Do I have the guts, does anyone here have the guts...?

belz

To not purchase one card, pack, box of cards for one year and do nothing but sell/purge those items no longer of major interest in holding..the purpose is to build up some serious dough for the 2015 NATIONAL.

There is something to say for buying in person so you can survey over many possibilities and get exactly what you want at the best negotiated value...can't do that on online auction houses or ebay.

Plus this will give me a year to build up a little bit of coin for those dream cards.

I do remember quitting smoking years ago and I have a feeling this might be a similar experience, maybe tougher.

I got this idea after reading all your experiences at the National this year.

If anyone else considers this crazy idea, let me know...it'd be interesting to not go it alone...or if anyone has done something similar, please do share.

Just can't sneak a couple sweet bbce packs on a whim...hahahaha, I'll last a day, we shall see...here goes.

mattinglymint23

i have been considering a major purge myself in order to refocus on more specific goals

my biggest worry is watching well centered specimens for my long term set goals pass by never to be seen again at inflated prices... until they are relisted.

i dont know how much strength i have to stay the course - but i will start the exercise of taking an inventory of my purgeable inventory.

It will be a day by day endeavor. lets see where it goes. i probably have a two year horizon as i am most likely to join the fun in Atlantic City but Chicago will be the goal.

Gemyanks10

<< <i>To not purchase one card, pack, box of cards for one year and do nothing but sell/purge those items no longer of major interest in holding..the purpose is to build up some serious dough for the 2015 NATIONAL. >>




In order for me to be successful in doing this, I would have to delete my Ebay app off my cell phone, as well as stop visiting and posting in this forum as well as the BST...I wouldn't be able to read the threads or visit at all because all of the good discussions especially about older unopened and registry sets would make me want to buy something. I would also have to "unlike BBCE and other things" on my Facebook page, because their posts make me want to stop by their website and look around. It's all a vicious cycle and I would have to make some serious lifestyle changes if I were to undertake an experiment like this. I also have plans to go to the 2015 National, but to buy absolutely nothing for the next year? That takes a lot of will power and strength. I wish you the best of luck belz, it would be very hard for me without doing all of the things mentioned above.


Jimmy

pdub1819

If I make the decision to attend next years national, I'd like to save money to spend on those high dollar cards at the National. That being said, I don't think I would do it cold turkey. I think I would set a certain amount aside monthly and still leave myself a little money to keep my addiction in check.

gameusedhoop

As Kramer said......I'm OUT!

It sounded good for about 3 minutes, but then reality set in. I figure if I was ever going to save for a one shot type thing, I'd make more in a year by flipping stuff, then I would by saving anything that I would have spent. Most of this comes from having expenses and a not too high paying job, but it is what it is, and you have to put family before hobby.

lawnmowerman

It's good to drop everything and walk away for awhile, it helps recharge the batteries so to speak.

I've done it many times. It's quite easy if your attention and focus are somewhere else.

belz

Hilarious..all of you. I'm frightened, but to wake up on that sun shinny day, ("with a pocket full of quarters and I'm heading to the arcade") could be an amazing feeling.

In reality, my collection sets up nicely for me to accomplish this probably easier than most, with a lot of cards that have more value to others than me, and I've been happy with some of my purchases over the last 6 months.

mlbfan2

jfkheat

I have done this before but for different reasons. I sold off a big chunk of my collection when I met my wife, now ex-wife. I went from single to family of four pretty quickly. I didn't do it for financial reasons. I just had other things to focus on.
James

CSC

<< <i>To not purchase one card, pack, box of cards for one year and do nothing but sell/purge those items no longer of major interest in holding..the purpose is to build up some serious dough for the 2015 NATIONAL.

There is something to say for buying in person so you can survey over many possibilities and get exactly what you want at the best negotiated value...can't do that on online auction houses or ebay.

Plus this will give me a year to build up a little bit of coin for those dream cards.

I do remember quitting smoking years ago and I have a feeling this might be a similar experience, maybe tougher.

I got this idea after reading all your experiences at the National this year.

If anyone else considers this crazy idea, let me know...it'd be interesting to not go it alone...or if anyone has done something similar, please do share.

Just can't sneak a couple sweet bbce packs on a whim...hahahaha, I'll last a day, we shall see...here goes. >>



That is too drastic. Easier just to get a new job and make more money

bounce

<< <i>I figure if I was ever going to save for a one shot type thing, I'd make more in a year by flipping stuff...and you have to put family before hobby. >>



totally agree, and it's what i'm currently doing. don't have a job right now but plenty in savings until i do find one.

in the meantime, wanted to go to cleveland, but didn't seem right since i wasn't working. i do track my results from flipping, and decided this week that's how i'd figure out what i could spend next year at the national in chicago.

gotta make enough to pay for the trip since we're planning a family vacation to chicago, anything left is what i'll have to throw around at the show.

we'll see how it goes.

WalterSobchak

Funny you should say that. I am currently attempting to execute a plan where I spend absolutely no money on cards for one year, in an effort to work more diligently on debt reduction. My reward, if I can make it the full year, is that I will then purchase the Mantle for my '56 Topps set.

The problem is, today is only Day 6 of that plan. Last purchase was July 30.

KendallCat

Nice idea in theory but here is a better idea. Save a certain amount per week when you get paid - $20,50,100... Over the course of a year you would have $5k of you did the $100/week which would give you plenty to get some nice cards at the show. Put the money in a separate account so you don't spend if, and if you find a card on ebay that is a good deal get it. Prices on Ebay are better, but it is fun to go loaded for bear at the National.

Dpeck100

I could never pull this off nor would I want to try.

Stone193

I've got a better chance at being the Queen of England than abstaining from collecting for one year.

For anyone who can for a year? You've got my utmost respect and admiration.

RookieHOFers

I don't think I could do that. I have a ton of respect for anyone that can quit cold turkey like that for a year.

grote15

As soon as someone lists a PSA 9 75 Brett RC or 1979 FB cello box, you're toast, man, and you know it, LOL..

Lee17

You guys kicking the habit for a year are sick! Flip card throughout the year to fund for Nationals.

CocoaBeachDodgers

I would never try or want to try this, but I read a while back of a guy doing just what you suggesting.
After the first month, he was OK, not doing too bad.
After the 2nd month, he developed a severe case of the shakes & insomnia.
After 3 months, he lost his job. He was late for work, started missing days, etc...
After 4 months he lost his family. He could no longer have sex and started losing hair. His wife filed for a divorce.
Last I heard, he was homeless.

Now don't let this story influence you any, this may not happen to you, but you never know?

belz

Unreal humor going on here. I still like my chances.

mattinglymint23

My last card purchase was 7/11/2014
Im almost there already

ChiefsFan1st

Well, if you throw out the National, my last card purchase was May, 27. So, it can be done.
But, probably not without a target in sight. I made the desicion to do just that, save my pennies
for the natty. I just wish I would of started sooner

Heck, as of 5-31, I needed to update my credit card info on Ebay. And have not done it yet
The fact that right now, I cant buy off the bay even if I wanted to helps!!

fiveniner

To fund money for National.................NO FRICKEN WAY.You will never get your real value forb the cards you are selling............Easier solution Save your money for a year.

wrestlingcardking

I am the master of my domain.

Mapleleaf

Done it, then regretted it as I watched great cards I wanted come and go plus I ended up spending the money on car repairs so it was mostly just a lost cause.

goye

re-quoting here:

Audrey Hepburn — 'Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!'

The thought of doing a purge plan is tempting......i'm looking at a minimal 2 to 3 years of non interuptous selling without having to purchase re-stock

ugh, I'm glad my real job is a real job!

belz

Bbce group rips, 1975 mini box from sealed, the list goes on...sure picked a bad time to quit buying sports cards...the good news is:

1: It's getting closer to the National and I've already begun saving/selling and have 3 specific cards in mind to obtain.
2: I have 15 cards at PSA including 8 reviews that can significantly increase my fun fund.
3: I'm learning all about "will power" again.

Just wanted to update everyone on my craziness.

esquiresports

A middle-ground approach that I am trying this year is to go cash neutral (fund purchases with sales). I earmarked several duplicative items and those I don't enjoy as much as a thought I would. I haven't regretted letting any of those items go. Fund the National with money you save during the year. If savings won't be enough, consider a percentage of your sales on top of that.

I think you want some flexibility to pick up items you may not see again. However, group rips, 1975 mini from a case and the like will still be there next year. Just ask yourself, "have I seen this card/item for sale in the past year?" Almost every time the answer is yes. This makes it a lot easier to hold off. But for those rare items that come along that you may have been looking for for years, I don't think it makes sense to let them pass by. That, I believe, you would regret.

MikeyP

If 2015 presents a rare opportunity for you to attend the National, you should at least make an attempt to save your money and attend it. If you do not make the attempt you may regret it one day. The years pass very quickly Belz. Good luck.

akuracy503

This is true. Just find other things to do. Get out of the house and spend more time with family and friends.
These days I rarely have time to even look for stuff online. Spring-summer are the best times to do it.



<< <i>It's good to drop everything and walk away for awhile, it helps recharge the batteries so to speak.

I've done it many times. It's quite easy if your attention and focus are somewhere else. >>

GR

I got the guts but instead of saving for nationals im saving for my student loan debts, wooo hoo! seriously though im trying to put away like 50 bucks a month for 2016 in A.C. (((:

jmaciu

Belz, I admire what you are doing. I have been thinking over the last few days myself. My baseball card interests are widespread, which as you all know, can be a dangerous element for the wallet. I like to build sets, collect HOF cards, collect unopened from mostly the 70's. OPC has become a passion of mine, but I like my 70's topps sets too. Over the last year, I have become obsessed with improving those sets with raw and graded specimens.

I looked at my paypal account the other day and couldn't believe how the transactions add up. The $40 and $50 one can total up fast. Luckily, I have not done anything dangerous, so all is good. But, what has happened, as some have mentioned, is that when something higher-end and hard-to-find comes up, I am often not in the postion budget-wise to make a play. If I had been able to attend the Nationals this year, my tank would have been low on fuel.

This thread has inspired me to at least tighten up the ship, so to speak. I know I can't do it cold turkey, but I want to have more of a purpose. I want to fill holes in my unopened collection rather than look to add more of what I already have. I want to expand my OPC collection. I want to concentrate more on my Cincinnati Reds and HOF collection. An opportunity was proposed to me recently for something that I really want to add, so I want to be in a position to get in when it officially becomes available and still save for nationals.

So, Belz, even though this upcoming BBCE group rip has some truly amazing product that I would love to add, I am going to join you in sitting on the sidelines. In honor of "Shark Week," I want to be prepared when the Great White comes my way.

belz

<< <i>Belz, I admire what you are doing. I have been thinking over the last few days myself. My baseball card interests are widespread, which as you all know, can be a dangerous element for the wallet. I like to build sets, collect HOF cards, collect unopened from mostly the 70's. OPC has become a passion of mine, but I like my 70's topps sets too. Over the last year, I have become obsessed with improving those sets with raw and graded specimens.

I looked at my paypal account the other day and couldn't believe how the transactions add up. The $40 and $50 one can total up fast. Luckily, I have not done anything dangerous, so all is good. But, what has happened, as some have mentioned, is that when something higher-end and hard-to-find comes up, I am often not in the postion budget-wise to make a play. If I had been able to attend the Nationals this year, my tank would have been low on fuel.

This thread has inspired me to at least tighten up the ship, so to speak. I know I can't do it cold turkey, but I want to have more of a purpose. I want to fill holes in my unopened collection rather than look to add more of what I already have. I want to expand my OPC collection. I want to concentrate more on my Cincinnati Reds and HOF collection. An opportunity was proposed to me recently for something that I really want to add, so I want to be in a position to get in when it officially becomes available and still save for nationals.

So, Belz, even though this upcoming BBCE group rip has some truly amazing product that I would love to add, I am going to join you in sitting on the sidelines. In honor of "Shark Week," I want to be prepared when the Great White comes my way. >>



Fantastic. It's funny because like you, the 40 and 50 do add up...in the past I'd get up to 400 or 500 dollars and look to see what I can spend it on, but lately there hasn't been too much I must have at that level.

I am buying a new scanner today and plan to scan in approximately 2000 cards that I'll be selling over the next year...nice and focused while building enough dough to purchase any one of 3 cards or maybe all 3...it's more enjoyable and exciting then I thought it would be.

My plan is also to save money every month in conjunction with sales.

belz

In the midst of FASC chaos theory I thought I would update everyone on how I'm doing with only selling and not buying. I'm out. I lasted 2 weeks. It's tough when you get front row tickets to your favorite band for the price of nose bleeds.

With that being said, I've already sold and saved up some dough for 2015 national...just need to buy some things along the way if a beautiful lobster tail from Anguilla is grilled to perfection and sitting I front of me.

I will continue to be disciplined, but I'm out..what was I thinking? It for sure was easier to quit smoking.