I have a total to date, since entering the hobby just after New Years in 2005, of about $15K, and that includes about halfway through construction of layout #3 at present. That figure, divided by 85 months, comes to just under $180. To me, as a retired person on a modest pension (and yes, I really do thank my lucky stars for my choice of work so long ago...it made a difference to me today where so many are struggling. I never forget that!), it looks like a lot. But, in the grand scheme of monthly expenses, it is peanuts. Our Corolla's gas bill each month is about $150, forgetting all other ownership costs for a vehicle, not the least of which is replacement. We spend $100 each month on coffee, whether our preferred brand brewed at home or purchased at a kiosk/outlet. Milk costs us about $30 each month. Meat about $150. Cable/internet/phone services (bundled with our cable service) costs us near $150, tax included.
Looked at over time, hobby costs look irresponsible often, even irrational. But as a reasonable portion of one's living costs, it isn't much for the pleasure and use of time it offers us. Looking at it another way, if an emergency happens, the total costs to date might look like a colossal waste and lack of foresight. But the $180 kept for even a whole year is unlikely to make the difference between insolvency and security, between health and grave illness, and so on.