How Much Is Your Kit Worth?

Restraint? What's that? Is that like will power?

Forgot about the $100 tent, $50 table, and something like $60 for palettes.

Magna, that's what I wondered about Vegas! I wanted to bring everything. I ended up making a couple of travel palettes (whoops, make that $85 in palettes) to take. But really, you're driving, so who's to stop you from taking it all?!

Promo stuff is another matter altogether - I've spent so much on display photos already...

my kit added up today 15 minutes ago costs about $ 2000. and that is after 1 year of facepainting ! yikes ! it seems like such an ... er... "unreasonable" amount of money, until i take a moment and reflect (more like justify lol) on the demands of being a face painter and what i "need" to become a really great artist ! lol i can convince myself i "need" to have any color i see ! not to mention brushes, gems, glitter, sponges, gagets lol Well, you get the picture ... i am hopeless ... i am addicted to all of it !
Dawny

OK after a serious look, while I had time, It's around $1000(this includes chair & Fatmax... but not the $95 I just spent in FPF Shop).

My birthday party kit contains approx. $1800 worth of supplies (2 director's chairs, glitter tattoo supplies, table, makeup, etc).

My princess party kit contains all that plus another $400 worth of accessories.

My festival kit contains all of that plus another $600 worth of stuff (tent, towers for the castle turrets, banners, displays, weights, cash register, etc).

So total, I have nearly $3000 invested in this business, and I haven't even been in business a year yet!

I hope my hubby never finds this thread.....

Well... I've been at this professionally for 13 years... things accumulate no idea how, they just suddenly don't fit in the kit containers anymore.

So I had to start using the shelves to hold stuff... then, I had to have more shelves, storage bins in the garage, old dressers in the garage, more storage bins... took over the basement to make my studio with shelves and more storage...

Frankly I probably don't need to buy anything else for a decade.

About four years ago I put myself on a buying moratoruim. I do not buy unless it is for a show (thus being paid for by the theatre), for a cost recovery job (special order being paid by the client) or I am absolutely out of an item with no suitable substitute.

I admit that I have made a few exceptions to my "no new purchases" rule - generally picking up stock when I am attending a convention to save shipping, etc.

I reduced my spending on consumable supplies by about 80%.

The only things I have to buy on a regular basis are wipes, tissues and replacement brushes.

I barter and trade all the time. I am not spending money but still get new stuff to satisfy the urge.

Shannon,
I'm so proud of you! I'm almost there... I have almost everything on my wish list. I just want a few more paint colors(I'm lacking in pastels) & a good camara & I'll have to take a break(as long as Metina stops here great sales...).

I guess I don't feel bad I am planning on adding some must haves to my kit in August. lol. I have really had to limit myself in the last few months though as I went crazy last fall putting my kit together!

btw, how much does your kit weight? mine is right around 20 lbs. but that is not everything, just the stuff in my one case. (I am adding a train case to my setup soon for my glitters, sponges,etc)

I've never weighed it, but it's pretty heavy.

I'm thinking mines around 30lb, but that includes my fat max and it's contents so I don't think it's too bad.

I'd just like to point out that it's good to keep track of your FP and related expenses, because most things you buy for business reasons are tax deductible! My mom told me that before I started face painting the spring, so I've kept a little notebook with the amount I've earned (not including tips) from my employment and the amount I've spent on thins I need for painting. My kit is little, so not very much so far.

I would say around the $1000 mark without adding it up. That includes paints, brushes/holder, containers, wipes, tissues, gemstones, table, directors chair with foot stool & sparkley cushion, gazebo, glitter tattoo kit, display board, mirrors, signage, business cards, buiness T-shirts (one on it's way & I'm going to try & make some of my own rhinestone bling work shirts). Mmmmm maybe $1400 oh & I'm planning on buying up big from Amy Grigg when I go to Sydney to do the Wolfe Bros course in Sept (only 10 more sleeps) so closer to $2000. Oh my I'm glad my hubby doesn't read the forum

twobluestripes wrote:I'd just like to point out that it's good to keep track of your FP and related expenses, because most things you buy for business reasons are tax deductible! My mom told me that before I started face painting the spring, so I've kept a little notebook with the amount I've earned (not including tips) from my employment and the amount I've spent on thins I need for painting. My kit is little, so not very much so far.

I have monthly expense forms that I keep track of my income & outgoing costs as well as milage & training, internet, cell phone, etc.

Been keeping the books and have had an accountant from the beginning... lots of things are write-offs that you wouldn't necessarily think of! He's worth every penny I've paid him over the years.

Same here. I need to decide if I should start filing quarterly now that I'm so busy.