Hobby Resolutions: Past and Present

Once upon a time, I was an ambitious collector who created challenging goals to pursue each upcoming year.

These days I'm more like Michael G. Scott from The Office who is all about trying to keep things simple.

Let's take a look at the hobby goals I created for myself last year and see whether or not I was able to achieve them...


Goal #1:  Maintain an average of 3 posts per week.

Let's see.  52 weeks in a year with 3 posts per week means anything over 155 posts in 2017 is a success.  A quick glance to my Blog Archive on the left side panel will confirm that I wrote 166 posts in 2017.  Grade: A+


Goal #2:  Continue reading your blog posts.

This is one of those subjective grades, since it's impossible for me to go back and calculate exactly how many blog posts I've read.  With that being said, I know that there were times when I went AWOL and didn't leave comments on blogs due to a variety of excuses.  However... overall... I feel like I did a good job of reading your blogs.  Grade: B


Goal #3:  Pick up at least one 1956 Topps HOFer.

In regards to creating goals for specific cards, this was the only one I created for myself.  Before 2017, I had five 1956 Topps Hall of Famers sitting in my collection: Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider, and Ted Williams.  The goal was to add one more.  I added four:

Willie Mays

Al Kaline

Yogi Berra

Whitey Ford

Writing this post made me realize that I had never written about the Kaline or Berra pickups.  Even more surprising is that I've never written about the Hank Aaron I purchased back in 2013.  I guess I have some writing material the next time I have a bad case of writer's block.

Getting back to my hobby resolution... Grade: A+


Goal #4:  Continue to live within my means.

Here's another one of those goals where I'll have to grade myself subjectively.  I'm pretty good about living within my means.  I pay my bills on time and never leave a balance on my credit cards.  The only debt I current have is the mortgage on my place.  However there have been times when I spend more money on cards than I really should.  After a pretty intense summer shopping spree, I came to the conclusion that I needed to tighten up my hobby budget and focus more on my retirement and an investment property.  And since the middle of August, I've really cut back on purchasing cardboard.

With that being said... I did make two pretty significant purchases recently that I'll share in future posts.  Hey.  Ya gotta treat yourself every once in awhile.  Grade:  C


Goal #5:  Have fun.

Surprise.  Surprise.  Another subjective grade.  Kinda says something about the guy creating these goals, huh.

Anyways.  2017 was a pretty good year.  Even though I dealt with my best friend moving to Oregon and my mother having a hip replacement surgery, the one thing that always helped cheer me up was this hobby and our community of bloggers.  Grade: A+

3 A's, 1 B, and a C = 3.40 GPA.  I'd say that I was pretty successful when I step back and look at the big picture.  As for 2018... I'm sticking with the Michael Scott philosophy and keeping things simple.


2018 Goal #1:  Maintain a Monthly Budget

Although I came pretty close to sticking to a $50 monthly hobby budget the last four to five months of the year, it definitely was a challenge.  I've made the executive decision to double the monthly budget.  This is a more realistic number that allows me to add certain cards (see Goal #2 and #3) to my collection without stressing out too much.  Any unused hobby budget will carry over to the next month.


2018 Goal #2:  Purchase a 1984 Fleer Update Roger Clemens

This is the last high-end rookie card from the 80's that I need for my collection.  Love him or hate him, he was the best pitcher of his generation and I really want to add his best rookie card to my collection.


2018 Goal #3:  Purchase another 1956 Topps Hall of Famer

There are thirty-four hall of famers in the 1956 Topps baseball card set.  I currently own nine of them.  I don't think it'll be too difficult to add one more.  There are a few guys I'm specifically targeting waiting for one to fall into my hobby budget, but there's one condition.  I'm only looking for PSA, BGS, or SGC graded copies.


2018 Goal #4:  Average 3 Posts Per Week

The 30 Day Challenge that Tony created back in March really helped me reach my 2017 goal.  I'm not sure if they'll be another one this year, but I'm hoping to reach the 156 mark for the 8th time in 9 years.


2018 Goal #5:  Complete 2 Card Sets

I'm currently building 40+ trading card sets.  Completing two of them shouldn't be too difficult, although my monthly hobby budget might get in the way.


2018 Goal #6:  Attend 2 (or more) Card Shows

This past year, I started ditching card shows and honestly there aren't many left in the Bay Area to begin with.  I mostly avoided them, because I didn't want to spend money.  However card shows aren't just about card purchases. It's also about camaraderie.

Hooray!  None of my 2018 goals will need to be graded subjectively.  Although... just in case you're wondering... I'm still planning on reading your blogs on a regular basis, continuing to live within my means, and having as much fun as I can.

How about you?

What's one hobby related thing you'd like to do in 2018?

I've really been enjoying all of the "hobby goal" posts out there.  Keep up the great work!  And here's to a a great 2018!  Happy New Year!

Happy Tuesday and sayonara!