By Can I Afford It · How we calculate this
Tech and hobby costs are mostly one-time, though several carry ongoing costs - subscriptions, supplies, upkeep - that the purchase price does not show.
Up-front costs here run from about $250 (karaoke machine) to $15,000 (golf simulator). Recurring costs run from about $120 a month (saltwater aquarium) to $150 a month (trading card collecting hobby).
Typical national prices, not quotes. Financed payments are principal and interest at each item's usual down payment, rate and term, before tax, fees and insurance. 9 of these have a full calculator; any of them can be checked against your income.
| Item | Typical cost | Per month | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3D printer | $600 | One-time | Calculator |
| Camera | $1,800 | One-time | Check it |
| Compound bow | $800 | One-time | Check it |
| custom mechanical keyboard | $350 | One-time | Check it |
| DJ setup | $2,500 | One-time | Check it |
| Drone | $1,000 | One-time | Check it |
| Drum set | $900 | One-time | Check it |
| Espresso machine | $800 | One-time | Check it |
| Gaming console | $500 | One-time | Check it |
| Gaming PC | $2,000 | One-time | Calculator |
| Golf clubs | $1,500 | One-time | Check it |
| Golf simulator | $15,000 | $304/mo financed | Calculator |
| Guitar | $700 | One-time | Check it |
| Headphones | $350 | One-time | Check it |
| Home aquarium | $1,500 | One-time | Check it |
| Home brewing equipment | $500 | One-time | Check it |
| home NAS server | $900 | One-time | Check it |
| Home recording studio | $5,000 | One-time | Check it |
| Hunting rifle | $950 | One-time | Check it |
| karaoke machine | $250 | One-time | Check it |
| Laptop | $1,000 | One-time | Calculator |
| Laser engraver | $1,800 | One-time | Check it |
| Metal detector | $650 | One-time | Check it |
| New phone | $800 | One-time | Calculator |
| Paddleboard | $500 | One-time | Check it |
| Piano | $3,500 | One-time | Calculator |
| Pinball machine | $6,500 | One-time | Check it |
| Pool table | $2,000 | One-time | Calculator |
| Pottery wheel and kiln | $1,800 | One-time | Check it |
| saltwater aquarium | $120/mo | $120/mo | Check it |
| Scuba diving gear | $1,800 | One-time | Check it |
| Sewing machine | $800 | One-time | Check it |
| Ski and snowboard gear | $1,200 | One-time | Check it |
| Smartwatch | $400 | One-time | Check it |
| Smoker or grill | $1,000 | One-time | Check it |
| standing desk | $500 | One-time | Check it |
| Surfboard | $600 | One-time | Check it |
| Tablet | $500 | One-time | Check it |
| Telescope | $800 | One-time | Check it |
| trading card collecting hobby | $150/mo | $150/mo | Check it |
| turntable and vinyl setup | $600 | One-time | Check it |
| TV | $900 | One-time | Calculator |
| ultrawide monitor | $700 | One-time | Check it |
| VR headset | $500 | One-time | Calculator |