How much can we justify spending?

[ezdays]

I was perusing through the latest MRR when I came across and ad for an HO Caterpillar mining shovel that was offered at $1,395 plus shipping. I wasn't sure if that was a misprint so I went to the Zycor website and sure enough, I found that wasn't the most expensive HO model in their inventory. There were several in the $1500 range and this one for only $6,195, air freight is extra. It is a detailed model, I'll give them that, but I'm not sure how many modelers can justify buying one for their layout or even have a layout big enough for one since it is over three feet long and two feet high. Huge by anyone's standards, even HO scale . They are limiting production to 120 units, which means they do expect more than just a few being bought.

   
I'm just wondering if this hobby isn't getting too expensive for a lot of us. I used to think that spending $100 on an engine was a lot, but now I see where $500 is common anymore. Yeah, you do get more for that much, but still, how many can we afford to buy at that price?