In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we sit down with Chris MacRae—CPA, strategic finance pro, and founder of The Smarter Collector.

Chris is building a platform that helps collectors move from impulse to intention—tracking collections, organizing projects, and making better decisions without spreadsheets. From the Collection Sandbox (tiering/keep-vs-available) to a Wantlist with live eBay feed and a consignment fee calculator, Chris pairs thoughtful design with a philosophy that treats the hobby as a path to self-discovery, not just accumulation.

Chris provides perspective on:

-Designing for how collectors actually collect—projects, curation, and decision making.

-Shortening the 2–4 year learning curve from FOMO to intentional collecting.

-Why structure reduces burnout and keeps joy at the center of the hobby.

-The role of tools + education alongside community and mental wellness.

-Potential CMD × TSC integrations: in-app nudges, resources, and responsible prompts.

Whether you’re logging your first PC or optimizing a long-time collection, this episode explores how smarter frameworks—and a healthier mindset—can help you collect with purpose and peace of mind.

Subscribe, comment, and join the movement. And remember to collect with intention, not compulsion.

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: https://www.collectorsmd.com

Socials: https://www.hopp.bio/collectorsmd

Weekly Meeting Sign-Up: https://bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: info@collectorsmd.com

YouTube: @collectorsmd

Instagram: @collectorsmd

Follow & Learn More About The Smarter Collector:

Website: https://thesmartercollector.com

App: https://app.thesmartercollector.com

Instagram: @thesmartercollector

#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

https://www.youtube.com/live/jetP2Ut85jw

True stewardship isn't about squeezing every dollar in a night's live stream or break-it's about knowing when excitement tips into compulsion and stepping in to protect collectors when they can't protect themselves.

At Collectors MD, we're partnering with shops, breakers, and leaders across the industry to embed #CollectWithIntention and #RipResponsibly into the hobby ecosystem-because protecting the hobby means protecting the people inside it.

If you own or work at a card shop or break company, we invite you to reach out (info@collectorsmd.com). Together, we can create a culture that chooses sustainability over short-term gain, and responsibility over recklessness. Because protecting the hobby means protecting the people inside it.

Collect With Intention. Not Compulsion.

#CollectorsMD | #CollectWithIntention | #CollectResponsibly

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPMcbzGEW7f/

Published September 23, 2025 | By Alyx E, Founder of Collectors MD

“Intentional collecting” is like fine wine. It asks us to slow down, to savor, and to appreciate what endures. Just as wine is not meant to be chugged for a quick buzz, collecting isn’t meant to be about endless ripping for the next hit. One is fast and fleeting; the other is patient and rewarding.

When you collect with intention, the experience changes. The hobby stops being a race and starts becoming a craft. Instead of measuring success by how many boxes you opened or how many breaks you joined this week, you measure it by the meaning behind what you choose to keep and appreciate. Cards become more than cardboard—they become stories, legacies, and markers of history and memories.

Like fine wine, intentional collecting is less about the rush and more about savoring the depth, history, and permanence.

Similar to how a sommelier notices subtle notes in a vintage bottle, intentional collectors develop their own mature palate over time. Their preferences may look different. Some are drawn to the timeless pull of vintage, while others find meaning in sets that feel like sealed time capsules—think older sets like Exquisite or SP Authentic.

These aren’t just boxes of cards; they’re archives of history, holding the rare signatures of legends like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant. For a certain kind of collector, these sets are less about owning cardboard and more about holding onto a piece of greatness that today feels almost impossible to replicate.

Intentional collectors see the details that others may overlook—the design choices, the images chosen to represent a moment, the variations in print runs, the provenance behind a card. The chase for the “next big card” loses its grip, and what emerges instead is a deeper joy in what lasts.

This approach doesn’t mean you have to walk away from ripping packs or the thrill of new releases. It simply means resisting the pull to let adrenaline be the only compass. It means being thoughtful about why you collect, where your money goes, and what brings you lasting satisfaction.

Cards like signed Michael Jordan patch pieces from the Exquisite Collection carry a weight far beyond their price tag. Not everyone can afford treasures like these—and that’s completely okay. It’s just as valid to marvel at them from afar, to appreciate their beauty, history, and significance without owning them. Collecting isn’t only about possession; it’s about appreciation.

And we’re not suggesting there’s a single formula you have to follow—or that intentional collecting requires chasing high-end, vintage grails. Most of us can’t compete in the same arena as those hunting for gems from sets like Exquisite or SP Authentic. What matters is finding your own lane, collecting within your means, and building a collection that fits your budget, boundaries, and passions.

The truth is, the hobby is healthier when we treat it like fine wine—not fast food. It’s not about consuming as much as possible, as quickly as possible. It’s about slowing down, choosing intentionally, and appreciating the richness that comes with time, patience, and maturity.

#CollectorsMD
The healthiest collecting isn’t about chasing the next pour—it’s about savoring what endures.

—
Follow us on Instagram: @collectorsmd
Subscribe to our Newsletter & Support Group
Join The Conversation On Mantel
Read More Daily Reflections

Published September 22, 2025 | By Brandon H, Collectors MD Community Member

When we think of “cautionary tales”, we usually think of stories where someone’s actions carried consequences. By definition, a cautionary tale is meant to warn others about the potential dangers of certain behaviors, showing the repercussions so others might avoid the same mistakes.

In the hobby, we see such cautionary tales every day. When collecting stops being intentional and turns into compulsion, the dangers multiply fast.

For me, that danger was card breaks. At first, it seemed like a smarter way to collect—pick a team, buy a slot, maybe hit something big. Platforms like Whatnot and Fanatics Live make it feel like everyone is winning. But if you look closely, you’ll notice something missing: there is no mention of building a collection. It’s all about the chase, the dopamine, and the rush of impressing strangers online.

And I chased. Hard. In my first break ever, I hit a super-short-print JJ McCarthy Uptowns from Donruss Optic Football—one of the hottest cards in the hobby at the time. Later I began chasing the iconic Kaboom! in Revolution Basketball and actually ended up hitting a Kel’El Ware—a rookie I’d never even heard of, but was able to quickly flip for $500—providing me with a decent return. Those hits fueled the fire. But like every gambler learns, the house always wins.

That’s when it clicked for me: this wasn’t collecting. It was gambling with cardboard.

These eBay comps of the McCarthy and Ware cards I pulled show how inflated the aftermarket has become, and how quickly the rush of flipping can blur the line between collecting and gambling.

When the dust settled, I looked around at piles of base cards on the floor and asked myself: what’s next? Who was my collection serving? Was I even enjoying it? Or was I chasing something I could never actually catch?

That’s often the turning point for every collector caught in compulsion. For some, it means dialing back—paying bills first, cutting out “pay in 4” schemes, and ripping far less. For others, it means stepping away entirely, blocking apps, or even selling everything. Both paths are valid. But what matters most is honesty.

The internet will keep showing you the highlight reels—the hits, the flexes, the grails. What you won’t see are the thousands of misses, the financial strain, and the shame collectors carry in silence. I was on the cusp of becoming one of those stories.

Instead, I’m sharing mine as a cautionary tale. Because it’s better to be a cautionary tale than a tragic one.

And that’s why I’m committed to Collectors MD. This community is proof that none of us have to go through it alone. For years, people were ashamed to admit that collecting had gotten out of control—but now we have a place where the silence is broken, the stigma is gone, and the support is real. I believe in Collectors MD because I’ve lived the problem—and I know firsthand how critical this community is for those searching for a way out.

#CollectorsMD
Collect with intention, not compulsion—because cautionary tales are meant to warn us, not define us.

—
Follow us on Instagram: @collectorsmd
Subscribe to our Newsletter & Support Group
Join The Conversation On Mantel
Read More Daily Reflections

This month, we’re proud to feature Brandon H (@collectcharles) in our Collector Spotlight. Brandon first joined Collectors MD earlier this year and quickly became one of the most active members of our community. He’s been a consistent presence at our weekly peer-support meetings, engages regularly in our group chat, and has even started contributing to our Daily Reflection series—including a piece we published last week, Pack It Up: Why Modern Card Collecting Is A Mirage.

Brandon describes himself as a cautionary tale: “On one end, I’m as happy as I’ve ever been, but on the other hand, I’ve been irresponsible financially… chasing big hits through buying lots of cards and into card breaks has gotten out of control.” He’s experienced the highs of hitting on chases, but he also knows those moments can be deceptive—“rewarding” in the moment, but dangerous over time.

Despite the challenges, Brandon has embraced Collectors MD as a preemptive strike—choosing accountability and community support so his collection doesn’t become something he’s forced to sell. He’s living proof that intentionality makes a difference, even when temptation runs high.

Brandon’s collection is both wide-ranging and personal. It includes 90s slabs of NBA legends like Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway, and Kobe Bryant; a strong lineup of current Cubs players; 49ers icons such as Brock Purdy and Joe Montana; an eclectic lot of cards from the Bob Ross x Topps set; tribute displays for Hulk Hogan and Cubs greats like Mark Grace, Ryne Sandberg, and Ernie Banks; and unique treasures like an Eric “Butterbean” Esch autograph.

When we asked Brandon what “collecting with intention” means to him, he put it simply: “Collecting with intent is fun”. That joy is reflected in the way he curates his PC—not for show, but for personal meaning.

Brandon, thank you for your honesty, your contributions, and the heart you bring to this community. Your willingness to share your journey reminds us all that collecting is about more than cards—it’s about accountability, connection, and purpose.

Below is a glimpse of Brandon’s collection. Be sure to check out his page and give him a follow!

#CollectorsMD
Collect With Intention. Not Compulsion.

https://collectorsmd.com/collector-spotlight/