What do we tell people with too little money?

It seems like every week there's at least one more person here looking for a Theremin who doesn't have and/or isn't willing to spend enough money for a quality instrument, by which in this case I mean one that has both pitch and volume antennas and is generally agreed can be used for melodic playing, such as the Kees or the Etherwave. Sometimes these people are just looking for a noise-maker, which is just fine and good for them, it means they can spend less. But, often they're looking for a real instrument for melodic music and they want to spend $200 or so. That seems to be a frequent price point for new buyers. I've also talked to a lot of people who tell me they want one just like my etherwave but they want to spend about $200, and they get turned off when I tell them that my setup will cost them about $500. I have an aunt who wants a Theremin but wants to spend $200 as well: I'm thinking about building a souped up Jaycar for her if mine turns out well enough.

I just thought I should point this out and start a discussion of this question: What on earth should we tell them? My instinct is to say "too bad, they cost more than that" (nicely, of course), but somehow I don't think that will be believed.

Moog Music overprices everything. The amount you're referring to is not such an unreasonable budget for an entry level instrument.

Whether Moog is overpriced or not is not at issue: their prices are what they are, and we all have to deal with that reality.

So, that said, how do we best help someone who is approaching the purchase of their first Theremin with insufficient money? Tell them they have to wait until they have more money? Tell them sorry, they're just going to have to do without? Point them at a kit? Something else?

Well, I think the best we can do, when someone asks for advice, is to advise them honestly and to the best of our ability. Opinions vary and the reader has to consider their own desires in coming to a decision.

If someone wants a playable theremin and has not allocated sufficient funds to do so, then there is nothing wrong with pointing that out.

When people ask for advice, it is helpful to know what their artistic goals are, that is -- is this theremin for fun/sound effects -- or is it for traditional music?

I would say to point them toward a kit.

This will not work for everybody, of course, only those who know which end of the soldering iron not to touch....

well
you could list all the options ranked cheapest to most expencive.
and (here's the part that's going to step on toes)
state if each can play a tune

NO.

We say "get a job".

Well, there are jobs and there are jobs...

Since most of us are not indepependently wealthy, managing one's income is probably at least as important as how much income one has.

I have a few friends who complain about not having enough money yet they pay for cable TV, high speed internet access, cigarettes, Starbuck's, alcohol, etc.

Not that I don't indulge in many of those things myself but I do practice moderation whenever possible. For instance, I try to keep my Starbuck's to a minimum and I get a tall or maybe a grande.

I think the biggest killer is credit card debt. My wife and I pay ours off each month. We only charge what we can pay for when the bill comes. That way we are not paying a fortune in interest (and we get sky miles or some other kind of reward).

One of my freinds and his wife make more money than we do yet they never have enough money to travel and their house has been refinanced twice to pay off outrageous credit card debt.

They even have oil chekcs and farm subsidies but they never seem to get ahead because they can;t control their spending.

I would tell someone with little money to try to put away a little bit each week. Even $10 a week adds up. In less than a year that would be enough to buy a decent theremin.

saving 10 a week is a good idea, but some of us cant wait. We want immediate gratification. (insert p0rn joke here)
But we may not be ready to commit to a more expensive purchase.

I decided next time somebody tells me they want a cheap theremin for no more than a 150 buckscheap (you spent WHAT!!) I'm just going to say what
WC Fields use to say "go a way sonny, your bothering me"

Andy