Investing in Pokemon Cards…(my opinion)

[@uchihaability]

It’s definitely a way to capture those same endorphins I felt as a kid opening booster packs. The contents are different, but the lottery of possibly opening some super rare card out of a $4 pack is just a ton of fun. The key is self-control in budgeting 😅

[@stephaniemcclure9801]

I agree with everything you said, Danny. I've loved Pokemon ever since I was 8 years old in 1998. I first got into the anime, then the cards & video games. Of course once I got to be a teenager, I definitely fell off from it. It felt like a lot of people my age lost interest around that time. Funny enough, my interest returned at the same time that it did for lots of millennials: the launch of Pokemon Go in 2016 (those were just awesome times). The game seriously renewed my love for Pokemon, and I actually still play it! To this day, everything Pokemon brings me such massive and comforting nostalgia (I seriously almost cry every time I hear the anime's theme song lol) I currently collect Pokemon cards because I love Pokemon and I admire the artwork. I got a bit hooked on collecting/opening packs for a while because it's a stress relief for me, an escape from reality. Thanks so much for doing this video, Danny!

[@Lucky13ya]

Thanks for the video Danny, I’m sure you helped people realize the importance of pokemon to them whatever the case may be. I personally started off as a collector and will always be a collector. It did make me feel better knowing that my collection is growing in value but that’s just a plus. Something that made me kinda sad but also relieved is that it’s almost impossible to collect every single card ever made, so I gave up on the gotta catch ‘em all and focused more on what made me happy and what I could afford.

[@smr.trading.cards.]

We love the artwork, playing the game and this wonderful community 🙌

[@UmbreonBoi88]

Opossum Bud is the greatest! Love his channel! His channel and your's are the main 2 that I watch, I love the art of the cards, love the value that they hold as well or how they can gain value. Everything about it is fun! The new friends that you make through trades or chats in groups, the exhilaration of ripping and the pulls, waiting for the cards to come in the mail like it's Christmas morning lol...Also it got me back into art as well, it's something my niece and I bond with too. I like how informative your channel is and has been to me and many others. I literally live by what you say about "Collect what YOU like" I don't care if the card isn't worth alot of money ( although it is an added bonus lol ) I like cards like the Suicune galarian gallery, Gengar TG, Umbreon v and vmax TG, I went after my favorites like the rainbow Gengar Mimikyu tag team and the full art version back when they were $30 and $45, now they aare going up and value and I'm glad I got them b4 they shot up cause it'd make it alot harder to get! Was able to get the Gengar EX for a good price b4 it shot up to $97 thanks to watching your videos as well! Thanks for all that you do man! awesome shot out to Opossum Bud too! Tag team cards are some of my favorites as well, even the regular versions of the cards or the ultra rares, what's not to like!? They have 2 to 3 awesome pokemon on one card along with sick ass art on it! Also the EX full arts are flip'n sweet too like the Gengar and Umbreon with the gold outline.

[@matthewgroff7543]

Appreciate the video, man. Been feeling a bit burnt out on Pokémon cards lately. Getting down to the last few cards on my collection list and it’s been a struggle to find good condition cards for a decent price. Been losing Bids on eBay left and right. I don’t wanna give up, but it’s been hard to keep going. So thanks for some much needed outlook and point of views. Have a good one!

[@JayBee-hw7jg]

I never had stuff as a kid. When my little girl got into Pokemon I decided to start collecting cards with her to share that experience of collecting something we treat with care and treasure. It's fun.

[@doopedee]

I like that I can open some but keep some sealed, so I can essentially recoup my losses in time !

[@DamaCollectsCards]

At the end of the day, do what makes you happy. Especially if it has to do with Pokemon and comes from a genuinely good place. I’ll always respect that.

[@Cwilly315]

Danny is one of the most real people on KZbin for the hobby. I love videos like this from you. It’s kind of been overwhelming lately with all the new sets coming out and it seems like you have no time to collect that set and BANG the next set is here! It’s nice to hear you say stuff to back away and remember why you are in the hobby. Focus on one thing at a time. I’m not even done collecting crown zenith and I honestly think it’s one of the best sets since I’ve returned to pokemon. I think when people were scalping products it made it more stressful but seeing all the products on the shelves at Walmart helps slow me down knowing there’s plenty of time. Thank you so much for all you do and a huge thank you for the phanny packs!

[@DannyPhantump]

Thanks Craig! I really appreciate you 💜

[@user-br1gs3rw9t]

Me: double sleeves and top loads every holo card I pull Danny: here's my cardboard box of gold stars

[@KantoCacho]

I got back into the hobby because of Brilliant Stars. The trainer gallery introduced in that set and others thereafter is something I found myself enjoy collecting. I also play the game somewhat 'competitively' (I haven't won a tournament or league challenge yet) going around my city, competing in tournaments, participating in pre-release events, and hopefully making it to regionals with an ultimate goal of worlds someday.

[@AdamTCG]

1st ever trainer gallery set price to the moon!! 🚀

[@awesometown2535]

I think we have all felt like this hobby can be overwhelming at times, especially given the prices. It’s important to know that all singles / sealed will go up and down. For me, it’s been a process to learn to pace myself and figure out exactly what it is that my goals are. There is so much put out from the Pokémon company you just can’t have everything, as much as we all want to.

[@Yocouzin]

It’s a trip down memory lane , but it’s fun to chase. It’s also fun to share a liked interest with my kids. It’s great to see the artwork and being apart of imagination in another world . Thanks for all the honestly and sincerity Danny . I enjoy the different angles that you deliver and talk about on the Pokémon life.

[@OpossumBud]

I understand the venting thing man, I need it sometimes too. Appreciate ya. I got nothing against money and natural progression of Pokémon, it’s all about the context and the intent. Thanks Danny 🙏🏽

[@mav1877]

If we went back in time and bought some early WOTC boxes, packs, then yes we could get rich.

[@weechoman8139]

To me it’s about reliving my childhood. When I was young I would always beg my parents for packs .. we weren’t the wealthiest but they would buy me what they could.. and now as an adult with my own job and money, it’s a privilege and blessing to able to go out and purchase these amazing products I could only imagine of owning as a child !

[@613Citizen]

Me too I was well off but not that well-off: pokemon is an expensive hobby for sure

[@RainMakerTIA]

I like that it is a fun and simple way to share with people and have fun goals and be able to still trade them later or change your collection. It's nice if it grows in value but the feelings and memories of the cards are even better.

[@davidknapp1072]

What's important to me is twofold. 1. Reclaiming pieces of my Childhood I had lost. 2. Exploring my love of the franchise and community through collecting and sharing with others. Money and "Investing" comes second always. I feel Rarity is sought after and desirability can coincide with both rarity AND price points. It feels good to see a piece of your collection to appreciate values. But money and statistics, I feel, need to be secondary or tertiary to collecting cards and arts that you want!

[@AngelsAwesomeAdventures]

We hear you Danny. 🦻 Don't let it get you down. Come back and make more videos please!!! I got back into Pokémon because it started becoming popular at my son's school and he had been wanting to start this KZbin channel. Pokémon brought back that nostalgic feel for me and made me excited about making content with my son! I appreciate you and the things you talk about. I appreciate the way you do live pack breaks, it's so amazing! (The only live pack break I've been willing to buy into!) I hope we see you at Card Party!!!! Bullies will be bullies. Your success makes you shine. P.S. When are Phanny Packs coming back out??? We are still on the hunt for a couple!

[@jonahba17]

bro just casually has a ray gold star in that stack

[@adamcordeiro473]

I stopped collecting Pokémon when I was like 10. I exclusively collected sports cards. I always heavily played the games. Then 2020 rolled around and sports cards were dramatically inflated. It got to the point where 2020 Panini Prizm football was 2,000 a box. So I started buying Pokémon because it was the only thing on the shelf. Now my graded pokemon card collection absolutely rivals my sports card collection dollar wise both in the 15-30k range. Sports cards aren’t fun anymore. It’s too focused on the next 18 year old phenom and priced to the moon. Pokémon is exclusively about fun. I don’t open packs or by cards with any intention on making money. If the Psyduck or Pelipper looks cool that’s good enough for me

[@a-b0t633]

It's the only part of my childhood I have left and I'm burnt out on life.

[@CatBack94]

The sad state of the hobby from my view is this. I like alot of pokemon content on KZbin. The over saturated use of the word "investment" is titled everywhere on my feed

[@Conker306]

I don't expect to get rich off Pokémon :) I just want to have a fun time. Ty, Danny!

[@VIVIDTCG]

I definitely agree with this message. This can be said for a lot of hobbies.

[@thesalmon6890]

Opossum bud reccently featured the card shop i work for in the UK, sadly we had £20,000 worth of vintage cards stolen, still no sign of them sadly either. As for what I love about pokemon, it's literally my therapy basically, I got back into it when i started university a copule of years ago, and i've been collecting since, it really does just give me a moment away from the ridiculous level of stress i get from my course. Ontop of that, when i got into pokemon, my girlfriend gradually got into it with me, and so now we're both really big collectors, and both work part-time at a local card shop. Gotta love it really :)

[@kylet2237]

Pulling those super rare cards keeps me tryin!

[@c00145449]

The artwork and keeping sealed for my children in the future to open

[@nicolasschaefer1615]

It reminds me of better times as a child and is also fun like gambling❤😂

[@lemurian3102]

I love the fact that when you pull that one elusive chase card, the feeling of it in the palm of your hands feels so different from just regular ok decent pulls. They just feel unique 😊

[@CostcoFries]

I like the cards art and just opening packs. Especially putting cards in binders is a fun process for me 😁

[@LibertarianFacts]

Both. To have beautiful collection and make some money.

[@silverdawn2767]

Man it kills me too see all those beautiful cards just in a box

[@Shades2220]

I started collecting because I wanted an easy hobby that didn’t take up too much closet space, and the idea of selling my collection if I decided to sell I would at least get some of my money back. Not necessarily to make a profit

[@monkey39128]

Yeah the space aspect is a huge advantage. I've got a small collection of vintage toys and they take up way more room than my cards. 😂

[@lm10siu]

I started collecting since lost origins came out. I feel very nostalgic while opening packs and the rush i get from opening packs and to share the cards i get with my friends is very therapeutic. I would love to continue to open certain pack every week.

[@michaelkrynski7793]

I love seeing the evolution of both Pokémon & people.

[@LaboratoryRatKing]

put sleeves on those old foils, im begging you

[@capitalunknown87]

I love the thrill of opening a brand new set or product❤

[@chriskristopherson6299]

The artwork, and the excitement pulling a rare card. Displaying them proudly!

[@thinking8736]

i love the art work plus the monetary value it brings with plus childhood memories

[@Elleon12]

The nostalgia, the artwork and love of pokemon in general. I have always been a collector of lots of things since I was a kid, and pokemom has stuck, I do hope to gain financially down the road for either our family or my kids when I'm dead lol

[@Collectors_Crypt]

I am a sealed product collector from vintage toys to Pokemon. I love having an item that someone has not seen since they were a kid and the look they get on their face. Seeing a sealed item you got for a birthday or Christmas immediately transports you to the kid you were when you got it. I am a collector a heart but the value items gain over time is not beyond me. Some of these can be an investment if you ever decide to sell in the future.

[@themetalguy9693]

I am drooling over that Phanny Box. So many iconic/historic playable cards. I love learning about older formats that I didn't personally play and am excited that the current format is shifting more towards the older formats with comeback mechanics.

[@JakeCR97]

I started collecting in lockdown due to the hype but I’ve always liked Pokémon and thought it’d be something cool to do, now I’ve got my own niche that I like and have gotten more into the display side of things and graded cards

[@JusZard]

I use to love just opening packs then went to singles and slabs while doing lots of sealed however now it’s mostly sealed, and I enjoy the beauty of the boxes and my singles

[@lookskywater7035]

I love pokemon because of the memories it made for me, growing up in the 90s, i remember playing with my friends pretending we were trainers having imaginary battles. (We also only had 151 to choose from lol). I forgot a lot of cartoons i watched as a kid but pokemon has a special place in my memory . i return to innocence everytime i see some of the originals . 👍❤️

[@AlphaStoutland]

I grew up watching Pokémon, and as I've gotten older and played the games and opened many packs of cards, that love has only grown. The beautiful artwork, the passion from the artists, the thrill of the chase...it's something else, man. Pokémon is meant to be for fun, not for profit. Hype beasts and greedy people have almost ruined the hobby. Don't let them, have fun with it.

[@digismithytcg]

I am completely fine with "investing" in pokemon cards or other collectible hobbies. I think nowadays "investing" gets blurred along with "flipping" or "scalping" but it is what it is. I have been collecting things (pokemon multiple times in and out) and use the value of the items I have collected to either continue fund the hobby or use those funds to transition in to another hobby. I think what happens is that people FOMO and they want to have everything. For me, I've decided to only really try to look forward and if I miss out on something, I will just wait for the next new thing. Pokemon will make something new and that's where I'll be.

[@icymango626]

This was definitely a refreshing video 😊 my favorite part about the hobbie is the escape and the nostalgia. It's just enjoyable 😊 especially opening packs and finding them gems. I've recently gotten into collecting singles too which has been enjoyable as well, being able to find certain cards that I'm happy with (cough Ancient Mew cough) haha 😊

[@SaraKelley]

I am currently enjoying the hobby right now because cards are easy to collect and don’t take up too much room in my NYC apartment! It also brings back nostalgia from my childhood. I love the sorting and designing of my highlight binders. Something that pleasantly surprised me after being away for quite awhile is the artwork and storytelling in the recent sets. I had such a great time collecting and displaying the Ralts, Kirlia, Gardevoir alternate art set from Scarlet Violet for example. Not looking to get rich, just having fun 😊

[@TNastyPokemon]

Just received my graded card from the 100k celebration! My Holo scored a 9! Thank you so much for your generosity!

[@MisterStubstep]

Collecting master sets and collecting my favorite Pokémon. The video games are my favorite part though

[@TheVTRainMan]

I was originally interested in collecting because of the artwork for the love of the game and anime. I love both. Then, I was collecting cards to catch them all (master sets). I love having all of the card. But then the sets got too big and difficult to catch them all. At the same time, it was too hard to find product to open. So, I started buying singles. Then the singles got too expensive. But, then Japanese was cheaper and easy to get.... a year later Japanese blew up. Then Scarlet and Violet happened. Ummmm... yeah. It's a love hate relationship.

[@pokemon_john]

I love your channel and your personality. Im on my own youtube pokemon journey your one of my inspirations to become a content creator. And i love how you just went through your decks with high end cards lol

[@dingross]

Danny, As someone who came back to the hobby when I was 31 years old, you are an inspiration for how an adult person deal with collecting cards of imaginary monsters. You make me want to continue collect, and enjoy every aspect of it. Thank you

[@RAZAPOKE]

Just amazed by Danny, true honesty, very simple advice but very helpful. Thanks 🙏

[@nealcutkomp1738]

It’s fun opening, playing and collecting. I like that there is value in collecting and trading with grading. I like to display and look at my collection. Try not to take it to serious and just have fun ❤

[@pokemountain518]

It’s upsetting to see people getting into Pokémon with nothing in mind but money, I can get someone trying to start a business or has one, but I don’t get people who think they are going to get rich overnight. I got out of Pokémon right around Emerald, and then I got back into collecting right around when Dragon Vault came out. I didn’t look at it like with a money sign and still don’t the feeling of opening a pack and seeing your favorite card pulled is Undescribable, it makes the world around go silent and the explosion of joy and completion surrounds you. I sold my whole collection I believe for 200$, (I had base up to ex emerald), back then with only one regret today and that was the gold star Ray’s I sold not because there pricey, that’s my all time favorite Pokémon card! AND DANNY YOUR THE GREATEST KEEP UP EVERYTHING YOU DO!!! I’ll be right here adding a like every video!!!

[@KantoCacho]

I personally like those who are all about the money because they throw away staples such as a forest seal stone when they sell their bulk to my LGS. THANKS FOR SAVING ME 10$ USD BECAUSE ALL YOU CARE ABOUT IS ALT ART LUGIA! 😂😂😂

[@FrankiesUmbreon]

I collect as a way to connect with my younger self for my love for Pokémon and the pure joy & excitement of what Pokémon will drop next👦🏾✨🧔🏾‍♂️ I’ve become more responsible with my collection budget thanks to your insightful and data driven videos. As an adult, these are things I need to consider when I also need to pay for bills and essentials

[@pika.journey4817]

Collect what you enjoy. It's that simple. But think wisely - don't blow your entire savings, don't put your family at risk, collect within your means. Opening packs is ultimately a gamble. Enjoy it, but be careful! Thanks for the video Danny 👍

[@otherz_world88]

Question on your style of Flipping and hitting your margins. You recording your sales and paying your taxes on the sales. Once you hit the $600 cap on goods from I.E. Facebook marketplace,eBay,tcg etc?

[@JaySully7688]

Base set dropped when I was 11-12. Didn't follow the hobby closely after I hit high school. I got real excited when 151 got announced and when I realized the potential in holding on to a sealed product for a few years really enticed me. And besides the original 151, I don't have that desire to rip packs that don't feature them specifically. I am having so much fun learning what to invest in from every perspective I can

[@Phozon000]

I have been playing since Blue version (which I still own!) I am SO enfranchied. Pokemon is everything to me

[@jeffreyherrmann2888]

It's the stories that I have from my pulls. Like the Leafeon VMAX AA my wife pulled days before our wedding when we were dying from stress. Or the Golden Palkia ripped from a CZ 4-pack box that was only one the shelf because one of the packs had slipped behind the others. I could go on and on. And I love the business side too. There's great ways to make a few bucks without being scummy.

[@JonyLLama69]

I buy a lot of stuff I'm not collecting, simply because I love the art work and the cards make me happy ❤ I like that they gain or at least retain value... Even the coins, pins & Dice 😅 Love them! Love all things Pokémon ❤🎉

[@ponchoking55]

I got into Poke investing during the lows of the last holiday season and Im up on so much of my purchases. I continued to add in strategically and ive done extremely well, some of these returns are insane for how little time, but im in this for the long haul. I can see this being one of my best performing assests and im glad to be here

[@CrimsonRayne101]

Would love if u had some tips or personal experience on your success! I started getting into the hobby last year and its been a really fun experience and I've been trying to learn more as i go

[@ponchoking55]

@@CrimsonRayne101 if youre just getting started i recommend getting sealed booster boxes, a lot of singles have already shot up, and you probably dont know which ones to buy. This black friday will be a great buying opportunity for some good sealed products

[@chuckd.68]

I love Pokémon and how it transcends generations. I’m able to share that love with my kids and it’s just an awesome feeling. Edit: The Rayqauza Gold star just chilling in the box lol. Only Danny

[@TormentZero]

Investing in pokemon is like any other investment. It has a lot of risk and requires a lot of time to go by before you will see a turn in profit. But some things do end up being really successful (i.e. Evolving Skies) and if you bought a box back in the day for 120-130 and kept it sealed, you're feeling pretty good for how high its selling for right now. It is like Rudy has said, it is time in the market over timing the market. If you want to invest in pokemon, understand it is a 5-8 year investment for most products. Some more, some less. And a lot of people can't handle that, they want the free tendies now.

[@hawkfandan]

Have you ever held a fat stack of cash in your hand? That feeling most people get when they do is the same feeling I get when I hold pokemon TCG product. Mostly for stacks of booster packs, but also for singles and slabs. Like, hold a stack of evolving skies booster packs in your hand and tell me you don't get that same feeling. Plus the artwork is awesome of course, I like things that sparkle and I've played pokemon since I was a child. Also I have a "happy binder" that are filled with pokemon I like. A lot of them are chanseys & blisseys, both cheap and expensive, but i also have a lot of round pokemon in there like togedemaru and jigglypuff.

[@adamhooper4226]

1) Holy smokes those Tropical Beaches 😅 2) I always enjoy when you talk about the tcg! Someday, you should do a video about what sets/products have the most "playability bang for buck" - what can someone open to get the most playable cards?

[@EnsignGarak]

I wasn't into Pokémon as a kid, but I caught the first early waves of MtG product. I have always liked trading cards, and I liked Pokémon cards when I first saw some packs being opened in July 2022. I like the idea of trying to sell product to create a fund that I can use to purchase new product.

[@damienrosario2471]

Dummy Phantump 😂😂😂😂 love your self deprecating sense of humour. Thanks for the video. I think it's a fair discussion!

[@spyder2448]

I collect because well, most of my family died from my childhood. I don't have many friends, or family left and because of this it gives me a safe place to remember good things from when I was a kid. It fills that memory gap. I am nearly 32 years old now and am just collecting Japanese authentic holo "old back" cards. Gotta do it right for the fallen.

[@rendetion]

After almost a decade of being a competative MTG player I had to shift more towards collecting rather than playing ( due to work and family), but the collecting scene for MTG doesn't really exist much. Pokemon was what got me interested in trading card games as a child, and I never stopped playing the games, so it seemed like a natural transition back. I've been really surpised with how nice and welcoming the community has been.

[@christopherondo6174]

Just started collecting again a few months ago, just for the nostalgia factor. Want to get my daughter into it. If it makes money in the future cool if not oh well. Thanks for all the information it was/is very overwhelming getting back into this hobby

[@nicholasperry7025]

Can I be honest, I never played it as a kid, but I did watch the shows hard core, as an adult I just started collecting rear cards exclusively due to the beauty of these cards. I have over paid for a PSA 10, but not all of them are investments some are art work I like looking at.

[@K40576]

When I was a kid I played outside, rode my bike, played basketball, and collected cards. Collecting cards isn’t the most “nostalgic” thing ever. Go out and get some exercise folks. These cards were never anything to stress about.

[@ExcaliburTTP]

YEAHHH MENTIONING OUR BOI OP!!! thank you danny for being true to the hobby. i just like pokemon. always have since 1999

[@ItsJustJohn91]

I've started with Pokemon cards during base set when pokemon used to be on tv right before school. I've been off and on with it. My brother got me back into it in 2021 and I've stuck with it since. I love the competitive aspect of it, even tho my busy family life means I can't play in tournaments. Recently I've been buying certain cards from the past that bring me nostalgia and would like to get them graded for fun.

[@3ss967]

I was contemplating on what your saying phanny,because i want to collect every pokemon products,vintage, modern, pokemon boxes.etb, booster box,i want to have eveything,i want to make sure that if something is in the news i must have, FUMO!!!! Thats the word,to the point it has affected me financially…i need to really re think this hobby,its costing me alot of money,and i dont have the nostalgia for the cards because when i was growing up back in the philippines mu parents cant afford the cards, but i was a fan though….i have watch all the episode in the tv, i have see all the movies,in the movie theater back then…im not sure but i think their is 21 pokemon movie..while i was watching i was opening crown zenith, and when i decided i think i should backoff alittle bit in the hobby and follow your advise to really look a which part of the hobby i should go and focus on that, my resolve was tested because i pulled ta gold archius…its like the devil, lol… Thats it…just wana share that…

[@MoonduckPsy]

I dumped an alt art Machamp for $95 - the most I’ve ever been paid for a card- at Portland Regionals because it meant I could buy my kid a reward using a piece of cardboard (instead of plastic!) Was it worth more? Not to me- his smile at the surprise was far better, and that’s the best part of Pokémon!

[@anonymous_moose_1207]

I love collecting Pokémon cards. When I collect Pokémon, I am collecting art. My collection of cards is like a collection of mini paintings. When I go through and look through my favorite cards I appreciate the artwork, the imaginary world that is created, and the memories that are attached with the cards. My collection of cards is like the affordable version of collecting art . If I was rich, I would definitely collect paintings. Pokémon are like pocket paintings to me.

[@derek6423]

I love collecting/finding product that I believe will boom down the road (4-6 years). I open certain things. 95% stays sealed.

[@nataliewithheart]

You don't invest in pokemon? You buy as a dealer, sell, make mystery packs??? Danny what are you trying to truly say? I'm really trying here to understand. I think the issue is let people just enjoy pokemon for how they want and not influence what they do. Otherwise if you're going to show prices and how you think tends are, then you are influencing, knowingly or unknowingly.

[@mjenkins1987]

Pulling the master set yourself. Buying that one last single just makes it feel unclean lol. But it's fun especially when you get together with friends and family to help rip and pull. My brother pulled both champions path zards. I completed the master set....minus the zards😢

[@AdamAnderson-ku1lo]

Honestly, its part gambling, part collector. Whatever piece of my mind has OCD tendencies just loves filling all the slots in the binder. Some of my favorite parts of collecting are digging through old bulk for singles from different sets, its relaxing and fun.

[@GeekFam7]

Been into Pokémon since day one. Gen 1 games on my Blue Game Boy Pocket, Indigo League anime on Saturday mornings, riding my bike to the comic shop on Fridays to buy packs of Base Set and Fossil and Jungle. I love collecting the most, whether it's my living dex on the games or completing TCG sets and personal sets. Thanks for all you do.

[@coppertop8797]

Really nice words, I just got into pokemon and ripping is so fun. Its something you can do with friends and I think having a budget helps you keep with the hobby. I been collecting sealed games as well I just look for clearance games spend 5 or 10 bucks and I love it! It's not about getting rich but it's fun to do, fun to find items that are rare. And I enjoy the medium.

[@ggood3892]

Open pokemon to make my kids learn to handle disappointment when they open a charizard UPC for 2 plain Vmax and 3 front half TG cards, and houndoom (USPS please find my dark houndoom thanks)

[@henryshq]

I think the only time one should focus on the money aspect is when it comes to how much they are putting in and the secondary market. I collected evolving skies since it came out, but once the scalpers got to it, it did not make any sense for me to pay so much for ES. If I see them at retail I’ll jump at it, sometimes I’ll see those walgreens packs that sell them for $10, if it’s been awhile I might buy one, but most of the time I don’t. You gotta pivot sometimes, right now I’m a little low on spending money, so I’m keeping an eye out for clearance and sales. Are they necessarily packs that I’m really after? No, but they’re still packs I can open up and collect. I trade a lot more now, and I even started playing recently. As a kid I always wanted a big collection but never had the money, and now as an adult I understand I can’t just dive into it blindly. Love this hobby and appreciate how everyone for the most part looks out for one another.

[@maurice2014]

There are essentially only 3 categories (in my opinion): Collectors Investor/Resellers Players I'm not knocking the quick-flipper's hustle but honestly they mess it up for the other two niches. Yeah, card companies can overprint but scalpers/resellers can misrepresented the actual demand leading to more printing. Resellers will still buy targets whole stock and keep the prices inflated. 😅

[@trowland65]

As a kid I was always just a lover of the art! I’m the same now! :) I find myself gravitating toward the Pokémon that represent eras and specific games that I loved as well. Johto all the way!!

[@tylermains6786]

I played every Pokemon game released by Nintendo and a handful of fan made games. I started collecting the cards about 9 months ago. What I love about collecting Pokemon cards is finding art of my favorite Pokemon that I caught and named throughout the games. I've spent a lot more money than I ever thought i would, but I never once thought about reselling. I want to enjoy this hobby and not stress over making a profit. I'm buying most of the alt arts and illustrations and matching them into themes that tell stories. My kids are too young to understand, but they love opening packs and I'm so excited to keep sharing this with them.

[@nahinmal]

COVID killed my D&D hobby, and go into pokemon back in January while looking for Yu-Gi-Oh cards for my deck

[@crawfordgrimley]

I am a couple years beyond growing up with the tcg but having a young son has engaged me in the hobby and I love nerding out on it beyond my sons' interest... made many investment mistakes already but no regrets, thanks for the content. Hopefully I can get him playing and building decks with all the excess cards we've gathered. Financial win or loss, it has been enjoyable. 👊

[@tannersnyder7473]

It's simple the nostalgia is like a drug to me when it comes to pokemon cards. Sadly I don't have but a few from back in the day but just catching a glimpse of those cards can take me back 20 years 😅😅

[@ch33zusofpokemon25]

Been collecting since I was 11 and I’m 34 I hope the shit tanks cause me and my friends with massively deeper pockets then me are going to buy everything we can get our hands on. I love the stuff and the value is irrelevant to me. It’s nice to have a passion potentially make some cash but I will always collect my Cards.

[@jaydee8098]

My journey started with pokemon go, as a way for me and my daughter to connect. When I was younger I used to be big into marvel and image comics. One day my kid and I were out playing Go and she had said let's go buy some packs and just like that here I am. She has since grown out of pokemon and I am stuck here...and I'm fine with that