I think a line of credit or something similar would be good to have as a fall back option and nothing else. What I mean is, something to be used only if neccessary and only for specific instances of finding something good or in large quantity. Not just because you feel you HAVE to have it.
Back in the early to mid 1990's, I was in college and actively looking for cards and memorabilia. Because I was actively looking, I found some nice things: stacks (30 or more in a stack) of nice B 18 blankets including Walter Johnson, Ty Cobb and brown infields for $300 to $400 per stack, 1000 N cards (yes, 1000 cards) including N28's of Clarkson, Keefe and Caruthers plus Wild Bill, Annie Oakley and others for $3,500 dollars, about 50 early 1920's baseball cards including about 20 Curtis Ireland Candy cards with a TY Cobb for $1,000 dollars, a nice Kalamazoo Bats common card with the advertising back for $500 dollars, plus numerous other things.
The problem was, I was in college and didn't have any money and my parents wouldn't loan me money to buy cards. So, I had to pass on these deals.
Just think, for about $7,000 dollars, I could have had at least half a set of B18 blankets in nice condition, an almost complete set of N28's (missing mostly the baseball players) plus some doubles and complete sets of game birds, chickens and some other non-sport cards, one of the largest collections of Curtis Ireland candy cards known. and a nice condition common card from a hard to find set.
To me, if I had a line of credit, those would be the type of deals I would use it for. I would NOT use it for, say, going on eBay and buying individual B18 blanket commons for $20 each or individual N28 cards for whatever price per card.
David
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