Uprising Posted December 22, 2025 Share Posted December 22, 2025 (edited) Out of the Red Hobby Event 2026 Disclaimer: Never take investment advice from strangers on the internet, especially people who like Chaos. You own your Hobby; don't let the Hobby own you. Hobbies (in this case miniature tabletop wargames) are meant to be enjoyable time for those that particulate. From gaming, painting, or reading lore, I have seen many in our hobby suffer mentally and physically due to overspending on the Hobby, and our current economic times. To solve this, I will be running an event starting 2026 called “Out of the Red”. The mission is to gain financial control over our hobbies and our lives. Our enemy is our Piles of Shame. Guidelines: Estimate your annual budget, which is your take home pay minus your expenses. Please do NOT post your income, that is not the point of the event and a private matter for the hobbyist. We don't need to know, only you need to know. Do you have debts or an emergency fund? Consider those as you determine your annual budget. Within your annual budget, audit your Hobby budget for the year. A common suggestion is to spend 5% to 10% (others say 20%) of your take home pay on fun purchases. These could be models, books, video games, paint, terrain, rules, etc. OR maybe you pick up other hobbies beside Tabletop wargames. Keep in mind the 500 Worlds campaign and 11th ed 40k are coming. This is decided by each individual. Decide on your target percentage and monthly budget. This is the total amount you will spend on models and supplies (or save for a later purchase, other fun activities, or invest) this month. Post your pledge amount for the month. This could be a saving, new models you bought / or painted, supplies, decal, terrain, a new book (please leave your thoughts after reading), Warhammer video game, or other hobbies accessories. You can post multiple post a month but make sure your within budget. Leftover funds can be saved for other months, saved for other purposes, or invest. Reflect on you purchase. Did you finish the project? Did you use what you bought? Did it bring you happiness or dread? Tell us at the end of the month. At the end of the year 2026, re-audit your budget and post your results. Did you follow your budget? Did you go back and work on your back log? Did you sell unwanted or old projects to fund new projects? Post what you purchase, painted, saved, or invested. Vow Example: “I, insert name, pledge to keep track of 100% of my Hobby budget for 2026 from the dawn of January 1st 2026, through January 1st 2027. Whether I exceed that or turn that into savings / investments / emergency funds, I'll know where my money is." Reporting Example: Hobby Budget Remaining: 100% Hobby Budget Spent: 0% Built: 0% Painted: 0% Otherwise Utilised: 0% Saved / Invested: 0% FAQ: Q: Are there leaderboards, awards and forum badges for taking part in the thread? A: Not presently, participation is its own reward, but we’ll see if there’s demand. Q: Can I sell unwanted models to get additional hobby funds or get out of debt/ increase saving? A: Yes. Remember, it’s against the forum rule to try to sell or trade models here. Q: I’m really happy with my budget and don’t want to reduce it. Can I participate? A: If you want to set a goal to keep your budget at its current value you can participate. Q: Can I set a goal to increase, go into debt, or spend my life savings on Warhammer (I have seen this three times in my life)? A: No! Q: Can I pledge after the event started (Jan 1st 2026)? A: You may start at any time. The sooner the better. Q: Can I set different amount / percentage each month? A: Yes, if you follow that amount per month. Special thanks to N1SB and Grotsmasha for their time and help with getting this event off the ground. Let the train wreck begin. Space reserved for list of participates Tallarn Commander N1SB Valkia the Bloody Uprising Rusted Boltgun Focslain Calgar101 Grotsmasha HD3 Concord Edited April 2 by Uprising Rusted Boltgun, LameBeard, Focslain and 6 others 2 1 3 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tallarn Commander Posted December 23, 2025 Share Posted December 23, 2025 “I, Tallarn Commander, pledge to keep track of 100% of my Hobby budget for 2026 from the dawn of January 1st 2026, through January 1st 2027. Whether I exceed that or turn that into savings / investments / emergency funds, I'll know where my money is." I've tracked my expenses for years. My monthly hobbying expenses are usually 5% or so within budget, either in positive or negative. Except for when I splurged at the 2022 Tacoma Open and bought 10 Gal Vorback Chaos Marines. And then I just cut back on food by eating frozen instead of fresh produce and eating lots of canned tuna and pasta, getting some overtime at work, and not going out for the rest of the next few weeks and I was able to catch up. Used miniatures and local swapmeets are a godsend to staying within budget. Uprising, calgar101, Firedrake Cordova and 2 others 3 1 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6147964 Share on other sites More sharing options...
N1SB Posted December 24, 2025 Share Posted December 24, 2025 “I, N1SB, pledge to keep track of 125% of my Hobby budget FROM 10th ed 40k FOR 11th ed 40k, from the dawn of January 1st 2026, through January 1st 2027. Whether I exceed that or turn that into savings / investments / emergency funds, I'll know where my money is." I'm very aware of my 40k spending for a simple reason: it was the same in 8th, 9th and 10th edition launches. It was pretty much all the same $ amount, each time for 1,000 point projects, whether it was a local Armies On Parade or local Crusade campaign. Super-predictable. Adding +25%, why? Because inflation's everywhere. (By the time there's a Psychic Awakening or some Campaign, I might do another purchase or 2, but that's always a different fiscal year.) 18 hours ago, Tallarn Commander said: I've tracked my expenses for years. My monthly hobbying expenses are usually 5% or so within budget, either in positive or negative. Except for when I splurged at the 2022 Tacoma Open and bought 10 Gal Vorback Chaos Marines. I love your fiscal discipline like how I see my military veteran friends still instinctively go through the proper cautionary procedures when handling their weapons, even when they're unloaded. It's a good habit to have. I can tell, because if you consider 10 Gal Vorback splurging, then you have really good self-control. Our Warhammer Store manager is playing Word Bearers and he has 5. They're really good minis. Tallarn Commander, calgar101, LameBeard and 3 others 4 2 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6148044 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkia the Bloody Posted December 24, 2025 Share Posted December 24, 2025 I really should join here, too, since I also suffer from shiny new model syndrome. I still have too many unfinished models as well as unopened boxes here. Hopefully, the rumor is true and the new starter set is Blood Angels vs. Orks, that would save me money... after all, I have not even finished the marines of the Indomitus box yet! So here goes: “I, Valkia the Bloody, pledge to keep track of 100% of my Hobby budget for 2026 from the dawn of January 1st 2026, through January 1st 2027. Whether I exceed that or turn that into savings / investments / emergency funds, I'll know where my money is." Uprising, Tallarn Commander, N1SB and 2 others 3 2 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6148062 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uprising Posted December 25, 2025 Author Share Posted December 25, 2025 “I, Uprising, pledge to keep track of 100% of my Hobby budget for 2026 from the dawn of January 1st 2026, through January 1st 2027. Whether I exceed that or turn that into savings / investments / emergency funds, I'll know where my money is." On the personal side, I am in the process on downsizing (already sold about 3000 USD) in December, so this will be a great way to track sales (beside my own bookkeeping). My goal is to also only spend 250 usd per month for hobby as I want to actually finish projects I have instead of buying new items (except for some already budgeted 2026 purchases). I also want to thank everyone so far for signing up. Happy Holidays everyone. Valkia the Bloody, Firedrake Cordova, Tallarn Commander and 1 other 3 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6148133 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusted Boltgun Posted December 29, 2025 Share Posted December 29, 2025 I, Rusted Boltgun, pledge to keep track of 100% of my Hobby budget for 2026 from the dawn of January 1st 2026, through January 1st 2027. Whether I exceed that or turn that into savings / investments / emergency funds, I'll know where my money is. I have more than enough unbuilt and unpainted models to keep me through 2026 and beyond. An event like this will hopefully keep me focused on minimising my outlay. I have also run out of storage space so need to sell some stuff to make room. My aim is to have a £50 monthly budget and supplement this with funds from any sales I make through the year. Of course, my stupid brain is already pushing me towards a Blood Angels Combat Patrol (even though I could probably run BA in HH for minimal outlay as I already have the models) Good luck to all! Uprising, Valkia the Bloody, Firedrake Cordova and 3 others 2 4 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6148766 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Focslain Posted December 30, 2025 Share Posted December 30, 2025 Ok, let's do this. I, Focslain, pledge to keep track of 100% of my Hobby budget for 2026 from the dawn of January 1st 2026, through January 1st 2027. Whether I exceed that or turn that into savings / investments / emergency funds, I'll know where my money is. Based on projections since 11th should be coming out this year which will boost my spending a little. I really don't need to buy anymore models (even though I pre-ordered the new Titus group) between my current back stock and the CP magazine subscription. But I do spend more in the end of the year due to the Xmas bundles and I give a bit at my FLGS secret grotmas event. So looks like this years requisition budget will be around...*calculating* $3600 for the year or $300 a month. Granted I'm not going to spend that much each month and that is including the cost of the CP subscription and even a small amount carved out for possible must get MTO announcements. The current ones have already been ordered so will not count against the '26 fiscal. All purchases during this will be placed on a single card to help with tracking, plus the roundup will go to savings. Any spare at the end of the year will be dropped into my 401K cause why not. Now let's see if I can keep to this. Rusted Boltgun, Uprising, Valkia the Bloody and 3 others 4 2 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6149020 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uprising Posted January 1 Author Share Posted January 1 First, I want to thank Rusted Boltgun and Focslain for signing up. I hope everyone enjoyed their new year and let hope 2026 goes well for everyone. As we are now in 2026, the event is live. Good luck to everyone. Also, please remember, anyone can join at anytime, so new faces are always welcome. Firedrake Cordova, Rusted Boltgun, calgar101 and 1 other 4 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6149353 Share on other sites More sharing options...
calgar101 Posted January 3 Share Posted January 3 I,Calgar101, pledge to keep track of 100% of my Hobby budget for 2026 from the dawn of January 1st 2026, through January 1st 2027. Whether I exceed that or turn that into savings / investments / emergency funds, I'll know where my money is. This year I intend to increase my hobby expenditure, having spent around £4-500 on the hobby (books,models etc) in the last 5 years. I have sold some models off and have buyers regret with some of that (sold 10 built and 7 unbuilt Knights). I have never tracked my hobby budget before, hence having a Mountain of Shame. This year I will set myself £150 a month budget, that is an absolute maximum and not necessarily needing to hit or even come close to it. I have models from 15 years ago either still on sprue or just base coated. I will be starting my own WIP topic soon, so this will tie in quite well with that and having fellow hobbyists with similar goal/discipline will be very encouraging. End of each month shall we post a picture of what we've purchased? Uprising, Focslain, Firedrake Cordova and 3 others 4 2 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6149782 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uprising Posted January 5 Author Share Posted January 5 Welcome Calgar101, thank you for joining. On 1/3/2026 at 10:00 AM, calgar101 said: End of each month shall we post a picture of what we've purchased? Sure, I see no issue as a way to keep track. Also I think it would be good to see painted models and link to everyone blog / thread (up to the individual). Firedrake Cordova, Tallarn Commander, calgar101 and 1 other 2 2 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6150086 Share on other sites More sharing options...
calgar101 Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 1 hour ago, Uprising said: Welcome Calgar101, thank you for joining. Sure, I see no issue as a way to keep track. Also I think it would be good to see painted models and link to everyone blog / thread (up to the individual). No worries, all sounds good to me. Looking forwards to it. I will be creating my own WIP at some point but will post stuff in here too. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6150105 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Focslain Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 4 hours ago, Uprising said: Sure, I see no issue as a way to keep track. Also I think it would be good to see painted models and link to everyone blog / thread (up to the individual). Was wondering on that. Will do as well as I get projects done. On that note. The prices of kits via the Hactette magazine differ from the standard pricing. Guessing if I finish a kit that I got from the magazine I use the issue price and not the box pricing? Firedrake Cordova and calgar101 2 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6150140 Share on other sites More sharing options...
calgar101 Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 I would say the price you pay is the price you display. So if you buy something 2nd hand for £1 that's what you're going to calculate with. I hope so anyway Rusted Boltgun 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6150151 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grotsmasha Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 “I, Grotsmasha, pledge to keep track of 100% of my Hobby budget for 2026 from the dawn of January 1st 2026, through January 1st 2027. Whether I exceed that or turn that into savings / investments / emergency funds, I'll know where my money is." My budget is as follows: - Warhammer+ Annual Sub - Warhammer+ 2nd Sub model - <$100AU per month - Combat Patrol Sub should it launch in Oz (this will replace the monthly $100AU) Rusted Boltgun, Valkia the Bloody, calgar101 and 4 others 6 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6150216 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uprising Posted January 6 Author Share Posted January 6 17 hours ago, Focslain said: On that note. The prices of kits via the Hactette magazine differ from the standard pricing. Guessing if I finish a kit that I got from the magazine I use the issue price and not the box pricing? I would say price you pay as I have not paid full price for a GW product (or any for that matter) in the last 10 yrs (I always buy second hand). Also welcome Grotsmasha. Thank you for also helping out with the event I am curious, what everyone working/planning on for this year? I plan on finishing a necron army, Nova Cats (Battletech), and a Fantasy army (thinking a pure squig gloomspite or sylvaneth army as they are assemble). Tallarn Commander, Focslain and Firedrake Cordova 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6150256 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grotsmasha Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 My plan is two-fold. In the 12MoH Club, I'll be running a Campaign which has us all building a 10 man Kill Team (rule of cool vs. game legal), so that, BUT I'll be using my plethora of unpainted boxed games (BSF, SM: Adventures, Combat Arena) to fill out that Kill Team, whilst also completing at least *ONE* complete boxed game. Rusted Boltgun, Tallarn Commander and Valkia the Bloody 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6150258 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusted Boltgun Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 I'm learning not to plan too far in advance. I would like to have a 'quiet' year in terms of purchases and concentrate on 'slaying the grey'. I'm finishing off my Legio B&C challenge minis and next in the queue are some Orks to try and balance out my 40k forces. Once those are done we are likely to have a Knives in the Void/Shadows type event or a Call to Arms (both of which I enjoyed in 2025). A wider goal would be for me to have a reasonably sized game of 40k by the end of the year (I missed this goal for 2025). LameBeard, bloodhound23, Tallarn Commander and 2 others 2 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6150282 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Focslain Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 4 hours ago, Uprising said: I would say price you pay as I have not paid full price for a GW product (or any for that matter) in the last 10 yrs (I always buy second hand). Roger that. Main project for 2026 is to keep up with the incoming magazine models. Side project is the combat patrol blog I started and just paint what I've primed in recent months. Mostly guard and terrain. I'll see what else pops up cause fall tends to have me prep for the ExtraLife mega-battle and Hunger Wars charity tournament. Valkia the Bloody and Firedrake Cordova 2 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6150312 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkia the Bloody Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 Thank you Uprising for running this event and creating this thread! I think this will be really helpful for me. 4 hours ago, Uprising said: I am curious, what everyone working/planning on for this year? Well, I am planning on finishing my 1200ish point Tyranid army. I really hope I can control myself and hold back on buying more Tyranid models before the ones I already got are painted (it might be hard, since there might be some awesome new Tyranids coming up like new Warriors, Gargoyles and the Red Terror!). I also want to finish the 4 Kill Teams I already have sitting here, which is the Fellgor Ravagers, Mandrakes, Nemesis Claw and a 30k legionaries team (and I definitely do NOT need to buy any more Kill Teams before these are done!). Another project I want to do this year is finally built, convert and paint the Imperial Knight that has been sitting on my shelf for years- he will join my Night Lords. I have quite a few more models sitting on my shelf of shame. Just today (public holiday in my state of Germany), I made a stock-take. I got the models out, held them, dusted them off, repaired some (some of them had moved flat with me several times already) and made myself aware that they are actually here. And need work. I made a post in my "Work in Progress" thread, not really to show off, but I hope the post will help me keep better track of things and help curb the "miniature cravings" for new plastic crack. Every time I get an urge, I first will come back to the pictures I took today and make myself aware of how many really cool miniatures are already here! If anyone is interested, here is a link to the stock-take post of today: I really hope I can stay on track and finish some of the projects that are on my shelves already before buying new things. The only thing in the coming months which I would like to get are the Boxing Day Collector's miniatures. Sadly, these were already sold out at the local store last week. I will have to order them from GW direct when they become available. Otherwise, no other purchases are planned for the upcoming months. Temptation will be strong, and I admit I caved in when I scoured Ebay again after Christmas (I got some money for Christmas). I need to stay away from Ebay.... anyways, with my Christmas money, I bought 2 used figures for around 50 Euro and I created a small duel scene of a Samurai Space Marine (converted from a Indomitus Chaplain and I think these are Puppetswar bits) and the goofiest Carnifex I could find on Ebay. Since these were bought at the end of 2025 with my Christmas money, I am not sure I should count them into my 2026 budget, though. Firedrake Cordova, Rusted Boltgun, Focslain and 1 other 2 1 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6150316 Share on other sites More sharing options...
calgar101 Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 Some good hobby goals guys and fingers crossed and all the support to you completing them! We got this! My goal is to work through as much of my back log as possible, quite vague I know but I have quite a number of models to build, paint, strip and/or repair. Some kits are unbuilt from 15 years ago or so, some from then are built and base coated. Over the years I have sold some stuff off, some with regret, but ive somewhere between 1000-1500 models. It's been a while since I did a full count. I know I wont get everything done this year but I want to at least get all the kits built. I want to; Build my chapter (colours and background yet to be decided). Build 2-3k army for each Badab participant plus a Tyrant legion and Imperial Guard and Inquisition force. Expand/finish my Black Templars,Blood Angels, Crimson Fists, Dark Angels, Death Watch, Grey Knights and Space Wolves. Build new Ultramarines led by Guilliman. I will add Primaris. Build Imperial Fists 30k army Get Knights again Finish off my Imperial Guard, add more tanks, especially super heavies. Build slme custom tanks for them. Sisters of Silence, Sister of Battle, more Assassins, Inquisition. Get titans again. The units I sold that I regret, but again (silly me). I do want a small army of each 1st Founding chapter... I want each bloodline represented. More Horus Heresy, Solar Auxilia and Mechanicum. Yeah I know im setting up to fail but go big or go home. Valkia the Bloody, Rusted Boltgun, Focslain and 1 other 4 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6150511 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grotsmasha Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 I can't recommend pileofpotential.com enough for cataloging and tracking your progress through your backlog. Valkia the Bloody, Heraclite, Firedrake Cordova and 1 other 3 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6150557 Share on other sites More sharing options...
calgar101 Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 Will check that out! Will need some sort of tracker. I also need to make some sort of plan too Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6150563 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firedrake Cordova Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 It's old-school, but pen and paper also works great ... crossing stuff off can be oddly satisfying (it's the approach I use for work, anyway). Rusted Boltgun, Tallarn Commander and Valkia the Bloody 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6150616 Share on other sites More sharing options...
calgar101 Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 (edited) All my list building has always been done using pen and paper I just need to sit down and work out exactly what I have first. Edited January 12 by calgar101 Spelling Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6150632 Share on other sites More sharing options...
calgar101 Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 First hobby purchase of this month, Typhon tank The resin tanks I had, Cerebus, Spartans, Typhon and Fellblade, I sold off and will replace with the plastic kit. I prefer plastic to resin. £74 spent so still plenty of budget left... not that I have to, but need some hobby supplies soon. Rusted Boltgun, Focslain, Tallarn Commander and 1 other 4 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/387292-out-of-the-red-hobby-event-2026/#findComment-6151027 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now