Family and Friends know, but also don’t broadcast it, no one really knows what I spend except one friend. if you come to my house and go to the basement you will know instantly though that I collect. 
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Unlike most liberal 20-something New Yorkers, I’m completely in the closet.
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Family and friends know for sure, they love seeing cards I grade and the worth behind them… and I must admit, I do love the look on a persons face when I tell them I spend X amount of money on a card and they go “You spent that on a Pokémon card?!”
I also usually bring it up on a first or second date hahahaha no joke, I have to know right away if the girl is cool with it or if it’s too much for them… so for I’m 5 for 5 with it working in my favor
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My friends and family all know as it has been one of my hobbies since I was a kid and I never left it. Most of my friends are interested in Pokemon anyways or are more or less nerdy so they know too of course. I don’t tell about my hobby to the new people I get to know, though. I haven’t told to anyone at work either. I’m younger than anyone else there anyways so they really wouldn’t understand my hobby I think.
My mom has also been blown away about the community and the trades and sales I make. She never judged what I like so I think it’s great And she knows if I receive a letter or package the chance of it being Pokemon related is about 95 % 
I’m open to my family, and closed to friends and colleagues. No one around me shares this hobby unfortunately, but my parents think it’s good that I have some hobbies and enjoy it. And since it’s my own money anyway and they think know I don’t spend too much, they’re fine with it. (To clarify, yes I spend a lot on my hobbies, but when I get my salary I always put 800 euro on my savings account, which I never touch for hobbies. Only when I need something expensive, like a new PC a few months back, I’ll take some off. But the rest of my salary goes almost entirely to my hobbies in the past few months… 
As for the rest of my family, I only recently told them. I didn’t mentioned it myself, but the conversation just went to Pokémon and then to my Pikachu collection, so I showed them my two big binders. They were really surprised by how many exists and were pretty amazed by my collection binders. They also didn’t even knew Jumbo cards existed (although I must admit that I also didn’t knew for a long time).
Greetz,
Quuador
I think the aspect that a lot of people forget is that we all spend disposable income in things that don’t make sense. I remember once a friend told me: “You spent how much?” and I replied: “How much have we spent on drinks, clubs, casinos?” When you put it in those terms, everyone does crazy spending in a way or another even if its on a ridiculous car payment when all you really needed was just a car and not a luxury car. Us here in the forum have picked a hobby and we like it which its in the end all that matters
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So deep in the closet I’m basically in Narnia…
On the other hand I work for a Marketing/PR firm and I almost lost my shit when one of our clients wanted us to do a story on “Pokemon Facts”
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I always use the same arguments. Some people spend A LOT of money on fireworks for New Year’s Eve, or booze for (Dutch) Carnival, which I would spend in 1-3 months on my collections. I personally don’t smoke, barely drink, (and I still live with my parents, so I barely spend any money). Because of that I can easily afford it and save money for the future at the same time. Even though I only graduated two years ago, I make a reasonable amount of money each month.
Also, there are a lot more expensive hobbies. Take scuba diving for example; just a starters kit already costs more than 1k, and than you haven’t even started yet, nor know if you really like it. In that regard collecting Pokémon cards and twisty puzzles is pretty cheap in comparison (to some extend 
).
And as you said, you should do what you like to do yourself. Everyone has different interests and hobbies. I’m very pleased to be part of such an amazing community who shares my love for Pokémon and collecting in general. A lot of people might think it’s childish to collect Pokémon Cards, but who cares. We love it, enjoy it, and and have fun with it. Everyone should do what they love and enjoy imo, and even though no one irl has my interest in the hobby, I’m glad all you guys/girls do! 
Greetz,
Quuador
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Girls love scars, tattoos and Pokemon.
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Hmm, I’ve never really thought of this subject in my mind. Some of my friends/relatives know what I’m doing, needless to say they were slightly sceptical first until I blew their mind by showing current/past sales prices and proved there’s huge demand especially for older items.
Generally speaking I’m not interested talking about my collecting hobby with new people unless they specifically ask or start discussion of it.