Do you consider yourself a fanatic?
I’m a sports fan. My favorite sports leagues are the NFL, NHL, and major league baseball. I was listening to sports talk radio in preparation for the NFL draft. I used to listen to sports talk often, but over the last few years have begun to listen to more music when in the car and podcasts when working around the house.
The host was rambling on about the popularity of the National Football League and fantasy sports. He stated that NFL fans were so passionate about football that they seek information about it on average of four times a week, and by definition, that makes them fanatic about football.
That comment piqued my interest and got me thinking, am I that passionate about anything? I tried to find some data to back up what the radio host stated, but couldn’t find any information to validate his point. Football is by far my favorite sport, but in a given week, I seek and read more personal finance information then about football season.
fanatic
adjective faβ’natβ’ic \fΙ-Λna-tik\
Definition of FANATIC
: marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion < they’re fanatic about politics>
Fanatic Categories
There are many types of extreme fans. Here are some that I have run into over the years:
- Animal
- Apple
- Fiction Character
- TV Show/Movie
- Political
- Religious
- Sports
- Video Games
Now, these fandom types are very broad categories, and often fans will drill down into a specific niche, like the New York Yankees, Harry Potter, the Green Bay Packers, Star Wars, the Chicago Blackhawks, or Pac-Man as examples.
Sometimes fans go so far as dressing like their favorite character, wearing their favorite team’s logo, and traveling to different cities, and states to watch their favorite teams play.
In most cases, fanatics go to extremes and show incredible enthusiasm for their cause. Consider that fans spend $30 billion a year on sports apparel makes a pretty solid case for their passion. You can purchase just about any type of team apparel with a team logo on it, even bras and underwear. That $30 billion doesn’t include sports memorabilia and collectibles. The estimate in that category tops $5 billion.
But what makes a fan a display excessive enthusiasm?
Fandom a Form of Addiction
I don’t think you could go so far and call fandom an addiction similar to what drug or alcohol addicts face, but it can represent a unbalance in one’s life.
There have been cases of political and religious fanatics who take their causes to such extremes that they cause harm to themselves or others. That not what I’m talking about here.
The type of fandom I’m thinking about occupies a high percentage of your free time, its something you would rather do this than just about anything else, you’re a big supporter of the team, person or cause and it’s something you spend disposable income on.
Places to Gather
Ever hear of Comic-Con? Comic-Con San Diego and Comic-Con New York are two of the biggest fan conversations held each year. There are many other too:
- E3 – the Electronic Entertainment Expo, is a trade event for the video game industry.
- D23 Expo – The largest Disney fan event in the world, D23 Expo celebrates all the wonderful worlds of Walt Disney.
- Anime Expo – anime convention held in Los Angeles, California, and organized by the non-profit Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation.
- PAX – (formerly known as Penny Arcade Expo) is a series of gaming culture festivals involving tabletop, arcade, and video gaming. PAX is held annually.
You don’t need to be a fanboy or cosplayer to attend these other conventions.
- National Sports Collectors Convention – is the largest, annual trade show held in the United States devoted to sports memorabilia
- Sneaker Con -is the world’s premier sneaker show, providing a huge space for vendors and attendees to buy, sell, and trade some of the most sought-after footwear in the game.
- NAB – is an annual trade show produced by the National Association of Broadcasters.
- MAGIC Marketplace -is the most comprehensive fashion marketplace in the United States, showcasing the latest in men’s, women’s, and children’s apparel, footwear, accessories, and fashion resources.
The goal of these conventions is to have a location, and an event for fans of particular interest to gather. It’s also an opportunity for the fans to spend a lot of money on autographs, merchandise, tee shirts, team gear, etc.
Personal Finance Fan
I guess I would consider myself I personal finance fanatic. I read personal finance-related material almost daily, I write about it a few times a week, and I listen to podcasts on the topic weekly.
Now you won’t find me dressing up like Warren Buffet, or wearing an I heart David Ramsey T-shirt, but you will find me trying to help others get their finances on track.
The teaching aspect of personal finance is what has me hooked. Increasing my knowledge on the topic, creating a budget, paying off debt, saving an emergency fund was life-changing.
Once I saw how this information improved things for my family, I wanted to share the knowledge with anyone who would listen. No, there’s no Super Bowl for teaching personal finance, but I still feel like I’ve made it to the championship game.
So I guess there is a different level of fanaticism, some come right out and tell you they are a fanatic by the team gear they wear, others are a little less flashy, but still share the same zeal.
Do you know any over the top fans? What are you passionate about?
Brian is a Dad, husband, and an IT professional by trade. A Personal Finance Blogger since 2013. Who, with his family, has successfully paid off over $100K worth of consumer debt. Now that Brian is debt-free, his mission is to help his three children prepare for their financial lives and educate others to achieved financial success. Brian is involved in his local community. As a Financial Committee Chair with the Board of Education of his local school district, he has helped successfully launch a K-12 financial literacy program in a six thousand student district.
I’m not interested in sports at all, but I am a fanatic about travel. I obviously like to travel, but I also spend a lot of time researching, too. Nothing wrong with having a hobby!
Not a bad hobby Holly!, Sorry couldn’t resist.
I would say I’m a fanatic about personal finance as well. I definitely am more discreet about it though. Since I know most people don’t know much about personal finance I try to keep it light when I’m talking to friends or coworkers, unless they ask questions. I have gotten really excited about a topic in the past and I could tell I went into way too much detail and lost them along the way.
It’s easy to get carried away when talking personal finance, but agree let the questions come to you is the best approach, you don’t want to scare people off. π
well I guess I’m a personal finance fanatic too π my brothers are Canucks fanatics. Their basements are covered in memorabilia and they paint the kids faces for games.
I’m a hockey fan too, just never painting my face.
I know people who are fanatics about things, but even by definition I still wouldn’t consider myself a personal finance fanatic. I think a fanatic literally can’t live without what they are fanatic about and it affects there mood if something is going great or not going great. I’m into PF because I enjoy it, but it doesn’t affect my mood very much. I would say the word isβ¦.passionate versus fanatic.
Didn’t consider the mood component. I do know when my personal finance habits were bad, my mood wasn’t so great.
I agree that I am more of a personal finance fanatic than anything else. I may pay a little more attention to football during this time of the year because of fantasy football but I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m a fanatic about it.
I may need to look into finding a Warren Buffet costume to wear daily though π
Halloween is far off. π
It turns out that my Facebook Feed is inundated with Pumpkin Spice Latte fanatics- it’s the number one trending topic for two days running!
I could consider myself a personal finance fanatic, though I prefer the personal side to the finance side.
I missed them on my list, but the Pumpkin Spice Latte fanatics will be out in full force over the next couple of months. π
I have a number of sports fanatic friends, and while I love watching sporting events, I am definitely not a fanatic. I think the only thing I am really fanatical about is financial literacy and making sure it’s available and accessible to others. I have made it my life goal so I am pursuing it like a fanatic would.
Count me in, financial literacy fanatics. It’s a group that’s growing.
My fiance is a sports fanatic and if it was up to him the TV would be on ESPN or some other sports channel. When we watch games, he yells at the players as if they can hear his directions. I am not a fanatic when it comes to anything. I like things but I am not over the top with it.
I think sport has the most fanatics, so many teams so many fans.
Hmm. I’d say I’m a fan of Cirque du Soleil. Not quite over the line crossing into “fanatical,” but definitely a big fan. I’ve travelled far and wide to see their shows. I own programs, CDs, tshirts, and other miscellaneous merchandise. But I don’t think I’m on the “fanatical” side yet–no CdS tatoos, or themed wedding, or decked out car. Haha I’ve seen all of those, but… it’s not quite me.
That’s an interesting one Chela. I’ve never see Cirque du Soleil.
I would have to say I’m a personal finance fanatic too, Brian. You say you wouldn’t wear an “I Heart Dave Ramsey” t-shirt, but would you wear a “I’m a Frugal Weirdo” t-shirt?
After my trip to FinCon I might have to change my mind on both. π I’ve been wearing some pretty cool debt t-shirts these days.
I am a fan of books, second to sports. It feels awesome to be a fan of something that impacts my life in a positive way like I have become healthier.
Good point!
Oh my gosh, that Brazil fanatic’s picture is intense. And you should totally dress up as Warren Buffett – it would be a terrific Halloween costume!
I guess most personal finance bloggers are fantastics about it, now that I think about it. I definitely seek information on finance more than 4 times a week.
π I need to get working on it!
After attending my first FinCon I agree!
By the 4 times per week definition, I’m a baby fanatic, since I’m constantly searching for more information about babies – care, handling, raising, traveling with, making, you name it. Because I want to but also for maintaining my remaining sanity…
Looking forward to a time when the child raising education can slow…
We were in the mode once too, now our three children are teenagers.