2026 New Years Collection Resolutions

[DrSicPkl]

Was wondering if anyone decided to change up any collection habits for the new year? I'm planning on scaling way back this year and just looking to add to my HOF autos collection and collecting some singles of my favorite players.

[IronCladLou]

Probably not. I will buy affordable, low end boxes and just keep everything I open.

[ThoseBackPages]

2026 Hobby Goals - early edition

- Call it Topps
- Add more Topps Blacks
- Stick to low numbered cards
- Add more Pre-Topps guys low #’d cards
- Add no vintage
- Gatekeep more
- Open more packs

[NYRE2PECT]

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

2026 Hobby Goals - early edition

- Call it Topps
- Add more Topps Blacks
- Stick to low numbered cards
- Add more Pre-Topps guys low #’d cards
- Add no vintage
- Gatekeep more
- Open more packs

-add moar purples

[vinson24]

Decided that besides for two cards, which either card getting out up for sale would be combined a 10% chance, that I’m not going to spend more than $1,000 on cards total this year.

Now granted there isn’t too many cards that I want anymore, but that’s my goal. $0 dollars spent so far.

[dashcol]

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

2026 Hobby Goals - early edition

- Call it Topps
- Add more Topps Blacks
- Stick to low numbered cards
- Add more Pre-Topps guys low #’d cards
- Add no vintage
- Gatekeep more
- Open more packs

Add no vintage?

Define vintage, and do you have them all?

[dashcol]

Originally Posted by vinson24

Decided that besides for two cards, which either card getting out up for sale would be combined a 10% chance, that I’m not going to spend more than $1,000 on cards total this year.

Now granted there isn’t too many cards that I want anymore, but that’s my goal. $0 dollars spent so far.

Five days in, going strong!

Keep it up, zero spent in ‘26!

[hermanotarjeta]

I'm still waiting for 2025 topps gilded information before determining my goals.

[Hollywood42]

This will sound a little more dramatic than it is, but find the fun again. With the Twins organization a train wreck and the continued paralleization and pump pump pump it up state of the hobby, I just have not been motivated to collect very hard lately. I'm still finding ways to have some fun, it's just a little different lately. Currently I've been shifting info non-sports a little bit and focusing on some Star Wars and Scooby Doo cards which has been a blast and nostalgic. But I'd like to be able to feel that in my main collection with the Twins too, despite what the team looks like right now or my discontent with Fanatics

[ThoseBackPages]

Originally Posted by NYRE2PECT

-add moar purples

man i have not seen one is awhile!

Originally Posted by dashcol

Add no vintage?

Define vintage, and do you have them all?

Vintage for me is pre-1981 (when Topps lost their first monopoly)

No, will never have them all but at this time i am good with what
i do have. There are a handful of cards i would like to still add but
the current climate of the vintage folks is not pleasing to me and
i will wait to participate in that area of the hobby

[StateEx]

Buy a couple of singles. Buy a hobby box or two. Buy a couple of blasters. Trade a few cards.

I don't love where the hobby is going, but still enjoy it. So -- why stress? I cut my spend down last year by 75%. I'll cut it further in '26 by avoiding Chrome altogether.

[towerymt]

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

man i have not seen one is awhile!



Vintage for me is pre-1981 (when Topps lost their first monopoly)

No, will never have them all but at this time i am good with what
i do have. There are a handful of cards i would like to still add but
the current climate of the vintage folks is not pleasing to me and
i will wait to participate in that area of the hobby

Any wants in the '52-'80 range?

[Mister2Bits]

Stop buying Fanatics wax. It's a rigged game and I'm not included
Buy serial numbered/SP/SSP/on card auto cards as much as possible
Sell vintage PC, Gator PC, Hockey PC and everything else not Ohtani and Judge

[IronCladLou]

Originally Posted by StateEx

Buy a couple of singles. Buy a hobby box or two. Buy a couple of blasters. Trade a few cards.

I don't love where the hobby is going, but still enjoy it. So -- why stress? I cut my spend down last year by 75%. I'll cut it further in '26 by avoiding Chrome altogether.

I admit, I like the hobby better when i am not shelling out heaps in breaks and buying expensive boxes. Playing in the shallow end of the pool is fun for me. I have swimming floaties on and that is ok

[epatmythes]

- Sell, sell, sell
- What's in the safe stays in the safe, everything else is ready for a new home
- Less attention to my collection and more time spent helping my GF's son continue to build his
- Use the proceeds from "Sell, sell, sell" to find an adequate replacement for the only card I ever regret having sold

[ThoseBackPages]

Originally Posted by towerymt

Any wants in the '52-'80 range?

really just the 52 Mays (First Topps) and a 69 white Mantle (Best Last Topps)

[dashcol]

Originally Posted by epatmythes

- Sell, sell, sell
- What's in the safe stays in the safe, everything else is ready for a new home
- Less attention to my collection and more time spent helping my GF's son continue to build his
- Use the proceeds from "Sell, sell, sell" to find an adequate replacement for the only card I ever regret having sold

I agree with this.

I keep my 25 favorite cards, not most valuable, but favorite cards in the safe. Everything else is up for grabs. As soon as one card come out of the safe replaced by another then it is added to the up for grabs pile.

Since I have started doing this, I have never been happier in clecting.

[GuamWax]

Continue to buy singles and only buy cards that fit in with collection (HOF autos w/ inscriptions).

No wax or breaks.

Save up for big card shows, less eBay purchases.

Most importantly, stay on budget.

[Phils747]

Recap on 2025:
1. Add any new Nick Dunn cards to my PC
Added both of the minor-league issues in 2025. Hoping he gets signed for this year
2. Add 10 or more T51 Murad College Series cards to my set
Only added three new cards
3. Recycle any profits from sales into meeting my first two goals to try and not spend out of pocket on the hobby
Hit my net-zero goal and more importantly, sold some cards to fund a dream vacation

2026 goals:
1. Find and acquire the last Nick Dunn non-1/1 I need
2. Add 10 or more cards to my T51 Murad College Series set
3. Acquire an 89 Upper Deck Griffey
4. Improve my Top Ten Cards list
5. Sell or trade current cards to acquire new ones to make it a net-zero hobby

[Imnottheonly]

1. Check off one of the big inserts on my want list for my Chipper Jones PC.
2. Add cards for at least 5 more players to my multiple MVP award winners project.
3. Continue work on my 2023-24 Topps Soccer rainbow.
4. Finish my Topps Finest playing years Refractor run for Chipper Jones.
5. Avoid buying cards that don't fit in numbers 1-4

[abbeyroadwalker]

Originally Posted by DrSicPkl

Was wondering if anyone decided to change up any collection habits for the new year? I'm planning on scaling way back this year and just looking to add to my HOF autos collection and collecting some singles of my favorite players.

Yes, here's mine: Not buy any BB cards at all.......then go on spending spree and buy TONS of cards.....then smarten up and stop w/ hours of regret.....then go back to buying another TON of cards on Opening Day.....then slap myself and pledge to never buy anything ever again.....then start the same cycle all over again until the World Series is over......basically, the same thing I've done since 2015..!

[corockies]

Originally Posted by Hollywood42

This will sound a little more dramatic than it is, but find the fun again. With the Twins organization a train wreck and the continued paralleization and pump pump pump it up state of the hobby, I just have not been motivated to collect very hard lately. I'm still finding ways to have some fun, it's just a little different lately. Currently I've been shifting info non-sports a little bit and focusing on some Star Wars and Scooby Doo cards which has been a blast and nostalgic. But I'd like to be able to feel that in my main collection with the Twins too, despite what the team looks like right now or my discontent with Fanatics

Same boat here. If there are no '26 flagship blacks I'm completely done with any new product. My collection is based solely on older want lists only.

[BoSoxFan1999]

I will not purchase any kind of repacks. Spent way too much money on repacks last year. Just singles (and occasional wax rips) for me.

[dodgerfanjohn]

-Grade Ohtani and Judge rookies already in my collection.
-Think long and hard about buying any new wax.
-Fill in gaps in my older sets that I've let lapse.
-Enjoy what I have.

[Gatorsmld]

Continue working on my sets.
Attend more shows.