Understanding Government Finances For Philatelist

" ALL ABOARD ---- I'm going off the rails on a crazy train. I'm going off the rails on a crazy train - I know things are going wrong with the U.S. --- I'm mentally numb ." OZZY OSBOURNE


Ok back to my favorite subject ----STAMPS .......We are not talking about the big nose dive of stamp sales on ebay . Which moves on to ebay Sellers pulling back on their purchases from the stamp auction houses ,compound that on top of the raise in interest rates and inflation .
So those on a buget here stops their purchses plus those who have a few extra bucks decide they are better off loaning their money and collecting a high interest rate again pulling back on purchases that are not rising in price, Because you can buy it cheaper later while your collecting money on interest .

So we are already there with the nose dive on ebay . now with stamp auction sales going at opening bid or one tick higher ,in 2024 we should see Auction Houses closing up shop with ebay Sellers in 2023 and 2024 also closing up.

We are going off the rails on a crazy train as Ozzy says .

You come from the place with some of America's greatest music, and you're listening to a bat-eating Brummie? Shame on you.

Plenty of indicators that things are not well. Sub-prime car loan defaults at 30 year high. Record credit card debt with record amount of grocery, utility bills etc. put on card. When we say record numbers we are talking bigger numbers than 2008. ebay overall will likely do very well as people seek alternative "value" places to source things they really need. Not stamps for most of us.

Stamp market will be temporarily down. But once inflation is entrenched, some baby boomers will be turning to rare stamps to secure their wealth.
This is probably why the truly rare stamp market is still strong. I for one look at this as a buying opportunity to build my
WW collection. Most of the people on this website are likely old and pushing 60 or so. There is no time for you to wait. Avg lifespan is 76 assuming most of you are Men.
Buy now and ask questions later. Because there might not be a later. Enjoy the greatest hobby on Earth and let your heirs deal with the fall out - greendragon.

"Record credit card debt with record amount of grocery, utility bills etc. put on card."

Not only that, but many are letting it ride, paying even higher interest rates than the already high rates of the past.

Credit card delinquencies are at an 11-year high, as measured using a four-quarter average. source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York

FLOORTRADER apparently is just fine with the gift he received and his small contribution to national insolvency, as it would take five minutes to recognize that he didn't need the gift by writing and mailing a check for $1500 payable to UNITED STATES TREASURY. They don't refuse those checks …