Day job/budgeting for cards

[Shoele$$]

Another tip, don't take loans out to finance your hobbies. If you can't afford to pay cash for it, wait until you can. You'll be better off in the long run. You also have to remember quite a few of these guys here have been collecting for many, MANY years and a good number of these guys have acquired certain "high end" cards BEFORE the big time vintage price boom of the last 10-15 years.

Vintage cards aren't the only thing that's gone up DRAMATICALLY in value over the last 10 years. Collector/sports cars, boats, motorcycles, fine watches, jewelry, art, coins, antiques, guns etc. Anything hobby related was affected by the housing/economic boom 10 years ago. Many people around the country quickly hit the "equity jackpot" in their homes to the tune of 100's of thousands. That money was then quickly dispersed into the hobby markets by many, who all of sudden, were major players and had the funds to make it happen. The end result.....ridiculously over inflated prices on litterally everything hobby related.

Ok rant over......you get the picture. No point in trying to keep up with the Joneses, collect at your own pace.

[Texxxx]

Originally Posted by Shoele$$

No point in trying to keep up with the Joneses, collect at your own pace.

That sums it up perfectly!

[markf31]

Originally Posted by Shoele$$

No point in trying to keep up with the Joneses, collect at your own pace.

+1

I always shudder anytime someone new into the hobby mentions the word investment or the phrase "possible investment". In my mind its either a hobby or its a business/investment, it's difficult to find a balance where it's both.

[g_vezina_c55]

I buy sports cards since 1990....

[rainier2004]

Originally Posted by markf31

I always shudder anytime someone new into the hobby mentions the word investment or the phrase "possible investment". In my mind its either a hobby or its a business/investment, it's difficult to find a balance where it's both.

My wife and I literally own 3 cards as investments, ones we can afford, that were purchased with clear cut goals, long term projections, researching other competitive investments and how liquid those exact cards. Ive bid on or inquired about 10 cards or so with this as the goal...but it has to be the goal from day1. The rest of my collection is a hobby...2 completely different things, not sure if someone new to the hobby could do this and would have to agree with Mark.

As far as buying things w/o the cash - Id agree with this for the most part, but there is the other side of buying a massive lot, NOT on a cc, breaking it up while keeping some and putting the money back if youre confident in what youre selling will go for what you think it will. Ive done this 4 times...all 4 times were definitely worth it for me. Collect at your own pace is also great advice. Good luck.