Have you ever gone backwards in the hobby?

[zljones]

Originally Posted by bbcard1

Zach, I have lost cards a few times through theft and ignorance.

I mean this to be a loving, not a cocky statement and I don't know you, and please excuse me if this sounds the least bit preachy.

I think you should be spending time on your resume, not selling your collection. God gave you talents and has a purpose for you, and it's probably not to be working for a guy who would cut your pay so indescriminately without understanding what it means to your lifestyle...it's not like your salary is that huge...it may be that someone who it making 60K could take a cut to 50K without it completely altering their lifestyle, but where your salary is at $8K is a huge hit.

At least check things out. Could be there's something better out there for you. I know times are kind of tough (I own a business with 14 people) but you don't need 10,000 jobs, you just need one.

Finding a better job is hard work, but it's very lucrative if it works out.

I got my resume all up to date I have been dropping apps like crazy. The thing is the last time I looked for a new job it took 9 months; therefore, I am predicting around the same amount of time. Unfortunatly the bills I have to pay I simply can't afford at all, I would have to sacrifice food and gas and still may not have enough, that is why I need to sell in a hurry so I can pay those, and pay them off. In this economy it can take months for me to get a new job. I figure if I sell now and pay off some of these debts, then I can beat alot of interest . The more interest I beat, the less cards I have to sell in the long run. I am thinking ahead and being prepared for a long time before I find a new job. If I sell this big bunch now I can save myself on interest and save more treasures in the near future. The more interest that accrues, the more cards I need to sell down the road. I am trying to hold onto my rarities and and my favorites. I hope I can hold onto that Bresnahan Mouth open you sold me

[sportscardpete]

Zach -

Not event trying to insult you, but one of my friends stayed outside a busy train station (Penn Station) with a big sign hanging around his head saying he was looking for a job in media and had credential x and credential y. He handed out a bunch of resumes and got a job two weeks later. It shouldn't take 9 months to find a job if you go the extra mile to find one.

[ullmandds]

Is this the same Zach...where there was a thread maybe a year ago or so...who was spending way more $$$$$$ then was within his means buying bb cards and getting into financial trouble in this way.

The same Zach whose girlfriend...now fiancee...who was not sharing in Zach's love for collecting cards of dead men...and who Zach was unsure whether she was the right girl for him?

Just curious? This is...the same Zach...isn't it?

[zljones]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

Is this the same Zach...where there was a thread maybe a year ago or so...who was spending way more $$$$$$ then was within his means buying bb cards and getting into financial trouble in this way.

The same Zach whose girlfriend...now fiancee...who was not sharing in Zach's love for collecting cards of dead men...and who Zach was unsure whether she was the right girl for him?

Just curious? This is...the same Zach...isn't it?

Yes and I was not in financial trouble at all, I was using a credit card, but I could easily afford the payments with what I was getting paid. And I was not doubting if she was the right girl, I think others on here were doubting she was the right one for me. Needless to say I regretted that thread, just like now I think I am starting to regret this one too. I simply wanted to see if there were stories of inspiration I could find, instead I feel like worse shit, bad thread choice.

[Matthew H]

Originally Posted by zljones

Yes and I was not in financial trouble at all, I was using a credit card, but I could easily afford the payments with what I was getting paid. And I was not doubting if she was the right girl, I think others on here were doubting she was the right one for me. Needless to say I regretted that thread, just like now I think I am starting to regret this one too. I simply wanted to see if there were stories of inspiration I could find, instead I feel like worse shit, bad thread choice.

My advice would be to limit Personal threads in a public forum... You're inviting all the mean girls out to play when you do that.

I've had to go backwards in my collecting several times in life. I started collecting at a very early age. I'd do stuff like spend my entire paycheck I earned bagging groceries as a teenager on baseball cards.

At different stages in life, priorities change. I got used to collecting this way. I have more money into collecting stuff then I ever have, right now. But I know that if my situation changed, I'd have no problem selling, as I have before. I'm not too emotionally attached to stuff.

I do, at times, regret what I've sold, but we are talking about baseball cards and I can always buy more.

[zljones]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

Is this the same Zach...where there was a thread maybe a year ago or so...who was spending way more $$$$$$ then was within his means buying bb cards and getting into financial trouble in this way.

The same Zach whose girlfriend...now fiancee...who was not sharing in Zach's love for collecting cards of dead men...and who Zach was unsure whether she was the right girl for him?

Just curious? This is...the same Zach...isn't it?

I don't know what your getting at here. Am I stupid for sharing things, do I make all the wrong decisions in life or something?

[ullmandds]

All's I'm saying is...if it were between paying my bills/dept/providing food/shelter...vs keeping my bb cards...the cards would be on the chopping block before I could bat an eye...or some other of my posessions might be first.

We all make bad decisions from time to time...some of us more than others...the key is to learn from our mistakes so as we not continue repeating them.

I make plenty of stupid decisions in my life...but I never get in over my head financially.

To answer the question...I have not gone backwards...my collection is greater than it's ever been...I have sold some over the years to fund other cards...other purchases.

I guess I'm lucky...most likely when it's time to sell...it will be by choice...not necessity.

[glchen]

Originally Posted by zljones

I don't know what your getting at here. Am I stupid for sharing things, do I make all the wrong decisions in life or something?

Zach, just ignore all the haters and trolls. There will always be many people on this board and in life, who will live life untouched by bad luck, and will dispense life advice with a holier-than-thou attitude. Your collection will zig and zag as you go along. Sometimes it's the journey on getting each of your cards that's most enjoyable part of the hobby, even if you need to backtrack now and then.

[Runscott]

Zach, sorry you are going through a difficult situation. I agree with others that you should save a few of the ones that in the future you would regret giving up: unique and close-to-unique items. I look at the replaceable items as 'liquid assets', and when they have to be liquidated, I am glad I had them around to sell.

[zljones]

Indeed my bills have to take number one precidence that is why lots have to go. Thanks for the stories everyone (those that gave stories). I now feel more compelled to return to collecting when things are better, and when I will not need credit cards. I look at as I am simply returning cards and the credit card bills will vanish within 30-60 days unless heaven forbid something happens to my house .
The reason it will take me time to find another job is because

A. I have a job so I do not have time to hand out my resume on the streets .
B. I want the right pay, and not drive as far away.
C. I want to be at a stable company not like the past two I was or am at.

If that means selling some of these so I can do a more careful job hunt and not worry about interest, so be it. Then maybe when I return to collecting and make more money I can finally afford some E107s

[Jlighter]

Originally Posted by sportscardpete

Zach -

Not event trying to insult you, but one of my friends stayed outside a busy train station (Penn Station) with a big sign hanging around his head saying he was looking for a job in media and had credential x and credential y. He handed out a bunch of resumes and got a job two weeks later. It shouldn't take 9 months to find a job if you go the extra mile to find one.

That's GENIUS, I may steal that idea one day.

[bbcard1]

Originally Posted by zljones

I hope I can hold onto that Bresnahan Mouth open you sold me

If you can't, sell it back to me, I'll hold it and sell it back to you.

[zljones]

Originally Posted by bbcard1

If you can't, sell it back to me, I'll hold it and sell it back to you.

Sweet! I will message you when and if neccessary.

[zljones]

Thanks for all these stories everyone and kind word. I may as well reveal that the real reason I started this thread was because I was thinking about liquidating 100% of my collection, every single card because I felt frustrated. Now that I see there are other similar stories I will hold onto my best cards, instead of sending them all off. I will only sell the ones I need to.

[Blunder19]

If it makes anyone in this thread feel better... I put the 520 set together in 6 months.. only to have to sell it about 4 months later because of unexpected, (and expensive) house repairs needed. Letting go of that hard work.. (non stop for 6 months)... was really tough for me...

but family is more important then this hobby.... When you need to do someting for your family.. the cards have to go.

Jamie

[Runscott]

I sold all of my cards and most of my photos the first time around because of a 'perfect storm' of reasons - big move across the country, desire to get rid of debt, disillusion with the state of the hobby at that time. I only regretted selling a few items. Made a mental note not to sell unique stuff that I would miss too badly.

I'm hitting the road for a few months with my dog, so will be repeating the process, but this time simply leaving a few 'keepers' in the safety deposit box and not worrying about them.

As some have said, life is more important than cardboard, so don't let collectibles interfere.

[zljones]

Originally Posted by Runscott

I sold all of my cards and most of my photos the first time around because of a 'perfect storm' of reasons - big move across the country, desire to get rid of debt, disillusion with the state of the hobby at that time. I only regretted selling a few items. Made a mental note not to sell unique stuff that I would miss too badly.

I'm hitting the road for a few months with my dog, so will be repeating the process, but this time simply leaving a few 'keepers' in the safety deposit box and not worrying about them.

As some have said, life is more important than cardboard, so don't let collectibles interfere.

Alot of that sounds similar to my story.