savings account vs the hobby!

[hoebob69]

So I've seen posts and articles all over the net claiming the hobby of cards is dieng. That there's no money in it anymore. That after the strike of 94 the bubble burst and there was more supply than demand. Well judging by this sight I'd say the hobby is still alive and well. Sure it's different than it was,but then again,so is everything else! The nintendo started out at 32 bit and everyone loved it. And I've heard that ebay ruined the hobby until I'm sick of it. No,there isn't anymore mom and pop card stores on the corner. They've all moved to ebay. Which means there is more exposure. Ive gotten to know alot of dealers on eBay through the years and it's not that much different. My thought process is that as long as you remain realistic baseball cards are still good investments. I mean youre not going to become a millionaire off a shoe box full of cards. And the ones that have left the hobby only came into it for that reason in the first place. If you really think about baseball cards were the first expisure to economics for most people. Now with all that being said I feel like the people still involved in the hobby are the ones who truly love the rush and enjoyment that only the hobby can bring. I mean i could open up a savings account and put the money I would spend on carxs in it,but its easily accessible and I'd just spend it anyway. Ive tried numerous times to put money back that way and something always comes up. The way I look at it a 1989 upper deck Griffey Jr wont make me a millionaire,but I guarentee that I'll at least get back what I put in. Why is that so hard to comprehend? And I guarentee it'll have to be dire circumstances to make me part ways with it before I'm ready! And over the course of my 20+ years as a collecter I've made a lot of investments that could of just been blown on something else. Something silly or something shameful. Basically the point is this,whith every card I purchase I'm putting back for my future,but I also have something I can smile about. Something I can share with my children. Something with meaning! I dare you to find a stock or savings account that has the same upside! And now im off my soap box. Hope I'm not the only one that feels this way.

[vthobby]

Good points. the collectibles field has so much intrinsic value that a savings account or stock does not have. All fields have risk but what a ride!

I've never bought items that I think will increase in value. I buy what I like and over the years this has done quite well as a solid "investment" if you will.

Stocks are a roller coaster. Savings account is like a dull book. Collectibles are "life" changing entities!

Love it!

Peace, Mike

P.S. Unless you bought AAPL when it was $2 or so!!!!! UGH!!!!!!!!

[Leon]

Cards have been pretty good financially (so far) for me. They are a lot more fun than a CD or savings account. Buy things others (as well as yourself) will want and you don't have to worry about selling when that time comes.

ps...I should add, don't buy cards if you have cc debt, no cash in the bank, or buy on credit card without being able to pay off when the bill comes.

Cards from the mid 1980's to present are like penny stocks "Junk" Getting in on the ground floor back in 1950's thru the 1970's , acquiring cards from prior years and or just saving the right star and HOF cards have turned into a nice return today

[nebboy]

((((((ps...I should add, don't buy cards if you have cc debt, no cash in the bank, or buy on credit card without being able to pay off when the bill comes.)))))))

Well said - cards may be a way to supplement your income but as a lone investment it is short sighted on many levels. Learning to handle money and make it work for you is the best gift you can give to yourself and family.

[bnorth]

With 640 cards in the set I am trying to do the T210 set at $25(max) each for the commons and have reprints of the Stengel and Jackson cards.

It is hard to find beater commons that cheap but it is all my savings account will allow.

[JoeDfan]

What is this "savings account" thing you are all speaking of? If I had one, would I have to buy less cards?

[SAllen2556]

No one should have all of their savings tied up in cards, right? I think of cards like art or commodities. A certain percentage of investments can be in art-like stuff but there's a higher risk factor involved. If you look at an old copy of Tuff Stuff from 1994 you'll see that most cards haven't really risen much in value. It's the high-end graded stuff and the rarest of the rare that has gone bonkers. But if I had purchased an ex/mt 1973 Topps set in 1994, I would not have made a dime in 20 years.

Gold, by the way, has gone from $400 an ounce in 1994 to $1200 today.

And just consider the guy who opened a card shop in 1990 and bought 100k worth of inventory. He lost his a$$!

[ALR-bishop]

"If I just had a dollar for every dollar I have ever spent, well heck, I would have all my money back"--- Jack Handey

[hoebob69]

All very good points. But my point is I'll most likely get what I put in. I mean who knows what the next 20 years will bring right? I love the hobby and collect for me. Now my daughter has started taking an interest and it gives us quality time. That's priceless.

[4815162342]

Where can I get my hands on a 32-bit Nintendo?