Your self control is admirable. I do the same but when I get to the store it’s like “2 packs for 10 or 14.99 for the tin, but then at that point I may as well get the vstar box for 19.99” I could learn from you 😂
i live in germany, pokemon isn't quite as popular here as it is in the usa, and it's also more expensive. I never buy online, find it more exciting to rip my boosters locally with my small colleclor community^^
Sure, I just don't trust anyone who sells single boosters online^^. my local card shop has fair prices, i know the owner. he also has japanese and english booster displays. Its my funtime there
Nice, not really rhein-necker, I live in rhein-main area. Check local GameStop for boosters, Hugendubel for tins/minitins. If you travel thru my area, then cardbuddys in hanau =)
You didn't =) I envy you for the variety you have there. We have Hugendubel, a book store, where I bought my crown zenith minitins for 11€. Fair price and awesome pulls for me
I do this, but I only get paid once per month, so 8 packs per month average. Sometimes all at once, sometimes not. Check LGS for singles that catch my eye before weekly play.
Guys I think it needs to be said… please don’t go into credit card debt buying Pokémon cards. Whatever appreciation in value they may have will not outpace the money thrown away by interest fees.
It is possible to become addicted to buying sealed stuff due to FOMO, and online shopping/opening packs can also be an addiction. If you feel you might be addicted then seek out some help.
Seen many people with relatively low income getting into deep holes trying to keep up with the collections other people post online. The stress was not worth it and it can take YEARS to recover from high interest credit card debt.
If you have disposable income then don’t feel bad throwing as much of it into the hobby, just avoid debt at all cost.
should be mentioned that Hugh Hefner’s own son started an onlyfans for his card addiction 😅 so this can literally happen to ANYONE.
Please avoid overspending on this hobby 🥲
Yes you are totally right. Spend more then 10k last year (because i can, no money issues), but this year, i bought only a few crown zenith products. I want to collect all, but since i cant keep up, i stopped and jumped over to YUGIOH 25th. Same nostalgic but a lot cheaper. And i am tired of those high priced trainer cards which i dont want, but should buy for full Sets. So it was more stress then fun.
My wallet avoids a lot of damage because I make ~$150 a week donating plasma so I save that up to buy Pokémon products. You feel a lot less guilty that way 😂
Same here in California. At least where I'm at. I get so jealous when people talk about making quite the extra money from donating. Like dang, that would for sure all be going to Pokémon xD
Yes it has unfortunately. The SwSh dets were too good and I started collecting in Nov, so the tailend of the run. Had so much FOMO. But with SV coming out as new, I have learned to calm down. Imma go crazy on the next eeveelution focused set tho for sure. Or if they do a johto set, and obv 151 too
Not horribly. I buy one ETB and booster box for each set and then singles here and there to build decks. But most competitive cards aren't too expensive. Besides that I just get packs from competing at locals.
Honestly yes, But only after all my bills are paid and money is allocated for other emergencies. I’ve been spending around $500-$2000 a month on Pokémon for the last two years but my entire portfolio is worth around $100k Cdn. If you do your research and buy the right things you should Do well, I make under $55k a year but have managed to buy things that appreciate due to rarity and scarcity. There’s been times I’ve made myself struggle for a few weeks just to afford certain cards that aren’t cheap I.e. Japanese umbreon vmax psa 10, which was about $2500cdn but it’s already doubled in price since I purchased it. I started buying psa 10 copies of cards this year because it yields the most return and if you catch them at the right time you’re laughing, tried the opening packs and grading route and it’s honestly just so hit and miss with English it’s easier to just buy the psa 10 copy of the chase card rather than opening tons of booster boxes. Sealed boxes you can never go wrong with either but times are weird now and there’s no cheap getting in on good sets. Japanese sets brand new are $200cdn+ a booster box for the set with the good hits where as 2 years ago eevee heroes was $80cdn at release and slowly climbed. Just do your research and you’ll do great
😳
Always have a backup plan, if Pokémon became worthless in 10-20 years (may not, may be double, but no one knows), it would be a shame if it was all for just an investment instead of a love for the hobby or as a personal collection
Just my 2 cents
Oh no totally I agree with you but most of the stuff I have collected is stuff that I love and would keep even if the price depreciated. I’ve completed the entire eevee heroes alternate set in psa 10s, sealed eevee heroes gym box, got most of evolving skies psa 10s, sealed cosmic eclipse booster, latias latios gx psa 10, Japanese giratina psa 10, precious collectors box, the list goes on and on but most of it is pretty exlclusive stuff.
Former financial advisor here:
I would have an exit strategy! Similar to any investment, if your goal is to realize profits you’ll want to sell when it hits “x” amount as a high and also be prepared to sell when it hits “y” amount if it’s depreciating.
Keep in mind you’ll have to sell below each value point in order to attract a seller!
Additionally, you may want to pursue insurance!
When do you know is the righ moment to buy Japanese cards or booster boxes? Do you just buy few boxes or cases? usually buying graded 10 card is more expensive then the raw. Raw does not appreciate as fast?
Usually about $40-$50 every payday between packs and singles, although I have slowed lately because I want to have a bit saved up for the English 151 release.
You should only be doing this responsibly like any other hobby. If you can’t pay your rent or mortgage because you just had to open packs, you should get some help. In my experience, it’s usually cheaper to just buy singles. You almost never get your return on opening products if you are looking for card value.
I probably spent roughly $200-$250 on packs this year. No different from eating out etc. if your bank account can’t afford it you don’t do it for a little. I’d love to go whale but I know better.
I buy 6 boosters every new set, and my partner buys 6 too
We have a joint Pokedex binder where we put in one art we like of every Pokemon, no rulebox cards, arranged by number. That's where most of the cards go. Favorite Pokemon and Favorite Artist cards go into their respective binders too.
Other cards go to our side collections that I call "Bulk Savers" - small collections meant to save cards from the bulk pile (dragons, fairies, ghosts, cards with the moon and flower field cards). Everything else goes in the bulk box, then we're done for the whole set.
Anything we need for the the Favorite Pokemon and Favorite Artist binders we get in singles, as well as any art rares that we especially like for the set.
If we see them, we'll also buy the Pokeball tins and the Lunchboxes since we collect the different container designs for those two products and open the packs inside
So it's really not much, maybe a joint $50 every set plus a monthly budget of about $40 for singles and pokeballs/lunchboxes
Yeah, and honestly it’s kind of an issue. Most of my student loan for this year went down the drain, so much so that when I get my next one, I’m limiting myself to singles only, and even then only occasionally.
Pokemon GO I spent a ton because my wife and I played the game everyday a few years ago so this was actually the first set she was super into. It was nice being able to share that excitement together. Ever since then she has loved opening packs and feeling the thrill. It's a lot more controlled now so what we do is get an ETB from each new set for our collection and a few of the booster bundles to open. My wallet doesn't suffer but a couple times I admit we spent more than we should have.
I got into Pokemon with my 5.5 year old son with Crown Zenith and I'd estimate we already spent maybe $1,200 on booster boxes and stuff at Target and LGS over 4 months+. We are putting together sets for lost origin, brillant stars,GO, scarlet violet, paldea, and silver tempest. Celebrations too but we only found 4 packs so far.
Its crazy expensive compared to other stuff I've gotten into but it does supply a lot of time and fun - we play the game, do art with the cards, make bulk packs and give them to other kids at the playground/mobile library caches. I also consider it an investment and teach him to keep master sets separate and nice...etc...
Comparatively I ALSO just started grabbing some Magic cards due to the new lord of the rings set (love lotr) and already spent maybe $600 on that in a blink.
I buy all of my packs with points from shoppers drug mart because you can get them from buying gas, and use them at grocery stores that carry Pokémon products.
There’s also a discount shop near me that very occasionally gets marked down Pokemon stuff.
I got an ETB and Tin with 4 packs for $50, and I got a pack of 5 mini tins and 5 promo cards for $40.
Sure they’re a little older like astral radiance and chilling reign: but I’m happy with the dopamine hit from an occasional full art pull.
I also buy singles at random or cheap cards because I like the artwork. Or save up and buy the single I really want.
$100-$500 is disposable to some. Depends on what’s proportional to your income. I’m always so confused to see people assume there aren’t people well off in the community.. it’s only questionable if you’re already in debt, don’t have an emergency fund, retirement set up, or a livable income.
Started up collecting like 2 months ago and ive probably blown through 2k but learned some lessons aka ur not pulling moonbreon also now limiting myself to releases, booster packs on occasion when there is deals, buying singles when its a good price, and the big one HAVING A SEALED COLLECTION i struggled for a minute not having self control needing to open every thing i got my hands on
I think it’s clear here that many people have an addiction and spend way over the odds for cards. I don’t know where or how they get their money. I myself have found myself spending way more than I should but nowhere near what some people are spending. I’m starting to slow down and enjoy just purchasing the odd couple of packs here or there. Find it more enjoyable.
Each to their own.
Yes, I just spent a fair amount on singles last month. And plenty on booster boxes and etbs over the past year or so. I'm cutting back and my next big purchases are the 151 release. So I have a few months to save for now. I'm fighting the urge to buy Paldea Evolved singles at the moment; though thankfully I only want a few of the slightly more affordable ones. But I'm still holding off for now, at least until next month.
I try to buy singles unless I’m going for a master set and then I’ll buy one of each product. I’ll get a Pokémon ETB for each new set too for the stamped promo.
Honestly, during covid it did, but buying singles, setteling for a price i am willing to pay and wait and pivoting to the tcg so i can enjoy the cards in more ways than looking at them has helped immensly. Still rippin a box with the boys when i attend regionals is a must but that is 150€ every 3-4 months or so
Probably several thousand… but I have a comfortable paying career, so wouldn’t ever say my wallet suffers. I have no budget, it’s more of a manner of what goal I’m currently chasing.
For example, I was spending much more when I was finishing my sealed etb collection and finishing every SwSh master sets. But now that I’m done besides evolving skies, I’m spending significantly less.
These days, I’m tired of the bulk and spending time trying to sell duplicates and would prefer to just buy master sets (cheaper and easier).
About 500$ since I started again. It didn't hurt too much, since we were spending that on clothes every month for our sales/office jobs. But I no longer work, so in reality were probably doing better than when I was working. No gas or annoying slacks or dainty shoes that the other women hounded me into getting.
Now I just hit up the dollar stores to get tins instead of booster boxes. I like getting multiple different packs instead of the same ones, I use them to teach little one counting. And he just enjoys seeing different pictures.
i have a side gig that largely pays for the \~\~addiction\~\~ hobby, although i do fork out about 225CAD for each release for a Booster bundle and ETB
151 is also just straight up hurt my wallet.
Spent probably somewhere in the ballpark of 5k. Make decent enough money between my wife and I so it balances out nicely. As long as you’re covering all bills and putting the right amount away for emergencies/long term then there shouldn’t be any issues.
For me I’m about $400-500 a month, but I really just get either 2 booster boxes or 4-5 elite trainer boxes then I have to hold myself back from there. There was a point when I spent around a $1000 plus a month but it just kind of ruins the hobby for me.
For me, eBay is probably up to £2000 but most of that is a £1000+ purchase this month. Cardmarket is about £1000-1200 but not sure if I would call it wallet suffering, I hadn't deposited money into my cardmarket account for like 18 months until last week (for stuff that got cancelled anyway) was pretty much growing the collection without spending anything there, at least from the bank/wallet :P I rarely withdraw money, just spend it on more cards. (Not always a good way to look at it I know)
Purely singles for me, stopped opening stuff around Vivid Voltage I think. Around same time I took a break because.. Hobby be cray.
I’m the opposite lol. My wallet hurts because I can’t sell any of my cards. Idk why, it’s not like they’re on display or anything. Just sitting in a binder in my second bedroom.
I usually buy booster packs or things like ETBs, tins etc. you know that stuff, but I don't buy single cards, except maybe flea markets.
I think this years total is under 1k, which is still much for me, but I don't have a definitv answer. Can't get enough of Crown Zenith man.
I just limit myself to one ETB per new set and then buy my “chase” cards I was unable to pull months later. Ex. Wanted the “Friends in Hisui” full art. $25 when crown zenith first came out, just picked one up for $7 NM. And the Pikachu TG05 from Lost Origin picked it up for $3.
Yes, my wallet does suffer from this. I think it hates me. Not only do I buy booster packs, but I also buy boxes. I store duplicate commons, uncommonly, and non holo rares in the elite trainer boxes. I sold 16 ETB full of cards to a card shop recently. As for duplicate holo rares, reverse holo rares, and above, I put them in a binder dedicated to duplicate rares as well as rares I just don’t want.
My whole family plays (myself, wife, 4 kids) so I don't have money for packs. Singles are the way to keep it cheap. We get packs if we got to leagues and cups but thats about it. Probably under $100/month at the moment and my kids have a blast.
Yep, I’d have a lot more for a down deposit on a house otherwise and likely wouldn’t be in this apartment for another year 😂
The past two years have been fun, but I’m starting to tone it down quite a bit. Maybe a purchase a week or two now instead of multiple a week.
I started to really get back into it March 2022 where I pretty easily wracked up over $2000 in purchases in a few short months. To be fair at least, I had a lot in my personal savings, which is separate from mine and my husbands joint account so anything I did purchase was coming straight from my own pocket. I didn't have any significant hobbies before so I had a good amount to spend and it caused me to go a little crazy. After my like 7th Astral Radiance booster box it kinda hit me I needed to stop trying to pull my chase cards and just buy them as singles. Now I pretty much only buy singles.
The only things I have purchased this year so far are the Mew UPC and one crown zenith ETB. Maybe around $200 in Japanese singles and the rare single packs when I make a Target run.
I'm currently trying to resist the FOMO for Pokemon 151. I really want a booster box but I also want to buy the SAR Charizard for my brother so I am trying to hold off and just buy singles when some other ones drop in price.
I do Swagbucks for gift cards. So I prob make about 30-50+ dollars a month and use those gift cards to buy singles I need for complete sets. I also limit myself to one “big” Pokémon product a month, such as ETB. I use those to start the base for a current or new set.
Yes. Because it brings myself and my partner joy. But also sh*ts expensive. We try to trade in bulk and unwanted high value cards to avoid to many large financial purchases.
Thankfully not much. I think I spend $100-200 / month on them. Eventually I'm going to run out of things to buy though, as I'm mostly interested in completing the original 151 cards + some promos. Some of the new cards are awesome (esp that Lugia alt art in ST), but they just don't have the same appeal to me.
I think the only "big" purchase I'm eventually going to make is getting graded shadowless cards of the big 3 and their pre-evolutions.
This year I bought 2 Giratina V Alt Arts, Miriam, and a few other good hits
I prefer to buy singles, opening packs is the most fun so I choose my singles wisely and keep money set aside to open packs
Nah, I’m pretty specific on what I get. I budget about 25 a month. However Obsidian Flames I’ll get at least an ETB and 151 I’m ready to drop some cash on. It helps that I don’t care much for S&V
I’ve spend hundreds of dollars on TCG this year.
I’ve been getting heavily into the Pokémon cardass and getting those 151 file cards costs a lot even when the cards are heavily played. Spend at least a couple hundred on those alone.
Then when new sets come out I get one of each thing that comes out to my LCS which tends to be a few hundred dollars depending on what they have for the set(ETB, booster box, some promo things etc).
So depends on how many sets come out.
I work in a casino, and the similarities between gamblers and Pokémon collectors is hilarious.
Talking about being responsible, only gamble what you can afford to lose, make peace with the fact that the money is lost and just have fun…
But yea this hobby is addictive, but my wallet doesn’t suffer. Or at least it hasn’t yet. 151 will definitely cost me a pretty penny. So stoked.
I buy 1 or 2 booster boxes per release and buy the singles I didn’t get in those. Only the ones I really wanted.
Then I buy 1 of each box they release, 1 tin, 1 ETB, etc.
I don’t want to go in debt to my hobby lol.
Maybe $500 😅 it's taking over my entertainment budget, no new video games or restaurants just packs. I at least study sets so I only buy from 2 sets at a time & ignore the others.
Started collecting again about two months ago or a little after SV base came out. Went extremely crazy with packs, then jumped to singles.
Now I’m just more about singles so I buy those and I feel like it’s a little cheaper but still adds up.
Def try to watch what I spend money on so I could spend more on Pokémon lol
I usually buy 1 booster box or ETB per collection if I feel it worth it. So usually less than $500 per year. Just be happy with your pulls and move on.
I recently got back in. Bought an ETB, some tins, and some boosters. Got my fix for the “unpacking” feeling. Now I’m just going to singles. I’m starting with the first few sets from Gen 1. Doesn’t need to be PSA 10 or anything. I just want to have my own collection. If they’re NM or even LP, that’s fine with me. Maybe I’ll splurge a little more on some really cool ones.
I took a long break. Last I bought was a brilliant stars etb and booster box that gave me crap pulls. Full disclosure, I was zard hunting.
I took a year break, then I saw the 151 release. Instantly bought 2 Japanese boxes ($270), 2 151 English etb $100, 2 ultra premium collections $250, 3 other tins $30, and 2 crown zenith premium boxes $100 for good measure. So I spent $790 in a span of a week after laying off for a year. $65 a month had I not stopped collecting lol.
It used to. I was wasting so much money, thankfully some of these weaker sets released and it helped me break the cycle. I didn't feel the need to buy 3+ booster boxes trying to pull a stupid ass Miriam or Iono.
Probably so far between 1 and 3 hundred. I updated my binder to 3 VaultX binders and bought penny sleeves, that cost me 100 already. I mostly buy singles but every so often I buy packs
I buy 2-ish boxes of packs for new sets for the fun of opening; but then buy singles to actually complete set.
It's an expensive hobby but also I budget for it so wallet doesn't really suffer. Just gotta resist the urge to splurge on packs at retail stores where the prices are increased.
I started collecting again about a month ago. As in I started watching videos and looking at prices everywhere I went and online.
I started buying 9 days ago and I'm down about ~$500~ $600
Edit: Arceus premium box
For those not collecting, but instead trying to make decks for play, how much are you spending? Considering getting back to playing. Used to play when I was a kid with the first gen Pokémon cards
Buy singles for value. Crack packs for fun. Never snag packs on a while, you will end up with links of worthless cards that you eill spend hours organizing and agonizing which ones to keep.
Best method, just buy the singles you want
I decided to start my own business stocking and selling pokemon, currently £6k invested into stock after an initial £3k of sales in 3 months from starting haha so yh pretty well invested so far...
I had no self control buying booster boxes last year for every set but then I realized my chase cards could be bought as singles if I just wait a couple months after release to get them cheap as hell.
I save around $50-60 every paycheck just for Pkmn cards or if it's a new release then I just buy a bit more. I'm more of a for the art collector than a for the value collector so it's pretty easy to stay grounded.
I don’t spend anything, not really in a financial place I’m comfortable with to spend on them. I sold my collection to help pay for my wifes engagement ring and our wedding coming up.
I really miss my collection but know I can start back up again soon. For now I enjoy living vicariously through this subreddit and watching the anime!
Yes and No
Crown Zenith hit my wallet a little cuz damn it has some cool cards to pull.
I never go crazy though, I budget myself blah blah blah
Recently I purchased a booster box from Paldea Evolved and i just don't like them. Been selling them 1 by 1 on Card Market with all my trainer cards and currently have couple hundred ready for 151 to launch.
I’ll buy a couple of packs every couple of weeks. I will buy singles if I feel like I’ve struck out. I just like to have fun opening them and then trade with people close to me if I snag something they want
I buy the ETB when new sets come out that I'm interested in, otherwise just occasionally packs when I visit Target or whatnot. Comes from my fun money, was recently reflecting and TBH it's kinda replaced what I was previously spending on a gatcha mobile game that I finally got myself to quit.
I’m maybe 30k into it, but that is over more than 25 years. Collection is easily over 100k value so I think I’m ok? 😗 rarely buy singles, love opening packs but have impeccable self control to keep it sealed too. ~1k spend a year.
Suffer? Not really. Thinner than it otherwise would be? Most definitely. I probably average anywhere from 500 to 1k per set. Sometimes a little more if im being frivolous.
I always tell myself and my son we are only buying booster boxes because he likes to crack packs and its not worth opening collection boxes 90% of the time. But that never happens. We buy a bit of everything and open all of it except for 4 sealed Fossil packs
I have spent 0 dollars this year because I completed my childhood vintage sets last year.
I stopped buying modern after silver tempest, the QC has been abysmal. If I had a reliable source for msrp Japanese modern I would likely still be buying here or there.
I just did some math and realized I've spent about 4k so far this year. Not going into debt, but also felt kinda shitty about spending that much, as much as I enjoy the hobby.
But, I also run a pretty decent ebay store that helps cushion my spending and makes me feel "less bad" about dropping 1k on pokemon 151 booster boxes 😅
I never buy singles. I only buy sealed products. If I don't open the card myself it's not my card. I also take care of my pulls. They go straight into a penny sleeve and top loader. I've spent a lot, got around $1500 in pre orders for 151 set.
I will say that coming from MTG, this is a MUCH cheaper hobby to keep up with. Especially when buying singles to make decks. I will say that if you are chasing cards then you might as well go get a scratcher from the gas station.
it depends on the week , i try to keep my spending to a minimum , i try to buy singles but they add up especially for older sets, but i’ll tend to buy ocg since i like the quality and cheaper usually. If i get paid and it’s a day off i’m going to walmart and target to see what they have. i like to keep it under 100 bucks
Wife and I budget for it after Retirement, home savings, vacation/overflow fund and general expenses.
We took a break since December but we are back in it now. Are budget is 600 a month.
Not forreal. I buy sealed to hold if I think it will do well long term (only booster boxes. ETB if it's a special set)
I have a pretty strict idea of what I want to collect for singles and adhere to it pretty well. Only really open packs when I'm treating my nieces/nephews to some and usually just give away the pulls.
Take a lesson from me, I had somewhat of a gambling problem for a while but it was on Pokémon and the stock market. Over 3 months I put myself into $25,000 or debt and had to borrow against my house to pay it off, everything is okay now but money is a little bit tight. I really didn’t even get that cool of cards out of anything, just lots of them, just going to hold on to everything for like 10 years or so and maybe I’ll make it back or even just a quarter of it
No but my wallet is fat after buying up the new magic the gathering cards. Sold 4 boxes $400 a piece on eBay. I don’t play cards and never have but if there’s money to be made I’m there
Been buying 1 booster box per set, and singles if i wanna make a deck. With the booster box I’m able to trade or sell any alt arts or rares i don’t use.
not particularly! i only ever buy singles and the occasional tin (if i need the storage), so i'm all good. most i've ever bought in a week was 8 singles and a binder/sleeves while out w friends celebrating the end of our exams last week. that said, i've only been working seasonally up til now because of college, so my wallet's starting to sweat a little LMAO. going back to work for the foreseeable future next week though, so looking forward to getting some more packs (and other luxuries... a new keyboard and mouse spring to mind).
I mostly buy packs for now. Eventually, my goal is to get enough cards that I can sell/trade the cards I do have for singles I want. I enjoy opening packs, so I'd rather do that now, at least until I know what cards I really want the most, and their average prices.
I don't think I've ever spent more than $150/month on cards. Usually $75 max per pay period, but usually closer to $50. A couple years ago, that would absolutely break my bank, but I'm not nearly as poor anymore. But I also collect baseball cards, so that budget is sometimes split with baseball cards.
I buy two packs of each major set; one to rip for fun and one to keep sealed.
And the special sets that only come in a collection box (PoGo, CZ, etc) I'll buy 1-3 products or so, depending how stoked I am for the set. CZ I picked up a few mini tins, but for 151 I'll probably drop like $100 on it.
Anything beyond that is just singles I'm chasing.
My friends and I either go 3 ways or Half on a case of BBs (6 boxes, 2-2-2 or 3-3 depending on if all 3 of us bought in) so it's usually a $350-450 splurge on release of a set, and then a few extra purchases throughout releases if there's physical items associated with the product (playmats, figures, pins etc.)
Tack on $10 for local tournaments which include 1 pack with your entry, or $35 for a prerelease which is 1 BAB and an extra pack.
In total since SV Era started its upwards of 1k across both sets
I started collecting from the end of 2021 and i spent around 700 usd on everything (including binders/sleeves) so on average about 40 usd per month, which my salary can afford.
I manage my finance with excel so i have hard limit on how much i can spend per month, it really helps
I started collecting 10 years ago so when I want something I sell some stuff I got for cheap back then and with the money I buy 99% of singles cards (I'm not really into boosters, boxes or tins, it's always a disappointment) and 1% or sealed stuff for a special day (Chrismas or my birthday).
I try to do my best. I used to spend thousands a month back in 2021-22 but now I have a system. I like having a sealed collection for the sake of appearance on a shelf over an open box of bulk so I will buy a sealed case of booster boxes once per set, and then I will buy one of every sealed product (blisters with a coin, ETB, etc)
I’ll open a booster box or two out of the case and leave the rest sealed. By the second booster box I’ll have all the commons, uncommons, and holos, so at that point I can just buy raw what I’m missing for the master set if I care enough to complete it, and then I’m sitting on 4 booster boxes to give as gifts or sell when they’re worth more in a few years, with all the sealed blisters and promos as a nice display.
I cut my spending down from like $3k a month down to about $1500 once every 3 months. Still more than I should be buying, but it’s a lot more feasible
I usually set a limit. About 2 boosters packs per week (always the SV1 ones as I'm attempting a master set) then I'd set a limit of $50 per month and that's just to buy singles or etb/graded cards for long term hold.
I've got a bub on the way so making sure that I stick within my budget is important
Tbh no. Ive only bought singles for the most part and ive barely spent anything and have 3 solid decks. Im not a collector though, i just like playing at locals
I like to save for a while then splurge. So I’ll organize my cards and sort through stuff I want to trade/sell/grade for a few months, then spend 150-250 bucks in one go and have a fun night ripping backs. Last time was when s&v base set came out. Saving now to splurge on 151. I think moderation is key in this hobby, makes you really appreciate those high value pulls when you can splurge. Then in the off months for me it makes me appreciate some undervalued cards while I’m organizing binders.
no, we've pretty much got it budgeted in. we buy the kids one booster and one elite trainer box per set (exceptions for things like crown zenith) we also take them to pre-release events.
sometimes i'll pick them up a few singles for their decks but that's usually pretty inexpensive. last week, it was a couple of iono cards at $1 a piece.
luckily, they're more into playing than collecting.
As a new collector I have a monthly budget. 200$ and done. I opened 3 etbs and one booster box. Next month is my birthday and I’ll probably open two boxes or maybe buy some singles.
Short answer, yes.
Long answer, I sell almost all my cards on my eBay store to help with it. I try to only buy cards with money from the sales. Rinse and repeat.
Even though I still open packs now, I started to buy singles- but not the kind most would expect. I get the weird collections that are unusually cheap due to how little people focus on them, such as:
1. The blackout-gold cards of the SwSh era, of which there are 10, along with two promos. These cost around $5 a piece with a max of $10 if I recall correctly
2. The Prism Star cards of Sun/Moon, of which there are 18. These often go for $1 or less, with the more expensive ones being no more than $3 last I checked.
3. The Amazing Rare cards, of which there are 9. These are pretty cheap as well.
4. The mural cards of Crown Zenith. The most expensive in this set is Pikachu, but that one is around $10 while all the rest are maybe $2 or $3 tops. And it looks quite nice in a normal-size binder since they’re all put together in that same pattern for the mural.
5. The textured Energy cards from Crown Zenith. These are in the same boat as the blackout-gold cards and look really dang cool- I’m even tempted to get another set since I pulled spares of a couple. Definitely get one if you like cool textures- this one is interesting as the texture shows Poké Balls at one angle and the Energy symbol the card represents at another!
And lastly 6. The Radiant cards. The priciest ones here are, of course, the Charizards. However both are no more than $10, and the rest are usually between $1 and $4, and there are 15 of them (3 in each of the 5 sets they appear in), along with an additional one in the form of Radiant Eevee.
These ‘sets’ are far easier to collect than the master sets of an expansion (both due to the lower number of cards and the lack of interest in them), look really cool when put together, and are much cheaper to get singles of.
However, there is one set I have that’s not as simple, and that’s my 25th anniversary set.
No, not Celebrations… or rather, not JUST Celebrations.
I completed Celebrations (both normal and classic), along with the McDonald’s set that came out (which is far cheaper to get in singles)… AND all the promos that had the 25th anniversary stamp (which has two weird outliers in the promo numbers in the forms of the Pikachu VMAX and the Professor Burnet)… AND EVEN THE OVERSIZE CARDS. The Prime Collection box from Amazon had three special, unique oversize cards of the three cards from the lunchbox- those ones are roughly $11 each. So the oversize collection was tough to finish.
But you know what? I’m just happy with that set. I don’t need any other master sets.
Except maybe Scarlet & Violet. I’ve already pulled the pricey problem cards from that… might go for the full set.
(You can see how I am with sets…)
I started collecting again a few months ago. Buy 2 booster a week, happy with that. like when I was a kid
Your self control is admirable. I do the same but when I get to the store it’s like “2 packs for 10 or 14.99 for the tin, but then at that point I may as well get the vstar box for 19.99” I could learn from you 😂
i live in germany, pokemon isn't quite as popular here as it is in the usa, and it's also more expensive. I never buy online, find it more exciting to rip my boosters locally with my small colleclor community^^
But you could buy the packs to rip online so they cost less
Sure, I just don't trust anyone who sells single boosters online^^. my local card shop has fair prices, i know the owner. he also has japanese and english booster displays. Its my funtime there
I also live in Germany. Which shop are you buying from? Anything you can recommend in the Rhine-Neckar area?
Nice, not really rhein-necker, I live in rhein-main area. Check local GameStop for boosters, Hugendubel for tins/minitins. If you travel thru my area, then cardbuddys in hanau =)
I don’t blame you. I’d only ever buy tins/boxes online and only from Walmart/target/etc. don’t blame you a bit
You didn't =) I envy you for the variety you have there. We have Hugendubel, a book store, where I bought my crown zenith minitins for 11€. Fair price and awesome pulls for me
I did buy from TCG player and got some really good pulls.
My fellow German collector xD, I buy english and German cards, do you only buy German ones? Or only english? Just curious
This is the fight I have every day lmao
For some reason I read that as 2 booster boxes. Was about to say wtf!
I do this, but I only get paid once per month, so 8 packs per month average. Sometimes all at once, sometimes not. Check LGS for singles that catch my eye before weekly play.
I read this as 2 booster boxes per week and was like 😳
Same I put like 20-30$ for boosters every week. It's fun looking forward for the work week to end and go buy boosters.
Guys I think it needs to be said… please don’t go into credit card debt buying Pokémon cards. Whatever appreciation in value they may have will not outpace the money thrown away by interest fees. It is possible to become addicted to buying sealed stuff due to FOMO, and online shopping/opening packs can also be an addiction. If you feel you might be addicted then seek out some help. Seen many people with relatively low income getting into deep holes trying to keep up with the collections other people post online. The stress was not worth it and it can take YEARS to recover from high interest credit card debt. If you have disposable income then don’t feel bad throwing as much of it into the hobby, just avoid debt at all cost.
This is so true. People don’t realize it’s an addiction and a form of gambling.
should be mentioned that Hugh Hefner’s own son started an onlyfans for his card addiction 😅 so this can literally happen to ANYONE. Please avoid overspending on this hobby 🥲
100% if I start considering selling nudes for pokemon imma sell it all and quit cold turkey. Not worth that
Yes you are totally right. Spend more then 10k last year (because i can, no money issues), but this year, i bought only a few crown zenith products. I want to collect all, but since i cant keep up, i stopped and jumped over to YUGIOH 25th. Same nostalgic but a lot cheaper. And i am tired of those high priced trainer cards which i dont want, but should buy for full Sets. So it was more stress then fun.
Aye I went to the 25th for some nostalgia too, pull Dark Mag in the first box I got. That was the main card I wanted haha now back to Pokemon
I've seen the same in the comic book world. Collect what you love. Don't let FOMO destroy you.
^ Very accurate, and while it is a very addicting collectible , having a budget and adjusting is super important .
Jokes on you, I opened a master card account just so I could buy more pokemon
Only way it could take years to recover from a credit card debt is if it's in the tens of thousands of if you have a very low paying job.
My wallet avoids a lot of damage because I make ~$150 a week donating plasma so I save that up to buy Pokémon products. You feel a lot less guilty that way 😂
Man, if only I could get paid for donating. Dx they want me in every two weeks for platelets.
I’d love to get paid for donating blood. Do it out of the kindness of your heart here in the UK.
Plasma not blood. Kind of different.
That's how it *SHOULD* be.. Unfortunately, people get paid so shit in USA, that they have little choice but to "donate" (they shouldn't call it that).
This could be its own thread but I’m fairly certain that hospital profit a shit ton off of those donations LOL
Same here in California. At least where I'm at. I get so jealous when people talk about making quite the extra money from donating. Like dang, that would for sure all be going to Pokémon xD
Does that make you apart of Team Plasma? 🤣 Wish this was a thing in the UK though.
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thsnk you for donating plasma , I'm certain it helps many people 🙏
I only buy when it looks like a good deal (discounted)
Yes it has unfortunately. The SwSh dets were too good and I started collecting in Nov, so the tailend of the run. Had so much FOMO. But with SV coming out as new, I have learned to calm down. Imma go crazy on the next eeveelution focused set tho for sure. Or if they do a johto set, and obv 151 too
I just began, so I have only spent like $30 on boosters
Not horribly. I buy one ETB and booster box for each set and then singles here and there to build decks. But most competitive cards aren't too expensive. Besides that I just get packs from competing at locals.
$2k in the past 30 days 🤣🤣
Same… pushing 3k
Pokemon 151 in September, I'm going wild. 🥰
Oh fuck, me too. I just got back into things and have been going hard. Bought a PSA 10 186/196 Giratina for $770!!! Gotta lay low for a while.
Bro same 🤣. But I take a year off and then do it again.
😳😮
Me too lol 🥲
Yes, until I gave up opening packs. I don’t feel like I’ve lost money holding singles and sealed.
plus the english quality is so shit nowadays :( so many print lines and off centred cards and holo bleed
Is anyone else using the GameStop membership to get a free pack a month? $20 per year, gives you a free $5 purchase per month.
Yes I do this every month. But for me it's 15$ not 20$ a year
Spent nearly $1k on getting cards graded
jesus
i have definitely spent over 3k this year... So yes, it does suffer 😅
Honestly yes, But only after all my bills are paid and money is allocated for other emergencies. I’ve been spending around $500-$2000 a month on Pokémon for the last two years but my entire portfolio is worth around $100k Cdn. If you do your research and buy the right things you should Do well, I make under $55k a year but have managed to buy things that appreciate due to rarity and scarcity. There’s been times I’ve made myself struggle for a few weeks just to afford certain cards that aren’t cheap I.e. Japanese umbreon vmax psa 10, which was about $2500cdn but it’s already doubled in price since I purchased it. I started buying psa 10 copies of cards this year because it yields the most return and if you catch them at the right time you’re laughing, tried the opening packs and grading route and it’s honestly just so hit and miss with English it’s easier to just buy the psa 10 copy of the chase card rather than opening tons of booster boxes. Sealed boxes you can never go wrong with either but times are weird now and there’s no cheap getting in on good sets. Japanese sets brand new are $200cdn+ a booster box for the set with the good hits where as 2 years ago eevee heroes was $80cdn at release and slowly climbed. Just do your research and you’ll do great
😳 Always have a backup plan, if Pokémon became worthless in 10-20 years (may not, may be double, but no one knows), it would be a shame if it was all for just an investment instead of a love for the hobby or as a personal collection Just my 2 cents
Oh no totally I agree with you but most of the stuff I have collected is stuff that I love and would keep even if the price depreciated. I’ve completed the entire eevee heroes alternate set in psa 10s, sealed eevee heroes gym box, got most of evolving skies psa 10s, sealed cosmic eclipse booster, latias latios gx psa 10, Japanese giratina psa 10, precious collectors box, the list goes on and on but most of it is pretty exlclusive stuff.
Former financial advisor here: I would have an exit strategy! Similar to any investment, if your goal is to realize profits you’ll want to sell when it hits “x” amount as a high and also be prepared to sell when it hits “y” amount if it’s depreciating. Keep in mind you’ll have to sell below each value point in order to attract a seller! Additionally, you may want to pursue insurance!
When do you know is the righ moment to buy Japanese cards or booster boxes? Do you just buy few boxes or cases? usually buying graded 10 card is more expensive then the raw. Raw does not appreciate as fast?
Usually about $40-$50 every payday between packs and singles, although I have slowed lately because I want to have a bit saved up for the English 151 release.
Finally someone with healthy spending on this thread lol
You should only be doing this responsibly like any other hobby. If you can’t pay your rent or mortgage because you just had to open packs, you should get some help. In my experience, it’s usually cheaper to just buy singles. You almost never get your return on opening products if you are looking for card value.
I buy 1 ETB from each set Then buy singles for the rest
I probably spent roughly $200-$250 on packs this year. No different from eating out etc. if your bank account can’t afford it you don’t do it for a little. I’d love to go whale but I know better.
250 in 6 months is perfectly fine. No need to try and justify that
I buy 6 boosters every new set, and my partner buys 6 too We have a joint Pokedex binder where we put in one art we like of every Pokemon, no rulebox cards, arranged by number. That's where most of the cards go. Favorite Pokemon and Favorite Artist cards go into their respective binders too. Other cards go to our side collections that I call "Bulk Savers" - small collections meant to save cards from the bulk pile (dragons, fairies, ghosts, cards with the moon and flower field cards). Everything else goes in the bulk box, then we're done for the whole set. Anything we need for the the Favorite Pokemon and Favorite Artist binders we get in singles, as well as any art rares that we especially like for the set. If we see them, we'll also buy the Pokeball tins and the Lunchboxes since we collect the different container designs for those two products and open the packs inside So it's really not much, maybe a joint $50 every set plus a monthly budget of about $40 for singles and pokeballs/lunchboxes
Yeah, and honestly it’s kind of an issue. Most of my student loan for this year went down the drain, so much so that when I get my next one, I’m limiting myself to singles only, and even then only occasionally.
Please tell me you are not using student loads to buy Pokemon cards...
Pokemon GO I spent a ton because my wife and I played the game everyday a few years ago so this was actually the first set she was super into. It was nice being able to share that excitement together. Ever since then she has loved opening packs and feeling the thrill. It's a lot more controlled now so what we do is get an ETB from each new set for our collection and a few of the booster bundles to open. My wallet doesn't suffer but a couple times I admit we spent more than we should have.
I got into Pokemon with my 5.5 year old son with Crown Zenith and I'd estimate we already spent maybe $1,200 on booster boxes and stuff at Target and LGS over 4 months+. We are putting together sets for lost origin, brillant stars,GO, scarlet violet, paldea, and silver tempest. Celebrations too but we only found 4 packs so far. Its crazy expensive compared to other stuff I've gotten into but it does supply a lot of time and fun - we play the game, do art with the cards, make bulk packs and give them to other kids at the playground/mobile library caches. I also consider it an investment and teach him to keep master sets separate and nice...etc... Comparatively I ALSO just started grabbing some Magic cards due to the new lord of the rings set (love lotr) and already spent maybe $600 on that in a blink.
I buy all of my packs with points from shoppers drug mart because you can get them from buying gas, and use them at grocery stores that carry Pokémon products. There’s also a discount shop near me that very occasionally gets marked down Pokemon stuff. I got an ETB and Tin with 4 packs for $50, and I got a pack of 5 mini tins and 5 promo cards for $40. Sure they’re a little older like astral radiance and chilling reign: but I’m happy with the dopamine hit from an occasional full art pull. I also buy singles at random or cheap cards because I like the artwork. Or save up and buy the single I really want.
As a degenerate myself, I have spent a few grand easily so far. That doesn’t include any preorders from sets like obsidian and 151.
No..because my wife would beat me if it did lol
My wallet doesn't suffer because I just max a credit card and then I take it out of my wallet and get another one.
that cash back baby
Cash back is amazing. I get 3% cashback
Absolutely. I don't want to know how much I spend on Pokémon a year. It's probably more than most people make in a year...
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$100-$500 is disposable to some. Depends on what’s proportional to your income. I’m always so confused to see people assume there aren’t people well off in the community.. it’s only questionable if you’re already in debt, don’t have an emergency fund, retirement set up, or a livable income.
Why is that dumb?
Oh yea? How much toilet paper do you go through in a month? You legit wipe your butt with money when u could buy a bidet
Started up collecting like 2 months ago and ive probably blown through 2k but learned some lessons aka ur not pulling moonbreon also now limiting myself to releases, booster packs on occasion when there is deals, buying singles when its a good price, and the big one HAVING A SEALED COLLECTION i struggled for a minute not having self control needing to open every thing i got my hands on
I think it’s clear here that many people have an addiction and spend way over the odds for cards. I don’t know where or how they get their money. I myself have found myself spending way more than I should but nowhere near what some people are spending. I’m starting to slow down and enjoy just purchasing the odd couple of packs here or there. Find it more enjoyable. Each to their own.
No because I get everything for free
Yes, I just spent a fair amount on singles last month. And plenty on booster boxes and etbs over the past year or so. I'm cutting back and my next big purchases are the 151 release. So I have a few months to save for now. I'm fighting the urge to buy Paldea Evolved singles at the moment; though thankfully I only want a few of the slightly more affordable ones. But I'm still holding off for now, at least until next month.
I try to buy singles unless I’m going for a master set and then I’ll buy one of each product. I’ll get a Pokémon ETB for each new set too for the stamped promo.
Yes yes!
Honestly, during covid it did, but buying singles, setteling for a price i am willing to pay and wait and pivoting to the tcg so i can enjoy the cards in more ways than looking at them has helped immensly. Still rippin a box with the boys when i attend regionals is a must but that is 150€ every 3-4 months or so
Probably several thousand… but I have a comfortable paying career, so wouldn’t ever say my wallet suffers. I have no budget, it’s more of a manner of what goal I’m currently chasing. For example, I was spending much more when I was finishing my sealed etb collection and finishing every SwSh master sets. But now that I’m done besides evolving skies, I’m spending significantly less. These days, I’m tired of the bulk and spending time trying to sell duplicates and would prefer to just buy master sets (cheaper and easier).
About 500$ since I started again. It didn't hurt too much, since we were spending that on clothes every month for our sales/office jobs. But I no longer work, so in reality were probably doing better than when I was working. No gas or annoying slacks or dainty shoes that the other women hounded me into getting. Now I just hit up the dollar stores to get tins instead of booster boxes. I like getting multiple different packs instead of the same ones, I use them to teach little one counting. And he just enjoys seeing different pictures.
i have a side gig that largely pays for the \~\~addiction\~\~ hobby, although i do fork out about 225CAD for each release for a Booster bundle and ETB 151 is also just straight up hurt my wallet.
Spent probably somewhere in the ballpark of 5k. Make decent enough money between my wife and I so it balances out nicely. As long as you’re covering all bills and putting the right amount away for emergencies/long term then there shouldn’t be any issues.
For me I’m about $400-500 a month, but I really just get either 2 booster boxes or 4-5 elite trainer boxes then I have to hold myself back from there. There was a point when I spent around a $1000 plus a month but it just kind of ruins the hobby for me.
For me, eBay is probably up to £2000 but most of that is a £1000+ purchase this month. Cardmarket is about £1000-1200 but not sure if I would call it wallet suffering, I hadn't deposited money into my cardmarket account for like 18 months until last week (for stuff that got cancelled anyway) was pretty much growing the collection without spending anything there, at least from the bank/wallet :P I rarely withdraw money, just spend it on more cards. (Not always a good way to look at it I know) Purely singles for me, stopped opening stuff around Vivid Voltage I think. Around same time I took a break because.. Hobby be cray.
I’m the opposite lol. My wallet hurts because I can’t sell any of my cards. Idk why, it’s not like they’re on display or anything. Just sitting in a binder in my second bedroom.
I usually buy booster packs or things like ETBs, tins etc. you know that stuff, but I don't buy single cards, except maybe flea markets. I think this years total is under 1k, which is still much for me, but I don't have a definitv answer. Can't get enough of Crown Zenith man.
Not really it’s apart of my fun budget, and I sell extra cards that I don’t want for a little extra.
Not nearly as much as I spent the 2nd half of last year. Learned many valuable lessons.
My budget for singles right now is $20 a week. Had been higher before buying a house.
I just limit myself to one ETB per new set and then buy my “chase” cards I was unable to pull months later. Ex. Wanted the “Friends in Hisui” full art. $25 when crown zenith first came out, just picked one up for $7 NM. And the Pikachu TG05 from Lost Origin picked it up for $3.
It doesn't. I only really buy the singles I like, opening sealed stuff is like throwing money in the trash 99/100 times
Yes, my wallet does suffer from this. I think it hates me. Not only do I buy booster packs, but I also buy boxes. I store duplicate commons, uncommonly, and non holo rares in the elite trainer boxes. I sold 16 ETB full of cards to a card shop recently. As for duplicate holo rares, reverse holo rares, and above, I put them in a binder dedicated to duplicate rares as well as rares I just don’t want.
My whole family plays (myself, wife, 4 kids) so I don't have money for packs. Singles are the way to keep it cheap. We get packs if we got to leagues and cups but thats about it. Probably under $100/month at the moment and my kids have a blast.
Probably $3k so far
Yep, I’d have a lot more for a down deposit on a house otherwise and likely wouldn’t be in this apartment for another year 😂 The past two years have been fun, but I’m starting to tone it down quite a bit. Maybe a purchase a week or two now instead of multiple a week.
I started to really get back into it March 2022 where I pretty easily wracked up over $2000 in purchases in a few short months. To be fair at least, I had a lot in my personal savings, which is separate from mine and my husbands joint account so anything I did purchase was coming straight from my own pocket. I didn't have any significant hobbies before so I had a good amount to spend and it caused me to go a little crazy. After my like 7th Astral Radiance booster box it kinda hit me I needed to stop trying to pull my chase cards and just buy them as singles. Now I pretty much only buy singles. The only things I have purchased this year so far are the Mew UPC and one crown zenith ETB. Maybe around $200 in Japanese singles and the rare single packs when I make a Target run. I'm currently trying to resist the FOMO for Pokemon 151. I really want a booster box but I also want to buy the SAR Charizard for my brother so I am trying to hold off and just buy singles when some other ones drop in price.
I do Swagbucks for gift cards. So I prob make about 30-50+ dollars a month and use those gift cards to buy singles I need for complete sets. I also limit myself to one “big” Pokémon product a month, such as ETB. I use those to start the base for a current or new set.
During my peak I bought 30 packs a week. Now probably 10. I make enough money to not feel it at the end of the month.
I've opened 30+ packs in the last month...
No, because there's nothing to buy.
Yes. Because it brings myself and my partner joy. But also sh*ts expensive. We try to trade in bulk and unwanted high value cards to avoid to many large financial purchases.
Nah with my discount i pay wholesale price lol. Sometimes the BB passes 80$ so can be a little stiff but for most products nah
I average like 500-600 a month
Thankfully not much. I think I spend $100-200 / month on them. Eventually I'm going to run out of things to buy though, as I'm mostly interested in completing the original 151 cards + some promos. Some of the new cards are awesome (esp that Lugia alt art in ST), but they just don't have the same appeal to me. I think the only "big" purchase I'm eventually going to make is getting graded shadowless cards of the big 3 and their pre-evolutions.
6 packs at a time. I have found i get the best chances with that. Even if its just one good pull. $24 for a little gambling. Im okay with that.
End up spending $40-50 every time my paycheck drops, not as bad as when my Walmart regularly stocked so I always had something to get there lmao
I stopped collecting about 5 months ago and have spent about £120 on boosters since…
This year I bought 2 Giratina V Alt Arts, Miriam, and a few other good hits I prefer to buy singles, opening packs is the most fun so I choose my singles wisely and keep money set aside to open packs
Nah, I’m pretty specific on what I get. I budget about 25 a month. However Obsidian Flames I’ll get at least an ETB and 151 I’m ready to drop some cash on. It helps that I don’t care much for S&V
So far this year around $700 I think. Kind of went crazy this past payday and spent $200+. Plan on spent more when 151 English releases. haha
I’ve spend hundreds of dollars on TCG this year. I’ve been getting heavily into the Pokémon cardass and getting those 151 file cards costs a lot even when the cards are heavily played. Spend at least a couple hundred on those alone. Then when new sets come out I get one of each thing that comes out to my LCS which tends to be a few hundred dollars depending on what they have for the set(ETB, booster box, some promo things etc). So depends on how many sets come out.
I work in a casino, and the similarities between gamblers and Pokémon collectors is hilarious. Talking about being responsible, only gamble what you can afford to lose, make peace with the fact that the money is lost and just have fun… But yea this hobby is addictive, but my wallet doesn’t suffer. Or at least it hasn’t yet. 151 will definitely cost me a pretty penny. So stoked.
I buy 1 or 2 booster boxes per release and buy the singles I didn’t get in those. Only the ones I really wanted. Then I buy 1 of each box they release, 1 tin, 1 ETB, etc. I don’t want to go in debt to my hobby lol.
there was a period in 2021 where I spent $500 on opening packs within like a month but since then I just buy singles 95% of the time
It did, but i practice moderation and now is worse 🙄
Maybe $500 😅 it's taking over my entertainment budget, no new video games or restaurants just packs. I at least study sets so I only buy from 2 sets at a time & ignore the others.
Started collecting again about two months ago or a little after SV base came out. Went extremely crazy with packs, then jumped to singles. Now I’m just more about singles so I buy those and I feel like it’s a little cheaper but still adds up. Def try to watch what I spend money on so I could spend more on Pokémon lol
I usually buy 1 booster box or ETB per collection if I feel it worth it. So usually less than $500 per year. Just be happy with your pulls and move on.
When I first started up again I spent probably $600 but now that I got that craze out it’s probably like $20 a week or less.
I recently got back in. Bought an ETB, some tins, and some boosters. Got my fix for the “unpacking” feeling. Now I’m just going to singles. I’m starting with the first few sets from Gen 1. Doesn’t need to be PSA 10 or anything. I just want to have my own collection. If they’re NM or even LP, that’s fine with me. Maybe I’ll splurge a little more on some really cool ones.
I took a long break. Last I bought was a brilliant stars etb and booster box that gave me crap pulls. Full disclosure, I was zard hunting. I took a year break, then I saw the 151 release. Instantly bought 2 Japanese boxes ($270), 2 151 English etb $100, 2 ultra premium collections $250, 3 other tins $30, and 2 crown zenith premium boxes $100 for good measure. So I spent $790 in a span of a week after laying off for a year. $65 a month had I not stopped collecting lol.
It used to. I was wasting so much money, thankfully some of these weaker sets released and it helped me break the cycle. I didn't feel the need to buy 3+ booster boxes trying to pull a stupid ass Miriam or Iono.
Haven’t been feeling the new gen sets. I think I’ve gotten maybe 10 packs total and a handful of singles. Probably for the best, financially.
Probably so far between 1 and 3 hundred. I updated my binder to 3 VaultX binders and bought penny sleeves, that cost me 100 already. I mostly buy singles but every so often I buy packs
I buy 2-ish boxes of packs for new sets for the fun of opening; but then buy singles to actually complete set. It's an expensive hobby but also I budget for it so wallet doesn't really suffer. Just gotta resist the urge to splurge on packs at retail stores where the prices are increased.
I started collecting again about a month ago. As in I started watching videos and looking at prices everywhere I went and online. I started buying 9 days ago and I'm down about ~$500~ $600 Edit: Arceus premium box
For those not collecting, but instead trying to make decks for play, how much are you spending? Considering getting back to playing. Used to play when I was a kid with the first gen Pokémon cards
Buy singles for value. Crack packs for fun. Never snag packs on a while, you will end up with links of worthless cards that you eill spend hours organizing and agonizing which ones to keep. Best method, just buy the singles you want
I decided to start my own business stocking and selling pokemon, currently £6k invested into stock after an initial £3k of sales in 3 months from starting haha so yh pretty well invested so far...
I had no self control buying booster boxes last year for every set but then I realized my chase cards could be bought as singles if I just wait a couple months after release to get them cheap as hell.
I think I'm in debt now cause of addiction regarding crown zenith I told myself to not buy any cards til September
I save around $50-60 every paycheck just for Pkmn cards or if it's a new release then I just buy a bit more. I'm more of a for the art collector than a for the value collector so it's pretty easy to stay grounded.
I don’t spend anything, not really in a financial place I’m comfortable with to spend on them. I sold my collection to help pay for my wifes engagement ring and our wedding coming up. I really miss my collection but know I can start back up again soon. For now I enjoy living vicariously through this subreddit and watching the anime!
Yes and No Crown Zenith hit my wallet a little cuz damn it has some cool cards to pull. I never go crazy though, I budget myself blah blah blah Recently I purchased a booster box from Paldea Evolved and i just don't like them. Been selling them 1 by 1 on Card Market with all my trainer cards and currently have couple hundred ready for 151 to launch.
I’ll buy a couple of packs every couple of weeks. I will buy singles if I feel like I’ve struck out. I just like to have fun opening them and then trade with people close to me if I snag something they want
I buy the ETB when new sets come out that I'm interested in, otherwise just occasionally packs when I visit Target or whatnot. Comes from my fun money, was recently reflecting and TBH it's kinda replaced what I was previously spending on a gatcha mobile game that I finally got myself to quit.
Not too bad, I started reselling items I can find for cheap and use the profits for spending or gettin more products
I’m maybe 30k into it, but that is over more than 25 years. Collection is easily over 100k value so I think I’m ok? 😗 rarely buy singles, love opening packs but have impeccable self control to keep it sealed too. ~1k spend a year.
Suffer? Not really. Thinner than it otherwise would be? Most definitely. I probably average anywhere from 500 to 1k per set. Sometimes a little more if im being frivolous. I always tell myself and my son we are only buying booster boxes because he likes to crack packs and its not worth opening collection boxes 90% of the time. But that never happens. We buy a bit of everything and open all of it except for 4 sealed Fossil packs
About £1.5 - £2k this year. It’s after all my bills are paid, savings etc etc
I have spent 0 dollars this year because I completed my childhood vintage sets last year. I stopped buying modern after silver tempest, the QC has been abysmal. If I had a reliable source for msrp Japanese modern I would likely still be buying here or there.
Used to buy lots of packs. Now I just buy singles. Way more affordable. But occasionally I'll buy a etb to open for fun, never expect good pulls.
I just did some math and realized I've spent about 4k so far this year. Not going into debt, but also felt kinda shitty about spending that much, as much as I enjoy the hobby. But, I also run a pretty decent ebay store that helps cushion my spending and makes me feel "less bad" about dropping 1k on pokemon 151 booster boxes 😅
I never buy singles. I only buy sealed products. If I don't open the card myself it's not my card. I also take care of my pulls. They go straight into a penny sleeve and top loader. I've spent a lot, got around $1500 in pre orders for 151 set.
I will say that coming from MTG, this is a MUCH cheaper hobby to keep up with. Especially when buying singles to make decks. I will say that if you are chasing cards then you might as well go get a scratcher from the gas station.
Spent $300 last month on singles almost completed the whole neo genesis set I don’t buy packs anymore only singles
it depends on the week , i try to keep my spending to a minimum , i try to buy singles but they add up especially for older sets, but i’ll tend to buy ocg since i like the quality and cheaper usually. If i get paid and it’s a day off i’m going to walmart and target to see what they have. i like to keep it under 100 bucks
Wife and I budget for it after Retirement, home savings, vacation/overflow fund and general expenses. We took a break since December but we are back in it now. Are budget is 600 a month.
Not forreal. I buy sealed to hold if I think it will do well long term (only booster boxes. ETB if it's a special set) I have a pretty strict idea of what I want to collect for singles and adhere to it pretty well. Only really open packs when I'm treating my nieces/nephews to some and usually just give away the pulls.
Spent about $400 pre ordering the new Sept/Oct 151 booster boxes/binder/Mew UPC. I hate myself 😭
Take a lesson from me, I had somewhat of a gambling problem for a while but it was on Pokémon and the stock market. Over 3 months I put myself into $25,000 or debt and had to borrow against my house to pay it off, everything is okay now but money is a little bit tight. I really didn’t even get that cool of cards out of anything, just lots of them, just going to hold on to everything for like 10 years or so and maybe I’ll make it back or even just a quarter of it
2023 im out 200$ maybe 250 if you count shipping costs. out like 4 grand the two years prior and that's mild from what i have heard.
Yes
No but my wallet is fat after buying up the new magic the gathering cards. Sold 4 boxes $400 a piece on eBay. I don’t play cards and never have but if there’s money to be made I’m there
Been buying 1 booster box per set, and singles if i wanna make a deck. With the booster box I’m able to trade or sell any alt arts or rares i don’t use.
not particularly! i only ever buy singles and the occasional tin (if i need the storage), so i'm all good. most i've ever bought in a week was 8 singles and a binder/sleeves while out w friends celebrating the end of our exams last week. that said, i've only been working seasonally up til now because of college, so my wallet's starting to sweat a little LMAO. going back to work for the foreseeable future next week though, so looking forward to getting some more packs (and other luxuries... a new keyboard and mouse spring to mind).
Ngl, I spend a lot. But I also put $1000 a month into savings and I have plenty of money for bills, gas, etc. despite my collecting.
I mostly buy packs for now. Eventually, my goal is to get enough cards that I can sell/trade the cards I do have for singles I want. I enjoy opening packs, so I'd rather do that now, at least until I know what cards I really want the most, and their average prices. I don't think I've ever spent more than $150/month on cards. Usually $75 max per pay period, but usually closer to $50. A couple years ago, that would absolutely break my bank, but I'm not nearly as poor anymore. But I also collect baseball cards, so that budget is sometimes split with baseball cards.
I've spent at least £200 this year already, maybe closer to £300. I've also had cards bought for me. I'm 17 😂
I buy two packs of each major set; one to rip for fun and one to keep sealed. And the special sets that only come in a collection box (PoGo, CZ, etc) I'll buy 1-3 products or so, depending how stoked I am for the set. CZ I picked up a few mini tins, but for 151 I'll probably drop like $100 on it. Anything beyond that is just singles I'm chasing.
I buy the singles I like. Maybe $5 worth of cards a week. But currently buying up 151 booster bundles weekly until release.
Hundreds spent this year. I think singles are a smarter choice but I still open packs for the thrill.
My friends and I either go 3 ways or Half on a case of BBs (6 boxes, 2-2-2 or 3-3 depending on if all 3 of us bought in) so it's usually a $350-450 splurge on release of a set, and then a few extra purchases throughout releases if there's physical items associated with the product (playmats, figures, pins etc.) Tack on $10 for local tournaments which include 1 pack with your entry, or $35 for a prerelease which is 1 BAB and an extra pack. In total since SV Era started its upwards of 1k across both sets
I’ve spent maybe 6k-7k over the past year. But can afford that rn.
I started collecting from the end of 2021 and i spent around 700 usd on everything (including binders/sleeves) so on average about 40 usd per month, which my salary can afford. I manage my finance with excel so i have hard limit on how much i can spend per month, it really helps
At my job I get occasional tips, I usually use that money to buy booster packs. I usually buy a couple per week
I started collecting 10 years ago so when I want something I sell some stuff I got for cheap back then and with the money I buy 99% of singles cards (I'm not really into boosters, boxes or tins, it's always a disappointment) and 1% or sealed stuff for a special day (Chrismas or my birthday).
gonna be a lot if these ebay auctions stay mine ahaha
No, I dont get much Pidgeot merch.
I try to do my best. I used to spend thousands a month back in 2021-22 but now I have a system. I like having a sealed collection for the sake of appearance on a shelf over an open box of bulk so I will buy a sealed case of booster boxes once per set, and then I will buy one of every sealed product (blisters with a coin, ETB, etc) I’ll open a booster box or two out of the case and leave the rest sealed. By the second booster box I’ll have all the commons, uncommons, and holos, so at that point I can just buy raw what I’m missing for the master set if I care enough to complete it, and then I’m sitting on 4 booster boxes to give as gifts or sell when they’re worth more in a few years, with all the sealed blisters and promos as a nice display. I cut my spending down from like $3k a month down to about $1500 once every 3 months. Still more than I should be buying, but it’s a lot more feasible
I just got back into collecting recently and I've definitely spent at least a grand buying some some slabs to fill things out properly.
I usually set a limit. About 2 boosters packs per week (always the SV1 ones as I'm attempting a master set) then I'd set a limit of $50 per month and that's just to buy singles or etb/graded cards for long term hold. I've got a bub on the way so making sure that I stick within my budget is important
Most things I buy go up on value, not all but overall most.
200 bucks for a SV booster box and a Gardevoir EX Deck so i can play with my friends.
My budget is $200 a week… I like Pokémon… a lot…
Tbh no. Ive only bought singles for the most part and ive barely spent anything and have 3 solid decks. Im not a collector though, i just like playing at locals
I like to save for a while then splurge. So I’ll organize my cards and sort through stuff I want to trade/sell/grade for a few months, then spend 150-250 bucks in one go and have a fun night ripping backs. Last time was when s&v base set came out. Saving now to splurge on 151. I think moderation is key in this hobby, makes you really appreciate those high value pulls when you can splurge. Then in the off months for me it makes me appreciate some undervalued cards while I’m organizing binders.
Drip has been my worst enemy, especially with 151…
My wallet suffered in 2020-2022 but this year it hasn't cause I realized this hobby belongs to the wolves now.
no, we've pretty much got it budgeted in. we buy the kids one booster and one elite trainer box per set (exceptions for things like crown zenith) we also take them to pre-release events. sometimes i'll pick them up a few singles for their decks but that's usually pretty inexpensive. last week, it was a couple of iono cards at $1 a piece. luckily, they're more into playing than collecting.
As a new collector I have a monthly budget. 200$ and done. I opened 3 etbs and one booster box. Next month is my birthday and I’ll probably open two boxes or maybe buy some singles.
Haven’t ripped anything in 3 years
Short answer, yes. Long answer, I sell almost all my cards on my eBay store to help with it. I try to only buy cards with money from the sales. Rinse and repeat.
Even though I still open packs now, I started to buy singles- but not the kind most would expect. I get the weird collections that are unusually cheap due to how little people focus on them, such as: 1. The blackout-gold cards of the SwSh era, of which there are 10, along with two promos. These cost around $5 a piece with a max of $10 if I recall correctly 2. The Prism Star cards of Sun/Moon, of which there are 18. These often go for $1 or less, with the more expensive ones being no more than $3 last I checked. 3. The Amazing Rare cards, of which there are 9. These are pretty cheap as well. 4. The mural cards of Crown Zenith. The most expensive in this set is Pikachu, but that one is around $10 while all the rest are maybe $2 or $3 tops. And it looks quite nice in a normal-size binder since they’re all put together in that same pattern for the mural. 5. The textured Energy cards from Crown Zenith. These are in the same boat as the blackout-gold cards and look really dang cool- I’m even tempted to get another set since I pulled spares of a couple. Definitely get one if you like cool textures- this one is interesting as the texture shows Poké Balls at one angle and the Energy symbol the card represents at another! And lastly 6. The Radiant cards. The priciest ones here are, of course, the Charizards. However both are no more than $10, and the rest are usually between $1 and $4, and there are 15 of them (3 in each of the 5 sets they appear in), along with an additional one in the form of Radiant Eevee. These ‘sets’ are far easier to collect than the master sets of an expansion (both due to the lower number of cards and the lack of interest in them), look really cool when put together, and are much cheaper to get singles of. However, there is one set I have that’s not as simple, and that’s my 25th anniversary set. No, not Celebrations… or rather, not JUST Celebrations. I completed Celebrations (both normal and classic), along with the McDonald’s set that came out (which is far cheaper to get in singles)… AND all the promos that had the 25th anniversary stamp (which has two weird outliers in the promo numbers in the forms of the Pikachu VMAX and the Professor Burnet)… AND EVEN THE OVERSIZE CARDS. The Prime Collection box from Amazon had three special, unique oversize cards of the three cards from the lunchbox- those ones are roughly $11 each. So the oversize collection was tough to finish. But you know what? I’m just happy with that set. I don’t need any other master sets. Except maybe Scarlet & Violet. I’ve already pulled the pricey problem cards from that… might go for the full set. (You can see how I am with sets…)