FA+
Shop
Spending awareness day
8 years ago
General
Sometimes, someone just has to say it
Look, I am the last one to tell someone not to do what makes them happy. But I am going to be the one to say that I think a lot of people in the fandom have a major spending issue. I have no blame for artists because they are just going to take advantage of those who throw money out like its burning their pants. They are just doing business. No all my blame falls on us, the commissioners, and myself somewhat included.
When you buy art, do you consider what that money could be going too? How much you are actually spending on something that besides some visual pleasure for a while, offers you nothing, and I mean NOTHING! Art has no resale value, serves no long term purpose, and is expensive. Yet a lot of furries throw hundreds at a single picture!
Let me break it down, because I noticed this most when I had to buy some new tires for my work truck. 500$ for those new tires..... So Earlier this month, I had splurged on art, turns out, in 2 months I spent close to 300$ on art! Even worse, it was only like 3 pictures. So that being said, I look back and realize, that I could have got a lot more out of my money, then these 3 pictures which have served one purpose, to give me some stimulation. Where those tires, are going to last me years.
Now, that is just my little bit, I am watching a lot of people throwing 300$ at a single picture. Why? That is the question needing to be asked. Why are we spending 300$ on a picture? Because the artist did a good job? Well, there are other artists who could do the same quality for less... Is it because of the name of the artist? Well, do you go to the grocery store and buy name brand, or do you get the off brand products to save money?
Rent for a lot of people is about 500-800$ a month. And I see lots of furries throwing out "help, need money!" because they don't have any money, but yet, I could go back through their gallery and find out they spent 400$ on art. Why do they not have a savings account? Why isn't money getting held back for emergencies?
Once again, this is all so preventable. Art is nice yes, but I am seeing a big inflation in the costs of art in the last 5-6 years. Artists who have mediocre art skills charging just as much as the artist who draws some really good stuff. AND PEOPLE ARE PAYING IT!
And don't give me the 'artists need to live part' because I am going to say this again. You aren't going to make a living off of your art! Insurance is needed, 401k is important, even if it isn't very good, social security needs paid into. And being an independant artist isn't going to make you enough money! Get a part time job and do art as a second. And this goes for those in 3rd world countries, because I know some of these artists are practically rich in their countries because the U.S dollar, pound, and euro, all are worth an incredible amount.
But like I said, this isn't about the artists, because they are just throwing out pricings on their art. It all lies with us, and our horrible spending habits.
With the amount of money I spent in art over the last 6 years. I know that some of that money could have been better budgetted and conserved for more worth while artists who weren't over charging me. But like everyone else has done, I bought into it anyway.
SO in conclusion, Just before you buy your next picture, ask yourself. "Am I spending too much for this?" "Why am I getting this picture?" "DId I look around to find maybe a more affordable artist at similar quality?
BE A SMART SHOPPER!
When you buy art, do you consider what that money could be going too? How much you are actually spending on something that besides some visual pleasure for a while, offers you nothing, and I mean NOTHING! Art has no resale value, serves no long term purpose, and is expensive. Yet a lot of furries throw hundreds at a single picture!
Let me break it down, because I noticed this most when I had to buy some new tires for my work truck. 500$ for those new tires..... So Earlier this month, I had splurged on art, turns out, in 2 months I spent close to 300$ on art! Even worse, it was only like 3 pictures. So that being said, I look back and realize, that I could have got a lot more out of my money, then these 3 pictures which have served one purpose, to give me some stimulation. Where those tires, are going to last me years.
Now, that is just my little bit, I am watching a lot of people throwing 300$ at a single picture. Why? That is the question needing to be asked. Why are we spending 300$ on a picture? Because the artist did a good job? Well, there are other artists who could do the same quality for less... Is it because of the name of the artist? Well, do you go to the grocery store and buy name brand, or do you get the off brand products to save money?
Rent for a lot of people is about 500-800$ a month. And I see lots of furries throwing out "help, need money!" because they don't have any money, but yet, I could go back through their gallery and find out they spent 400$ on art. Why do they not have a savings account? Why isn't money getting held back for emergencies?
Once again, this is all so preventable. Art is nice yes, but I am seeing a big inflation in the costs of art in the last 5-6 years. Artists who have mediocre art skills charging just as much as the artist who draws some really good stuff. AND PEOPLE ARE PAYING IT!
And don't give me the 'artists need to live part' because I am going to say this again. You aren't going to make a living off of your art! Insurance is needed, 401k is important, even if it isn't very good, social security needs paid into. And being an independant artist isn't going to make you enough money! Get a part time job and do art as a second. And this goes for those in 3rd world countries, because I know some of these artists are practically rich in their countries because the U.S dollar, pound, and euro, all are worth an incredible amount.
But like I said, this isn't about the artists, because they are just throwing out pricings on their art. It all lies with us, and our horrible spending habits.
With the amount of money I spent in art over the last 6 years. I know that some of that money could have been better budgetted and conserved for more worth while artists who weren't over charging me. But like everyone else has done, I bought into it anyway.
SO in conclusion, Just before you buy your next picture, ask yourself. "Am I spending too much for this?" "Why am I getting this picture?" "DId I look around to find maybe a more affordable artist at similar quality?
BE A SMART SHOPPER!
And at that point it better be some really amazing art!
Coupled with the fact that I know how to budget, this system has worked well for me over the past few years.