Poll: Are you too scared to even think about your hobby wallet?

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

Again, you’re one of those doomsday clowns who has been screaming the end is near since 2009. But congrats on the two Amex cards!

It's not being pessimistic to expect a dramatic change in the current system. Even guys like Elon Musk talk about universal income. The American dream is slowly dying. Wealth in the US is continuing to be concentrated more and more in a smaller segment of the population, and average people are being forced to work paycheck to paycheck to pay for basic necessities, with no future prospects of owning a home or having significant savings. When a system stops working for most people in a democracy, things will inevitably change.

[Boredlawyer]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

It's not being pessimistic to expect a dramatic change in the current system. Even guys like Elon Musk talk about universal income. The American dream is slowly dying. Wealth in the US is continuing to be concentrated more and more in a smaller segment of the population, and average people are being forced to work paycheck to paycheck to pay for basic necessities, with no future prospects of owning a home or having significant savings. When a system stops working for most people in a democracy, things will inevitably change.

Don't you have a better outlet for your financial takes than a baseball card forum that looks like it was made in 2006

[eastbayak]

Originally Posted by asujbl

You’re moving up the list of Rushmore posters on this site. Love to see it

13k+ posts and none are about cards.

[Boo]

Originally Posted by Boredlawyer

Don't you have a better outlet for your financial takes than a baseball card forum that looks like it was made in 2006

**2007

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Please stop with the ATH nonsense -- it's deceptive and you know it.

Yes, it's an all-time high, but it's only 4% higher than the previous high set earlier this year. That's maybe keeping pace with inflation -- maybe.

The S&P rose 17% in 2025.

My God you are a special one.

[johnlocke36]

is everyone gonna load up on GME before they buy eBay

[auctionjmm]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

It's not being pessimistic to expect a dramatic change in the current system. Even guys like Elon Musk talk about universal income. The American dream is slowly dying. Wealth in the US is continuing to be concentrated more and more in a smaller segment of the population, and average people are being forced to work paycheck to paycheck to pay for basic necessities, with no future prospects of owning a home or having significant savings. When a system stops working for most people in a democracy, things will inevitably change.

People thought a few grand of Covid stimulus checks were enough to create hyper-inflation. What do you suppose would happen if that amount was 40K, 50K? Universal income is a net zero. If everyone gets 50K, all prices and services just rise by a proportionate amount. Not to mention the number of people who would spend that money on luxuries and STILL be unable to pay for basic necessities when it was gone. It's incredible that on a forum where the word degenerate gets thrown around daily, folks like you actually believe an entire population would suddenly become good financial stewards if they were given universal income and could stay at home.

The American dream is dying because people are too stubborn to redefine it. When I was in high school 25 years ago, the American dream required college. Only the "losers" went to trade school and skipped college. Now, the skilled trades are piping hot and so desperate for help that they'll pay a six-figure salary. We need our educators to stop pumping college and start pumping trades. We need kids to feel pride in wearing jeans to work instead of feeling embarrassed because their dad wore suits. The student loan crisis exists because there aren't enough well-paying jobs available for kids coming out of college. They've been misled into paying 100K for an education that will lead them to table scrap jobs and indefinite debt while the honey hole of well-paying trade jobs just sits there, waiting to be tapped into.

If you want the American dream back, this is the way. Just like it was in the 30's when men with dirty hands were the ones creating that dream. There is REAL money there. Life-changing money for someone coming out of high school. Wealth can be built and the gap narrowed by simply pointing kids in the right direction.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by auctionjmm

The American dream is dying because people are too stubborn to redefine it. When I was in high school 25 years ago, the American dream required college. Only the "losers" went to trade school and skipped college. Now, the skilled trades are piping hot and so desperate for help that they'll pay a six-figure salary. We need our educators to stop pumping college and start pumping trades. We need kids to feel pride in wearing jeans to work instead of feeling embarrassed because their dad wore suits. The student loan crisis exists because there aren't enough well-paying jobs available for kids coming out of college. They've been misled into paying 100K for an education that will lead them to table scrap jobs and indefinite debt while the honey hole of well-paying trade jobs just sits there, waiting to be tapped into.

As someone who has been teaching HS/Community College for the past quarter century, I agree 100% with Jamie....too many young people are going into debt that they have little hope of ever paying back for a college education that does not actually offer them that much financial value. Going into the trades is probably a better financial decision for a good 30-40% of the students who instead choose to go to college, and if you do go to college, you should do your first two years at your local community college, which is much more affordable.

A lot of that, IMHO, is due to a lack of personal finance education, both among their parents, and the students themselves. Every HS in the United States should offer (and mandate) a personal finance class in order to graduate.

Most people simply do not understand how crippling debt can be, especially in an era where you are unlikely to have the steady income necessary to consistently service it.

[hammertime]

Originally Posted by auctionjmm

People thought a few grand of Covid stimulus checks were enough to create hyper-inflation. What do you suppose would happen if that amount was 40K, 50K? Universal income is a net zero. If everyone gets 50K, all prices and services just rise by a proportionate amount. Not to mention the number of people who would spend that money on luxuries and STILL be unable to pay for basic necessities when it was gone. It's incredible that on a forum where the word degenerate gets thrown around daily, folks like you actually believe an entire population would suddenly become good financial stewards if they were given universal income and could stay at home.

The American dream is dying because people are too stubborn to redefine it. When I was in high school 25 years ago, the American dream required college. Only the "losers" went to trade school and skipped college. Now, the skilled trades are piping hot and so desperate for help that they'll pay a six-figure salary. We need our educators to stop pumping college and start pumping trades. We need kids to feel pride in wearing jeans to work instead of feeling embarrassed because their dad wore suits. The student loan crisis exists because there aren't enough well-paying jobs available for kids coming out of college. They've been misled into paying 100K for an education that will lead them to table scrap jobs and indefinite debt while the honey hole of well-paying trade jobs just sits there, waiting to be tapped into.

If you want the American dream back, this is the way. Just like it was in the 30's when men with dirty hands were the ones creating that dream. There is REAL money there. Life-changing money for someone coming out of high school. Wealth can be built and the gap narrowed by simply pointing kids in the right direction.

Couldn't agree more. I went the traditional college route but I studied mechanical engineering and co-oped which paid for school...I graduated with zero debt, and my employer paid for my Master's in applied physics. I have zero regrets but would have never ruined myself financially for it.

[no10pin]

Originally Posted by johnlocke36

is everyone gonna load up on GME before they buy eBay

I thought that was an Onion article when I first saw it.

Gamestop:

[weatherwarrior]

Originally Posted by auctionjmm

People thought a few grand of Covid stimulus checks were enough to create hyper-inflation. What do you suppose would happen if that amount was 40K, 50K? Universal income is a net zero. If everyone gets 50K, all prices and services just rise by a proportionate amount. Not to mention the number of people who would spend that money on luxuries and STILL be unable to pay for basic necessities when it was gone. It's incredible that on a forum where the word degenerate gets thrown around daily, folks like you actually believe an entire population would suddenly become good financial stewards if they were given universal income and could stay at home.



The American dream is dying because people are too stubborn to redefine it. When I was in high school 25 years ago, the American dream required college. Only the "losers" went to trade school and skipped college. Now, the skilled trades are piping hot and so desperate for help that they'll pay a six-figure salary. We need our educators to stop pumping college and start pumping trades. We need kids to feel pride in wearing jeans to work instead of feeling embarrassed because their dad wore suits. The student loan crisis exists because there aren't enough well-paying jobs available for kids coming out of college. They've been misled into paying 100K for an education that will lead them to table scrap jobs and indefinite debt while the honey hole of well-paying trade jobs just sits there, waiting to be tapped into.



If you want the American dream back, this is the way. Just like it was in the 30's when men with dirty hands were the ones creating that dream. There is REAL money there. Life-changing money for someone coming out of high school. Wealth can be built and the gap narrowed by simply pointing kids in the right direction.

This is the way. Im constantly looking for 18 yeat old HS graduates to put theough a trade program. Having them graduate to journeyman by their 21st birthday or 22nd at the latest.

That is above scale pay, full.health benefits, 401k, profit sharing, travel pay, perdiem, all fuel paid for, 3 weeks paid vacation, vehicle allowances, cellphone allowance, and paid holidays.

By the time they can graduate with loan debt they could be making well north of 100k a year with full benefits.

Its wild the victim mentality that exists and permeates from people. People dont need UBI, unless that means "Up off your Butt heading In to work". We already have too many lazy people looking for a quick buck. Whether thats flipping cards, wax, collectibles, other goods, youtubing, or god forbid ""influencing".

We live in a world of "EFF U! I got mine". Hard work and perseverance dont exist for the masses. A small portion is truly motivated to bust hump daily. IMHO a little more foot to azz in today's youth would go along way in establishing better work ethic. But I just want everyone off my lawn like a boomer..

A funny story to back this up. At tge store yesterday ans walked by the toy section. A mother was screaming at the young lady stocking about a toy or something sold out. She was going full on Karen about how since the store didnt limit the item to one per person her child was going to lose its mind and be unberable....... I nearly laughed out loud. If that child wasn't being being raised in an environment where everyone gets a trophy and everyone gets equal we wpuldnt have to listen to the constant drivel the UBI is the solution.

News flash... it isnt! Earn it before you deserve it.


Annnnd.... Im off my Boomer box and we can get back to discussing water is wet.
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[auctionjmm]

Originally Posted by weatherwarrior

This is the way. Im constantly looking for 18 yeat old HS graduates to put theough a trade program. Having them graduate to journeyman by their 21st birthday or 22nd at the latest.

That is above scale pay, full.health benefits, 401k, profit sharing, travel pay, perdiem, all fuel paid for, 3 weeks paid vacation, vehicle allowances, cellphone allowance, and paid holidays.

By the time they can graduate with loan debt they could be making well north of 100k a year with full benefits.

Its wild the victim mentality that exists and permeates from people. People dont need UBI, unless that means "Up off your Butt heading In to work". We already have too many lazy people looking for a quick buck. Whether thats flipping cards, wax, collectibles, other goods, youtubing, or god forbid ""influencing".

We live in a world of "EFF U! I got mine". Hard work and perseverance dont exist for the masses. A small portion is truly motivated to bust hump daily. IMHO a little more foot to azz in today's youth would go along way in establishing better work ethic. But I just want everyone off my lawn like a boomer..

A funny story to back this up. At tge store yesterday ans walked by the toy section. A mother was screaming at the young lady stocking about a toy or something sold out. She was going full on Karen about how since the store didnt limit the item to one per person her child was going to lose its mind and be unberable....... I nearly laughed out loud. If that child wasn't being being raised in an environment where everyone gets a trophy and everyone gets equal we wpuldnt have to listen to the constant drivel the UBI is the solution.

News flash... it isnt! Earn it before you deserve it.


Annnnd.... Im off my Boomer box and we can get back to discussing water is wet.
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Thanks for sharing. It shouldn't be a "boomer" thing though. Young people should feel this way too. They should want to be making six figures at 22. Both of my nephews (mid-20's) are already doing better than I ever will. One is getting married in two weeks. Looks and talks like a redneck but he and his fiance already have a household income of 200K+ in rural Ohio because they both went into trade programs.

It just goes to show, the solution to the problem is already there. We don't need to debate how to close the wealth gap and restore the American dream. We already know the answer. We just need more people to take that route.

[pewe]

For the folks discussing the future of work in the face of AI, I’d agree with the “working with hands” has a nice near future. But for those looking for “knowledge work”, I also appreciate some of the thinking like:

https://sequoiacap.com/article/servi...-new-software/

https://bjorn.now/link/2026-01-28-re...y-chad-fowler/

The first points out that LLMs may replace intelligence, but not judgement. I think critical analytical thinking remains valuable. Kids going to college should focus on that, in my opinion.

The second focuses this on software itself. Feels like an area with no future? It disagrees. Points out there is a difference between software development and software engineering. Development is for people who want to just do what they are told. That is what LLMs do, so not a great future for a job. Engineering is what brings the rigor to a project. Rigor will remain highly valuable. Perhaps even more valuable given all the leverage engineers will get from LLMs and Agents built on them.


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[weatherwarrior]

Originally Posted by auctionjmm

Thanks for sharing. It shouldn't be a "boomer" thing though. Young people should feel this way too. They should want to be making six figures at 22. Both of my nephews (mid-20's) are already doing better than I ever will. One is getting married in two weeks. Looks and talks like a redneck but he and his fiance already have a household income of 200K+ in rural Ohio because they both went into trade programs.

It just goes to show, the solution to the problem is already there. We don't need to debate how to close the wealth gap and restore the American dream. We already know the answer. We just need more people to take that route.

No worries at all. I was more making a joke about being a boomer. Im to young for that but it was how I was raised and how I raised my kids.

Hard work and effort are the name of the game. Trades are exploding and blue collar work is paying like white collar work.

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[weatherwarrior]

Originally Posted by pewe

For the folks discussing the future of work in the face of AI, I’d agree with the “working with hands” has a nice near future. But for those looking for “knowledge work”, I also appreciate some of the thinking like:

https://sequoiacap.com/article/servi...-new-software/

https://bjorn.now/link/2026-01-28-re...y-chad-fowler/

The first points out that LLMs may replace intelligence, but not judgement. I think critical analytical thinking remains valuable. Kids going to college should focus on that, in my opinion.

The second focuses this on software itself. Feels like an area with no future? It disagrees. Points out there is a difference between software development and software engineering. Development is for people who want to just do what they are told. That is what LLMs do, so not a great desire for a job, Engineering is what brings the rigor to a project. Rigor will remain highly valuable. Perhaps even more valuable given all the leverage engineers will get from LLMs and Agents built on them.


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I agree here pewe! I think there is plenty of room for those with critical thinking skills going forward.

I think critical think inherently exist in many. People being able to hone that skill is hard. Many can do this without college, many can not. There will be plenty of white collar positions going forward. But when everyone(most) wants a 250k+ job out of school with a 4 year poly sci, or a 4 year computer sci degree it creates a bottleneck. Only the best of the best should make it through that choke point.

That way the best of best of us all are positions to exceed and excel. We too often have folks wanting equality in the workforce without equal effort being out forth.

Great Points about the AI revolution and future of the workforce could look!

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[KhalDrogo]

$5k a year invested earning 8% gets you $2M+ over 45 years. It’s that easy to earn a comfortable amount of wealth.

[pewe]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

$5k a year invested earning 8% gets you $2M+ over 45 years. It’s that easy to earn a comfortable amount of wealth.

I think I heard an analysis that says the “target” for most folks to retire comfortably is like $1.8MM. So you nailed it: they hit that and then some


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[auctionjmm]

Originally Posted by pewe

I think I heard an analysis that says the “target” for most folks to retire comfortably is like $1.8MM. So you nailed it: they hit that and then some


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And even that is subjective and quite aggressive for most. If you can live off 50K/year when you are young, 1.8 mil would be a windfall when you are old. Barring the collapse of social security (which I don't believe will ever happen), it really doesn't take much to retire and be OK if you are already in that pocket of people who are making it work with less. The "system" is working just fine. It's the people who need to change before the system. One decision at 18 can change the entire course of life for many. It all comes back to going where the work is and rejecting these outdated norms that college is the only way to prosperity.

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by auctionjmm

And even that is subjective and quite aggressive for most. If you can live off 50K/year when you are young, 1.8 mil would be a windfall when you are old. Barring the collapse of social security (which I don't believe will ever happen), it really doesn't take much to retire and be OK if you are already in that pocket of people who are making it work with less. The "system" is working just fine. It's the people who need to change before the system. One decision at 18 can change the entire course of life for many. It all comes back to going where the work is and rejecting these outdated norms that college is the only way to prosperity.

It’s unfortunate that only 10% of the population is willing to change.

The other 90% will always try to pursue the easy way out and fail to achieve that goal.

Hence, our K-shaped economy, where the top 10% has 90% of the wealth.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

$5k a year invested earning 8% gets you $2M+ over 45 years. It’s that easy to earn a comfortable amount of wealth.

Agreed.

But the problem today is that most young people are not taught the benefit of saving money to invest in the stock market. They spend, spend, spend instead.

Probably 80-90% of my net worth is owed to three investment deicisions I made when I was younger:

- my decision to invest in Apple stock in 1986 when I was in HS because I thought my girlfriend's Mac was the coolest thing since sliced bread
- my decision to investment in Microsoft while in grad school in the mid-90's when I realized that everything was running on their software.
- my deicision to invest in SOXX at the end of the 2000-02 market crash once I realized that the world was going to run on semiconductors.

Meanwhile, everyone else my age was wasting money on beer, drugs, Starbucks, and overpriced cars......

[weatherwarrior]

Originally Posted by mfw13

Agreed.



But the problem today is that most young people are not taught the benefit of saving money to invest in the stock market. They spend, spend, spend instead.



Probably 80-90% of my net worth is owed to three investment deicisions I made when I was younger:



- my decision to invest in Apple stock in 1986 when I was in HS because I thought my girlfriend's Mac was the coolest thing since sliced bread

- my decision to investment in Microsoft while in grad school in the mid-90's when I realized that everything was running on their software.

- my deicision to invest in SOXX at the end of the 2000-02 market crash once I realized that the world was going to run on semiconductors.



Meanwhile, everyone else my age was wasting money on beer, drugs, Starbucks, and overpriced cars......

Its not just the market either. They arent teaching anywhere near the stuff they should be doing. My favorite thing out side of real-estate was the fact I took all the money I had at the time i graduated HS (like 1500 bucks) and put it into Starbucks lol. Because I thought how damn cool it was to be abke to get a coffee and walk around a bookstore.

That and home depot have helped me be where I am today.

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[pewe]

Originally Posted by weatherwarrior

I agree here pewe! I think there is plenty of room for those with critical thinking skills going forward.

I think critical think inherently exist in many. People being able to hone that skill is hard. Many can do this without college, many can not. There will be plenty of white collar positions going forward. But when everyone(most) wants a 250k+ job out of school with a 4 year poly sci, or a 4 year computer sci degree it creates a bottleneck. Only the best of the best should make it through that choke point.

That way the best of best of us all are positions to exceed and excel. We too often have folks wanting equality in the workforce without equal effort being out forth.

Great Points about the AI revolution and future of the workforce could look!

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk

I worry one of the challenges with the higher education choice for many kids is not knowing why they are there. That they may just be showing up. Or focused on checking the box. Or studying something for the fun of it without any perspective that the degree leads to a limited demand skill set.

I’m not going to poop on any specific degrees… but when I see the news articles detailing complaints about “why can’t I get my dream job” they do seem to cluster in some areas with little commercial value add and get their budget more out of not for profit or government support.


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[weatherwarrior]

Originally Posted by pewe

I worry one of the challenges with the higher education choice for many kids is not knowing why they are there. That they may just be showing up. Or focused on checking the box. Or studying something for the fun of it without any perspective that the degree leads to a limited demand skill set.

I’m not going to poop on any specific degrees… but when I see the news articles detailing complaints about “why can’t I get my dream job” they do seem to cluster in some areas with little commercial value add and get their budget more out of not for profit or government support.


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I didnt mean to either but sometimes we have to avoid delicacies and call it like we see it lol.

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[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by weatherwarrior

I didnt mean to either but sometimes we have to avoid delicacies and call it like we see it lol.

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To poop is to be human.

More people should call it like they see it, so keep up the good work guys.

[weatherwarrior]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

To poop is to be human.

More people should call it like they see it.

Yes it is Hermano. A large dose of reality is often needed. We have brianwashed 2 -3 generations into believing the only way to get ahead is to go into debt by 100k. We keep telling peiple the American dream is to own all these material items but at what cost? A meaningless education and 3-7% interest on that student debt? Thats not a dream its a trap. A trap designed to be cyclical in nature so no true progress towards independence can be made.

The American dream should be to live in a world where you have stabilized your self enough that you dont owe anyone anything, and you let your money make money. It takes surprisingly little if you start young.

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