You don’t need to convince me that DVDs, Blu-rays, 4K discs, vinyl records, and paper books are worth spending my hard-earned money on. Although I wouldn’t go so far as to say a physical media collection is the type of financial investment that eventually pays for itself, I also believe the benefits physical media offers (such as a greater degree of engagement with the art or content you’re experiencing) justify the cost. In addition, there are ways to save money buying used physical media if you know how to avoid certain common mistakes.

That said, I also believe in being practical. If someone plans to start building a physical media collection, I think they should understand how much money his hobby may cost them.

None of this is meant to discourage anyone from growing their physical media collections. Again, I firmly believe that physical media is ultimately superior to streaming. I also believe it’s easier to enjoy physical media if you budget properly, so you’re not stressed about how much you end up spending on it.

The specific “hidden costs” of physical media will vary somewhat depending on the exact type of collection you’re building. Generally, though, the following are potential expenses you should anticipate:

The cost of physical media itself isn’t the only cost to consider

This first example highlights the point that was just made. The equipment you will need to play 4K discs is obviously different from the equipment you would need to play vinyl records. However, for the purposes of budgeting, the important point to consider is that a physical media collection is often worthless without the equipment to play it.

Don’t assume this is an aspect of your physical media collection where you can cut corners. Although discs and vinyl records arguably have the potential to deliver greater technical quality than streaming or digital downloads, they can’t fulfill that potential without the right equipment.

Format upgrades may add to costs

A physical media collection can become obsolete

Physical media fans have no shortage of reasons for embracing these formats over their digital alternatives. Often, those who specifically prioritize buying movies and TV shows on discs do so at least partially because these formats offer superior sound and video.

The problem is, anyone vaguely familiar with the evolution of home video formats knows that new formats can enter the fray as technology improves. Over time, as we’ve seen with VHS, a format can become so outdated that it’s rendered virtually obsolete. Even if that doesn’t happen, a new and improved format may cause an earlier format to lose much of its appeal.

Chasing the highest quality physical media often means being willing to upgrade certain titles you’ve already purchased when they become available on new formats. That may be a cost a physical media collector is willing to accept, but it’s also still one they should consider when they start growing their collection.

Don’t overlook storage space

Seemingly minor costs can add up

No matter what, you’ll need to store your physical media collection somewhere. Buying storage for your discs, books, and records might not seem like a major expense, but as your collection grows, so too will your storage needs. You might thus end up spending quite a lot of money on physical media storage over time.

It’s also worth considering that a physical media collection may be something you want to proudly display in your home. If so, you’ll want to lean in the direction of storage solutions that allow you to achieve this goal. Storage options that double as aesthetically-pleasing displays may cost more than others. While this might not represent the biggest hidden cost of a physical media collection, it’s certainly still one you should consider as you plan where and how to keep your physical media.

Impulse buys become easier to fall prey to

The joys of growing a physical media collection can lead to unwise financial decisions

To restate an earlier point: I’m a physical media advocate. The last thing I would do is tell someone they shouldn’t embrace the physical media resurgence if, like me and many others, they appreciate the ways physical and analog formats excel over digital options. I just believe it’s easier to have fun growing your physical media collection when you’re not worried about how much money you’re spending. Anticipating potential hidden costs can help guard against these types of worries.

The flip side of this is that the dopamine boost you get from buying a new addition for your collection can be so enjoyable that you end up being more likely to make impulse buys. This can be particularly common among physical media enthusiasts, when special editions and discounts make us feel we need to take advantage of certain buying opportunities when they arise.

On top of that, because the physical media resurgence has just started, many don’t have brick-and-mortar stores nearby from which they can buy discs and records. If you can relate, you may do most of your physical media shopping online. If so, shipping and handling costs can also get pretty hefty.

The best way to make sure these costs don’t get out of hand is to have a process for deciding whether a given item belongs in your physical media collection. Making a point to evaluate every potential physical media purchase before committing to said purchase will give you a buffer that helps you avoid buyer’s remorse.

At the end of the day, it’s always important to consider your financial situation. Although a physical media collection can be very rewarding, growing one shouldn’t cause money woes. That’s less likely to happen if you consciously manage hidden costs.