But, food for thought, if so many people would not start again or think it’s too expensive, then why do we think value of the cards will continue to go up? Who would be buying them?
Which also ties in to those who wouldn’t look at modern cards, who will even be left if there aren’t people interested in modern?
This is a tough one to answer for sure. There’s so many ways to approach collecting and we all had to start somewhere. When I first returned to TCG collecting in general (around 2014/2015 or so), I didn’t even think anyone really cared about Pokemon that much and so I mainly bought MTG cards back then that I wanted as a kid. I just really underestimated Pokemon thinking it would be around and available for years and years. At this time though I simply didn’t have the money I have now either and so my mindset/approach are totally different now. With this said, I think I would have done a few things differently starting over:
Overall though I’m happy with how I’ve built my collection so far. I’ve generally taken my time and didn’t buy into the hype and remained patient. Since late 2022 there’s been some much better deals in the market and so I think as long as you enjoy what you own, you can’t dread too much on the past or what “could have been”. Doing this can just sour your feelings or mood when collecting which should be a fun and enjoyable hobby to me, and if it’s not it may be worth taking an extended break or setting some more realistic or better collecting goals for yourself that keep you interested and enjoying the collecting process.
Are you asking as if we were noobs, with no experience, or if everything burned in a fire, and we had to start over with where we are right now (all the experience and resources intact)?
I imagine, if the former, I’d go for the hype stuff. Whatever was within my budget. Which would be the chase cards from the new sets and maybe some sealed boxes to stash.
If the latter, I would start with my current target: Prize Porygon and probly build a komiya collection. I would NOT go after Arita because It seems like too expensive of a goal at this point. I was lucky to get cards when they were much cheaper.
I would also go for my original set goal: Team Rocket 1st Ed, and probably re-complete the first 3 WotC. Outside of PkMn, I would immediately begin re-curating my MtG Lands collection. VERY affordable, and it may be my favorite thing next to Arita, because of all the heart and thought I have put into it.
Hypothetically if you had to start collecting from scratch how would you do it? What would be your first goal and long term goals?
In this scenario, you have no funds from your previous collection. Only your current knowledge of Pokémon cards and the amount of time you’ve spent on Efour
Interesting topic. I’ve thought about this for a while, and I’d say this is how I’d approach things starting over:
I could probably think of more, but these are my top ones that come to mind.
Id do the same thing I did the first time. #speciescollector
Starting completely over, I would probably just get the rookie cards of each Eeveelution in English and frame them in a 3x3 picture frame. After that only get my favorite cards.
I 100% love my collection of every variant, but it would be too expensive to replicate after building most of it pre-covid.
I think someone created a similar topic a month or two ago? @Swoobot
Interesting topic as Im getting married on July 5th & we currently have our house on the market. Ive reduced all my collections to a minimal or no-longer.
Ive parted ways with all graded cards besides (3).
As im not currently spending on any collection(s), besides the single modern pack I buy every saturday when my better half drags me to Target.
Ive been “planning” what next for my collection(s).
Ive limited myself to a singular binder, which will be my primary focus - ill be completing the evolution lines I enjoy in both no rarity & 1st ed base.
Abra Line, Squirtle Line, Nidoran Line & a Porygon (a species Ive become more fasinated with during my collecting ‘break’)
Outside of those initial compleitions which remains a no-raity Nidoking & the 1st ed.
After completing that which id say is the more expensive portion of the goal, I will speicies collect the following:
Uxie, Alakazam Line, Slowking Line, Blastoise Line, Nidoking Line & Porygon Line.
There are a few cards id like to purchase in slabs or get graded in a NM/M condition (as my binder sets will be comprised of low condition cards primarily)
Base set Blastoise (This was the first card I pulled remember being with my father at a local card shop & the owner top loading the card)
Base set 2 Charizard (I remember pulling this in Maine when going to visit my grandparents)
& My “Grail” - Kamex Mega Battle - Computer Error
@Charizard1020 is the only functional bot
If I had to start everything from 0:
Ah you’ve uncovered my ruse. I’ve been found 
If I started from scratch without my current collection with 0 attachment to nostalgia / sentimental feelings other than knowledge, these are the steps id follow:
Get 1st edition base zard (you aren’t a true collector unless you own 1, so this needs to get checked first)
Slowly save up for every 1 of every single creatures deck card
2.5) buy a gold star rayquaza (again you aren’t a true collector without one)
3.1.1) buy worlds cards
3.2.5) Buy Trophy Cards
I guess, if I’d be in a situation where I sold all of my cards for a life event, could I start again?
Definitely, I get tons of enjoyment learning about all the bits and pieces of the hobby. I also like hunting for deals, especially for niche cards.
If I lost everything in a fire maybe I would get turned off from rebuilding. But other than that, I can’t not be a collector!!!
I would most likely start an expedition binder as my first step back into collecting 
I would first find a source of income.
Once I have a good amount saved up strictly for cards, I’d buy good cards at a price that I feel is cheaper than what it usually sells for with the intention to flip a few months down the line.
Since I use a magical mental accounting trick to put these funds into the ‘Pokemon Card’ drawer, I don’t need to care if the prices go up or down as it won’t affect my ‘Real Life Living’ drawer, as long as it reaches my sell price a few months later. Rinse and repeat using that drawer of funds with the medium term goal of turning it into a second source of income.
Long term goal is to keep that going and look for third source of income.
