Popular Ways To Collect Moderns For A Newcomer?

You nailed it. That's me too, lol.

Being in my mid-60's, I feel drawn towards the older stamps primarily, but I still like some of the newer stamps too. Look what the state quarter program did for coin collecting, I think we could see the same for stamp collecting also.

I started collecting as a child in the 80's. Then, life happened and my collection stagnated. Forty years later, with the kids all grown up, I have my evenings back to myself! I have found that the best way for me to get new, modern and different stamps, according to my preferences, is through exchange clubs!! Since these exchanges, my collection has exploded!! Plus, I live in a super rural area so no stamp clubs around here!

And you folks are right: each one of us makes our own rules, which is so empowering!!

I've been buying individual plate blocks and booklets (1940's-80's) since I started collecting a month ago, and what someone said earlier is absolutely correct, I know I have been overpaying, even though I try to look for the best stamps at the lowest price. I have been able to get a few stamps at a slight premium over face plus shipping, but most of what I have purchased is many multiples of face. I have looked at many of the ebay listings for larger collections and lots, and there are MUCH better deals when buying in quantity, but a lot of the stuff in those lots are stamps I'm not interested in, so what am I gaining? I suppose I could buy a large lot, pull out what I want, and flip the undesirable stuff. Is that what others here do?

When I returned to stamp collecting, I soon shifted from buying on ebay to buying at auctions, cutting out the middle man or woman. I don't collect modern GB, but I buy it for my ebay sales, and pay around 50% of face. In your case - buying mint US - if you acquire stuff you don't want, just use it for postage.