Gollum impression? I was under the belief that you were consulted for the spot on @quibble impression Andy Serkis did.
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I did this in a positive way out in Vegas. I said $400 was my limit. So I sat down at some tables and played a few different games. Lost $100 day one, lost $120 day two. And decided I was never gonna gamble again cuz I could easily have dumped that into pokemon cards and turned a profit while having significantly more fun and being significantly less exhausted.
So, as a result, I don’t ever gamble 
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This is exactly why I don’t gamble lmao. When I was 18 I went with my parents to a casino, walked in with like $100, played several hours, left with like $80 I think. Which, on the one hand, $20 for a few hours of enjoyment is not a bad deal. On the other hand, I could’ve lost all of it, and I’d rather have spent that $100 on dinner or Pokémon
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I was, but Peter Jackson never got the rights to my likeness, so he had to invent Gollum and pretend the Charizard was some stupid bit of jewellery instead.
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I have to say i don’t fully understand the demonizing of things, i once had a conversation with my mother about things and she said that it has to be one damn good theatre show to beat a one thing that’s very nice. It’s usually said that you don’t take the things with you when you kick the bucket but the same goes for experiences too, i think it’s just a preference of which ones you enjoy more and therefor probably should consume more often than the other.
And about the topic, i too recognise this very clearly but it doesn’t prevent me from doing or purchasing those other things if i really want them, like others too have said it’s more that i just really evaluate my preferences about what i actually want for my finite money. Also i think it tells that i can sometimes be very impatient with my side collection goals since they usually are sub 5$ or mostly even sub 1$ cards i could buy whenever i want so it takes some self-discipline to take it slow with those cheap purchases
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I feel like this is a very common “token” mechanism that everyone may perceive differently. (Pokemon as representative of value)
I will also say this, when I was 15 yrs old to now (mid-30s) I have exclaimed to people that if something is expensive, “Do you know how many cheeseburgers you could buy with that money?”
And this has been going on like since I can remember.
I’m not obsessed with burgers or anything, but if a single double-cheeseburger at Japanese mcD’s is ~$1, and something is $20. . … . . … . . . … HOW IS THAT WORTH 20 CHEESEBURGERS WTF.
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I used to do this exact same thing 
(and still do sometimes). Except I count in McChickens. Too bad they aren’t a dollar anymore—made counting easier!
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I have to agree with several of the commenters on here. I’m not a licensed psychologist or counsellor (yet), however the behaviour you’re describing could potentially be indicative of an unhealthy obsession of addiction. I think it’s important to reflect on whether it’s causing any distress, or interfering with your daily life or financial well-being.
Here are some signs that this could be an unhealthy obsession or addiction:
Preoccupation: Constantly thinking about Pokemon cards, their potential value, and how your money could otherwise be spent towards it instead of enjoying other aspects of life.
Compulsion: Feeling compelled to spend money on Pokémon cards even when it’s not financially prudent, or when it conflicts with other priorities in your life.
Interference with Relationships: If this preoccupation is causing strain on your relationship, such as with your wife, it could be a sign of a problem.
Financial Impact: If spending money on Pokémon cards is negatively impacting your financial stability or causing you to neglect important financial responsibilities, this is a cause for concern.
Inability to Control: Feeling unable to control your spending on Pokémon cards despite recognizing its negative consequences.
It isn’t uncommon for people to have hobbies or interests that they invest time and money into, but when it starts to significantly interfere with other aspects of life, or causes distress, it may be a sign of a deeper issue.
If you’re concerned about your behavior, it might be helpful to seek support from a therapist or counselor who can help you explore your relationship with collecting Pokémon cards and develop healthier coping strategies. Even discussing your concerns here or with trusted friends or family members can provide valuable perspective and support.
You might feel like none of this relates to you, and that’s fine! I’d rather give you the information than not though.
All the best.
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