Set collectors: which school of thought do you subscribe to?

[the 'stache]

My T206 collection is still relatively small (I am bidding on what will be my 20th card), so if I am going to make any changes as to how I collect the set, now is the time to do so. Making a change down the road could unnecessarily cost me money, money that could be better spent in adding cards to my collection. So I want to create some guidelines I can be happy with now. The whole "collect what you like" mantra sounds good, but I think there's a little more to it.

Here's my question for you set collectors, whether you collect the white borders set, a Goudey set, Old Judge cards, or something else altogether. Do you subscribe to the "buy the very best you can afford" line of thinking when it comes to acquiring new cards, or do you instead prefer to buy attractive, yet affordable cards, knowing by doing so, you can finish the set more quickly with less of an overall investment?

I love baseball, and thoroughly enjoy collecting. But the stock broker in me can't help but look at whatever I spend as an investment. I've gone from deciding that I wanted to work on the T206 set primarily (while adding other cards I like along the way), to focusing on SGC graded cards, then SGC 40 graded cards. Having the entire set (minus the big 4) at the same grade would be cool if I wanted to do a registry set. But I also want to consider the long term stability of these card values. I don't plan on ever selling my cards, but I know at some point I will shuffle off this mortal coil, and a wife, or a son, is going to inherit my collection, and may sell it. So I would like my cards to maintain their value, and I wonder if having cards with a higher grade won't ensure they retain more of their value.

I also have to admit that since receiving my latest card, the Wid Conroy, which is graded at SGC 50, I like the higher quality card from an aesthetic standpoint. As I am shopping for cards to add to my set, I am sensing something I have never realized before. I find myself being more discerning. More patient. A few long time pre-war collectors that I've spoken with privately have told me how important patience is in this hobby. Patience in finding cards at a good price, and patience in finding a card that I like. There are several examples of the card I am currently looking for, but none of them meet this new standard I've felt myself developing.

So all this being said, I'm curious how you set collectors are approaching how you build. I realize that over the life of my collection, if I start going for higher, mid grade cards (PSA 4-5, SGC 50-60), it will cost me much more in the long run, but I don't think I'd ever have to worry about the "I wish I'd spent a little more, and bought cards that were a bit more presentable" regret.