[bluGill]

Invest in a collection because you like the collection. If you love baseball cards, the fact that a few years ago you paid $100 for a card that you could get for $1 today doesn't matter because you had that card to enjoy for those few years. Note that love is different from fad. If you just buy the card because everybody else is, with no enjoyment, then it is a loss.

My life is better for having a few collectibles around now. I could have instead invested the money spent, and it would have already doubled, and it would double a few more times before I die - since I don't enjoy collecting money in my bank account it would be a waste.

Don't get me wrong: I to enjoy financial security. I can't retire today (well I could, but I couldn't afford to live the life I want), but the money I'm setting aside for retirement is planned to be used to enjoy life when I retire.