If you love music you probably invest a good amount of your disposable income feeding your passion. Instruments, accessories, concerts and other performances all add up and then there’s sound equipment and downloads to add to the expense.

If you’re the kind of person who’d rather have the Top Ten than a new pair of shoes you can probably use some strategies for keeping the cost down while building your collection, so here are some tips for doing just that!

Look for used equipment. Shop online for local deals or deals from around the world; as long as the shipping isn’t too high you can find some great steals this way. You can also check pawnshops for used instruments and equipment, because many people see this as a luxury they can give up when the going gets rough. Some music stores also offer great deals on used equipment; the bonus here is that the items are often reconditioned before the store puts them up for sale.

Check for deals on downloads and albums online and you may be surprised at how much you can save. A word to the wise: honor the copyright of the artist you’re buying. Musicians work hard to achieve fame and deserve the fortune aspect, too.

Buy on time. Look for local and national music stores that offer a layaway of sorts. Often you can make timely payments on the instrument you’ve been drooling over, and before you know it you’ve paid the price and are ready to play!

Look for discounts. Sites such as Groupon specialize in bringing discounts and coupons to your phone, so take advantage of their specialty and save money on the music you’re already planning to buy!
No matter how you accumulate your collection, it’s a good idea to itemize everything you have and then take the list to your insurance agent to be sure you have enough insurance to cover your collection. You don’t want to lose it all in the event of a robbery or fire, so protect what you have before it’s too late!