Has your hobby ever been a negative?

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

I was reading a recent thread about buying on credit and it made me ponder this question - has your hobby ever became a negative thing in your life?

(Poll is blind)

[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]

Originally Posted by iwantitiwinit

can i submit 2 answers?

Sure.

[Runscott]

Yes. I got out in 2005 because it was no longer any fun. It's real important to do whatever it takes to have fun. I still have bad periods where I don't want to put up with any b.s. (kind of in one at the moment ), but the solution is fairly simple - if something causes me angst, I simply avoid it. Given that we are on the internet, avoidance is really simple.

[bbcard1]

Back in the early 1990s, I had a banker buddy who got literally addicted to cards, busting packs in particular. Lost his wife and job and ended up in jail. I have had times of slight imbalance, but I think those are largely past. I don't go to bars, I don't chase women (other than my wife of 28 years) and I have been blessed enough to be able to spend a little on ball cards without it leaving a mark financially.

[g_vezina_c55]

Originally Posted by bbcard1

Back in the early 1990s, I had a banker buddy who got literally addicted to cards, busting packs in particular. Lost his wife and job and ended up in jail. I have had times of slight imbalance, but I think those are largely past. I don't go to bars, I don't chase women (other than my wife of 28 years) and I have been blessed enough to be able to spend a little on ball cards without it leaving a mark financially.

It is a really bad story for your buddy....

I am like you, i don t drink, never go to bar, don t chase women
(same wife since 10 years), i have 1 kid, my only addiction is little cardboard and i spend what i can on card...
when i buy a card it is because i have the money for paid it cash now.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by bbcard1

I had a banker buddy who got literally addicted to cards, busting packs in particular. Lost his wife and job and ended up in jail.

giving up your wife and your freedom for baseball cards...how romantic.