What are some tips on making money in this hobby?

[Bored5000]

Paying up for iconic cards of inner circle Hall of Famers like Ruth, Cobb, Wagner is solid long-term advice. But are not any cheap Ruth, Cobb, Wagner cards.

Sometimes there are cards/sets outside the big four sports that are lottery tickets.

David Peck has posted on this board many times above the explosion in values of the 1982-83 Wrestling All Star sets. Peck has written on here that he bough his first Hulk Hogan card (that ultimately graded PSA 9) for $50. That card is now a $2,500 card in that grade. Peck also wrote he never thought he would see high grade commons from those sets selling for $1,000.

On the whole, though, when looking to make money, put your cash into a diversified mutual fund. There aren't any dividends with cards.

[Johnny630]

Never turn a long term investment piece into a sale to fund a new purchase. Almost always never works out.

[uniship]

The most money I ever made in my 42 years of collecting cards is when I purchased a ty Cobb/Cobb back at a price which was almost double the record high at the time back in 2008. I later sold it for a crazy 18 month gain.

[Gary Dunaier]

I think you should just forget the whole thing and spend the money on Thumbs Down Guy bobbleheads.