Those totals are scary, especially when you are first getting started and buying batteries, chargers, soldering irons, etc. Then you can kind of take it easy. I've spent a lot less this year than last year. "Budget lights" is a misnomer because you still end up spending a lot, just not as much as it could be.
Yeah man, imagine if we keep buying all the various versions of 4 Sevens, SWM, Jetbeam, Olight, Fenix, Nitecore, Spark, Zebralight, Lumintop, Thrunite, Xeno, Armytek, Eagletac, and to top if off some HDS, Malkoff, Elzetta.
Guess the cost of all the lights here at HKJ's? (sorry bro, don't mean to dig it out! LOL!)
http://www.lygte-info.dk/review/Reviews%20UK.html
Well, buying "within our means", even though we can technically afford it at the time, doesn't always mean we are still "within our means". LOL! Just we can somehow make it happen doesn't mean we should.
I recall when I first started putting all my purchases in a spreadsheet to track what I had and when to expect it. I was mortified at how much money I had spent in a matter of a few months and actually ashamed of myself. I think I lasted 2 months of not buying anything after that. Since then I try to limit what I get but I also don't keep track of it like I did because I really don't want to know. :)
2100 - You're gonna burn out in a blaze of glory. Why not!
I still think every light I mod will be a budget light, but they never are! Sure the light itself might be $15., but the components end up being $15 here, $25 there and on and on. When it's all said and done a budget light ends up being a $100 mod. Never fails...
Even the Copper one is going to end up being over $65 just for the components. That doesn't touch all the extras like batteries and chargers. It's a no win situation. Hobbies are all expensive, some more than others and the resale values are usually poor, so just have fun and lay low for a while, or smile while going to the poor house. 
There's plenty of company around here.
I, for one, appreciate your spending. It has directed me toward some lights and away from others.
I am not going to estimate that cost, I stopped keeping track long ago, it was to depressing.
And I do not buy all lights, not even from Fenix, but I do have a nice collection from Fenix (The picture is a bit old):
And I do like smaller lights:
Yeah HKJ and Johnnymac, never do up a spreadsheet, it's very depressing! It's actually better to be ignorant. I guess this is mostly true for most hobbies unless you can get money from it doing part-time work.
I am sure i ended up getting more lights from forum recommendations. 
HKJ, great collection I have visited your website too over 100 times probably...thanks for the dedication and all the pictures of your lights...
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!
It's OK to sell off a few.....I know it's painful, but it's OK.
I know that you have a few I would take off your hands. :)
Think of it as 'recycling'
I keep selling mine for small losses to coworkers, so it's equivalent to grabbing a mocha at starbucks every now and then :).
What you are experiencing is exactly what led to my flashlight rapid detox for two months. Since my escape from the /Torch Treatment Center (/TTC) I've added another 15 lights to my collection. All I can say . . . if you have any electronic access to your money and you frequent this forum, recidivism will be your warm and loving companion.
reuptakeinhibitorFoy
15 x $50 = $750.
Yep. Sounds about right.
After you figure batteries, drop-ins . . . I have more switches and bezels that I do lights to screw them onto . . . some were less and a few were significantly more. By the way, it's painful to see that number and know that it is real.
brokeFoy
XTAR S1
LED: 3x Cree XM-L U2
Battery: 3x18650/18700 Li-ion
Working Voltage: 2.7-4.2V
Output: min. 30lm, max. 2750lm
Runtime: 1h (2750lm)
Max range: 359m
Max Intensity: 32300cd
Switch: Head magnetic ring switch
Mode: SOS/Strobe/High/Preset/Select
Water resistance: IPX-8 standard
Impact resistant: 1m
Size: 83mm (head), 47mm (body), 240mm (length)
Weight: 956g (excluding batteries)
Just the one more, eh ?
Yeah, just one more. I don't need throw for LED lights as that is covered by the HIDs and DBS aspheric which can throw nearly as well as a SR90. Triple XM-Ls are very useful for me.
I'll start regretting about it 3 months later. LOL!
Try RC then check your paypal
Already did HiFi/DIY Audio for many years.... so not going down that route again, it's really painful! But actually according to my colleaugues, seriously it's not that expensive unless you go into turbines or you go crashing like crazy (for planes and helis). Lack of space also.
My PP account is now limited or something, they want me to verify with a Photo ID photocopy and latest letter showing my residential address so that they can reinstate me to my regular standing. Some anti-terrorism and anti money launderying thingy because i went over the threshold set in the system and so triggered an alert. *scratch head* It's not phishing, coz i log in to my PP a/c and they have 2 cases opened with me under the Overall tab.
So now just digging out the "old" lights/batteries and try to revisit them and make do. LOL!
And the thing is, RC does not get old or obselete. Flashlights (emitters) do... But XM-L ver 2 with 1200 emitter lumens @ 3A and 1400 lumens @ 4A and same die size would be very nice!
paypal limet my account a few times a year when i go over 10 000 aud aprox
my account was limeted for this build
9500 usd build
a quick video before most of the upgrades
