In a message dated 12/9/2010 1:52:25 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, mwhittier@nc.rr.com writes: Do supplies enter this picture of cost for genealogy? Books, archival safe paper, binders, software, computer maintenance and replacement, backup drives - external and internal and online/offsite. File cabinets, copy machine, printer, scanner? Perhaps I overlooked something.... mwhittier@nc.rr.com In case someone failed to see the email we're referring to, here is the part we've been discussing. It does seem to omit some rather significant expenses that many if not most of us carry in pursuit of our work. If we were to follow NGS's recommendation to maintain membership in a local, regional, and national society to enhance information sharing and awareness of current trends and methods, etc. we could be talking about over $150 per year to begin with even if we attended nothing. I bought gas today for $2.87 a gallon but I understand that out west (where they discovered gold <G>) it is currently $3.15 in some places. I hate to think what it is in NY or CT where I have traveled to research - their taxes are phenomenal. Restaurant prices seem to rise steadily because of the costs of gas to transport fresh foods to us, and my cable bill seems to ease skyward. And when the laptop fails, research travel demands a replacement, often at a time that the genie budget is being the most stretched. I can't travel without gas or food, and as someone mentioned, going to a conference without going to one of the specialty luncheons or dinners is a missed opportunity. At home I can choose between eating out or cooking at home but at a conference I can't do that, especially nutritious foods. All this is not to say that NGS fails to try to hold down costs, but that there are many things that simply don't appear on this list. Which online genealogy magazines are free? Maybe I'm missing something there that I would like to take advantage of. Some blogs by professionals are interesting, but don't approach the quality of a well-produced print magazine. Her "--Conferences (registration, travel, room and board): National, $175." statement puzzles me entirely. I really don't understand it at all. Probate and distribution documents are often near $100 and birth and death certificates range from $10 to $35 in some places. Perhaps Georgia where the writer apparently lives is a bit less expensive. Which professional genealogists charge $45 per hour? Is that a mid-point fee or the low end? You are right about the costs of all the electronics we routinely use. It is recommended that we replace our surge prevention units and even backup drives on a regular basis, and I agree that is advisable, but it's not cheap. Printers and scanners age out or fail periodically. Software is another thing, if the OS upgrades, there goes a certain percentage of your specialized genealogy software as it is no longer compatible with the new operating system. It's all a treadmill and we must keep moving or fall behind. I suggest we keep a point by point list of our 2011 expenses to get a realistic take on what this enterprise of ours is really costing us. "_Making a Genealogy Budget List for 2011_ (http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UpfrontWithNgs/~3/PAzjV6NKMFM/making-genealogy-budget-list-for-2011.html?utm_ source=feedburner&utm_medium=email) Posted: 06 Dec 2010 06:29 PM PST We are pleased to share with you this article by Wevonneda Minis pubished 15 November 2010 in the _Charleston Post and Courier_ (http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/nov/15/making-a-budget-list-for-2011/) . It talks about budgeting for your 2011 genealogical expenses and includes two items dear to us at NGS – national dues and attending a national conference. With that in mind remember that _early bird registration_ (http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/attendee_registration) for the National Genealogical Society 2011 Family History Conference (Charleston) saves you $35 and is now open. Early bird registration will end 11 March 2011. Remember that NGS members also receive a $35 discount. What a great way to save as much as $70 as you plan your 2011 genealogy budget! Read further for a great perspective on what genealogy expenses you might experience in 2011. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zQpXgTwLifA/TP2as7-bmXI/AAAAAAAAAFk/T03Ty1ez_LY/s1600/wev+photo.jpg) Making a budget, list for 2011 By Wevonneda Minis wminis@postandcourier.com Monday, November 15, 2010 It's a good idea to sketch a rough draft of next year's genealogy budget before January rolls around. Having an idea of what you will need to spend could help your genealogy dollars last throughout 2011. Besides, it's more fun to plan for events such as workshops and conferences when you don't have to double-check the deadline for cancellations and refunds. So far, my budget includes dues for genealogical associations and research organizations; subscriptions to general and specialty genealogical Internet sites; fees and expenses for workshops and conferences; tuition and expenses for a genealogical institute; the cost of trips to Georgia and South Carolina archives; and a little extra for some new must-have gadgets. While thinking about my projected expenses, it occurred to me that while there is a tremendous amount of information to help budding genealogists research, there is hardly any information to inform them of what it can cost to be a genealogist. Of course, factors such as how many generations back a genealogist researches, the kinds of sources being accessed, and how much free stuff is used, means costs can vary quite a bit among individuals. Genealogists might consider items on the list below when someone offers a gift; when there is occasion to barter a service; or when unexpected funds are received. Here are some goods and services genealogists use and the basic costs involved: --Research guides: General, ethnic and specialty (such as courthouse), $20. --Genealogical society memberships: Local and state, $20; national, $60. --Online genealogy magazines: Many are free; others, $15. --Organizing logs, sheets and charts: Internet downloads, free; basic genealogy software, $29. --Workshops (registration, travel, room and board): State $250; local, under $10. --Conferences (registration, travel, room and board): National, $175. --Institutes (registration, travel, room and board): Five days, $1,200. --Technology: Computer, $400; desk-top scanner, $100; hand-held scanner, $125; and Internet access, $6 a month. --Access to Internet research sites: FamilySearch.org and USGenWeb, free; commercial $60. --Digital voice recorders: $59. --Magnifiers: Pocket with light, $4; hand-held $9; hands-free $18; and dome, $30. --Digital cameras: $150. --DNA tests: $125. --Professional help: Genealogist, $45 per hour, plus expenses. --Ordered documents: Family History Library film, $7; courthouse copies (10 pages), $25. --Vital records: Certified birth, death and marriage copies, $15. " Does everyone who is a D-OGS member automatically have access to the newsletter, as we are institutional members of NGS? Can anyone answer that for me? Carol