repleo Loc: Boston

I have found a cure for GAS. It is called 'saving'.

Instead of whipping out a credit card every time you get a gas attack wait until you have accumulated the cash. Get some sort of container - your GAS CAN - and dump the coins from your trouser pocket into it every night. Add any 'found' money, expenses reimbursement, rebate checks, lottery winnings, repaid loans etc. Every time you withdraw $100 from the ATM, put $20 in to the gas can. By the time you have accumulated the cash for that next 'must have' the gas attack will have passed and you will probably have survived a couple of other attacks in the meantime. Before you know it, you will have enough cash for a really worthwhile upgrade and you can splurge guilt free with money you never even missed.

I started doing this a couple of months ago. Initially I was saving to step up from the A6000 to the A6300. When the A6500 was announced I decided to hold out for that. By the time I had enough for the A6500 there was another Sony announcement imminent so I waited. It turned out to be the A9. I decided the A9 was not for me, but by then I had enough for the camera of my dreams - the A7Rii so I emptied the gas tank and went for it. Now I'm starting again for for the 25mm Zeiss Batis. By the time I get there, maybe there will be some other 'must have' I'll decide to wait for.

OK - so maybe its not a cure, more of a remission.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I prefer instant gratification - after spending hours doing research. It's a plastic world for me.

Boentgru Loc: Boston, Massachusetts, USA

I have another cure for GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome). It is poverty, before the purchase or after.

Impressionist

Paying bills with spouse keeps GAS in check.

msicman692

I haven't developed a super bad case of GAS in the photography world yet. However, I do have the worst case of it in my other hobby, music. I only pay cash for everything I buy and my GAS is on hold right now while I save up to buy a new car. The pain is killing me!

anotherview Loc: California

Delaying tactic disguised as a kind-of cure for a GAS attack. Who cares? If you have the means, then buy the photographic gear you want, whether or not you need it.

This way, from painful experience, you will learn the discipline of carefully selecting the gear you do need for your field of photography. As well, self-shaming will happen when your GAS attack results in items that gather dust from non-use.

Realistically, if you desire a piece of gear but feel uncertainty about buying it, then rent to try it before you buy.
Your personal experience may guide you to make a rational decision.

I will try to follow my own advice -- next time.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've switched to 99% credit cards. I get various rebates on my cards. Since 2009, I have gotten $4,176 back in credit card rebates.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

I checked the box for "all the above".

mymike Loc: Tucson, AZ

Retirement was a cure for my GAS attacks!

Psergel Loc: New Mexico

Another great cure for G.A.S. Is the realization that the $3000 you just spent did not make your pictures any better.

MikWar Loc: Chicago, Western Suburbs

I was in my favorite photography store when a gentleman came in with a lens he had recently purchased there. He told the clerk, "I want to return this lens. Put the refund on my credit card. I'll then buy the lens back for cash." I chuckled as I realized that his wife must have hit the roof when she saw the Visa bill and made him return the lens, but he must have had a GAS CAN handy!

rafikiphoto Loc: Spain

I tried paying some bills with my spouse but nobody offered enough!

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I use paypal credit, as long as I pay it off in 6 or 12 months depending, no interest. COOL.

FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA

Ditto. it sure was for me.

cthahn

People do not do it that way anymore. They want every thing now. When they get in over head in debt, they go bankrupt and start over again.