Well, I've been doing DIY juice since 3 months into vaping, so in juice, that's about a dollar a day. I vape 13 ml a day. Currently have enough wick and wire for years of building, and enough variety to meet any ohm/watt scenario. Also have enough cotton, hemp and ramie fiber to last me till my last vape on earth. So figure maybe $5 per year cost for wick and wire. So the cost of vaping runs me about $380 per year. Batteries not included. lmao.
Now the cost of collecting, is an entirely different conversation and cost analysis argument.
I'm at the point where don't really need anything more to have one damn fine vape. And I look at acquiring mods and rba's as adding to and enhancing my collection and vape experience. I usually take three tanked mods into work with me, usually 2 mechs and one dna30 device. Tied up in those three setups is around $1200. I have about 2k total invested in mods and rba's. So for the fist year of my vape journey I've roughly saved 1k by vaping and not smoking. And can't tell you how many more years I've added to my stay on Planet Earth.
I have a pretty decent quality collection of mostly authentic, with a clone throw in along the way. The best stuff is always the Authentic stuff. But clones can be attractive too, but are a gamble.
So yeah, cost me less than smoking year one, year two is all paid for, and part of year 3 too. Gear wise, am set for life, but seem to remain susceptible to the "Damn, that looks Sweeeeetttt!!! Oh my, I got to get me one of those, that would vape stellar" Syndrome. Most of my best acquisitions were made in that mode though. lmao.
Vape long and Prosper.!!!