The spending insanity must stop!!!!
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stick with what works, dont impulse buy stuff that "might" be better....because that road never ends.
new things will come up all the time. i wanted stuff all the time but stuck with my ego and boge 2.0 carto for 4 months, using 2 liquids that i can tolerate. in those 4 months i spend 200 total...as opposed to 1200 on analogs. after that, i bought an ipro, dabbed into other cartos and liquids and....ZIPPPPPPPPPPPP! 400 was gone just like that.
my advice is: stick to what works, dont chase the rainbow.
new things will come up all the time. i wanted stuff all the time but stuck with my ego and boge 2.0 carto for 4 months, using 2 liquids that i can tolerate. in those 4 months i spend 200 total...as opposed to 1200 on analogs. after that, i bought an ipro, dabbed into other cartos and liquids and....ZIPPPPPPPPPPPP! 400 was gone just like that.
my advice is: stick to what works, dont chase the rainbow.
E-cig vendors have it pretty good with their potential customer base. We were all tobacco addicts and most of us remain nicotine addicts. Having something in our personality that makes us likely to be addictive/compulsive makes for customers who tend to impulse buy and over-spend.
It definitely can be tough to resist buying new juices and gear that we don't need. I guess once we find a set-up that works, we need to learn to be happy with it, if that's possible. I'd love to try heaps more juices than I do, but I just can't afford it, although if I was smoking I'd be spending 5 times what I spend on vaping gear. Where does all that money I'm saving go? Aren't I meant to be on holiday in Bali or something by now?
Yes, this is a very expensive habit. Going to a vaping meet soon and lord only know how much money I'll drop there. More juice, more pv's please.....
I think vaping can be expensive because many of us just "inch up" or step up gradually.. starting with a crappy mall kit and then going to the ego and then another (or more) 3.7 devices and then start the vv mods. If you enjoy 3.7 devices, fine, get a good one and keep it. If fixed voltage isn't doing it for you get a nice vv device. People go on and on about how expensive the provari is while they keep buying one fixed voltage mod after another. But then again, this is how we learn.. by working our way up.
I'm lucky.. I diy and like using unflavored juice. Not all the time but much of the time. I also like adding a bit of flavor to it. Boge and smoktech cartos are cheap at ccv and running unflavored through them regularly helps them last at least a week or two each. I like to use tanks and after an initial layout of $8 for a chibi tank and $20 for supplies (to make them) I have enough tanks to last for years.
I don't need a silver bullet that runs at 5v because I have 3 vv devices that run at 5v. two of them use the same batts and charger. I don't need a kick because why would I need one with 3 vv devices. Finding a good vv device is not hard. My favorite device is a madvapes vv box and it is $35. It holds it voltage, is small and works great. Why would anyone buy a 3.7 box that gradually loses it's voltage as the batts die when they can just get a vv box that will hold it's voltage and run at any voltage you want.
Sure I'd love to have a provari and if I had it to do all over again I'd skip the steps and go right to it. But I have too much invested in my other devices and they do what I need them to do. I'm also lucky I don't feel the need to try all these different attys and cartos.. Everyone loves the boge and smoktech so that is what I bought and keep buying. I constantly ask myself if it is a "want" or a "need". I have to get what I need to stay off cigarettes (although after more than a year, I can't imagine actually smoking one now). variable voltage devices are a need. I didn't need the new lavatube I bought, but it was christmas and I wanted it so that was my christmas present. I'm satisfied with my diy juices so all I need to buy is the components to make it. I'm satisfied with my tanks and cartos so all I need is to get a box or two once a month (if that)
You said that you started diying... try making up some juice and not adding any flavors. It's pretty good. After a little while (hours.. days.. weeks) you can add a bit of flavor. starting at 0 helps me to know what I can add to it to get what I want (flavorwise)
With flavors.. less it more. I mainly use capellas flavoring and FA cookie and sweetener from tasty vapor.. I also use EZ-sweetz, just a drop.. this link will get you a small bottle for $3 (shipped) and will last a good long time.
I try my best to be cost effective. trying out all the different attys and cartos takes time and is expensive. As for buying juices, I've learned the hard way that juice flavors are very subjective. I'm actually afraid to order different venfor juices because I'm afraid I won't like them. The only store bought, premade juice I buy anymore is KBV warm sugar cookie and I use it sparingly because I've just found I'll get sick of it after a few days. ( I ran out of PG and couldn't make any unflavored juice and when my PG came in today I couldn't wait to make up some.. Ahhh the clean taste of unflavored compared to the sickly sweet of the sugar cookie LOL.)
As to cost effectiveness, I used to buy most of my juice from one vendor, if I bought the nic juice and the 4oz "doubler" it was very inexpensive. I thought I was being cost effective but then I began noticing their juice clogged up my cartos after only 1 day. After awhile, throwing away a carto a day gets expenisive so I was on a quest to find a juice that I not only liked but didn't clog my cartos so fast. That's when I began the unflavored juice. I have a couple very simple recipes that I don't mind sharing if you PM me.
Anyway.. hope I helped a little
I'm lucky.. I diy and like using unflavored juice. Not all the time but much of the time. I also like adding a bit of flavor to it. Boge and smoktech cartos are cheap at ccv and running unflavored through them regularly helps them last at least a week or two each. I like to use tanks and after an initial layout of $8 for a chibi tank and $20 for supplies (to make them) I have enough tanks to last for years.
I don't need a silver bullet that runs at 5v because I have 3 vv devices that run at 5v. two of them use the same batts and charger. I don't need a kick because why would I need one with 3 vv devices. Finding a good vv device is not hard. My favorite device is a madvapes vv box and it is $35. It holds it voltage, is small and works great. Why would anyone buy a 3.7 box that gradually loses it's voltage as the batts die when they can just get a vv box that will hold it's voltage and run at any voltage you want.
Sure I'd love to have a provari and if I had it to do all over again I'd skip the steps and go right to it. But I have too much invested in my other devices and they do what I need them to do. I'm also lucky I don't feel the need to try all these different attys and cartos.. Everyone loves the boge and smoktech so that is what I bought and keep buying. I constantly ask myself if it is a "want" or a "need". I have to get what I need to stay off cigarettes (although after more than a year, I can't imagine actually smoking one now). variable voltage devices are a need. I didn't need the new lavatube I bought, but it was christmas and I wanted it so that was my christmas present. I'm satisfied with my diy juices so all I need to buy is the components to make it. I'm satisfied with my tanks and cartos so all I need is to get a box or two once a month (if that)
You said that you started diying... try making up some juice and not adding any flavors. It's pretty good. After a little while (hours.. days.. weeks) you can add a bit of flavor. starting at 0 helps me to know what I can add to it to get what I want (flavorwise)
With flavors.. less it more. I mainly use capellas flavoring and FA cookie and sweetener from tasty vapor.. I also use EZ-sweetz, just a drop.. this link will get you a small bottle for $3 (shipped) and will last a good long time.
I try my best to be cost effective. trying out all the different attys and cartos takes time and is expensive. As for buying juices, I've learned the hard way that juice flavors are very subjective. I'm actually afraid to order different venfor juices because I'm afraid I won't like them. The only store bought, premade juice I buy anymore is KBV warm sugar cookie and I use it sparingly because I've just found I'll get sick of it after a few days. ( I ran out of PG and couldn't make any unflavored juice and when my PG came in today I couldn't wait to make up some.. Ahhh the clean taste of unflavored compared to the sickly sweet of the sugar cookie LOL.)
As to cost effectiveness, I used to buy most of my juice from one vendor, if I bought the nic juice and the 4oz "doubler" it was very inexpensive. I thought I was being cost effective but then I began noticing their juice clogged up my cartos after only 1 day. After awhile, throwing away a carto a day gets expenisive so I was on a quest to find a juice that I not only liked but didn't clog my cartos so fast. That's when I began the unflavored juice. I have a couple very simple recipes that I don't mind sharing if you PM me.
Anyway.. hope I helped a little
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It's really fun! It's a new toy to me, and I am having fun with it. Think of it this way; if your hobby was motorcycles, how much would you have spent in the first few months?!
I feel like the spending will taper down pretty soon for me. I have a stable of juices I really like. Most of the money went to finding out what I like and don't like.
I do plan on buying myself a Provari for my birthday if I am still vaping in April.
I feel like the spending will taper down pretty soon for me. I have a stable of juices I really like. Most of the money went to finding out what I like and don't like.
I do plan on buying myself a Provari for my birthday if I am still vaping in April.
Realistically, pick up almost any hobby and the scenario is similar. Cyclists, artists, musicians, aquarium fans, RC car/plane/boat pilots, & collectors of almost anything all have forums where they lament their lost fortunes. There's a certain intrinsic value to enjoyment. 
We've all been there. I used to search for the best mod, there just has to be one! Well, after going to far down the credit hole, I realized there just isn't a best. There is what works for me and I found out what that is. You have a SB, that is a very good mod. Now you would just need batteries and cartos. Don't worry with the 5v batt if you already have the 3.7v batt and the 6v batts. 5vs is not needed. Just another option, one you can save for.
The Kick is not out yet for us to purchase, so you can save for that if you want it.
Buy cartos when on sale only (this only applies if you have not run out). ETA: You can watch the Deals and Steals thread for sales.
Juices, uh, well, can't help you. Cappella's flavorings work best for me. What will work best for you I don't know. I bought tons of Lorann's (how embarrassing), tons of TPA, tons of FA. Not my faves by any means, but vapable, just not satisfying. The TPA and FA really needed to sit on the shelf a bit once mixed before they tasted anything close to what I was trying to achieve, and did not resemble any vender's juices. The Cappella flaves are great on fist mix and later, to me. I've chased juice reviews and found my tastes are much different than what others here seem to like. Is it just my tastebuds or is it the equipment I vape it in? Probably both. I have complicated tastebuds, ha! So, there is no perfect eliquid either. Just what you find you like, and your tastes are going to change up some in a few months, btw, so don't buy a bunch of say Watermelon juice 'cause you may hate it soon. (Yeah, I did that too.)
Have I saved any money? Not a danged cent! Have I gotten control of the spending? Yes, I realized all of the above, and that rent, utilities, groceries, and gas had to come first. I would have to learn to love what I have and save for anything new and not necessary.
I'll remind you that reading here daily can really make you want to try what everyone is describing as great that day, week, or month. It does help to step away for a few weeks sometimes. Had to do that a lot.
The Kick is not out yet for us to purchase, so you can save for that if you want it.
Buy cartos when on sale only (this only applies if you have not run out). ETA: You can watch the Deals and Steals thread for sales.
Juices, uh, well, can't help you. Cappella's flavorings work best for me. What will work best for you I don't know. I bought tons of Lorann's (how embarrassing), tons of TPA, tons of FA. Not my faves by any means, but vapable, just not satisfying. The TPA and FA really needed to sit on the shelf a bit once mixed before they tasted anything close to what I was trying to achieve, and did not resemble any vender's juices. The Cappella flaves are great on fist mix and later, to me. I've chased juice reviews and found my tastes are much different than what others here seem to like. Is it just my tastebuds or is it the equipment I vape it in? Probably both. I have complicated tastebuds, ha! So, there is no perfect eliquid either. Just what you find you like, and your tastes are going to change up some in a few months, btw, so don't buy a bunch of say Watermelon juice 'cause you may hate it soon. (Yeah, I did that too.)
Have I saved any money? Not a danged cent! Have I gotten control of the spending? Yes, I realized all of the above, and that rent, utilities, groceries, and gas had to come first. I would have to learn to love what I have and save for anything new and not necessary.
I'll remind you that reading here daily can really make you want to try what everyone is describing as great that day, week, or month. It does help to step away for a few weeks sometimes. Had to do that a lot.
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I'm fortunate that my wife is in charge of the finances between the two of us, so I had a brake put on me once I ran through my Christmas bonus money. We agreed to discuss any vaping purchases between us before placing an order. Of course, since then she's been the one finding new juices and clearos to try...
Hi everyone this is another problem I'm fighting with and is very complex, I must admit. I'm at 3 moths and 16 days of vaping and spent $2500 so far (they're Canadian but still 2500 of them...) There's a marketing concept called Product Diffusion Curve and it seems that we're following that when it comes to vaping (from the SWITCH to the relentless search for the best device, and then for the best juice). I like to think that I have a target set in my brain as to what I'm expecting from the vaping experience: feel as good as I used to feel when I was smoking 30+ Marlboros per day.
The Product Diffusion Curve defines 5 categories of buyers: Innovators, Early Adopters, Early Majority, Late Majority, Laggards. Historically, since the vaping is new, we're all Innovators - we all here on ECF and everywhere else, switched from smoking to vaping when there was not even close scientific proof (compared to the traditional cigarette studies) that it is good or safe but we're doing it and not killing ourselves. When it comes to PVs we're Early Adopters and react to what the hackers are pushing our ways (hacker is a positive word, should've used modders though) When it comes to juice we're Early Majority, we all looking for the reviews and decide what to buy, why spend money on Tuna flavored juice... however an Innovator thought that Tuna may have potential... Now that I've explained a bit how I think it works let's get back to my experience: started with V2 Cigs, switch to eGo in one week.
Why?? Because I couldn't stand smoking one extra day or the period it took for the eGo to come into mail.
**At this moment we realize the enormous value of ECF and other sites like this**
Then replaced the atomizers with kangers, tanks, etc again, an Early Adopter since sometimes I was ordering things that were up for sale for only a week or so... Same thing with juices, tried 6 vendors so far, and always ordered 30 ml bottles and all the tobacco varieties (ended up with a good stock that will justify and amortize the cost).
My experiences with the tobacco was this: easy to find cigarette, easy to use (have it first and worst case ask someone for a lighter), feel good whenever I took out the red pack, or feel it in my pocket, good flavour and $310 spent per month, always enjoyed when a new variety will come my way.
What I do with the vaping? Decided to only try tobacco flavours (because I'm trying to replicate the experience), finally have 3 GGs w/ Odies (because I can lower the cost of replacing the atomizers, durability, and batteries) and patiently waiting for 8 months (half of it already gone) to pass since Oct 5th 2011 so I can buy juice again. What happened so far: I can say that I don't' scour the internet in finding the next atomizer or next device, I'm more calmer when I feel the GG in my palm, found 3 juices that satisfy me, and I don't feel the same urge to spend when it comes to PVs.
When I started vaping I immediately felt a new type of anxiety: the PV I have is not enough, before, it was knowing that there's few cigarettes left in my pack. Now, after I settled, there's no more anxiety, only a few quirks to eliminate.
Thank you for your patience if you made it so far
melloyello said better than I did: don't chase the rainbow
The Product Diffusion Curve defines 5 categories of buyers: Innovators, Early Adopters, Early Majority, Late Majority, Laggards. Historically, since the vaping is new, we're all Innovators - we all here on ECF and everywhere else, switched from smoking to vaping when there was not even close scientific proof (compared to the traditional cigarette studies) that it is good or safe but we're doing it and not killing ourselves. When it comes to PVs we're Early Adopters and react to what the hackers are pushing our ways (hacker is a positive word, should've used modders though) When it comes to juice we're Early Majority, we all looking for the reviews and decide what to buy, why spend money on Tuna flavored juice... however an Innovator thought that Tuna may have potential... Now that I've explained a bit how I think it works let's get back to my experience: started with V2 Cigs, switch to eGo in one week.
Why?? Because I couldn't stand smoking one extra day or the period it took for the eGo to come into mail.
**At this moment we realize the enormous value of ECF and other sites like this**
Then replaced the atomizers with kangers, tanks, etc again, an Early Adopter since sometimes I was ordering things that were up for sale for only a week or so... Same thing with juices, tried 6 vendors so far, and always ordered 30 ml bottles and all the tobacco varieties (ended up with a good stock that will justify and amortize the cost).
My experiences with the tobacco was this: easy to find cigarette, easy to use (have it first and worst case ask someone for a lighter), feel good whenever I took out the red pack, or feel it in my pocket, good flavour and $310 spent per month, always enjoyed when a new variety will come my way.
What I do with the vaping? Decided to only try tobacco flavours (because I'm trying to replicate the experience), finally have 3 GGs w/ Odies (because I can lower the cost of replacing the atomizers, durability, and batteries) and patiently waiting for 8 months (half of it already gone) to pass since Oct 5th 2011 so I can buy juice again. What happened so far: I can say that I don't' scour the internet in finding the next atomizer or next device, I'm more calmer when I feel the GG in my palm, found 3 juices that satisfy me, and I don't feel the same urge to spend when it comes to PVs.
When I started vaping I immediately felt a new type of anxiety: the PV I have is not enough, before, it was knowing that there's few cigarettes left in my pack. Now, after I settled, there's no more anxiety, only a few quirks to eliminate.
Thank you for your patience if you made it so far
melloyello said better than I did: don't chase the rainbow
That's what you have to do. Remind yourself that you're getting the nicotine you need to prevent you from smoking and stick to a juice that doesn't suck.
No juice tastes as good as it sounds. And even if it did, could you eat chocolate brownies all day non-stop day after day? If the real thing would get sickening after awhile, juice sure will.
Soon to be a veteran (in 3 days) and for the 1st 6 months I thought by the end of the 1st year I would be healthy but dirt broke. Well, things are looking up now and I have actually managed to save about $800.00 this year. On track to save about 1500-1600 next year. Hang in there it will get better.
So for the first month of vaping, I probably spent 100 dollars TOPS on hardware and juice.
Than I found out about the provari, tank mods, and a LOT of different juice suppliers.
I've been vaping for 3 months.
I've spent $3000 total, and maybe 1,500 in the last 2-3 weeks.
I need to stop.. im serious, it's like an addiction. I love buying and stocking up on stuff. I have 100's of different colors and styles of drip tips. I have a bulk of 500 steel boge 3.0 ohm cartomizers. I bought about 50 - cheap tanks, and 10 expensive ones.
I have a lavatube and a provari.
I have just about every dekang juice in 50 ml bottles, every BWB juice in 30 ml bottles, and I NEVER purchase a juice that's under 30ml.
I've also stocked up on 500 pipettes, 100 syringes, 20 microfiber cloths, and 30 different DIY flavors(tobacco/fruit/sweets/menthol drops) all in 30ml quantities. Than I have like 200 different types and sizes of empty bottles, and like 600 ml of PG/VG. 200ml of Unflavored Nicotine 48mg.
I think it's safe to say that, I have an addiction, and I'm done spending until I regain 3000 dollars.
Than I found out about the provari, tank mods, and a LOT of different juice suppliers.
I've been vaping for 3 months.
I've spent $3000 total, and maybe 1,500 in the last 2-3 weeks.
I need to stop.. im serious, it's like an addiction. I love buying and stocking up on stuff. I have 100's of different colors and styles of drip tips. I have a bulk of 500 steel boge 3.0 ohm cartomizers. I bought about 50 - cheap tanks, and 10 expensive ones.
I have a lavatube and a provari.
I have just about every dekang juice in 50 ml bottles, every BWB juice in 30 ml bottles, and I NEVER purchase a juice that's under 30ml.
I've also stocked up on 500 pipettes, 100 syringes, 20 microfiber cloths, and 30 different DIY flavors(tobacco/fruit/sweets/menthol drops) all in 30ml quantities. Than I have like 200 different types and sizes of empty bottles, and like 600 ml of PG/VG. 200ml of Unflavored Nicotine 48mg.
I think it's safe to say that, I have an addiction, and I'm done spending until I regain 3000 dollars.
I do not see how ya'll do it. I have been vaping about 4 mths and after my last 5 pack atty order I am into vaping for about $180 and still have a few mths of juice left. I went into DIY during my second month as a test and since it has been successful I am getting ready to make an order for mixing equipment, more nic and a couple of more backups (batts/atty's) - some of this will be sunk cost (mixing equipment) and some will be overhead cost (batts/atty's/flavors), but for about another $200 - $220 I will have enough to hold me another year at least. So $380 - $400 for 16 - 18 months worth of vaping. That comes out to less than $25 a month - compared to the $140 a month I spent on analogs.
Now, am I looking for the perfect vape - nope - just looking for something to get me off and keep me off of analogs. Well, actually I figure if it got me off of the analogs then I have already found the perfect vape. I have looked at a number of the mods and have actually thought about learning how to build my own box mods (got lots of various woods laying around), but that is next and will be in my free time. If I do go this route I believe I will get my costs below $20 a month (batts are cheaper) if I am successful...
What am I vaping - homemade coffee extracts (looking at tea also) with various flavors to accent them. I got the recipes from the forums and after trying a few flavors I was mixing and buying premixed I found this was the best way to go. I drink coffee all the time - love the flavor so vaping it was easy, but still have not hit the sweet spot with my mixing... I am tweeking each batch, but I am not throwing anything out. Nothing I have mixed taste worst than the analogs, so I am good to go and keep trying. Each mix get better and better. I vape usually 3 flavors a day - cannot do one all day long - do not think there is that sweet of a sweet spot. I like variation...
Now, am I looking for the perfect vape - nope - just looking for something to get me off and keep me off of analogs. Well, actually I figure if it got me off of the analogs then I have already found the perfect vape. I have looked at a number of the mods and have actually thought about learning how to build my own box mods (got lots of various woods laying around), but that is next and will be in my free time. If I do go this route I believe I will get my costs below $20 a month (batts are cheaper) if I am successful...
What am I vaping - homemade coffee extracts (looking at tea also) with various flavors to accent them. I got the recipes from the forums and after trying a few flavors I was mixing and buying premixed I found this was the best way to go. I drink coffee all the time - love the flavor so vaping it was easy, but still have not hit the sweet spot with my mixing... I am tweeking each batch, but I am not throwing anything out. Nothing I have mixed taste worst than the analogs, so I am good to go and keep trying. Each mix get better and better. I vape usually 3 flavors a day - cannot do one all day long - do not think there is that sweet of a sweet spot. I like variation...
I feel ya...however, I had to budget in my analogs $200 a month,so now, I have to budget my vaping hobby. Sure I want all the cool stuf...but I had to wait untill I was in the black in order to buy anything else. I started DIYing the second week of vaping and resisted the temptation of overloading on flavors. Thankfully I'm a tobacco girl and some TA(tobacco absoulute)is my main flavor. Also, I get my nic at a rock bottom rate, PG at my local feed n seed and VG is soooo cheap by the gallon under 20 and all is kosher. So for around 0.10 per ml I'm set for weeks. I average around 5ml a day(I'm a heavy vapor). So just budget like you did when you smoked and good luck to us all. See you in the Vapehaze
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