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I've been collecting Pokemon Cards since Dec. 2021, and am not sure how to keep going about the hobby. I was buying 2 sets of every ETB - 1 to rip, and one to save (sealed). Early on, I'd just buy the rest of the cards through trading or TCG player/discords and I'd spend ~$300 to complete each collection. I then realized I put $800 into sets in about 6 months and realized how much I spent on a collection. Obviously, this isn't sustainable for long term if I complete every set.
Essentially, how do you guys stay involved in the Pokemon Hobby without spending too much? I still want to keep buying at least 1 ETB for investing/collecting purposes, but 2 ETB's every 2-3 months is roughly $100-$115. Do I just keep buying 2 ETB's, or should I do 1 ETB and 1 booster box for a set when I really like the card art? Or do I keep doing 2 ETB's and just buy singles of the cards I like afterwards?
However, if I buy the cards afterwards - I know they have to rotate out of standard ~2 years for them to significantly decrease in price. At that point, I know I'd still want them, but the appeal of the card seems to be lost as I wish I had it earlier, and now I just have to wait for it to drop in price.
How do you guys economically buy Pokemon Cards / sustain your hobby? Obviously, if money was no issue I'd just buy the cards whenever, but I'm trying to be savvy.
