ModelCalcs.uk
Budget Calculator — Annual Hobby Spending Planner
Plan your annual hobby budget across kits, paints, tools and events to keep spending on track.
How We Calculate This
Removes any savings set-aside first, splits the remaining (spendable) monthly budget across categories using your percentages, then projects the annual totals — optionally uplifted for inflation.
Formula
- Spendable monthly = Monthly budget × (1 − Savings% ÷ 100)
- Category monthly = Spendable monthly × (Category% ÷ 100)
- Category annual = Category monthly × 12 × (1 + Inflation% ÷ 100)
- Annual budget = Spendable monthly × 12 × (1 + Inflation% ÷ 100)
With the defaults (0% savings, 0% inflation) the spendable budget equals your monthly budget, the inflation factor is 1, and the five category annual lines sum exactly to the headline Annual budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no authoritative survey, but figures commonly cited on UK modelling forums put a casual hobby at roughly £300-£800 per year — though spending varies enormously with scale, subject and ambition. Beginners often spend more up front on tools and paints; experienced modellers tend to concentrate spending on kits and aftermarket. Use this planner to set your own realistic figure rather than aiming for an "average".
A common split is 40% kits, 25% paints and consumables, 15% tools, 10% aftermarket, and 10% events (shows, magazines, club fees). Adjust based on your priorities — some modellers spend more on aftermarket, others on events.
Buy kits at model shows where deals are common. Purchase paint sets rather than individual pots. Share aftermarket sets with club members. Look for second-hand tools. Set a monthly limit and track spending in a spreadsheet.
Yes. Model shows (Telford, Scale ModelWorld) have admission fees plus travel and accommodation. IPMS club subscriptions, modelling magazines, and reference books are ongoing costs. Budget 10-15% of your total for these activities.
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Last updated: February 2026
All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.