Hobbies causing problems!

[Sadness]

I have 3 hobbies and with the 3 hobbies,I'm not being a good steward of my finances.
I believe,no think I cpuld keep one but which one I need help from on high.

1)Lego: I'm really to old for,but it is fun and I use my imagation with it. Also is easily the cheapest of the three.

2)X-Box 360: It's addations cost $40 to $60 apiece and sometimes when I am playing it,I lose my temper,use bad language and throw the controller($50).

3)Model Railroading(Trains): The most expensive one,requires patience(something I lack),skills in electric and woodworking,plus space.But has the most variety and is based off of our country's history.

Generally,when I ask for help,I request Scripture verses to help me make a desicison.  Could you please pray that I make a final desicison once and for all. With the feeling that there is so little time left in the world,maybe I should toss all three? Your prayers and advice would be a BIG help.

God Bless Ya!   Stephen

Update:  1) lego is being broken down and stored under bed. I will not be buying anymore for a while.
2) The 360 is disconnected and is under my bed,I'm deciding on whether or not to erase all data on it and get rid of it. I will sell it,then a few months later go out and buy another. Please pray about this-it is hard to break away-like a drug addiction.
3) Added up what I have spent on this hobby(at least the stuff I have on hand)the total is in the 4 figures. Ouch! That told me to get rid of it. I need to find someone willing to buy it as it looks like the train show will not be this year.
Please pray for items 2 and 3 and thanks to all for your prayers!

[lp670sv]

Hmm well i think lego should at least be put off for awhile. Model railroading is pretty hard to drop, I had to do it two years ago just out of lack of space in my house but I plan to pick it up when I have space again. And Xbox, well thats endless entertainment really. Of the two of them though put off the one that costs more. I mean you can still keep all your stuff but until you get your finances in order you really can't afford it.

[YourMathTeacher]

I say dump the video games and play board games, especially board games that include railroad history (to feed into your other hobby). Have you ever played Rail Baron? It's a great game that includes elements of strategy and probability (much like Redemption). The game is no longer in print, and quite expensive on eBay, but you can print the board and matrix charts from the internet (from licensed sources). There is also a computer version of the game at the RailGameFans website.

[Minister Polarius]

I don't think you need any bible verses to tell you to drop the Xbox. You said yourself you lose your temper and curse when playing it.

[Prof Underwood]

I agree with Pol that if the X-box is leading you to sin, then dropping it is certainly a good idea.  If you feel like your outgrowing Legos, then dropping that is probably a decent idea too.  You can still play with the Legos that you already have, and you can build different stuff with it, but you could stop buying new stuff.

As for model trains, that's never really appealed to me, but of the 3 perhaps it is the best option for you.  Alternatively I agree with YMT that you might really enjoy some strategy board games that are related to trains.  The obvious first choice would be Ticket to Ride.  It has about the same level of strategy as Redemption, and is a lot of fun to play.  It is probably my wife's favorite game to play, and she doesn't even like most games

[Rawrlolsauce!]

I say stick with legos because legos are amazing.

[crustpope]

I say stick with legos because legos are amazing.

You can never outgrow legos.  Thats just silly talk.

I agree with dumping the x box.  videogames are fun but they are a huge time suck.

[Chronic Apathy]

If don't have enough self-control to play video games without losing your temper, then I agree that you should drop them. Having played video games all my life, I've learned that, if I encounter a game which makes me unusually competitive, causing bad habits to form (or persist), it's time to drop the game. However, dropping the Xbox entirely isn't necessarily the answer. There are plenty of games that have no (or a very minor) competitive element to them, while they still remain fun. The games I tend to lose my temper on are online shooters, such as Call of Duty and Halo, but I have a better time with offline, single player games. Also, if you're spending $40-60 on every game you buy, there are ways to amend that. Start looking into the Xbox Live Arcade for cheap, good games that will last you a while (I know for a fact there are over a dozen such games). You can also look at games released more than a year ago, since they tend to drop in price to $20 or less. If you're having trouble finding good games that you don't lose your temper over, make sell the Xbox to pick up a Wii?

I'm probably a bit biased in my recommendations, as of the three hobbies you mentioned, video gaming is the only one I personally partake in, but there you go. If you're wise in your video game purchasing decisions, you'll get more bang for your buck than you will for either of the other two. Lego (yes, that is the plural) are fun, and somewhat cheap, but will $20-60 worth of Lego last you the months that a good video game potentially will? Same goes for model trains. A fantastic hobby, but you have to spend hundreds of dollars to get a worthwhile amount of enjoyment from it.

[The M]

Quit all 3 and play Redemption more.
Better than Lego because: You can use your imagination and it is cheaper.
Better than Xbox because: Teaches godly character qualities and is cheaper.
Better than Model Trains because: Not that time consuming if you want it to be, you don't need much space, you learn about ancient history and it is cheaper.

Winner: Redemption!

Note: You don't need to quit, just have a balanced lifestyle and get rid of what you think God wouldn't want you to have.

[JonathanW]

Keep Lego.

[Sadness]

Wow! I have recieved more replies than I thought I would. I want to thank all for the advice. Since that time,
  1) I have disconnected the 360 and put it up-I noticed that I haven't played on it in nearly a week and a half. Even
     longer for computer games.
 
  2) Model Trains-I have them put up,till a) we move to a bigger house or b) I sell them in a upcoming train show. Using a wait/see/pray approach.

 3) Lego-Right now,I'm holding off buying any more. Putting what I have up in storage for the time being.

 I really like the M post. That way of thinking makes a whole lot of sense. Cheaper,less space, and Bible verses on each card.
 
I would like  everyone to please keep me in your prayers and will keep you informed on what takes place. I have a feeling a final decision will take place at the end of the week.  Thank you and God bless all!

[Chronic Apathy]

You end up deciding to sell the 360, drop me a PM.

=)

[Sadness]

Update:

The 360: I haved traded with Chronic Apathy for some cards. I believe I got the better end of the trade:)

Model Railroading: Placed up in my closet-waiting on a decision. My mother's advice is to draw up a track plan
and decide what could be used/not used.

Lego: Under bed for the moment,finding great deals at garage sales.