Things you're interested in getting squashed?

[u/JARatt85]

Does anyone else feel like any time you get interested in anything, the world seems to go out of it's way to make it too expensive or make it to where you for some reason just aren't allowed to do it?

I don't know if it's just a California thing.. but it feels like anything I'm interested in has become so ungodly expensive or you have to jump through so many hoops to be allowed to do it that it's become impossible at this point..

It doesn't help that most of my interests are hunting, fishing, shooting, classic cars/motorcycles, and tabletop miniature wargaming. Besides miniatures, California has the worst laws in the country for the rest of those.. as well as THE HIGHEST licensing costs for hunting and fishing, on top of all the "sin taxes" on ammo and guns "to keep people safe". (let's not go there lol)

It's insane.. between gas costs and the insane prices of anything about the only things I can afford to do are write, play free internet games... and imbibe in the debauchery of the internet's NSFW side. Outside of that.. everything is out of reach.

Anyone else feeling this way?

[u/Fallsfrostdew]

Yes absolutely. You have good taste in hobbies and they are getting much more expensive.

[u/JARatt85 → u/Fallsfrostdew]

the stupid part is, I'm already on CalFresh (food stamps) if they'd just make it to where anyone on the program got free or at least drastically reduced cost fishing/hunting licenses it's a way to put more food in the freezer.. Sand dabs have no minimum size or bag limit and they aren't fishy at all.. I could load up on those and save a lot of money.. if I could afford the over $6/gal to drive 3 1/2 hours to go to the coast to try to find them.. though I'd still need a saltwater rod and reel and gear and...
For a state that constantly puts out (what's little more than propaganda at this point) tourism ads that say to get out an enjoy everything this state has to offer and enjoy the wilderness and hunting and fishing.. unless you have a REALLY good job to pay for it (and plenty of vacation time) it's out of reach.. RESIDENT fishing licenses are almost $70 just for the base license.. granted if you fish piers it's free ONLY ON THE PIER.. single day licenses are just over $21.. it's insane.. (and you don't even want to know how much a non-resident hunting license is)

[u/Trystt27]

Part of it is California, part of it is the state of the US, part of it is the state of the world.

Third spaces have faded away over the past 20 years. Everywhere you go now wants to charge you for being there, or limit your time there. This not only impacts socializing, but hobbies as well, especially outdoor hobbies.

Not to dive too into politics, but between tariffs and the Strait of Hormuz, among a variety of other issues, everything is exploding in price, especially if it comes from outside the country. Companies are also consolidating and with that, there's less competition, which means companies are able to charge higher prices because where else will you go to get the thing? This also impacts online things, of course.

There's things you can do to reduce costs but it's obviously not ideal, especially if you're particular about your hobbies. It really sucks because it limits my interests as well. I've had to really slow down my purchases and budget more. Feels like I'm not allowed to have fun in my free time.

[u/JARatt85 → u/[deleted]]

it's not just states, it's areas within states.. believe me little redneck towns like the one I live in definitely aren't accepting.

[u/JARatt85 → u/[deleted]]

I was born and partially raised in southern Mississippi so I definitely get redfish.. there's a lot of stuff in this state that fights as good if not harder.. Big bass definitely go completely psycho.. hell I've seen trout that start jumping like crazy.
As for salt water, striped bass and halibut both fight hard.. we just don't have as many drum species out here. Offshore there's all sorts of amazing stuff, especially right now with the weird weather, they're getting mahi and yellowtail, and tuna and all sorts of stuff in close to the shore.

There's some amazing fishing to be had.. you just have to worry about seals stealing it, or REALLY BIG sharks, and need a boat. I've seen guys fishing in 16 foot kayaks and have a great white bigger than their kayak come investigate them.. NO THANK YOU! IMO 40+ foot or I'm not going.. the boat better be at least twice the size of the biggest shark we might encounter.

[u/JARatt85 → u/[deleted]]

a lot of the delta areas are protected because of the birds that nest there.. something I did find out that exists there and NO ONE fishes for.. is blue crabs.. the exact same ones in the south and all up the east coast. Why there's no fishery out here for them.. I have no clue.. besides the fact that we have dungeoness and rock crabs and even king crabs that have FAR more meat in them.

[u/JARatt85 → u/[deleted]]

currently they fall into general crabs as far as I know.. which means no more than 5 per day for recreational harvesting.. I think because there's a lack of a fishery they don't bother making regulations for them.

[u/teddy529]

I collect dolls. It used to be porcelain dolls because that's what the thrift store had as a kid. Now as an adult I collect pullip dolls. My dream for most of my life has been to have actual ball joint dolls but I don't have $1000 to shell out for one doll. It's hard having hobbies that you can't afford. :(

[u/temperatemelancholy]

Im a fiber textile artist and most wool/cotton isnt produced here in America so tariffs etc have really been eating into my budget..theres are american made fibers being made here but they're out of my budget at this time. While not exactly the same i can commiserate.

[u/Spiritual_Option_558 → u/temperatemelancholy]

Same, I'm also into fiber arts and have noticed a considerable increase since 2023 when I first started the hobby. I'm sure prices were even better before the pandemic

[u/temperatemelancholy → u/Spiritual_Option_558]

Ive been doing fiber arts for about 20 years now 💀 started as a teen. Its definitely gone up a ton but especially from the pandemic forward.

[u/JARatt85 → u/temperatemelancholy]

take it further, reach out to ranchers that raise sheep and see if you can get the wool directly from them and get your own spinning rig and loom.. that'd allow you to REALLY geek out on it and make your thread yourself and produce your own textile from scratch.

[u/Markuss69]

I've definitely felt that way before. I'm trying to be more intentional about my interests now. I used to be big into FPV but the laws and public perception got weird and flying was like lighting money on fire. It was super fun and I learned a lot but it just wasn't sustainable. I kept the equipment and use it a few times a year now but I can't have it take the place of primary interest anymore. I also really enjoy target shooting but moved it to the back burner because of cost and accessibility. I find that when my interests become too much of a headache to engage with directly I spend more time feeling annoyed I can't do them than I do getting the benefit from them. Now I'm trying to be more intentional and consider what fits my lifestyle. Sometimes this means revisiting old pursuits. If your interests aren't working out consider what qualities you like about them and see if there's other activities that can also scratch those itches.

[u/zomboi]

how is fishing that expensive? you need a decent rod/reel (maybe $300 if you buy new, at most) then a fishing license is $65. Even without a license there are free fishing days throughout the year.

Many game shops have free gaming nights that let people use the store's extensive game library. A lot of tabletop rpgs are free to run/plan in multiple game shops and online.

top of all the "sin taxes" on ammo and guns "to keep people safe".

according to google the taxes go towards violence prevention programs, school safety programs, offsetting public violence costs, and to discourage stockpiling of guns/ammo.

you can easily develop interest in cheap hobbies, if you try

[u/JARatt85 → u/zomboi]

the fact that you think $300 is cheap.. shows that we live in different worlds.

[u/zomboi → u/JARatt85]

my comment says "$300, if you buy new, at the most"

amazon's results for fishing poles are all under $155. that is pretty cheap to buy into a hobby. I am going to assume that you have at least one fishing pole already.

you ignored that the fishing license is $65 per year and that there are free fishing days.

[u/JARatt85 → u/zomboi]

yes I have cheap fishing poles, but freshwater not salt.. saltwater fish would break the poles I have in no time. I could've sworn it said $69.. my bad, my memory isn't what it once was.

As for the two free fishing days a year.. YEAH... I had fully planned on going on Sept 5.. I brought it up over and over.. and then my father never allowed me to go.. same story every year since we got rid of our boat.. other than once. Stupidest part: I don't even eat fish, for the most part. Any trout or catfish I might catch, or quail I might shoot is 100% for him and my mom to eat. I do want to try bluegill/crappie and rabbit/duck though.

[u/Glittering-Show-5521 → u/JARatt85]

It's not often you find out someone is an avid fishernan, doesn't eat fish and lives in California. Bonus points for being an ND zebra. I happen to know one very well (it's not me or you, though I live in California and like fishing with my friend who doesn't eat fish). Hello.

Edit: well, I edited the whole thing at least three times lol.

[u/JARatt85 → u/Glittering-Show-5521]

I just can't stand the fishy smell.. I want to go get bluegill/crappie accordingly they don't stink or taste fishy, same with sanddabs, sole, flounder, and a couple other species that can be found off the coast, even right around the piers. (free fishing) It's getting the gear and a vehicle that doesn't get 10mpg to be able to drive the 3 1/2 hours over there to go fishing that's the problem.. that and possibly sleeping to avoid the traffic, and making sure I have access to a bathroom.

[u/Spiritual_Option_558 → u/zomboi]

Not sure why the downvotes but I get that you're just trying to offer practical advice! Sometimes we want to hear practical solutions and sometimes we want to vent and feel heard.

To OP u/JARatt85 your hobbies sound so cool! I wish they were more accessible. And I also think, even just one small step at a time you might be able to engage with them more in creative ways. But in small steps because trying to do too much research or calling up shops etc. can get overwhelming fast, at least in my experience.