Curiousity: How much did you spend on Cubs this year?

by ak123 on Oct 5, 2008 2:38 PM CDT

I was just wondering how much money you think you spent on the Cubs this year. That includes tickets, merchandise, flying to a game, staying a hotel at an away game, cubs convention, MLB.TV, autographs, etc.

While I'm disappointed just like the rest of us, it's not going to change my love for The Cubs. It might change how much I spend on the team next year. While I don't regret a dime I spent seeing The Cubs this year, a budget is a budget and perhaps my money can be spent more wisely next year.

While revealing how much you spend is a personal issue I understand if people don't want to respond. I just think it will be interesting to see on here, the most dedicated fan site with some of the most dedicated fans how much we spent in 2008.

For me (and I'm in NY), I believe I spent in 2008 on the Cubs $1200. I probably spent more than that but that's my guesstimate.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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20 bucks for a new hat...

and that’s it. What is more concerning for me is “time invested,” as countless hours were spent on here, watching the games, checking scores, etc. I suppose there’s an emotional investment as well…

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Oct 5, 2008 2:44 PM CDT 0 recs

Biggest expense nearly all my vacation days

Thing is I admit I offset much of my cost of tickets and airfare but some targeted scalping of some of my season tickets ( most went to friends). Used some of airline miles and made 3 road trips ( not counting all the trips to Chicago). My best guess is at least $1,000 in non offset expenses and 3/4 of all available vacation days.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 5, 2008 2:49 PM CDT 0 recs

Hundreds

for a trip to Chicago and a couple games.

Chicago Cubs Jokes, News and Parody at The Cubs Brickyard

by AceCubbie on Oct 5, 2008 2:50 PM CDT 0 recs

20 or so for a Kosuke Jersey Shirt

buyers remorse?

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Oct 5, 2008 2:52 PM CDT 0 recs

In the high four-figures

Yeah, good times.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Oct 5, 2008 2:57 PM CDT 0 recs

went to like 9 games, a few of them were free, got a few new shirts and a new hat.. but worst of all I never, ever missed a game on TV/Radio, so its not the money spent but the time spent I got upset about, but it was fun.

"You must try to generate happiness within yourself. If you aren't happy in one place, chances are you won't be happy anyplace."

by All The Way on Oct 5, 2008 2:58 PM CDT 0 recs

Several grand...

…and it’s likely to go up even more next year.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Oct 5, 2008 2:59 PM CDT 0 recs

~ $1,000

Tough to estimate as most games were tacked on to family trips to Cincy, a business trip Chicago, cashing in miles, points, etc…

"Cub fans like to think of things in catastrophic terms." - Crane Kenney

by NashvilleBlue on Oct 5, 2008 2:59 PM CDT 0 recs

I didn't spend all that much....

but my daughter and I did go to Spring training for three days and that would be the bulk of the expense. I think of that as a vacation though, so it’s hard to quantify. I was given a “W” flag, and given one ticket to one game which I went to. Unfortunately that was the Saturday game in late August which was the beginning of their biggest losing streak all year. After that, I figured, maybe it’s better if I don’t go to anymore games this year.

I wouldn’t do anything differently even knowing the outcome. Honestly, this year has been a blast with a less than desirable outcome.

Federer
"It's like deja vu all over again"
Chicago 2016

by tigerperson on Oct 5, 2008 3:02 PM CDT 0 recs

Less than $100, mostly from spouse, for birthday gifts

A Sori t-shirt, a Cubs duffel, and a cap. If we weren’t teachers, it might have been more, for Dish EI, and MLB tv. and D-Backs/Padres vs. Cubs roadies.

"Years of academy training, wasted"--Buzz Lightyear (not a flying toy)

by spoiledcubbage on Oct 5, 2008 3:12 PM CDT 0 recs

Why would you pay money for an autograph?

And, I went to 8 games this year. Would gladly do it again next year, or even more. Why is everybody whining about boycotting or not supporting the cubs next year as much as they did this year?

Man, i hate those overgrown 8th grader look alike Brewer fans.

by CubbieBlue21 on Oct 5, 2008 3:17 PM CDT 0 recs

There's a difference

Between boycotting and spending too much of your budget on a team. I would never boycott the Cubs but I selfishly spent more money than I should have on the team. I should have saved more.

by ak123 on Oct 5, 2008 3:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

If your spending too much money on the team, then you should know where to stop.

Man, i hate those overgrown 8th grader look alike Brewer fans.

by CubbieBlue21 on Oct 5, 2008 3:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

Thanks

Want to do my 401K and tell me what stock options to invest in too?

by ak123 on Oct 5, 2008 3:25 PM CDT up 0 recs

Easy.

Don’t invest. Now’s not the time

Man, i hate those overgrown 8th grader look alike Brewer fans.

by CubbieBlue21 on Oct 5, 2008 3:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

Really?

Thanks for stating the obvious.

by StevenABQ on Oct 5, 2008 4:49 PM CDT up 0 recs

Sigh.

I never complain about my season ticket money; to me, that is always well spent.

Can I get my $ back on the Fukudome jersey?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Oct 5, 2008 3:20 PM CDT 0 recs

dont worry al...

when grossman had a good start that year, i bought a gross man jersey…yea thats right, grossman

"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." --Alvin Dark

by preachermancubsfan on Oct 5, 2008 3:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

Maybe

It might just become a collector’s item ;-)

by MIMuggles on Oct 5, 2008 4:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

Maybe someone in Japan would buy it...

… when he goes back to play there next year.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Oct 5, 2008 9:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hmm...

Five Cubs hats (home, away, ’48 throwback, a black and white one, and the Welcome Back Veterans one), three shirts (a powder blue with the old ’60s bear, a 3/4 sleeve white shirt with the same logo, and a Geovany Soto pinstriped shirt), and one jersey (a Rich Harden road replica).

CUBS WIN! CUE THE ORCHESTRA!

by Keith on Oct 5, 2008 3:26 PM CDT 0 recs

2 to 3 K

Trip to Chicago, hotel rooms for us and my folks, new Cubs jacket, new jersey (thank the heavens I chose Santo).

The money’s nothing compared to the loss, though.

by helen on Oct 5, 2008 3:33 PM CDT 0 recs

Nada, not a dime.

Unless you count my cable Internet and t.v. expenses. Sorry, I prefer to watch games from home and can’t afford to spend frivilous dollars on merchandise and the rest.

So call me a lousy fan – I still live and die with this team..

by MIMuggles on Oct 5, 2008 3:37 PM CDT 0 recs

And of course you can count the time and emotion...

by MIMuggles on Oct 5, 2008 3:38 PM CDT up 0 recs

Your not a lousy fan. I like your style

Man, i hate those overgrown 8th grader look alike Brewer fans.

by CubbieBlue21 on Oct 5, 2008 8:47 PM CDT up 0 recs

A couple hundred but...

I went to the games as much because I love going to games at Wrigley as to see them…

I mean I saw like three Pirates games, a Nats game, an Astros game, and a Mets game. Not exactly the cream of the baseball competition there.

by hmlee on Oct 5, 2008 3:40 PM CDT 0 recs

Trips to Chicago and Wrigley Field: $0

Trips to any other ML park to see them: $0
Cubs merchandise: $0
(OK so I have been unemployed for a year and all my Cubs stuff is between 20 and 40 years old)
Invested in time and emotion, as MIMuggles eloquently puts it: Priceless
I’m going back to flyfishing; I can only afford one frustrating, expensive hobby that leaves you numb at the end of the day at a time.

Tommie Agee was out.

by Weeghman Park on Oct 5, 2008 4:14 PM CDT 0 recs

I spent in the

high four figures…7 or 8 grand…

I would do it all over again…

"Why do you always point to the sky when Zambrano starts?" My girlfriend.

"You just wouldn't get it...it's a Cubs thing..." Me.

by cubs2k8isnxtyear on Oct 5, 2008 5:14 PM CDT 0 recs

160 games on radio and TV and

A trip to Wrigley on Sept. 18th, a new hat, and my heart that was ripped out in the playoffs and I am still looking to find. But, I can’t think of any other way to better spend my time, my vacation, my money and my heart. Loved the Season….. but the playoffs…. Ahem…….. I’ll be back next year, of course, but I am not sure I’ll ever believe that any CUB team is THE TEAM ever again. I’ll never believe THIS IS THE YEAR ever again either. I’ll continue to love the Cubs and invest my time and money in watching them play. But, never again my heart……. Win or Lose, I’ll be here…. I just am not a believer anymore and that is fine, for no expectations means no more having my heart ripped out. I’ll enjoy the game and hope the Cubs win that day.

I was thinking of making a comeback until I pulled a muscle -- vacuuming.
-Johnny Bench

by collies-n-baseball on Oct 5, 2008 5:26 PM CDT 0 recs

I have season tickets...

…so I spent thousands. And just like Al, I wouldn’t want one cent back. There’s nothing I’d rather do on a summer afternoon than sit in Wrigley and have a beer or two. The season was a lot of fun…the playoffs not so much. But I guarantee, that not a single person on here who is threatening to “boycott the team” will do so. The Cubs are in your blood, like the title of this blog says and it is impossible to stop. Sure, you could spend less on the Cubs next year, but what would that really do? This isn’t about the money, it’s about having your heart ripped out again.

by bergs55 on Oct 5, 2008 5:59 PM CDT 0 recs

+1 billion

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Oct 5, 2008 9:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

Not a penny...

But lots of man hours. Lots of lost hours at work checking on scores.

I made the decision long ago that the experience of being at the ballpark was overrated. I can’t even imagine how I’d feel right now if I’d shelled out the money for Game 2.

The worst beer I had was pretty good.

by Worf on Oct 5, 2008 6:05 PM CDT 0 recs

Four trips

Tickets $50-60 each time. Four drives from Iowa City to Chicago at a respectable 35 mph. My usual footlong hot dog with onions, and a few beers. Luckily I have a friend that lives on Racine. On my overnight trips I had free lodging and a parking spot in his garage. Spent quite a bit on Southport after games, and the morning after if I let rush hour traffic die down and had breakfast before hitting the road. I’d say $800 with my Fukodome jersey thrown in. Thinking about burning that to purge the playoff blues.

by Nibbles on Oct 5, 2008 10:03 PM CDT 0 recs

I spent..

$5000-$6000

$1000 alone on two CBOE tickets to the Cross Town Classic at Wrigley. I was there when Ramirez and Lee hit back to back home runs to tie the game and then Ramirez hit the game winning home run in the bottom of the 9th.

I made it to Wrigley 9 times this year. The Cubs were 8-1 while I was there. They didnt lose until 8/31 vs the phillies

by T2586 on Oct 8, 2008 10:18 PM CDT 0 recs