So you want to experiment with kink - or maybe you're already in deep - but all of the amazing tools and fet-wear available seem a little out of your budget? Kink is for everyone and shouldn't be cost-prohibitive, so let's look at how you can live your best kinky life on a budget.
GEAR
First up is the concept of the pervertible. A 'pervertible' is simply any common object which the user perverses for the use of kinky play. It could be a hairbrush for spanking (a la The Secretary) or a wooden spoon, a whisk, a belt or tie... but it doesn't stop there. Broomsticks, rulers, clothespins (pegs) and just about any household item can be perversed in such a way to make it suitable for kinky use.
You can also learn how to make your BDSM-specific toys through a little research. There are a bunch of YouTube videos made by users who share their skills of crafting DIY play tools as well as forums and web-guides to be found online.
We definitely recommend, however, to always try whatever it is you pervert or make out on yourself first - to ensure it is safe for play before commencing to use it with anybody else. Always remember to have a safety plan in case things go wrong and educate yourself on the principles of Risk Aware Consensual Kink.
STORES
If you prefer the experience of shopping, or just want to experience a little retail therapy rather than using what you already own while still not breaking the bank, the dollar store is a prime location for procuring cheap items for use in play. The pet section at these stores can provide leashes and collars and other ready-to-play toys, and low-temp candles suitable for wax play can be found in the homewares section. Cheap disposable tablecloths are also great for messy play and can be found in these locations.
Hardware and craft stores have also become a favourite for kinksters looking for low-cost lengths of ropes and chains for use in bondage play. Similarly, equestrian and farm stores can provide high-quality horse riding crops and other impact equipment at prices a lot cheaper than those made specifically for BDSM use.
When looking for cheap things to play with in store settings, just remember to keep your imagination alive and remember that anything can become a pervertible! We also again recommend definitely trying these things out on yourself before doing so on any partner, to keep things clean as you would with any toy used for such intimate activities - and to look after them to ensure longevity and to minimise waste.
When looking online for new things to try out, keep your eye out for discount codes for use at your fave online adult retail store stockists - and don't forget to look out for sales in adult stores, which typically always have a bargain section.
But remember - your hands and body are the most free and versatile pieces of equipment that you have. Those with low mobility or other additional needs can also engage in kink for low cost as described above, in the same or slightly modified ways.
FESTIVALS, MARKETS & SECOND-HAND GEAR
Festivals, markets and second-hand stores are also great places to look for those who want to keep their kink on a budget. In fact, most BDSM festivals around the world include some sort of marketplace in their celebrations and usually include a variety of big brands and small kink-craft businesses alike. They can be a great place to test out toys in person, get special discounts from businesses for the duration of the events and eliminate the cost of shipping.
Occasionally it is also possible to find gear at vanilla or other non-BDSM (or sexuality-specific) marketplaces and in thrift stores - in person or online. Online marketplaces such as Ebay, Etsy and certain FetLife groups are great for procuring secondhand or sample items, as well as auction houses which are sometimes home to the selling of dungeon furniture or other equipment.
When it comes to buying things second-hand, it is our recommendation that you only buy equipment that you can verify has been sanitised and/or sterilised properly. It is also important to note that we do not endorse the second-hand purchasing of sex toys or anything that is to be used internally - which should typically always be bought brand new...
EVENTS
When it comes to the accessibility of play equipment at public events, some hosts will allow you to use a variety of the space's tools so long as you use said equipment respectfully and return it/leave it in the condition you found it in. This is pretty standard with large pieces of equipment, like crosses and benches, with these pieces of furniture typically seeing many scenes throughout the duration of an event. It is not so common for smaller items to be made so freely available, though some hosts may provide other toys for use, too.
But sometimes the cost of attending all of the events in the kinky calendar can also make for breaking the bank. Don't want to miss out? Why don't you try throwing your own kinky party at home? Just like any other house party - but with kink! Get your guests to BYO toys and maybe bring a snack and a drink along, or even ask them to chuck in a few dollars to help cover the cost of refreshments if you want to provide them. Make sure the space you are doing it within is suitable and safe, invite those that you trust or have been vetted by friends, lay down some ground rules around consent and safety and ensure that you have an accessible quiet space.
LEARNING HOW TO DO KINK
While we definitely endorse every opportunity to learn from those skilled persons running workshops on a variety of different types of play, it is also worth going to kink play events for the very reason of networking and skill-sharing through conversation. Some dungeons even have open days where you can go in to check out the space and get inspiration - and connect with like-minded people who may be able to offer advice on how you can achieve different types of play with what you already have.
The internet, too, has an almost endless abundance of resources in which you can find pretty much any or all of the information you could ever want. This, of course, also applies to kink and, as such, with the simple click of a button and/or a Google search you will be able to find almost equally endless amounts of free tutorials on how to learn safety in play, do basic bondage, impact and other types of play etc...
FASHION
For some people, fet-wear (or kinky fashion) is a major part of the play experience - but you don't have to wear latex, leather or that $100+ harness you see everyone else wearing to be kinky... We definitely encourage working with what you have - to look for inspiration in magazines, on TV and in film and online, to see how you can come up with your own unique rendition of an outfit that you love. Again, dollar stores can provide amazingly discounted accessories and costume items which can always be incorporated into kink and/or roleplay themed outfits. After certain holidays, like Halloween, you should also be able to find a variety of fantasy costumes heavily discounted at party stores online or in person. For those into MtF cross dressing or sissification, discounted lingerie sections within stores are also a great place to look.
Most public play spaces will encourage a dress code of a minimum 'basic black' or 'effort put in' which typically means no jeans and streetwear sneakers, unless they somehow fit into the theme of the night - which most events will have to get people in the mood of dressing up. Of course, the easiest option would be to go nude but as there are usually policies against this in most public play spaces it is recommended you only do this at home ;)