My policy has always been that if I can't convince myself that the music is worth paying for, it's not worth listening to either. And I avoid the big/corrupt record labels. I only buy from bands themselves or labels so small that one of the bands I listen to usually owns it. Afterall we're in this hobby because we want our music to sound good, if there wasn't anyone making the music, what would we have to listen to?
I've got about 100 CDs, 25 Records, and 12 Cassettes, and I've probably downloaded 15 albums for free(either the artist had it for free on bandcamp, or it was not available for purchase anywhere).
I have to import most of my music from Europe and pay the high shipping costs that go along with that, but just remember without the artists you'd have nothing. Or at least all you'd have left are the artists that Hollywood shoves down your throat every time you turn the TV on.
Plus I like having physical copies of my music, music is what keeps me going, and this room would be pretty much empty without it.
I'm just out of high school and only started collecting music a few years back, I'm sure my collection is nothing compared to some of you, but it's pretty good for a jobless teen I'd think.
I don't bother with cellphones or any of that stuff so I put most of my money into my gear and my music.
