Questioning The Cost of Content Creation - A New Year's Resolution for Me

Usually, on January 1st, I publish a New Year's Resolution post about what I wish to see toy manufacturers make in the upcoming year.

A few weeks ago, I decided to post some resolutions for me. They are:

    1. Spend less on toys (especially online)

    2. Photograph toys I already purchased

    3. Sell off things that aren't displayed

    4. Focus on specific lines or subsets of lines to make the hunt more fun (and focused)

My philosophy when purchasing toys has always been with a diorama project in mind. That is how GI Jigsaw started. At the time, I didn't have a way to share toy photos, so I made them into puzzles and tried to sell them. That didn't work.

I do like the blog format still because it takes some time and focus to write and publish, though I usually don't write as much. Usually a paragraph blurb and then a bunch of photos. I typically spend a focused hour or two per month writing the blog posts and then prescheduling them so there is one post every day.

With social media, I found myself buying stuff just to be able to post content daily. Most times, I post multiple photos a day, which means multiple purchases. These items then get thrown into a bin, usually not seen until years later. Definitely a waste. 

Some lifestyle/financial gurus will say, if you aren't spending your free time/hobbies making income, you're wasting your time. I disagree with this when it comes to toy collecting and blog posts. I do see a tipping point with buying things just to post on social media. Online purchases have made it too easy to get something as well. 

Hobbies are important, especially in this day and age when we are surrounded by stressful times. We need something to disconnect with. I guess my question is how much time and money is worth it. Especially time. 

Anyway, enough preaching. If I didn't buy anything ever again, I still have enough content for 3-4 years. Time to make that happen. 

So back to the resolutions:

    1. Spend less on toys (especially online).  Constant work in progress.

    2. Photograph toys I already purchased. Case in point - Monster Force series 2, Haslab Cantina, and Haslab Ghost are still sealed in their packages.

    3. Sell off things that aren't displayed. I often keep things only because I rushed or didn't think the original photos were good enough. I always want to go back and do it better. So build those dioramas, photograph them, and sell them if they are to be put back into storage bins.

    4. Focus on specific lines. Right now, when I go to a vintage toy store, I have been looking for these specific things. Marvel Toybiz and Star Wars Power of the Force figures which can be found for $10 or less. From a character perspective, I've been focused on carded Queen/Senator Amidala, Jawas, and Tusken Raider figures. I've been keeping an eye out for the Mattel Dark Knight Rises line and the Diamond Select Gotham series. 

I'll always pick up GI Joe Classified if it is from 1982-1985, some original Trilogy (if not made before) or Rogue One/Andor Star Wars, and selective Marvel Legends figures. Only if the character was never made before. Who needs 25 Iron Mans or Wolverines. 

Anyway, this should help the wallet and my time management, and make the hunt for toys more fun. And like I said, I still have enough daily content for 3-4 years.

What are your thoughts on the time and money spent just to generate content?