Fishing to Spend

I found it humorous as I thought about writing this blog during our discussion this week as our subject was on being addicted to things. Riley doesn't like to use the word addicted, but rather says he has the "itch for fly fishing." He ties flies, obsessively follows the fishing report, and uses as much of his possible free time fly fishing. As his girlfriend, I see this first-hand and take numerous trips to the fly fishing store every week. 
"I just need this one color of dubbing," he will say as we walk into the store, yet we often walk out with a more items that weren't on his original list. As a fellow fly-fisher I also love these trips and will often fish with him, but I am definitely not at the level of enthusiasm that he is. 
I always found this spending interesting because Riley often spends his time fly fishing alone. He always welcomes others and loves to teach, but he isn't merely doing it for the community or to grow with others. 
So why does he spend? Does he plan out his spending? I finally got the chance to ask and learn about his spending habits on this exciting hobby. 



1. How did you decide you wanted to go forth with these purchases? 
Fly fishing is something I've been passionate about for a long time and it makes me happy. It is stress relieving and those are things I prioritize. I don't usually go to the fly shop without something specific in mind... but I usually leave having bought more than I intended to. 

2. Do you set a budget for spending on this type of stuff? Did you change your spending budget after this purchase?
No I don't have a set number but I like to try to keep it to a minimum. I don't try and go too crazy. After I've spent money I am more conscious about where I spend my money elsewhere. It will make me less likely to go out to coffee or dinner later in the day. 



3. Have you forgone participating in other activities or purchasing other items in order to purchase this/these item(s)?
I haven't forgone any activities... meaning I haven't completely stopped, but fly fishing usually receives priority to my money and time comparatively to other activities such as mountain biking and rock climbing. 

4. How much would you say your spending habits changed while in college?
(1-Not at all, exactly the same as before college. 10- It has done a complete 180 and I spend much differently)
Why?
I would say a 5. Before college I didn't buy groceries or cleaning supplies, for example, but I also spent less money on hobbies because my schedule was usually more occupied in high school. My main hobbies (i.e. fly fishing) were also less accessible in high school. 

5. Do you think you will you continue to spend the same after college?
I think I will continue to place an emphasis on hobbies, because as mentioned before, they take a high place in my priorities. But I know I will have other expenses such as a house, car, with more money on groceries so I will have to keep that in mind. 


It is obvious that Riley isn't spending to be in community, but it's not that he is spending to be out of community. Rather than seeing a direct link in community, he sees the spending as helping with something that makes him happy. It is interesting to note that Riley also attends those CRU events that I discussed with Hanna, so it's not that is is trying to get away from it. 

I hope to interview others who spend their money on hobbies and wonder if their spending habits are similar to that of Riley's. Finding fulfillment in community as well as hobbies that make someone happy may become a trend. Since college students finally have control over their spending for the first time by themselves, is it truly that they are pursuing happiness with their spending? 

On another note, I saw a mild link between the article we read about being Addicted to Our iPhones and fly fishing. The article noted that we have become addicted to "likes," because they often don't come at certain times or at a consistent rate, so this sporadic "reward," causes us to do continue to look and check our phones. Now how does fly fishing come in? We never can be sure when we will catch a fish. Yes, there are slicks of water and holes that are more likely to catch fish, but there is no guarantee rate or promise of even catching one fish. So we continue to cast and attempt until we are finally worn out. So I wonder... did this addiction to sporadic reward really just start when our iPhones came out? Or has it been around far longer? 

Does more spending mean more community?

Throughout this blog we have noted a lot of people following the pattern of spending as a way of being with others or growing in community. In many of the previous interviews, it has been a more complex process to derive the reasoning for spending, but in this interview with Hanna, her reason for spending is a little more obvious.

CRU is a student ministry group on campus that has weekly meetings, smaller group meetings, and super fun events throughout the year. Hanna is a senior and states that she has consistently spent money on the CRU events.  These events are created with the purpose of building community, but are also much more expensive than going out to eat once a week. Does the importance of being in community during these events change Hanna's spending? 

One of the events Hanna saves to attend. 

1)How did you decide you wanted to go forth in this purchase? 

 There are several CRU events throughout the year that I know I will be spending money on so I make sure I save enough money to attend the events. There is the raft trip, fall retreat, CRU conference, and women's retreat. The retreats are generally between $40-80, but the conference is around $300.

2) Do you set a budget for spending on this type of stuff? Did you change your spending budget after this purchase? 

I set aside or save up enough to attend the events. This means eating out less, not buying luxuries, and being minimalistic when it comes to spending.

3) Have you forgone participating in other activities or purchasing other items in order to purchase this/these item(s)?

As stated above, I spend less money in order to save money to attend these events.

4)How much would you say your spending habits have changed while in college? (1-10 scale)

 Seven. I didn't have a job in high school so coming to college and working one or two jobs gave me more money to spend, but I also had other responsibilities such as rent and food. I've had to work on my spending habits and decide what I can or cannot spend.

5)Do you think you will continue to spend the same after college? 

 After college I won't have all these events to attend so I believe it will change. However, there will always be other things I end up spending my money on. I'll spend money on different things, but I will continue to spend money on what I am passionate about, but mainly what is necessary in my life (rent, food, etc).

This is the strongest link I've seen between community and spending, and commitment is shown. These events truly affect Hanna's spending since they cost more, but it also shows the importance that Hanna places on attending these events. For many college students, we will drop a couple dollars on a coffee, but dropping $300 for something takes a long-term budgeting commitment.

This led me to wonder... Is it worth spending more for a direct link to community, rather than just getting coffee with a friend? It seems as though it is.  By spending more for guaranteed time with friends and community, students are showing a direct link between reasoning and spending.  Both of these instances: CRU events and simply having coffee with friends get to the end principle of being with someone else. But is it the fact that these CRU events are made to build community that it is worth it? Rather than one time at coffee these events involve numerous days of fun activities that focus on building community, making it seem as though it is more intentional and overall more worth the money. 

As these blogs and interviews continue, the link between community and spending will become blurrier as I begin to interview others who are focusing their spending on hobbies, larger purchases, and pursing adulthood. 

Food and Football

Every week after church, a group of friends and I head to Clarks Fork. It isn't too expensive of a place but we go almost every week, and I often wonder how our friends afford this weekly expense. One of my friends that joins is Lucky. She is a very busy nursing student involved in a lot of school clubs, so she has forgone having a job while at college.  
I wondered why she chose to do so, and wondered if her answers would be similar to that of Lauryn's whose were mostly for social reasons. Was it because we just assumed everyone would join and she felt social pressure? Or did she budget it out? 

1. How did you decide you wanted to go forth with this purchase?
I was hungry, and I know that eating together is a good way to build community! 

2. Do you set a budget for spending on this type of stuff? Did you change your spending budget after this purchase?
No, I just try and spend over $15 on a meal and limit how often I go out throughout the week. 

3. Have you forgone participating in other activities or purchasing other items in order to purchase this/these item(s)?
Not really. Breakfast burritos may cost money, but the time with friends is priceless. And breakfast food really isn't that expensive. 

4. How much would you say your spending habits changed while in college?
(1-Not at all, exactly the same as before college. 10- It has done a complete 180 and I spend much differently)
Why?
4. I don't have a job during the school year in college like I did in high school. 

5. Do you think you will you continue to spend the same after college?
Yes. Assuming I still have friends. Who like breakfast. 

As funny as her last answer is, it really shows her reasoning for going out: friends! She noted throughout all of her answers the importance of the community to her. As college students, it seems that this community is a trend that continually comes up. The theme that has been strung throughout, a sense of community and relaxation comes from the spending that these students are doing--it's not necessarily about the stuff but about the experience. 

But how do marketers reach these types of people? As we learned watching "The Persuaders," the "bigger, better, faster," words are no longer working on people, so what should marketers use? 
The appeal to the consumers is now the culture and atmosphere that, food places especially, can create. In class we read about an article, "Not Just a Party in the Parking Lot," which studied the behaviors and reasonings behind the ritual of tailgating. Tailgating isn't advertised, there are no things to attract consumers, yet every Saturday and Sunday, tons of people around the country get ready and go tailgate. It is a culture that maintains an attraction simply by being itself. 
So, is this how restaurants should attract college students? Create a culture that feeds off itself? Is that possible to do without an insider that creates the hype? I can't wait to see if marketing for businesses such as Clarks Fork build off this atmosphere and culture they are creating to market. 

Spending on Clothes

If you asked me to name the most stylish people I know, my friend Jane would definitely be on the list. When I think about how I want to wear something, I can always look to her for inspiration. 
But the reality of a lot of clothes is that they aren't cheap. Yet, one of the best parts of Jane is when you ask her where she got something, it's often a "I got it at TJ Maxx," or "I found the best deal at Target," or even just "It was on sale!" 
So when I asked Jane about something she's recently purchased, to no surprise it was a pair of sneakers she bought on the clearance rack at REI. 

1. How did you decide you wanted to go forth in this purchase?

I tried on the shoes, and I had been wanting a pair of slip on sneakers. (I looked for a pair I liked all summer, but never found any!) I tried on the shoes, they were super comfy and I liked the color! Then, I checked my bank account and I had just gotten paid, so I decided to treat myself!

2. Do you set a budget for spending on this type of stuff? Did you change your spending budget after this purchase?

I don’t really have a budget for shoes, usually I think about what I want for awhile, research options, and then order something online! I will probably adjust my other spending to accommodate this shoe purchase, I’ll probably buy less coffee and not go shopping so I don’t tempt myself!

3. Have you forgone participating in other activities or purchasing other items in order to purchase this/these item(s)?

Now that I bought these shoes, I am trying not to buy any more clothes/shoes this month. I am also a little more money conscious and I want to save the rest of my paycheck, or only spend that money on needs, instead of wants.

4. How much would you say your spending habits changed while in college? (1-Not at all, exactly the same as before college. 10- It has done a complete 180 and I spend much differently) Why?

In high school, I never really bought my own clothes or shoes, and so when I do buy something now, I think about it and try not to make impulse purchases, as I would if my mom was buying something for me! I’ll rate it as a 7!

5. Do you think you will you continue to spend the same after college?

I expect that when I am no longer supported by my parents at all, and I’m making my own money, I will be much more conscious of my budget and spending. 

After hearing how much Jane normally researches to make sure she's making the right purchase, it makes total sense how she gets the best deal. Most students are often pretty aware of finding lower priced goods, but it gets messy when it gets to clothes, a non-necessity most of the time. She noted she bought it after getting paid, meaning it was a little bit of a treat for herself. Is that how most of us view our spending on non-necessity items? I believe that can be a useful way in budgeting, but wonder how common of a consumer behavior it has become.

Jane also noted that she checked her bank account to see that she had just been paid, something that has not always been able to be done. How has the ability to check things like our bank account and paychecks affected our spending? Do you think people spend more or less? Does being more conscious of our accounts really help limit us that much? 

Healthy

I've known Jacob for about two years now. Other than his juggling, there is one thing clear characteristic I can tell you about: he is healthy. It used to be that Jacob was a rice and chicken for dinner kind of person, but more and more he has been experimenting with other types of healthy food.
"Do you know how healthy ants are for you? Do you think they sell them in Bozeman?" He asked while hanging out the other day. Ants? What? I mean I'm all for strawberries and green peppers, but he was looking into finding the best possible food, not just what was available for him. Was this a costly endeavor?  When I asked him how much more he spends to "be healthy," he says it's probably around $100 a week, far more than I spend on groceries as a whole. 

1. How did you decide you wanted to go forth in this purchase?

Healthy food is the key to a healthy body. Ever since high school I have had the desire to be as healthy as possible in order to avoid missed opportunities due to poor health and also to be able to excel at sports and physical appearance. My motivation for purchasing healthy food comes from a deep understanding of what is necessary to live a long life of strength and productivity.

2. Do you set a budget for spending on this type of stuff? Did you change your spending budget after this purchase?

I do have a budget set for my health foods. I set this budget by as high as possible. My budget changes depending on my income. 

3. Have you forgone participating in other activities or purchasing other items in order to purchase this/these item(s)?

I forgo buying junk food and things that are unhealthy. These purchases do not effect my lifestyle except for what I eat and where I buy my food.

4. How much would you say your spending habits changed while in college?

(1-Not at all, exactly the same as before college. 10- It has done a complete 180 and I spend much differently)

Why?

*3*

Purchasing healthy food has been common for me since the beginning of college. My knowledge of what is the most healthy food to eat has changed and I have changed what I buy to some extent.

5. Do you think you will you continue to spend the same after college?

I plan to dramatically increase my spending on healthy food after college when I have a substantially larger income.

So Jacob's choice to eat healthy comes from a lot of different motivators. Maybe it's because he knows it'll affect the rest of his life and could help him have a nicer life in the long run? Or maybe it's to help with sports, another passion of his. 

But why is it so difficult for many others to eat healthy? 

A study conducted by Oregon State University found that most college women and men had four and five servings of veggies throughout the week respectively. That's far less than the recommended five a day! 

But why? 

The article decided to consult an expert: "Cardinal, who is an expert in the psychological and social aspects of health and exercise, said the larger take-away message is that proper eating and nutrition is not integrated enough into our society. He said the surveyed students came from OSU, where healthy options are available in dining halls.
“We are not teaching youth how to be self-sustaining,” Cardinal said. “Home economics and nutrition classes have all but disappeared from our schools in the K-12 system. There is a fundamental lack of understanding on how to eat well in a very broad sense.” 
Something else about Jacob that I would note is that he was actually home-schooled for most of his school career. Maybe his education came from watching his parents, who are vegetarians. 
Does this aspect of consumer behavior come from his parents? Do other patterns in shopping stem from parents?  

This left me with more questions than answers, but points to a possible interesting cause for college students behavior.