Have you ever gone backwards in the hobby?

[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

[teetwoohsix]

Hi Zach-

Sorry about your situation, I hope it all works out for the best.
Without going into my own issues, I haven't gone backwards in the hobby but have become stagnant. I have medical problems, and I cannot pick up cards like I used to (for the moment). This may sound stupid, BUT- try pretending that you don't have any cards. Pretend they don't exist. It will force you to figure out another option, and in the end you will still have your collection (that's what I do).

Good luck-

Sincerely, Clayton

[CobbSpikedMe]

Zach.

Sometimes folks fall on hard times and that sucks. But I think it's commendable that you're willing to part with your cards to stay financially stable. Sure it sucks. But you'll be able get back into buying at some point and you always have this free board to remain active in the hobby you love. You can always pick up low grade stuff at very reasonable prices during your down time. And maybe experiment with issues you've never handled before. Keep your spirits up and stay a part of the hobby however you can. It doesn't have to be about spending big bucks.

I wish you luck through all of this.

Best regards.

AndyH

[kmac32]

The answer to the backstop question is no. I have had some major health issues but my collection was always so focused and budgeted for that there was no need to sell. With that said, however, I would sell all of it to have my health back. Fortunately, we have a strong community here in net54 so if I did have to sell, I'm sure the collection could be sold.

[MooseDog]

Hey Zach -

I can certainly identify with your situation. My financial life has been up and down, mostly down...

When I was young my plan was to use my collection to one day buy a house. This was way before they got really expensive and this was well before they'd give you a mortgage just for showing up.

Problem was I have always been self-employed, usually a solo operator. I needed to come up with 20-25% down in order to get a mortgage and even at the lower prices never had that much scratch at a time.

Meanwhile, starting and failing businesses, I ended up selling off parts of the collection to bail myself out of debt.

I've still got a little bit left, but the way things are going now I might have to dip into my "savings" once again.

So, my friend, you aren't alone, hang in there, find a better situation and you can always buy that stuff back some day.

[Tao_Moko]

Zach,

I have lost and gained my collection about 5 times in life, mostly because I would leave for long periods of time to beautiful places like Iraq, Bosnia and Afghanistan. It's not always finances that cause this and a few of those times I just had more important things in life to tend to. The cards that are most important to me are ones my dad bought for me as a child so I tend to keep those. We all should remember, with the exception of those who make a living of it, that this is a hobby and like all hobbies have to take a back seat to life.

My first hand experience is that if you set your mind to selling and know you'll get back to your collection down the road then it's easier to deal with. I'm completing my T206 Cubs subset for the umpteenth time and it's fun each time and I'm wiser now with my purchases then I used to be. Prices fluctuate but they don't seem to go too crazy if you need to take a few years off.

As far as the job. I'm 100% commsion now so I'm in crisis mode every other month