Financial Resources and Considerations
You are probably wondering what entering this field will cost you financially. Credible investigators usually operate as nonprofits and do not charge clients for their investigations. Some investigate cases with their own finances or with money collected from donations and sponsors. You might consider making local investigations free of charge, but ask to be reimbursed by your clients for your hotel costs and travel expenses if you have to travel long distances.
Opinions differ widely and there is a heated debate among paranormal investigators as to the ethics of allowing clients to reimburse traveling expenses and other costs. Some will not charge a client under any circumstances, while others will only accept payment from an organization and never from an individual.
Purchasing Equipment Inexpensively
If you want to build your ghost hunting toolbox, try to acquire equipment as your budget allows and keep an eye on it when you're in the field. You should keep your investment in equipment to a minimum until you are totally sure that your interest in the paranormal will continue. Investigators have shown significant results with less expensive equipment, so don't let the cost of the more expensive items discourage you.
Build your ghost hunting toolkit over time if you are on a budget. Start with relatively low-tech items that are most essential to the hunt until you can afford to buy the more expensive ones. Make a wish list and prioritize the items on it.
ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT LIST
A flashlight and extra batteries. It is not at all unusual for a flashlight to go out during an investigation. Some believe paranormal entities cause modern devices to stop working. The theory posits that entities try to manifest by drawing energy from their immediate environment and will often drain even brand new batteries within minutes. $10.
A first aid kit. As you're walking around in old buildings in pitch darkness, be prepared to deal with a few scratches, bumps, and scrapes. $15.
A notebook and pencil or pen. Old-fashioned writing devices are vital for keeping track of observations and sequences of events. $8.
A watch. Invest in an old-fashioned wind-up watch that doesn't run on batteries. If possible, get one with a second hand. $35.
A tape recorder. It can be either analog or digital, but it must have an external microphone that can be placed away from the recorder to minimize static and noise. $30.
A camera. It can be a digital or film camera. Bring extra camera batteries. Used film cameras are available on eBay and
Amazon.com for around $50. Digital cameras start around $80.An EMF meter. This new ghost hunting tool measures the electromagnetic field in the area. Around $80.
A cell phone. They often don't function well in paranormal hot spots, but bring one anyway. The pay-as-you-go kind are around $30.
These items can all be purchased for less than $300 total. You probably already have several of the items on the list, and you might be able to buy some of the others used. Other inexpensive low-tech items to include in your ghost hunting kit include the following:
Candles and matches or a kerosene lantern. These are a good backup in case the flashlight goes dead.
A pendulum. This is an ancient way of communicating with spirits.
Dowsing rods. These are used by some in the same way as an EMF meter.
Rubber cement and black string. These can be tacked across access points to detect whether someone is entering or leaving the site without your knowledge.
A military-type compass to gauge the presence of magnetic field anomalies.
A tape-measure or yard-stick to measure any object that may appear to have moved from its former position.
A map of the area to acquaint yourself and the team with the site's layout.
The most important things to bring to an investigation are your common sense, your sensitivity and investigative skills, and a buddy to go onsite with you. Never go into the field alone.
