Day job/budgeting for cards

[jcmtiger]

Originally Posted by smrtn240

Recently getting back into collecting and having discovered this fine board a few months ago, I have seen some extraordinary collections on here. Having met and talked to some experienced dealers at shows, some stating that they have collected for years and that it is there primary source of income..made me wonder how some aquired such an extensive collection. I try to budget myself with cards and do have a full time career job, but still can't see myself having such an astonishing collection as seen by many of you. Granted I'm in my 20's and getting started again on an adult collecting level, could use some tips or tricks in slowly building a nice high end collection as a possible investment while still enjoying this great hobby.

Get into a time machine at least to the early 1970's and start buying at flea markets, garage sales and card shows.

[sbfinley]

Don't get married. I'm just kidding. But seriously...

[smrtn240]

Originally Posted by sbfinley

Don't get married. I'm just kidding. But seriously...

You know as much as I've been hearing that lately I'm beginning to believe it.. sad but true

[Cardboard Junkie]

Originally Posted by sbfinley

Don't get married. I'm just kidding. But seriously...

Don't get married. I'm not kidding. dave

[ullmandds]

I 2nd...or is it 4th the "don't get married" comment!!!

[Cardboard Junkie]

Originally Posted by jcmtiger

Get into a time machine at least to the early 1970's and start buying at flea markets, garage sales and card shows.

I agree early 70's flea markets and garage sales. I don't recall any card shows in the early seventies........maybe late seventies. dave.

[smrtn240]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

I agree early 70's flea markets and garage sales. I don't recall any card shows in the early seventies........maybe late seventies. dave.

Thanks for the tip, but I don't think this is a justifiable option

[glchen]

If you are looking to build up a nice high end collection on a limited budget, my advice is to stay focused and look for bargains. Only buy cards that you really love. If you are buying cards and then selling them again because they don't quite fit your focus, then you will be losing a lot of money along the way. Money that you could be using to buy cards. You also need to be disciplined enough to only buy cards that you really want at the right price. Sometimes you just get the itch to buy stuff. You want to see your collection grow. However, that can lead to some bad purchases. So, I would start off by making a list of cards that you would really like to own (and are realistic). Then research prices that these cards are going for in the condition that you want. Put a saved search for these cards on ebay that you can check a couple times a week or so. Then put snipes on these cards at below VCP where they would be good bargains. Putting snipes out disciplines you to only buy the cards at the right price, and not overpay or let yourself get "auction fever" where you keep bidding until you get the price, but the price is way too high. As you continually bid on these cards, you'll get a sense of what the right price for these cards are and develop more knowledge on them. If you win one snipe out of 50, you've done a good job because you're buying a card that you really wanted at a reasonable price. Obviously, as others have said, you should stay within budget and not buy cards on credit as this will lead you down a very bad slope. Good luck collecting!

[smrtn240]

great, thanks Gary I will take this into account

[jb217676]

I can't recommend that you buy any postcards, just horrible little thingys....