No point in adding the total cost of punting up. Best approach is just spend what you can afford and be honest with yourself what that amount is. If you can do that, and stick to it, then you can bask in all the "you only live once", "you can't take it with you" etc etc bollox
Punting isn't my main hobby, I have another that isn't what you would term cheap. I've never worked out what that has cost me over the last 30 years. Why bother working out what any hobby you get satisfaction from is costing? No point in saying "I could have bought a Porsche/BMW/Merc etc etc". If you wanted the car, then you should have bought it and not fucked the 200 prossies.
Thing is we fucked the prossies, we didn't buy the car......maybe some of us were lucky and did both. Who cares?
We punt because we like fucking. That costs not insignificant dosh, so you makes your choices and you pays your cash. Punting should be guilt free sex. Unlike having an affair for example. Same goes for the money, if you regret it or think "should have spent the cash on something else", I'd say it is time to stop fucking prossies and spend your money in a way that really makes you happy. Or maybe you are addicted and need help to quit the sausage game?
BTW, my post wasn't a criticism of 4kingace (post above) or anyone else who has posted. Just my response to the thread......