Don't press the auto-sum key

[hillcountryflt]

I am guessing some, perhaps most of those involved in rebuilding/restoring/repairing/redoing their bumps and other projects use some digital method of tracking expenses. Excel is my tool of choice. Great for keeping lists of things wanted (iwannas), things needed to do (musthaves) and what the truck is costing me (expenses).
Well after about two/three months of ownership of my 1971 F100 flareside Custom with rusty cab corners, nearly Fred Flintstone floorboards, three-on-the-tree which is spent too much on in the first place ($3500), I pressed the autosum key on the workbook tab called expenses. Total costs including acquisition cost were slightly more than double. Arghhh.
Kind of reminding me of a 1982 Harley FLT I has a short while back. Tracked expenses on it as well. Paid $2500 for the bike. Spent nearly $6000 on it over three years and sold it for $4500. At least I did better with the 1988 H-D Sporty 883. Paid $1500. Put new tires and a battery in it. Cleaned the carb, ran a few cans of chemtool through the gas tank and sold it for $2500. Just eked out a profit.
Now, the Custom is not seen as a project I am planning on selling, But I have seen several trucks out there that I could have paid what I spent so far on this one and would have been ahead of the game.
So after pressing autosum, I promptly hauled my manual steering gear box down to OReilley's and spent $9 on a rag joint.
Oh well.

[tac]

What? Are you supposed to keep track of what you spent?

[eggman918]

I didn't that way I have "plausible deniability" when asked by the Wife But every project I ever die cost twice as much as planed and took three times as long I have come to believe that is the norm

[jimmy828]

I keep all my receipts ,anything that is put on the project down to a can of paint. I know about what i have in it $$$$ wise. I just don't want to tally up until i'm completed with truck. I'm afraid if i do it now i will give up on truck

[Ranchero50]

I don't want to know...

My project fund comes from side work, the home and family get all my working pay unless it's extra OT.

Oh yeah, I never buy something planning on selling it.

[Calfdemon]

I have every receipt for my bump as well and have a rough estimate on what I have spent in my head. I will not total everything up until I am done with the truck. And luckily with these trucks, you are NEVER done! Someday when I have most everything done that I want, I will sit down and total everything up for an exact number, but not until then.

[Subzero]

I do the old school chart method in a notebook for each of the trucks and I try to save as many receipts as I can. I don't plan to ever sell either truck but it's nice to keep a running tally and know when what was fixed or replaced. I think even my 1981 Honda Elsinore has all of its receipts stuck someplace around here

[BobbyFord]

I keep all the receipts in a folder. One folder is motor, one is truck. I also have a folder for receipts on the Harley I've owned for almost 30 years. Got a folder for the Focus, too.
I'm not concerned with how much I spend, I like the receipts as a record of part numbers and for the date of repairs.

[Camper Special]

I finally convinced myself that all hobbies / pastimes / travel / etc that bring fun and memories cost money. Bumps are just that. thats my story and I'm sticking to it

[HIO Silver]

My projects start out with an Excel spreadsheet by category - engine, suspension & brakes,exterior interior, accessories, and extras). Then each system gets evaluated, parts looked up with sources, and estimated cost for each line item. Each category has a subtotal and then at the bottom is a grand total... then in another column is what I actually spend with its own subtotals and grand total.

It's a good way to budget a project. Oh, I do not count tools or consumables.

[Madman]

I find it to be a labour of love, and a connection to my father and our pasts together.....so although I have an idea what I have into it, that doesn't matter, and you can't place a price on memories of someone you lost. Just how I see it.

[hillcountryflt]

I wish I had done something like this with my father (those who say they have no regrets kill me) and had the opportunity as a high schooler/early college when dad found a 42 Ford Coupe. I neglected to get interested. Better times were had riding around drinking beer, etc. He did not follow through with the old car after about two or three years. Don't think he ever did much with it.
But, this is a hobby, still I like to know what I am spending my money and credit on. Just the business analyst in me (spreadsheet junkie).
As the wife says, kaching everytime I head to NAPA/Oreilley's/etc. But she doesn't gripe about the money as much as she gripes about the time I spend with the old F100. She likes the idea of what the truck might become, just not as enamored in what it takes to get there.