How do you stop your hobby addiction?

[joecarterfan]

Well, I've always had an addictive personality. Not drugs or achohol, just cards, poker, sports betting. How have you stopped your card addiction? I have a baby coming in 2at months (first one) and am concerned about my buying. I keep telling myself not to buy more but that,s easier said than done. I'm debating if selling my entire collection is the way to go so I'm just done with the hobby and won't have any desire. Baby and family is more important, but I need my brain to understand that concept. Any feedback would be much appreciated.

[Srt42004n]

Go broke that'll fix it real quick... I made the mistake of drive around to all walmarts with in 60 miles last year for value boxes and each walmart had Sig Stars... I prob blew $3,000 on that crap... and 11' Bowman Blasters..

[MI Rob]

Self control.
It's not difficult.

[Ray27Ray52]

Self control.
It's not difficult.

Truth

/thread

[solt0131]

Well, I've always had an addictive personality. Not drugs or achohol, just cards, poker, sports betting. How have you stopped your card addiction? I have a baby coming in 2at months (first one) and am concerned about my buying. I keep telling myself not to buy more but that,s easier said than done. I'm debating if selling my entire collection is the way to go so I'm just done with the hobby and won't have any desire. Baby and family is more important, but I need my brain to understand that concept. Any feedback would be much appreciated.

Let your wife/gf control your finances. Only keep enough cash in your pocket for meals or gas etc. Carry one credit card for a just in case with a limit of no more than $300.

[cking]

I just have a set amount of money I spend from every paycheck that I use on cards. If I want something that exceeds my weekly allotment then I sell other cards or just save for what I want. I was building a couple sets that had a few very expensive cards in them and I was never gonna finish them if I just kept buying random cards every week. I had to quit buying everything for a couple months so I could save for up for them. It is actually good for me when I do this because its a refreshing break from collecting from time to time.

[hugh]

You have to hit rock bottom by giving away all your cards to the peeps on blowout forums

[rojallad]

I actually went through this exact scenario two years ago. Don't kid yourself into thinking that you will forever stop this hobby. If you're not into bars, booze, strip clubs, hanging out late with the boys, than this is an outlet that you're gonna wanna have with a new baby. TRUST ME! It's like anything else, you do have to excersise a little self control. Here is what I did to temper the addiction.

1) I had 6 different pcs. 4 player, 1 funny/stupid name, 1 alumni, 1 mixed HOF.

I eliminated 4 players and sold off the cards. I chose I that I really wanted
to complete and let the rest go. Profit or loss was not part of this decision. I
also dumped some of my HOF PC Cards that were not REALLy that important
to me. We all convince ourselves that EVERY card is important because of
some dumb reason, but the reality is, they are not all equal. Force yourself
to purge a little

2) I basically busted every product of every sport mainly for fun and chasing my
PC Cards. THIS was DUUUMMMMB. But, fun.

I have narrowed my breaks don to 4: Topps Chrome nfL, bowman chrome
MLB, Exqusite football, the cup hockey. I realize that this may seem like a
lot, but whe you go from 30 down to 4 it's a huge reduction.

These two steps will free up a lot of cash, and much needed time. Hope this helps,

[joecarterfan]

I appreciate the feedback. It's busting wax that gets me. It's the thrill of it, obviously. I don't want to get out of the hobby. I've been in it for over 30 years.

I think I could get $5000 or so by selling off my non-PC stuff. I will always keep my HOF baseball stuff.

I just need to focus and sell some stuff, I believe, to put my mindset on the right path.

Also, on the "self-control" issue.....obviously that's easier said than done for some people. I wouldn't be concerned if I had the self-control necessary.

[Ray27Ray52]

I appreciate the feedback. It's busting wax that gets me. It's the thrill of it, obviously. I don't want to get out of the hobby. I've been in it for over 30 years.

I think I could get $5000 or so by selling off my non-PC stuff. I will always keep my HOF baseball stuff.

I just need to focus and sell some stuff, I believe, to put my mindset on the right path.

Also, on the "self-control" issue.....obviously that's easier said than done for some people. I wouldn't be concerned if I had the self-control necessary.

If you do decide to sell, make sure you ship the cards out this time. Friendly advice.

[caustexx]

Well, I've always had an addictive personality. Not drugs or achohol, just cards, poker, sports betting. How have you stopped your card addiction? I have a baby coming in 2at months (first one) and am concerned about my buying. I keep telling myself not to buy more but that,s easier said than done. I'm debating if selling my entire collection is the way to go so I'm just done with the hobby and won't have any desire. Baby and family is more important, but I need my brain to understand that concept. Any feedback would be much appreciated.

Hey bud I think you are getting some terrible advice here. I know the cure for a gambling addiction is not to gamble less. It is to not gamble at all. Sell your entire collection is correct. Pretty sure you know it is too. Everyone here has some degree of addiction too so no one will recommend you to do this.

[ryo1549]

Well, I've always had an addictive personality. Not drugs or achohol, just cards, poker, sports betting. How have you stopped your card addiction? I have a baby coming in 2at months (first one) and am concerned about my buying. I keep telling myself not to buy more but that,s easier said than done. I'm debating if selling my entire collection is the way to go so I'm just done with the hobby and won't have any desire. Baby and family is more important, but I need my brain to understand that concept. Any feedback would be much appreciated.


I too was in the same boat. I had so many things that I would try to PC and it can take over your finances pretty quickly. When my daughter came, I also panicked. I now realize that you just have to learn to balance and set your priorities. If you enjoy the hobby it is very difficult to just cut ties with the whole thing and sell everything. Here is what I did for myself and has worked out thus far.

First set limits for yourself. Trim down your PC to things that you truly enjoy and realize that you aren't going to get or have everything. I trimmed mine down to 49ers refractors and Graded rookies. Sold everything else.

If you want to buy something, you sell something. You want that fleer greats of the game auto? You sell something to get it.

Set a limit or allowance for yourself. This can be hard because as collectors we want to be able to open as many boxes as we want or bid on all items, but in the long run (unless you're mega loaded) it will catch up to you. Once the money you set for yourself is gone, it's gone.

[joecarterfan]

If you do decide to sell, make sure you ship the cards out this time. Friendly advice.

Yeah, I messed up that one time when I went on my honeymoon. I haven't sold on here since then (over a year), even though some peple have asked me to. I'm going the straight ebay route if I do. Still feel bad about that one.

[joecarterfan]

I too was in the same boat. I had so many things that I would try to PC and it can take over your finances pretty quickly. When my daughter came, I also panicked. I now realize that you just have to learn to balance and set your priorities. If you enjoy the hobby it is very difficult to just cut ties with the whole thing and sell everything. Here is what I did for myself and has worked out thus far.

First set limits for yourself. Trim down your PC to things that you truly enjoy and realize that you aren't going to get or have everything. I trimmed mine down to 49ers refractors and Graded rookies. Sold everything else.

If you want to buy something, you sell something. You want that fleer greats of the game auto? You sell something to get it.

Set a limit or allowance for yourself. This can be hard because as collectors we want to be able to open as many boxes as we want or bid on all items, but in the long run (unless you're mega loaded) it will catch up to you. Once the money you set for yourself is gone, it's gone.

Thanks. I feel like I know you from Lubbock. Did you used to go to Rick's shop?

[HBMC]

Cold Turkey, I was addicted to playing Video Games until My PS3 was stolen. Didn't get to play a console video game for 5 months. That took care of it.

[ryo1549]

Thanks. I feel like I know you from Lubbock. Did you used to go to Rick's shop?

Yeah I did! When I go home I go by Chad's place too. I know he's way over priced, but I always hit something nice.

[joecarterfan]

Yeah I did! When I go home I go by Chad's place too. I know he's way over priced, but I always hit something nice.

Cool. I remember you liking 49ers stuff. I live in Dallas now. Think I'm just going to go cold turkey. I'm not selling all my cards, but no more wax.

[auctionjmm]

The answer for me was turning it into a business. I got sucked back into this hobby with the Strasburg hype and broke a bunch of 2010 products (which we all know now was Topps' version of the Great Depression).

After losing a few grand on a good time I realized the only way to stay active in this was to become a business and make educated purchases. I can now bust wax until my hands hurt, but I only do so with certain products and I always follow those breaks with many backbreaking hours of selling. Some products are better than others so between all the hits and misses I can usually come out ahead. If I ever lose, It's not much. I am having a blast with Topps Chrome football right now and have already profited with 2 cases left to go. I spent a solid 8-9 hours sorting sets during football games yesterday which did suck, but it is necessary to keep my business alive and well and be able to continue the addiction with the next product.

[HBMC]

The answer for me was turning it into a business. I got sucked back into this hobby with the Strasburg hype and broke a bunch of 2010 products (which we all know now was Topps' version of the Great Depression).

After losing a few grand on a good time I realized the only way to stay active in this was to become a business and make educated purchases. I can now bust wax until my hands hurt, but I only do so with certain products and I always follow those breaks with many backbreaking hours of selling. Some products are better than others so between all the hits and misses I can usually come out ahead. If I ever lose, It's not much. I am having a blast with Topps Chrome football right now and have already profited with 2 cases left to go. I spent a solid 8-9 hours sorting sets during football games yesterday which did suck, but it is necessary to keep my business alive and well and be able to continue the addiction with the next product.

+1 to everything you just said. :)!

[trixstar]

I try to picture the fallout if my wife saw the money I spend on cards...that usually does the trick.

[paparoke]

I went cold turkey and stopped buying. Don't even look at Ebay, otherwise you'll be tempted.

[briscogun]

Once you have the baby your life will change drastically, your priorities will shift, and you just won't have the time to devote to it like you did before. You won't miss it, because you won't realize it at the time. You are going to be up all night, at all hours of the night, and having to do some pretty disgusting things along the way. Guess what? You'll love every minute of it!

Just give yourself an allowance. Take a certain amount from our paycheck you and your wife are comfortable with, and stick to it. Life is all about choices. Just choose the things that are important and don't stray. I bust one football and one baseball product a year. That's it. I may buy a card here or there for my small PC, but I stick to only busting wax on one of each, even though I have been so tempted to jump on other products!

Willpower, my man. Willpower! And enjoy the baby! Best wishes to you and the mom-to-be!

[Shogun2049]

Personally, I'd say move to the lower end products only. Stick with Topps Football, Score Football, and maybe Prestige Football. If you stick with Score, you can still get the autographs and jersey cards, they're just rarer to find, but you can buy 2 blasters for the price of 1 other blaster and the packs are only $1 instead of $2-$4 each.

Trust me. I love Crown Royale, but I'm not able to afford it as I've recently moved to take a job in another state and then within a month, had a bad day at work and ended up unemployed. (Didn't hit anyone or yell. I was a cashier in a casino and overpayed a couple guests a total of $200. First time in my 6 years of working as a cage cashier in various casinos. It happens.) So, I know what you're going through. You go from having all this extra income that you can use to buy almost whatever you want, down to scrounging enough to pay for food and rent/mortgage.

These people here telling you to just stop buying, don't understand. I also have an addictive personality. Before moving back to California, I lived in Reno for 4 years. My job payed me tips and in cash every week. I as averaging $125-150 a week in tips. I ended up gambling away most of that every year I was there. It was quite literally the reason I moved away from there. It was the only real way to control it. What people don't realize is the mentality of an addictive personality. For gambling, you'll make excuses to go to a casino and then rationalize that since you're there, you might as well play for a little while. My reason to go was that I had so many comps, I could get free meals almost for a year and still have comps left over. So, I'd go to dinner with the wife and then we'd play. With cards, you'll make excuses to go to Walmart or Target like, "Hey. We're out of milk and bread. I'll go to Target." Then, while you're there, you'll walk past the card aisle and think "Oh, look. A brand new box of Chrome and a bunch of Chrome rack packs. I'll just get a few. It's only a couple dollars." People that don't have addictive personalities, don't understand the way our minds work or trick us. It's not always an impulse.

What I've done to help with the cards is sell. I'm selling most of my serial numbered cards and jersey/relic cards that I have no attachment to. Then, I use that money to buy other boxes or cards that I want. This way, my hobby is being sustained by the hobby itself. If you DO plan to do that, keep 1 or 2 of your $100+ cards until you feel that you really need it. I have the 2010 Crown Royal Chris Johnson Kings of the NFL Prime card that is #1/2 still. I'm keeping that until I really need it as I know I can get between $100-200 if not more whenever I try to sell it.

Now, I don't have any kids, but I'm sure that when the little one arrives, you'll most likely end up spending so much time with him/her, you'll probably not even notice that you're spending less time on the cards. But, the advice I've given, is for when the craving/hankering kicks in. Hope it helps somewhat.

[Drdduet]

Once you have the baby your life will change drastically, your priorities will shift, and you just won't have the time to devote to it like you did before. You won't miss it, because you won't realize it at the time. You are going to be up all night, at all hours of the night, and having to do some pretty disgusting things along the way. Guess what? You'll love every minute of it!

Just give yourself an allowance. Take a certain amount from our paycheck you and your wife are comfortable with, and stick to it. Life is all about choices. Just choose the things that are important and don't stray. I bust one football and one baseball product a year. That's it. I may buy a card here or there for my small PC, but I stick to only busting wax on one of each, even though I have been so tempted to jump on other products!

Willpower, my man. Willpower! And enjoy the baby! Best wishes to you and the mom-to-be!

"Once you have the baby your life will change drastically, your priorities will shift,"---

Unless you, of course, start believing that cards are a good investment and that your child will reap the benefits after your gone. Then of course you can't pick up enough good investments!

[Shanehw]

Try weening yourself off cards like me then hitting the lottery for a substantial amount. Got right back in buying multiple cases before it dwindled down to nothing. I was lucky I bought 2 cars, a house and paid off bills before it was completely gone. Now I am back to square 1. :)

[bag0bull]

I'm subscribing to this thread to see how you do. I've been wanting to get out of the hobby after my 2nd child was born 3 1/2 years ago. I've pretty much tried everything here and thought of starting a business. (My wife actually was going to support me if I did). Although I'm still in the hobby I have spent less than I have previously but that's bc most of the cards I want I already own. It's when the new stuff comes out that gets me. Anyways I hope you accomplish what u want to do.

[Texas Brave13]

Let your wife/gf control your finances.

BWAHHHHH!!!!!

[The Madbacker]

Ever see Vegas Vacation?

I tell you what, Griswold. You give me half the money you were going to bet, we'll go outside and I'll kick you in the nuts.

Yeah, that about sums up opening packs these days. I'm done with Sports cards for the most part. I'll open a few packs here and there with some friends but there are no more multiple boxes, cases, etc.

A few years ago, I asked a guy I knew back in Maryland why he stopped opening.....

"I'd rather have my money"

Pretty sound advice.

[joecarterfan]

Thanks everyone. I will PM the guys that PMed me. I don't really understand the ridicule that some people deemed necessary (more in the baseball forum than here) because I was just trying to see people who might have had the same issues. I know cardboard is not more important than family.

[roc21]

Rehab with Dr Drew!.... but seriously, you shouldnt give up a hobby...yes you will be focused and give ALOT of time to your baby, but soon enough you will have free time for yourself, and you will need it, as will your wife... your main problem should just be the amount of $$ you spend on it.... and by posting this you already recognize what you need to do.... besides, if you have boy, your gonna want to pass things on to him, and before you know it, he'll be interested in sports/ cards.....
thats were im at now, my 8 yr old loves football, cards, autographs, so i collect for him and all my old stuff is for him and my 10 yr old....i collected as a kid,but i wasnt really collecting cards when my kids were born, just some memoribila...but you know what i would do when the baby was in bed at night..my free time ii would sit back and play a game of madden on playstation... i was home with wife/baby.. and it was just an hour to enjoy something......DONT quit!! just control it, or at least give it a break...

[chajones]

Man, I'm gonna give you a very unpopular answer. If you are addicted to cards to the point that you are worried about finances with regards to your upcoming child, then you may be addicted. Let's all be honest, busting wax is not much different than scratching lottery tickets. And people lose their lives to gambling even on simple gambling like state lotteries. The point is that with all addiction there is some underlying need that is being fulfilled through the winning, the thrill of the big hits, the mystery of what's in the next pack.

You don't want to herE it, but you need to find something in the hobby that can hold your interest but rarely or ever comes in a sealed pack. Stay away from the hobby shops and stick to singles. They can be addictive s well, but you will loose much less money and stay in the hobby. And when you get I'm a bind, you can sell off what you need without a major loss.

And finally I just want to tell you that I'm not being critical, I'm speaking as a person who found it nearly impossible to stop even after I had my first child.

Chris

[joecarterfan]

Thanks guys. Yes, I am having a boy. I already have a couple of boxes stashed away for him for when he's older. I'm not selling all my stuff. Some of the cards I have are very hard to find or have a personal collection. All in all, I think I will sell about 2/3 of the collection. If anyone is looking for anything specific, let me know. I will be putting stuff on Ebay this week through my card shop's ebay account (smpsportscards).

[Burt-Reynolds]

The answer for me was turning it into a business. I got sucked back into this hobby with the Strasburg hype and broke a bunch of 2010 products (which we all know now was Topps' version of the Great Depression).

After losing a few grand on a good time I realized the only way to stay active in this was to become a business and make educated purchases. I can now bust wax until my hands hurt, but I only do so with certain products and I always follow those breaks with many backbreaking hours of selling. Some products are better than others so between all the hits and misses I can usually come out ahead. If I ever lose, It's not much. I am having a blast with Topps Chrome football right now and have already profited with 2 cases left to go. I spent a solid 8-9 hours sorting sets during football games yesterday which did suck, but it is necessary to keep my business alive and well and be able to continue the addiction with the next product.

terrible advice

Man, I'm gonna give you a very unpopular answer. If you are addicted to cards to the point that you are worried about finances with regards to your upcoming child, then you may be addicted. Let's all be honest, busting wax is not much different than scratching lottery tickets. And people lose their lives to gambling even on simple gambling like state lotteries. The point is that with all addiction there is some underlying need that is being fulfilled through the winning, the thrill of the big hits, the mystery of what's in the next pack.

You don't want to herE it, but you need to find something in the hobby that can hold your interest but rarely or ever comes in a sealed pack. Stay away from the hobby shops and stick to singles. They can be addictive s well, but you will loose much less money and stay in the hobby. And when you get I'm a bind, you can sell off what you need without a major loss.

And finally I just want to tell you that I'm not being critical, I'm speaking as a person who found it nearly impossible to stop even after I had my first child.

Chris

great advice


too add to this don't bust wax ever if you can. if you do just buy a box or two every once in a while. stopping busting wax is the best thing i ever did. i got crazy with it a few years ago and just realized i needed to stop because it's almost 99% a losing proposition. no matter what people say who think they are expert case breakers you are going to lose money in the end. you have to spend hours upon hours to suck out a little profit and really who has that kind of time especially if you are starting a family right now. plus you need to bust multiple cases totaling thousands of dollars to wring out that tiny miniscule profit.

[Wise4671]

This is an easy one!!! Tha Answer is simple just get married LOL and if you already are married just show her how much you spend on cards that ought to do it :-)

[blevins26]

There's been a lot of good advice given. It seems like there are two schools of thought:

1. The "addiction" school--which treats you like an addict

2. The prudent adult school--which gives you tips to trim your spending to a manageable amount

I think it comes down to a question that only you can answer--Is this an addiction or is it just a hobby you are passionate about?

It's a great question for all of us to ask ourselves. In my opinion, if you are addicted then you will do anything to get your next "score", including things that hurt those around you. Probably a few of us fit into this category, but I'd say most of us don't.

I think most of us fit into the "probably shouldn't spend as much as I do" category. For those in this category, I propose these action items:

1. Sort out your non-PC cards and start listing them on Ebay. You'll get some enjoyment from the sorting process and from making sales and you might just find a diamond in the rough you forgot about. Once I started selling on Ebay, I found that I was able to keep my Paypal funded and drastically reduce further spending.

2. Spend at least 50% of your budget on singles. We all know busting wax is akin to lighting your money on fire. Buy singles for your PC that you'll be happy to own.

3. Focus on "20 year cards". You don't need to own EVERY card of your PC guy. Buy cards with a great design, on card auto, or special patch. Try focusing on non-rookie cards that just look great. You can get some beautiful cards that you'll be happy to display for the next 20 years.

Good luck!

[mmbtvs]

Find a new addiction to replace this one with. I have found Meth to be incredibly addictive.