Has your hobby ever been a negative?

[markf31]

I think it's actually been a positive for me. Since I've gotten back into the hobby about a year ago I read a lot more, anything from books or periodicals that are hobby, baseball, hockey or historically related and I spend less time watching television or going out for entertainment. Had I got involved in the hobby a few years earlier though when I was younger and not so financially responsible, it might have been a different story.

[g_vezina_c55]

Not for me.. always positive thing in my life !

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by g_vezina_c55

Not for me.. always positive thing in my life !

Big +1 for me

[iwantitiwinit]

can i submit 2 answers?

[ullmandds]

My first 20 or so years in the hobby I don't think I ever paid more than $100 or so for a card...the last 15 yrs has been a different story! I have no family...am single...so I have no one to take care of besides myself. I had a minor scare where I(while drunk bidding) ended up with $35K of winnings from a major auction house...I had the cash...didn't exactly want to spend it all on cardboard...but was prepared to do so as a result of my actions.

This hobby has always been a positive for me and I have never bought anything on credit...and I never will.

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

[QUOTE=ullmandds;1095055]I had a minor scare where I(while drunk bidding) ended up with $35K of winnings from a major auction house...I had the cash...didn't exactly want to spend it all on cardboard...but was prepared to do so as a result of my actions.QUOTE]

Thanks for the brutal honesty. Worst hangover ever.

[AMBST95]

I have never bought anything I couldn't pay for with cash. Auctions can be addicting so you have to create a budget and rules to avoid the pitfalls. The only negative to the hobby is the disappointment in losing out on an item you really want. It is often a short term feeling that gets easily replaced by the next big WIN.

Not since the divorce....

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Originally Posted by iwantitiwinit

can i submit 2 answers?

Sure.

[iwantitiwinit]

1, 2 and C

[rainier2004]

I was one of those guys responding to the credit thread that may have sounded nagative. This hobby has been nothing but positive from day 1. I truly believe it serves several purposes within my life. This hobby provides us a world away from our everyday and allows us to receive certain intangibles we each are looking for. Personally, it reminds me of when I was 8 and life was simple.

[HRBAKER]

Positive - I have made great friends, had a great time and learned a lot. The only minor downside is that my wife will occasionally complain about how excited I get looking forward to The National as opposed to the way I always dreaded taking the kids to Disney.

[Exhibitman]

Dreading taking the family to the Evil Empire is just good common sense.

Collecting has been a source of friction with my wife at times but the positives vastly outweigh the negatives.

[cardaholic]

I have slides and press photos, but no negatives.

[RedlegsFan]

The hobby has been mostly positive for me. I read more, and have something to keep me occupied when I am not at work. Though I must admit, it can get tough when I think about having funds for other activities. On a smaller budget with a family of four, I just have to stay disciplined.

[deadballfreaK]

Positive for sure. I never made vast amounts of money, but we had a decent middle class life for years and I had some extra to spend on cards when they were cheap. We had some savings, but my wife got sick and despite having "100% coverage" we lost all our savings. Things were tough for several years, but I held on to my collection. We came through it and the last few years I have been able to sell and trade and make a fair supplemental income. Retired now, but the cards I held on to stubbornly have appreciated enough to give us a retirement cushion. VERY good investment even though it was always a hobby and I never cared much about the money.