As hobbies go, ours has become cheaper than golf due to the price of a round of golf now costing more than a yearly membership at our club. To be honest the start up costs with the basics for a plane, engine, radio, servos, field box, fuel pump, fuel, and insurance is around $500.00. Thats about 1/2 of what it was about 3 years ago but its still not "dirt cheap". Its a good hobby for the associated costs but all hobbies take $$.