How I get the finds I do takes a lot of driving around and foot work for 3 days at 6 hours each day.
I'm genuinely curious as to how much gas money you'd estimate spending each week just on the hunts. One of the reasons I stopped hunting, aside from sparse and expensive pickings combined with very specific wants on my part, is that the time and gas spent didn't equal what I was coming away with. Not to mention normal wear and tear on a vehicle, which many people don't factor in but more driving equals shorter vehicle life span which means buying a new one sooner. In your case, you consistently come away with great hauls so that's not the issue.
For me, when I factored in the price of gas, and my time which is also very important, I was finding that it wasn't even close to a good balance to make it worthwhile. Again, for me. Your finds are awesome to read though
On average it costs about a quarter a tank of gas a day. and at current gas prices that cost is about $10-$13 a day in gas to go hunting. Where I live gas prices are about 2.50-2.75 a gallon. and it costs about $40-$50 to fill the tank from empty. As for wear on the car, ya it does. But I've had my car I currently drive for well over 6 years and so far she's a trooper. (you'd be shocked if you saw what car I drive) lol I bought this car brand new and in 6 years it only has 58k on it for millage. I love driving it and I enjoy driving around hunting. You gotta do what you love, some people spend gas on long trips, others spend a lot of gas to commute to a job or use their car for a job. I spend the money and gas because its what I love to do. I don't spend a lot of money on trips, fancy restaurants or a family. My family is small and I spend as much time with them as I can. I have no wife or children to take care off so this is how I have fun. Hunting for new games, each week I never know what I could find.
BTW so far today I have two great finds from garage sales, a huge DS lot for $20 and a huge mixed bag full of retro video game goodness for $40.
I also just got in the mail a gaming console I've been trying to get my hands on for a very long time now and I finally found one not insane priced. Box is beat up but the console is in pretty nice shape. What is it? Find out Saturday night.