Modern sealed booster boxes are the easiest investment IMO. The value is unlikely to drop below MSRP. There is a good chance that the value will increase but the they could also stagnate for 1-5 years before going up so you have to be prepared to wait it out. Also the number of people “investing” in these boxes is now higher than ever which could mean more people = more time in the market
Singles are a risky investment… I find the price of modern singles crazy and they have a lot of room to fall compared to the potential upside
The more experience and knowledge that you accumulate, the easier you will navigate ups and downs in the market. If you think you know enough, go learn something new. There is not a limit to what you can learn in the collectibles sphere.
In every part of my life, I’ve consistently learned more from when I failed than from when I succeeded. Sometimes the reasons why we fail are due to our own action or inaction, but other times it is completely out of our control. Seek out ways to navigate both instances of failure, as they will probably require different approaches.
Finally, ask yourself these five questions.
Do you have an emergency fund?
Do you have a 401(k), pension, or another retirement account that you’re actively contributing to?
Do you own property?
Are you in debt (including student loans)?
Are you taking care of your health/well-being?
These are not prerequisites to enjoy collectibles or to make money in Pokemon. However, they highlight five areas of one’s life that should be prioritized when “going all in” to the collectible market or any alternative asset (Debt, Emergency, Health, Property, Retirement).
As an aside, always ask yourself if you will make more money by going down a conventional path (e.g., getting a new job, getting a second/third/etc. job, working longer hours, seeking a pay raise or promotion, etc.). There are a lot of folks hustling in Pokemon who make less than minimum wage at the end of the day.
