Forbes Magazine: Bill Gross On Stamp Collecting

I found this interesting. Thought some on SCF might want to read it too:

http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2010/1...lecting.html

That was interesting on how he was first initiated into stamps as an investment vs. a hobby. I prefer the hobby aspect myself.

I view my stamps as a hobby and an expense, not as an investment.
The enjoyment of the stamps is where it is at. I'll be surprised to ever recover the cost of my stamps (that being said, the first stamp that I ever sold went for well over what I paid and over what I anticipated anyone would buy it for -- and I still kind of miss that stamp).

The story of his mother's disappointment is probably all too common...

Rare stamps and rare coins are best used as a hedge against inflation.

Of course, investors take stamps out of the hands of collectors. Or at the very least drive up prices to collectors through speculative buying.

If you collect rocks when you retire you can gravel your driveway.

If you collect string when you retire you can go fly a kite.

If you collect stamps when you retire you can sell them, give them to a nephew, or if all else fails use them for postage.