So I've been contemplating picking up a big project -- today I got an email from a local breeder that is getting out and he offered me first dibs at his collection before listing it.

My choice is between picking up the expensive new project (an 08 pair) that I really want or I could possibly get this guys breeder collection for about the same amount. His collection is similar to mine breeder size het females, coordinating homo males and some codoms, etc. Mostly stuff I already got but could use more of -- sell off the males I don't need kind of thing.

Normally I'm one of those "don't put all your eggs in one basket" kind of people and this huge project would be putting my eggs into one basket that wont go for a while -- but as it is I'm getting short on space, time and feeder money -- on the other hand I could definitely produce more and do more with more -- on the other hand this project is one that I really really want to do -- on the other hand I could work with the breeder collection this year and buy into the other project cheaper next year with the profits.

Or I could not buy any more animals and take my family on vacation.

WWYD?

In a way , you've already answered your question. If your running tight on space and feeder money , get that big project and get an extra year on it. Even if you went with the breeder collection , you still have make the space , buy more feeders and count on being able to move what you don't want easily and sell the increase in babies easily as well. Buying the breeder collection could come back to bite you in the ass later financially if things don't move as you'd like.

The breeder collection would increase your current projects faster being breeding ready more or less , but working what you have and holding back will allow you to ease into the growth without hitting your wallet hard.

If it were me , I'd go with the project.

If it's a project you'd really like to do, always wanted to.... then the door of opportunity seems to be knocking to me.... I'd do it. I wouldn't wait another year if it were me.

Space (No matter what, we always seem to find the room that didn't exist for them 5 mins ago) and extra mouths to feed, well, that's par for the course no matter what....

If you really wanna do it.... :)

tosh,
you do post some interesting quandaries don't you dearie...
i'm always thinkin' you're better off with quality over quantity.
as it is you do seem to regularly struggle with choices (not trying to psychoanalyze here, just an observation). that being said, why put yourself in the position to have to chose between even MORE pairings, when ultimately you would probably use the profits from all the extra labor to buy the very animals you could just get now. notwithstanding a great deal on the breeding group.(let's face it, it would be worth you pickin' up if the guy's dumpin', just to keep BT's flipperfrustration level low, the great deals he don't see can't hurt him).
if it was me and i were you (i'd be a crossdressing transexual at that point) i'd opt for the young pair. you'll have a project you REALLY want, you'll have the time to stuff rats down 'em like you're packin' a muzzle-load cannon ('cause you won't be feedin' all those extra, superfluous mouths), and you'll have left-over money for postage to send me the first homozygous male that those beauties produce (don't worry about starting it, i'll take it before it sheds).
call me in two years for my shipping address,
ck

I'm a normally more is better kinda guy, but seeing as you have most of what he is selling, like others have said get a head start on your big project. Regarding the vacation, you'll end up back home anyway and with no new snakes so....

I say go for the cool big project now! Who needs vacations anyway!

I'd go with the big project myself...

Tosha if you are confident in your ability to reproduce these animals and see the projects through then, go for it. I love the big projects, no guts and glory

I've spent big money that I didn't/don't have and I'm still working through it but I wouldn't change it for anything...Even with the down market and economy I feel very comfortable plus I'm working towards a dream..