When Your Pastime Takes Ownership

For all my mentions of my prior life as a beer truck driver, and the monthly meetings of the ElderBeerMen (retired beer truck drivers), you might think I have a drinking problem. In reality I average about eight drinks per month. And usually, that involves having two at one sitting, so most days, I’m a teetotaler, but I do enjoy my transgressions. Many who imbibe can’t control the habit; the alcohol owns them. Many pastimes are the same way.

I have written about my ‘Vinyl Resting Place’, the room that houses my music collection. I own several hundred records and CDs, many of which go back to my childhood. I add to my collection, maybe one album per month on average; usually rock, country or jazz artists who are not currently in my collection. I follow a Facebook group of collectors whose collections have taken over every room in their house. If I tried that, Chrissy would relocate my Vinyl Resting Place to the front yard. Is there a Record Collectors Anonymous? 

Many of my friends have guns. Some hunt, some have them for protection, they are all responsible owners. I don’t own any, but I have researched guns, and have considered buying one, but I have not….. pulled the trigger. Still, for some, gun ownership has become an obsession. Hand guns, shot guns, rifles, semi-automatic weapons, and many thousands of dollars worth of ammunition. They live and breathe guns. They are obsessed with guns. 

Politics is like that too. I posted a sign in my tax office instructing clients to leave their politics in the hallway. It was hard to talk to a client about their tax return when they wouldn’t shut up about their politics. Allowing politics to steer investing decisions can be a recipe for disaster.

Religion too can be carried to extremes. I know people whose generous gifts to their church is preventing them from saving adequately for their future. (Remember I see both charitable deductions and 401K contributions when I prepare tax returns). I have also read of unscrupulous churches who swindle well intentioned people. 

Hobbies and special interests are important to our well being, life would be boring and depressing without them. Still, too much of a good thing can be bad.