Motorcycling, sailing, snowboarding—my favorite sports aren't exactly cheap. And if you knit, garden, ski or scuba dive, I’m sure you can relate.
A pricey hobby is worth every dime—but you still have to control your overhead.
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Easy Rider: Kenia on her '94 Kawasaki EX500 Ninja
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First step: I monitor everything from buying gear to oil changes. (Yes, the chart is geeky. But I'm also an engineer.)
| Motorcycling | Sailing | Snowboarding | |
| Start-up Costs |
$1800: First bike $350: Jacket, gloves, boots |
$160: Beginners' Sabot sailing class |
$200: Snow pants & boots Snowboard: FREE (gift!)" |
| Activity Costs |
$200: 1 track day $20: Gas for 1 weekend ride |
$350: Weekend yacht charter, moor fee, food & drinks |
$500: Tahoe trip (all expenses) $300: Mammoth trip (all expenses) |
| Maintenance Costs |
$400+: Oil changes, tires, parts $150: 6-month insurance premium $75: Annual DMV registration |
None! | $5: Board wax |
How do I pay for all this? I follow the 60% budget solution—4% of my gross income goes toward fun and travel, and 2.5% goes toward a new motorcycle. It also helps that I’m single with no kids (for now!), and that I live in California, where I have easy access to my activities.
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Travel in groups. I split yacht rentals with 9 other people. We carpool on snowboarding trips, split a rental condo, and eat in. |
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Volunteer. I teach a sailing class every summer, so I sail for free! |
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DIY. I do most of my own motorcycle maintenance. |
Break it down. What are your expensive pleasures, and how do you pay for them?
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Kenia Perez works in the aerospace industry in California. |
