Investing in Antiques in an Unsure Economy

I was in the hospital waiting room...waiting and waiting.Cherish it, show it off to your friends and family, love
Anyway, it gave me some time to read. I wasit and hang onto it for a few years and then when
thumbing through a Finance magazine and seen someyour ready, and only when your ready, cash it in.
savvy investors. They weren't placing all their moneyWhere can you find these wonderful items you love?
in the stock market, the bank or stuffing it theirMany states have Auctions. My best rule for an
mattress for a rainy day. They were investing inauction is to go to the one that isn't as popular as
what they loved. Collectibles, antiques etc. One mananother set for the same day. For example, I live in
was collecting watches. He started when he wasNorthwest Ohio. We have some awesome Auctions
very young. He has quite a collection now in his 40's.around here. There could be 7 Auctions; all in the
I have always loved the jewelry from days gone by.same day, within my driving area. If an Auction has
There is something about that time. Everything wasalot of RS Prussia china, or other very sought after
original. Not a copy of someone elses work, nothingpieces, I will skip that Auction...unless you collect RS
looked the same as the other. People had vision,Prussia of course. The reason I would skip it? Most
originality. They dared to express themselves throughof the Antique Dealers will be there! This means the
fancy purses, jewelry, fine watches or reallyprices will go higher than I am willing to spend. I will
awesome muscle cars! I dream of a 1970 Superbird.go to a smaller Auction. Many Dealers will not go to
Ok, I'm drooling and my keyboard is starting to getthese auctions as they see them as a waste of time.
wet.What does this mean for you? WooHoo....BONUS! I
Okay, given, people DO still have originality today, buthave benefited many times over this way. I bought a
not as much as then. How much "retro" do you see?beautiful old dresser for $2.00 and at another Auction
Point made. That is because those eras were cool!a 1800's pump organ for $50.00; and too many more
Too cool to leave alone and not replicate once again.to list! There is a good example of instant return.
I have collected many items myself over the years. IIf the State you reside in does not have Auctions,
am not an expert by any means, but I can say this...Imaybe they have Estate Sales. or garage sales. If
furnished my entire house with beautiful antiqueyou chose garage sales, get there early...everybody
furniture for less than the cost of new solid woodelse will. Church bazaars are another great deal
dining room set. That was before antiques were cool.opportunity. I just went to a church bazaar the other
Now I'm "hot", "cool", "hip", "rad". Are any of thoseday. I spent $50.00 on jewelry there. The items I
terms still used today?purchased are worth at least $300 to $400. A few
Find something you love. Collect it. Research it firstitems I will hold onto, the others I will sell.
though. You need to make sure you are not payingI hope this helps you and will make you take a look
too much for the item. The goal is a "return" on yourat an old piece of jewelry your Grandmother might
investment. Sometimes with a great deal, that returnwant to give you. It may not look like much to you,
can be immediate. Don't get excited...it doesn'tbut the value could be significant. Cherish the
happen that often. The nice thing about collectingantiques, it is the original, usually handmade item that
what you love is that you also get to enjoy it. Thatsomeone once loved dearly and could be cherished
is the big bonus!again...by you!
So, with that said, again, collect what you love.