Bonnie -

It's just a fact that many of the people on this 
board have varying degrees of income. Many have 
full-time jobs, savings, and maybe fewer 
financial responsibilities than others. Others 
are students who have to scrap together the cash 
to get what they want through part-time jobs or 
selling other things. 

The important thing to remember is to stay within 
your means and not go nuts. Just because you 
can't afford a $400 cel doesn't mean that you 
can't have a nice cel collection. 

For example, last year, I lived with another cel 
collector. She is an undergrad whereas I am a 
grad student with a better income (not much 
better ^^;;). Anyway, my point is, my finances 
allow me to buy a cel for a certain amount much 
more than she would ever consider. While it could 
have a been a stressful point, we were both 
supportive of what finds we could get. I loved 
the cels she found and I didn't feel bad about 
some of the pricy things I found. 

We both have been priced out of certain series, 
however, so that has little to do with "cash to 
throw around." She and I realize that some cels 
we will never own and that's fine. We just move 
on to other, less expensive series that we love 
just as much ^_^

Some advice: stick to cheaper series, love what 
you have, stay away from credit cards, and try 
not to cancel orders with people because that 
will hurt you in the long run ^^;; Make sure you 
have cash in hand before you order something -- 
I've often passed over things when at other times 
of the year I could have afforded them. It's 
annoying, yes, but other cels are always around 
the corner. 

And lastly, don't funnel =all= your money into 
cels. Enjoy your life!

Trying to be upbeat and not preachy ^^;

Wendy