That's true, Glyn. Only thing I'd add to that is not to forget the enjoyment component of this
hobby. I can't believe I am saying this, but money isn't everything. Some stuff you buy because it is a good deal, and on those things I strive to be as bloodless and coldly calculating as I can. But some things you buy because you want them, and depriving yourself of them because they aren't immediately profitable is not a good place to be. A smart guy (think his name was Leon
) told me years ago, when I was pondering spending 10% more than I wanted on a tough card, that it wasn't worth sweating that spending increment on something that I wanted, and he was right. I've never regretted spending a bit more than a 'deal' price on something I really wanted and could afford. Ironically, in nearly every case where I've done that the cards have gone up in value way more than the rate of inflation or interest or whatever, so they were good investments by and large too.