Real life! Collecting is my drug of choice! For that reason it can be exploited as a great reward. My A job income ideally benefits my family. However, I feel some proceeds from my B job can be used guilt free to subsidize some of my hobby purchases. Obviously, my time is an opportunity costs but the exorbitant rates retailers are paying part timers - I can work 8-12 hours a week and acquire enough purchasing power to scratch my collecting itch. Not to mention, this side hustle helps me get off the couch on a Saturday morning and burn some calories- killing two birds with one stone! Have a fantastic hike in Iceland my friend! This video really resonated with me- thanks for sharing and Good Luck getting your grail FF4 book 👍❤️

You cant predict what’s gonna happen with books in 20yrs nor 5/10yrs when the books that most chase after are not rare...Did anyone predict the crash of 2021 no!!!

I'm already seeing what you described at my local swap meets. I once in awhile see young adults in their 20's trying to sell their late Uncle's old comic book collection and other stuff they inherited... selling them at bargain prices. I often see owners from the LCS come by and buy the entire collections for cheap. I myself sometimes find good deals at these things. These sellers are aware that they can look up the prices on-line and maybe get more.... but their goal is to get rid of all of their late Uncle's "junks" asap because it takes up too much space in their homes. They are not out to make a lot of money from this and are not interested in collecting/keeping these things they got stuck with. Their idea is if they offer the items at bargain prices... they can pack up and leave early for the day because they sold/got rid of everything. Now they have more space in their homes freed up... as well as some money to maybe go out for dinner. I'm thinking that will be what happens to all of our collections in the future.

Thanks, this was great information, I was born in 65 and have a nice collection of 8000 books that I collected through the 70, 80, and early 90s. I'm finally cataloging them and have been asking myself this same question of if I should save or sell. Love you to talk about digital comics and if you think this would accelerate this trend or not

If you’re buying comics as an investment good luck. If you’re buying just because they mean more to you than $$$ then you’re fine.

My biggest regret is buying slabs. I thought they were cool, now I think they're dumb. Thats just my opinion. Might change again one day, but Im currently looking at downgrading them to low grade raw

Look to see what happened to stamp collecting 1 generation ago

A little bit of planning and disciple goes a long way. Hope you and the group have a fun and safe trip.

Hey Wahoo! Long time no see! You're an amazing family, man. Always admired that in you. I would really love FF 5 grail. I need some restraint, too. I spend too much on cheap books, ha. 👍

Good luck! Burrrrrrr.🤡👍

I had been collecting for about 20 years and I have been selling off books over the last year and half to grade some of my keys or covers I liked. Just like when I bought everything the hobby had to pay for it self and I have been selling books to pay for the grading. Some of these where purchased really cheap so the grade being up or down does not matter as much to me, 785 books over the last 1-1;2 years. Also I never have book pressed not that i am against it but was willing to take them as is.

so basically what you’re telling me is that if i don’t have any kids i’ll be able to have as many comics as i want. Sounds like a plan! thanks!

Like anything in life, having to earn that special something with hard work makes you appreciate it that much more! Hope you and the kids have a great time in Iceland, and if you happen to pick up a a tree branch and use it as a walking stick, well you never know... it worked out pretty well for Dr. Donald Blake.

Great advice. Thanks. Congratulations on the trip....I hope you and the boys have a great time!

Great video. Wait 7 kids!?? Huge family!! Christmas must be something lol! Great though having so much love. Sounds like it’ll be a fun trip. I hope all goes well. That’s a lot of cash you made selling plasma I didn’t realize you could make so much. Great job with everything and all the advice. Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend. Be well. -Dave 🤙 16:05

Have fun on the trip my friend.

I keep saying we should keep the immigrants. Because between low birth rate, people who LEFT THE COUNTRY the first time we tried the trump experiment, we won't have anyone to govern.😅😅

Worst video you’ve ever done. “Electing Trump will raise the price of comics because of tariffs he will impose on China.” That’s quite the reach when right now if you google “Biden China tariffs” you can get many articles where he states he is going to do the same thing. The illegal aliens crossing the border will turn the USA into a nation of cheap labor. The middle class is dissolving already due to inflation (Blame whoever you want for that but it’s a fact). In what alternate universe are these people coming here to be comic book collectors? One last criticism…you say you will do a video on how Biden will ruin comics and then another on how Trump might save them if you get enough traffic. Seems very trollish to me. You obviously don’t care either way so why even make the video?

Always appreciate your creative and thought provoking topics! You did an excellent job straddling the fence! Which is important because no matter what way one leans politically- the fact is that there are significant objective differences between the two parties policies. Interestingly, both are known quantities who had to deal with the pandemic. So, asking for a 20 year forecast is challenging and I believe lands primarily on the party that holds the most power will have the most opportunity to make the biggest impact either positively or negatively (hows that for political doublespeak/ lol). Great stuff and Good Collecting 👍❤️

We can distill this even further. Collecting keys make people unhappy. Run collectors and readers want to fill out their runs, regardless of what's hot in the market. Every book is important to them, but they understand they have to pay more for issues that are in demand from other collectors. On the other side, key scroungers don't care what the book is, all they know is that the bigger the price tag, the more they want it. The "best" collection to a key scrounger is the one with the most expensive stuff in it. Of course you're unhappy, you bought piles of comics you don't care about to get rich, and to show off to random nerds online. There are countless examples of books that key collectors said was "junk filler" until they popped, and suddenly everyone wanted a copy to show off. Someone out there always has "better" stuff than you do, so since key guys are always comparing, you'll never be happy.

Spot-on observations of demographic trends! I'm just sorry that we live in such a polarized society that anyone would consider unsubscribing! This is about demographic and economic trends/predictions, not politics! I loved it.

Personally, I try to disconnect politics from comics because it's my escape from the madness that is our world. However, with that said it was a very interesting connection, and I do watch economics closely as it has a significant impact on the hobby. 👊

Interesting take. I don't think it will be related to that though. Comics have been in decline for years. The period from 1938 through the mid-1940s represents the peak of comic book popularity. Whereas current monthly sales of popular comic book titles hover around 100,000 copies, in the early 1940s Superman, Batman and Captain Marvel titles each regularly sold in the range of 1.5 million copies per month. Different generations have different interests. Not many people but train sets now. Best wishes to you and your channel. On the way to 1000 subscribers.

Actually, the main issue isn't the number of potential buyers or even the cost. The problem that needs to be solved is how to engage readers. Comics have lost the fans and discouraged new readers as well. While this has happened Manga has exploded in popularity. If comic companies can learn to improve the product the hobby can be saved. Also, comics aren't restricted to the US so local population really doesn't matter. US culture used to be the driver of world culture. The same problem hurting comics has prevented the popularity of US culture from being embraced globally.

yeah do yourself a favor and stay away from talking about politics. you obviously have no idea what you're speaking on and probably woke up this morning with a thought in your head that just didnt translate very well. You talk about how new tariffs will make prices jump from 4.99 to 5.99 but failed to mention how in 3 years they went from 2.99 to 4.99 already. Trump had nothing to do with that now did he. Anywho, good luck on your Bidenomics video, it will probably be as pointless as this one. Trump 2024!

Biden's inflation has put a good dent in it. Biggest problem I see is just terrible writers at Marvel and DC who inject their own politics into the books. I have been liking the independents much more of late.

The reality is that the comic book industry is facing significant challenges. Younger generations show less interest in traditional comics, favoring anime and manga instead. A visit to a comic shop or convention reveals an older demographic among collectors. It's evident that the landscape is evolving, and there's a growing likelihood that manga and anime will overshadow traditional comics in the next 20 to 30 years.

In 20 years all the people that bought nothing but keys will be crying when the market crashes. No one reads comics anymore. These kids are killing it.

Good stuff. Fun video.

I just want to my my collection great again. lol #Roadto1K

Informative video ! We're quite close to 1000 subscribers. Following you since 50 subs

I really like your Freakonomics-style videos--this one in included (the baby boomer one is spot on). And it is absurd that you have to worry about being perceived as saying something anti-Trump or having to strike a balance by promising to do a video on why Biden may hurt the market in 20 years. So kudos to you for doing something so utterly American--speaking an opinion!! The the only drawback to your video is that you understandably felt you had to intro it by expressing concern over wokeness/MAGA, being cancelled/losing subscribers. You just gained one subscriber. Keep it up.

Well done sir! 👏🏼

7:17 Damn so you're saying since I was buying ASM 302 off the rack... now I'm supposed to be in the market for an AF15.... I better let the wife know so she's on the same page...😂😂😂

Touchy subject 😮

Pretty sure that if Congress and Legislators are going to be worried about World War 3 and not the comic book market.

There is no problem with immigration, as long as it’s done the right way and not coming over illegally.

Trump saving ANYTHING is a joke in itself 😂😂😂

The bottom line seems to be disposable income Hobbies always suffer when people have less disposable income it doesn't matter what it is

What most people fail to realize is everything is going digital and you will basically not be able to put your hands on hardly anything anymore so I disagree. Just like people saying albums were dead..

The only comics that will retain any value will be the classics. 60's 70's and before.modern stuff is all movie hype and that is already starting to fade.

Who compares a comic book collection? I collect comic books just for me. Most of the people in my life actually think I'm crazy for collecting comic books. I've never once compared my collection to anyone else's, nor had any of my friends compared their collections to mine. What a weird video

Great content bud. Always super informative. 👌 😎

Like #125! Smart video! Thanks for sharing and Good Collecting👍❤️

5:50 what does LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE even mean? No such thing. Illusory. Black flowers growing in the dark. A tally its called mold.

Generation LOSER. In full effect. Entitlement Anti challenge attitude. Im not an overweight person who can make a change in my diet and add exercise to make a difference. Noooooo, I just need to learn to not body shame and love ever ton of my s##t.

Clicked the video for comics, stayed for wisdom.

Yeah, people definitely need to learn to be happy for others. Even when we had our moment of trying to one up each other, it was done as fun and I was still happy to see you get some awesome books.

I actually think comics are a little bit hard to get the money back that you put into them so that keeps down some of my FOMO. The things I've used and moved on from because of space or need that move fast are Toyota trucks and Warhammer miniatures. Buyers will beat down your door.

Great video! Thanks for sharing.