Almost done buying my kit essentials, but now I'm now hyperventiating!

I just calculated all my kit/education/business start-up expenditures for tax purposes and I'm about ready to pass out. I knew it was going to be expensive, but dayam! I think I went a little crazy on supplies. In my defense, I started building up my kit in September. God love my hubby, he didn't bat an eye at the total. He even bought me a paint palette/brush charm for Christmas as a show of support.

How do you all calculate the value of your kits? When people have posted their $1000+ kit values, are you including everything in your case down to the qtips, hair clips & the case itself, or are you just counting the value of the paint, brushes & glitter tats?

For insurance purposes - kit replacement, it is what I carry to the job NOT my total inventory. And yes, that includes qtips, the case it is in, the bottle of water, etc.

Total inventory is also everything - bins stuff is stored in, cleaners for brushes, hairclips, make-up, etc.

Equipment - permanent, re-usable items like cases brushes, sponges, mirrors, tables, chairs, signs, etc.

Supplies - items that are used up and need replacing like make-up/face paint, qtips, wipes, cleaners, tissue, glitter, etc.

My first year in business my expenses were $17,000 which did include training and a trip to the MUA Trade Show in Pasadena.

i learned the hard way from a previous entrepreneurial endeavor - start small!!

you can't predict for sure if people will buy your product/service or hire you like you want.

start with enough to do a few things, put it out there, if it sells, buy more and expand a little. repeat as necessary.

When I talk about my $1000+ kit I'm mainly talking about what is on the table alone, including my table cloth, business cards, mirror, q-tips, stand up table sign, brushes, brush easel, cases, spray bottles etc.

If i were to add my table, chairs, tent, large signs/banners, rolling tote, decorations, storage bins, and costumes it would CERTAINLY be more lol. To be honest I haven't done a count of EVERYTHING and added it all together in a VERY long time lol.

I'm with jlirie on the 'start small' thing. When i buy new products I tent to be 'testing them out' first. If I want to buy a lot of something new at once, I usually have a bunch of online reviews to help back up be decision. Like when I bought the ten sets of  #12 and #10 Protege Gold Nylon flat brushes. I read many many reviews, saw what i could do in photos and in video. I wish I bought more lol.

But something like a new color, new brand of paint, glitter, or material I'd be more likely to try it out first before committing, to buying more.