2020 End-of-Year Update

 This year has been full of trials and tribulations.  On one hand, as a medical provider and as the husband of a medical provider, it has been very scary dealing with COVID-19.  On the other hand, our jobs have been "modified," but safe, which has allowed us to keep working even through these trying times.  We have managed to stay healthy and continued to make a difference in taking care of people.  The year has been trying from a political and social perspective, as isolation and lack of travel have been difficult.  The dearth of sports has also hit hard.  We both recently got the first round shots in the coronavirus vaccination, which makes me hopeful for a better future for everyone and everything.

All politics, science, economics, and medicine aside, the year has been tremendous for collectibles in general.  This has led to tons of bigger wallets in the proverbial "Shark Tank."  All products and singles, almost across the board, saw tremendous inconceivable gains.  Sealed wax went bonkers.  Singles hit lifetime highs.  First edition Pokemon cards are now worth more than your house.  A case of Prizm basketball cards is worth more than the new car you drive it around in.  It's almost impossible to find any pre-sale hobby product, and the retail shelves are barren.  People are stalking the Excel employees that restock Target and Walmart, and following them from store to store.  It's really crazy, and I don't see how it is sustainable.  We've benefited tremendously from the tide floating all boats, and I have lateralled some of that value into my primary career.  I'd love to see it continue, but caution approaching collectible sports cards and trading card games as an alternative investment class asset.  I guess it kind of works for art, watches, and alcohol, so there may be some legs.  And everywhere I have read has talked about the devaluation of the dollar.  Bitcoin is at an all-time high, and confidence in the fiat currency system is at historic lows. 

At the end of the day, it's just cardboard.  And while I guess paper money is just cloth and coins are (usually) just alloys, it's not quite the same.  I collect for the love and obsession of collecting, and would encourage people to do the same.  I'm not strictly saying that it isn't something investable, but that I wouldn't want to be the one holding the hot potato when the music stops.  Happy holidays, safety, health, and prosperity to all!