I'm in financial trouble-what would you do?

[Tomman1961]

All:
I am 52 years old. I was all set for early retirement when my cancer bills depleted us. Now I just lost my job due to "down-sizing". Anyway - what would you do? I have complete Plyaball sets-but it is hard to part with them. My uncle started them in 1939. I finished them in 1982. I am parting with my T206 Cobb. I loved the card, but he sat in the safe. Waste of money. Then there is my 1955 Clemente. My Dad just died. And the story of the Clemente is I had to have it when I saw it at the card show. My Dad was with me. We pooled all our $ together and I bought it for $40. It was also a coin show. My Dad collected coins. Many years later he told me he gave me all his money from his wallet and did not buy the coin. He lent me his money and I have a PSA 8 Clemente. Nice $ that I need now. Please convince me to sell this card. But it is a card I bought with some of the $ that Dad wanted to use for himself. Stu[id piece of cardboard. A lot of $ involved. I need the $. Memories attached.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Tomman1961

All:
I am 52 years old. I was all set for early retirement when my cancer bills depleted us. Now I just lost my job due to "down-sizing". Anyway - what would you do? I have complete Plyaball sets-but it is hard to part with them. My uncle started them in 1939. I finished them in 1982. I am parting with my T206 Cobb. I loved the card, but he sat in the safe. Waste of money. Then there is my 1955 Clemente. My Dad just died. And the story of the Clemente is I had to have it when I saw it at the card show. My Dad was with me. We pooled all our $ together and I bought it for $40. It was also a coin show. My Dad collected coins. Many years later he told me he gave me all his money from his wallet and did not buy the coin. He lent me his money and I have a PSA 8 Clemente. Nice $ that I need now. Please convince me to sell this card. But it is a card I bought with some of the $ that Dad wanted to use for himself. Stu[id piece of cardboard. A lot of $ involved. I need the $. Memories attached.

Your health, family and bills come first. Sell the cards, don't even think twice about it. You're still young. Maybe you can re-purchase them again someday.

[Bestdj777]

If you have an emotional attachment to the Playball sets, have you considered just selling the cards that you purchased and holding on to the ones your uncle bought? Sets are typically worth less than the original cards. This would give you an opportunity to raise some money while still holding on to the cards with special meaning.

For the Clemente, maybe try to work out a deal for someone where you traded for an absolute beater copy plus cash? That way, you would still have a Clemente that your dad's money went to, but nothing that is tying up any potentially significant source of funds.

If you have to get rid of them, you will always have the memories. Think of it this way, you helped your uncle complete some sets--likely what his ultimate goal was anyway--and you have a great memory of your time with your father. At the end of the day, those memories are what is most important anyway.

[Jcfowler6]

Hold onto the memories and sell the cards. When you get back on your feet you can pick them up again.

I once had several cards stolen from me that had memories attached to them I still have the memories and now I have the cards again but in much better condition.

My prayers are with you.

[Jay Wolt]

Tomman, my situation was/is very similar. And I sold a bunch of stuff to help pay the medical bills.
Hated to part w/ some but hated moreso the thought of losing the house.
You may miss the cards, but you'll always have the memories of obtaining them & collecting them.
I suggest you scan a bunch that mean a lot to you and keep the scans as a reminder of your collection.

"We don't own these cards (& collectibles) we just hold them for awhile"

[joeadcock]

Tomman

Agreed, I would sell them and get them back later(if possible). Think also of losing my collection that has taken years. But I believe that is why I have it, that I will part with it when necesary, for health, kids, etc.

Will pray for you also.

I agree with Jay. Excellently said.

Originally Posted by Jay Wolt

"We don't own these cards (& collectibles) we just hold them for awhile"

In the long run, we do just hold onto them for awhile, as everything else, including our lives. It is what we do with what we have that matters.

[Centauri]

Well, sorry to hear of your financial difficulties. Here are some of my thoughts:

1. My newly-wed wife destroyed most of my top cards (50's-60's HOF'ers) after an argument. But we are still married 20 years later. They are just a hobby - life is higher priority.

2. It hurts to let em go sometimes, but it is really fun to try and chase them down again.

3. IMO, it is not worth keeping the stuff while being stressed out and worried about finances.

[ethicsprof]

Originally Posted by joeadcock

Tomman

Agreed, I would sell them and get them back later(if possible). Think also of losing my collection that has taken years. But I believe that is why I have it, that I will part with it when necesary, for health, kids, etc.

Will pray for you also.

I agree with Jay. Excellently said.


In the long run, we do just hold onto them for awhile, as everything else, including our lives. It is what we do with what we have that matters.

very well said, Frank and Jay.
My prayers for the OP are offered now and will continue.
all the best,
barry

[glchen]

Sell your cards. Your health is more important. Keep the cards that mean most to you, and sell those last. However, if you need to sell them, sell them also. When your financial situation improves, you can probably buy back a lot of the cards. Think about what your dad would say to you if you asked him these same questions. The answers would probably be similar.

[iwantitiwinit]

Sell the cards. Think about like this, your Dad is really somewhat still helping you now because he was instrumental in their purchase/accumulation. If you feel you need to keep something keep the Clemente but get rid of the rest and dont give it a second thought.

[vintagetoppsguy]

I don't mean to get off topic here, but does anybody remember when PSA used to loan money on PSA graded cards? It was several years ago. I think they loaned up to half SMR (or something like that) and the minimum loan was like $5K. I think they quit doing that because I haven't seen them advertise that service in many years.

It seems like it would be a good businees venture for someone that knew cards. As long as the individual (or comapny) loaning the money is holding collateral, what could you lose?

[irishdenny]

But Sincerely Tom,

My prayers go out to You & Yours, during these times of difficulty!
All these fine fellas encouraging You along Your way...
I know that You'll do what is necessary to keep Marchin' oN!

"God Bless You...!"

As Always...

[slipk1068]

Take nice scans and sell the cards. I am sure your dad and uncle wouldn't be happy if they knew you were stressing over this. They would likely say "SELL" and don't give it a second thought.

You will always have the memories. You and your family are in my prayers.

[bbcard1]

I sincerely feel for you...you are in my prayers. What is your profession, by the way?

[Tabe]

Definitely sell the cards - and don't even give it a moment's thought. Your dad would tell you the same thing. "Kid, it's a no-brainer. Sell the cards, support your family".

[Tomman1961]

Wow. 29 responses and all the same opinion. So, here I go. Cobb is almost gone. Deal will be done in under a week. Clemente at Grade 8 leaves tomorrow morning-that was fast. And at a price I am happy with. Heck, my complete 1955 set was about a "5" so maybe I'll re-buy him someday. everyone is right. I love the quotes. Dad would want me to take care of financials. Should i loose the house and live in a refrigetaor box with my collection in binders and slabs to keep me warm? No. Time to part with some. I am 52 years old. I have a Bachelors in Industrial Engineering from NJIT in Newark. What do I do? I run a manufacturing plant that just closed. 2 kids in college, medical bills........
Thanks guys. I love the suggestions of high quality 8 x 10 scans.
Tom (The Tomman)

[MooseDog]

Though I'm a little late to the party, I'm with the others. Sell the cards, if your financial situation improves you can certainly re-buy any "things" and if it doesn't, you will have at least taken some of the financial pressure off for the time being.

I'm in a similar situation lost two long-time contract gigs in 2011, couldn't find any full time work so I started a business (I've pretty much been self-employed all my life but at a lot of different things). Long story short, the business is a bust, I'm way over my head in debt, and pretty much temporarily shot my credit.

I'm at the point that you are at - have some very nice things I'm reluctant to part with but as one poster said, a man's gotta do...

For me trying to deal with things in the NOW keeps everything in perspective. All of us collectors love to live in the past, it's just our nature, but times like this you have to let go of some of that. The things can be replaced, the memories will always be there.

Best of luck.

[bobbvc]

Originally Posted by Tomman1961

Wow. 29 responses and all the same opinion.
(The Tomman)

Not a good calling card for this board in my opinion.

[the 'stache]

Tooman, I, too, am very sorry to read this. But I agree with everybody else. Though they have sentimental value, for sure, if I were in the same position, I'd sell them. It's the memories you have, like when you and your dad together bought the Clemente rookie, that are important. And you'll still have those.

If things do turn around, and I pray that they do, you can always start buying the cards again.

Good luck, and God Bless!

Bill

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Tonman,

I am sorry to hear about your situation. I understand how valuable sentimental items can be. The memories make the items very valuable. The good news is that you always get to keep the memories.

Ask yourself this - would your dad or uncle want you to be financially stressed? I would guess the answer is no.

Remember that the cards are just old pieces of cardboard. Financial stability for your family is more important.