The true cost of Garage Journal

[marineman]

I'm going to start a spreadsheet to track this but just wondering if anyone has done it before and what your results were? I'm planning on doing a spreadsheet for all tools purchased, then mark if I would have bought that tool if it weren't for garage journal and another area for what alternative brand and price I would have paid for that tool had it not been for GJ or if I wouldn't have bought it at all. I think it could be interesting to track as there's a few tools I know I saved a ton of money buying quality brands or even the same actual manufacturer at a cheaper price, then there's lots of things where you guys talk me into dropping my sons college tuition on a single wrench or introduce me to a tool I didn't even know existed but now I have to have it. I honestly think end of the day it will break even, what do you think?

 

[The Cobbler]

I think you're spending way too much time on GJ.

 

[rossomania]

The easy answer is that GJ is pretty much the most expensive forum I've ever read! Now, I'm going back to my happy ignorance where I don't pay too close attention to my CC statements for the past few weeks...

 

[Shootinok]

Yeah - I’m not tracking this. My ignorance is bliss


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[NUTTSGT]

I added up the receipts (most of them) when I swapped a 302 into my Ranger. Done, never again.


I've bought a lot of stuff because of GJ but if if wasn't for the tools, I probably would have spent that money on something else. When I buy tools, it's either because I need them for a job or it's a really good deal. Very rarely do I buy a tool just to buy it and it's to the point that the wife doesn't question when I buy them.

 

[fourjeepin]

You guys are doing it wrong - you need to consider how much money you have SAVED by buying tools from the Hot Deals section vs. paying full retail. ��

 

[marineman]

You guys are doing it wrong - you need to consider how much money you have SAVED by buying tools from the Hot Deals section vs. paying full retail. ��

That's part of the equation I want to track. I got my delivery today from the $30 ebay blackhawk long reach pliers that everyone bought and that's what started the thought of money saved through good buys vs money spent buying things I probably could have figured out another way.

 

[tarmy]

The easy answer is that GJ is pretty much the most expensive forum I've ever read! Now, I'm going back to my happy ignorance where I don't pay too close attention to my CC statements for the past few weeks...

Try a few gun sites...Calguns has got me to spend on things I didn’t know I needed either.

 

[rossomania]

Try a few gun sites...Calguns has got me to spend on things I didn’t know I needed either.

Oh, believe me, I get it! But that's an old rabbit hole for me.

Yeah, GJ has pretty much blown up my almost "commodity" view of good tools being good enough. It's a brand new rabbit hole that's tapping my OCD in a big way to discover what's better and best about tools I currently use and those I could be using!

It's not all bad; the wife's pretty happy (and a little surprised) by all the projects I've suddenly been inspired to get completed!

 

[AmishFury]

The easy answer is that GJ is pretty much the most expensive forum I've ever read! Now, I'm going back to my happy ignorance where I don't pay too close attention to my CC statements for the past few weeks...

i'm going to have to agree.. and i've been active member of a few audiophile forums

 

[Renchi]

The easy answer is that GJ is pretty much the most expensive forum I've ever read! ......

Agreed!

 

[Dirtydan69]

I was told there would be no math.

 

[mudflap]

I want a cantilever tool box now..after a recent thread about them...have ZERO...use for one. ..i should just stop fighting it..and get one...so theres that....

 

[Kent_B]

Any of you guys hang out on guitar forums? Guitar Acquisition Syndrome is a thing.

 

[zendriver]

I recently purchased another welder, plus accessories and I've welded one time since 1984.

It's best I stay in denial.


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[NUTTSGT]

You guys are doing it wrong - you need to consider how much money you have SAVED by buying tools from the Hot Deals section vs. paying full retail. ��

No no, I consider how much I have saved by doing projects myself instead of hiring it done. The money I have saved allows me to buy tools for the job and it's like getting the tools for free.

 

[Farmall450]

You guys are doing it wrong - you need to consider how much money you have SAVED by buying tools from the Hot Deals section vs. paying full retail. ��

Ah, there's the accountancy I was looking for

 

[Jlbc212]

No no, I consider how much I have saved by doing projects myself instead of hiring it done. The money I have saved allows me to buy tools for the job and it's like getting the tools for free.

^^^ and the cash saved on the next job because I already have the tools to get it done allows me to buy a few more tools I think I might need someday.

 

[franzdom]

Every damn forum I visit is extremely expensive.

 

[engineer2]

The AVS forum is damn expensive. 2 plasma TVs. 1 LCD TV, 3 surround sound systems and they are all obsolete now, LOL.
At least most tools hold half their value.

 

[ChaseDE]

I would not have bought a foam blaster for my pressure washer this week if we had not been talking about them here.

add $25 to the list.

 

[brokeboater]

A week ago I didn't even know there was a Knipex brand of pliers. Now I covet and collect them. Is ignorance bliss? Maybe, but next time I need to remove a difficult ring clip and I'm not futzing around with my Micky Mouse auto parts store gizmo I think it will all be worth while. My SS check gets here a week from tomorrow and I'll be able to buy groceries again.

 

[GaryM909]

My wife dresses pretty good thanks to GJ. She figures tools=clothes and shoes. So the tools I buy usually costs me double.


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[ovilla]

I just bought an EMPTY magnetic 3/8” metric 8-19mm deep socket TRAY on eBay.

Yes - its ONLY a Snapon tray. What do you think I’m going to fill it with?

 

[Orangestang]

Maybe there needs to be a support group started?

 

[bczygan]

Maybe there needs to be a support group started?

This IS the support group!

We support each others manias!

As for me..........from all the tools I've bought, I made my wife a rolling pin and a clothes hook. That should be enough justification!

Bill

 

[Kasal]

Oh yeah, my tool expenses have skyrocketed since I met GJ.
It is a vice, but it is not a bad vice.

 

[OMMP]

What is older - hen or egg? Don't know if I've been spending more because of GJ, or I've become member cause of tools and wish to optimize costs by learning and choosing tools that are better for same, or lower price.

 

[crewchief888]

My wife dresses pretty good thanks to GJ. She figures tools=clothes and shoes. So the tools I buy usually costs me double.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

so true....

ive been holding back on any tool expenses for a while, trying to get cash available to fence in my back yard....
i started competitive shooting (USPSA & steel plates) again this year, she has NO idea what shooting ultimately costs. i'm already running low on loaded ammo... time to order more bullets, and i'm out of powder...

taking the wife shopping tonight

 

[Elsinore13]

Stay away from the vintage dirt bike scene...

 

[WWheeler]

I suppose frequenting here I probably spent a bit more on tools than I otherwise would have. I've certainly made more than a few 'good deal' purchases based on what I've seen here that I otherwise wouldn't have even known about and usually for things I didn't really have a current pressing need for.

That said, I've also definitely been able to make more informed choices on tools and the like, and that's what pays off in savings over the long run, especially so on things I do need and make frequent use of. It doesn't make any less sense to pay 'Buy once. Cry once.' prices for use-it-once tools than it does to cheap out on those you use most often. The trick is knowing the difference between the two, and quite a bit of what I've read here has helped me choose better in that regard many times now, and that's just in the results in cost &/or time savings I've seen so far. I suspect many will continue to pay me back for a long time to come.

 

[davethorik]

I was already into some niche collecting well before GJ, so I can't blame this place solely. But I have definitely gotten good stuff and a lot of it because of GJ.

 

[Brunel]

The AVS forum is damn expensive. 2 plasma TVs. 1 LCD TV, 3 surround sound systems and they are all obsolete now, LOL.
At least most tools hold half their value.

I was thinking about this recently. Pretty much everything electronic you buy will be virtually worthless after a few years, assuming it doesn't break.

And don't get me started on cars. In 2000 I bought a nearly-new car for GBP 11000. In 2011 I sold it for GBP 255. My next car was somewhat older and cost GBP 2500. Seven years down the line it is still going strong. You do the math.

However, tools are probably one of the best investments you can make. They will long outlast virtually everything else you can buy. And they'll either make you money, if you use them professionally, or they will save you money, if you're a DIYer. The main thing is to buy the right tools at the right price.

There's two things in life I haven't regretted buying. One is my house. The other is my tools .

 

[Pitalplace]

I suppose frequenting here I probably spent a bit more on tools than I otherwise would have. I've certainly made more than a few 'good deal' purchases based on what I've seen here that I otherwise wouldn't have even known about and usually for things I didn't really have a current pressing need for.

That said, I've also definitely been able to make more informed choices on tools and the like, and that's what pays off in savings over the long run, especially so on things I do need and make frequent use of. It doesn't make any less sense to pay 'Buy once. Cry once.' prices for use-it-once tools than it does to cheap out on those you use most often. The trick is knowing the difference between the two, and quite a bit of what I've read here has helped me choose better in that regard many times now, and that's just in the results in cost &/or time savings I've seen so far. I suspect many will continue to pay me back for a long time to come.

I couldn't have said it any better.