A very small % of people become millionaires in their 30s-50s.
Correct.
Most “normy millinaires” become so via the simple fact that they have existed and worked their whole lives - maybe they got some inheritance, or their homes have appreciated and are paid off, or their pensions have matured.
The concept of being a “millionaire” is so distorted by social media - apparrently if you arent flexing a lambo or a rolex on a bed of money, you havent “made it”.
Money talks, wealth whispers.
Nothing triggers me more than the pokemon flip-floppers posting their pokemon trades on a table of money, but who live at their moms house.
On another note, pokemon is an objectively bad investment. Yes it appreciates, but so do other assets.
I recently had a conversation with someone who said their “net worth was 150k” and are almost entirely in Pokemon - and that it outperformed most other assets.
A simple look on a chart proves that pokemon doesn’t rise (on the whole) that much higher than traditional assets (it can yes in some cases, but there are trade offs).
If you bought most decent stocks in the bear market lows, they will have more or less the same level of appreciation as most TCG items that people are after.
Pokemon usually stays stagnant or declining then will see a sharp rise, similar to crypto actually. It feels good and gives an adrenaline rush in the moment.
But the key difference is that I can liquidate a stock position at market price and have the money in my pocket within 48hours.
This is not the case with collectibles.
You need to find a buyer, ship, take that risk of being scammed etc.
Yes you can send to auction but there is a risk it won’t hit market price, plus again shipping fees and risks.
The benefit of Pokemon is - it’s a collector item that you like, and this has a value. If it brings you joy and appreciates - then it’s a W.
For this reason, personally I don’t think comparing modern and vintage in terms of investment appreciation is a worthy discussion to have - as it doesn’t really matter, as both are bad investments.
Just buy the stuff you like, will hold 5+ years and ignore the noise.