, but those funds are meant for a different purpose.

I can't remember if you are in the US or not but what you have written here is a huge problem in the US and one of contributors to our economic crisis. People seem to think that having spare cash lying around is a bad thing thing and so it must be spent quickly. Here in the states the majority of the middle class is only one emergency from filing BK because the idea of having at least one years living expenses in savings is lost.

So my advice would be to spend more time on your books and once you have graduated and gotten a profitable job that allows for a hobby budget, then perhaps the gravity of spending money on swords will diminish. Problem Solved!

Good luck

I feel your pain BW.