I was warned by someone to figure out the costs of my CRH and to see if I was actually making money. Gas money and time were the two costs that came to mind immediately. I curb my gas costs by hitting banks that are on my commute to and from work. I do spend more gas money on Saturdays when I go hunting throughout my metro area, but nothing too far out of town. When I travel for work, I hit it hard between appointments hitting banks to and from my destinations. I don't pay for gas then. So for me, the gas isn't that big of a deal. Now time, that's a big one. For me this is an activity that I truly enjoy. I get a lot of utility out of it. Other activities that I like are hunting, fishing, golf, and travel. These have considerable costs to them. So I figure I am getting returns from silver half dollars and enjoying myself at the same time. "The Hunt" is a thrill for me. Now I started thinking about things I could do more of with my time like exercise and reading. The time I set aside for those activities has diminished a little since I started but I still have plenty of time for my girlfriend and hiking on the weekends. What else am I missing here? Use this thread to discuss all costs involved in CRH. We are paying face value for coin finds here but there are costs. Oh, and I rule out how much I make at work per hour because this is a fun activity.
The thrill of cracking open a roll and never knowing what you might find is priceless to me. I do it to add to my collection, if I were to find a cent that's worth 500 dollars, would I keep it or sell it? Not really sure, I'd have to be in that position, but id probably end up holding onto it. For those CRHers who do it for profit id say all in all it's probably not worth it, but for someone like myself who collects through circulation, reject trays and the like it is the best and most reliable means of finding relatively rare, and interesting coins at face value
If all I was doing was driving to banks each and everyday I would honestly say it doesn't make sense at silver's current manipulated low price. However, doing box searches in addition to Bank searches reduces the cost per thousand coins searched. I also as you know use travel for work as opportunities to search with zero fuel costs as well as search new territory( at least FO me) Here's the benefit, silver price will eventual reach its true value either through awakening to holding an asset or end of manipulation. When I started searching in 2011 when silver was in the 40+ range I don't think this would be an aurgument from anyone. A 40% half was worth about $5.60 and a 90% half as worth about $14 a piece. That means a roll of 40 was getting over $100, and 90s close to 300. So like planting a field any cost disadvantage now will be greatly realized over time. Prices and silver/gold ratios will not stayed skewed forever. I think be cautious and dilberate, I printed some cards out that I hand a few tellers that know I'm looking for halfs and they will call me when they get them. This way I can target the bank knowing at least my trip has a higher potential of success than just blind driving. I still blind drive my "route" as I can. Plus like you I like the rush when I tag a roll with that pretty silver grey edge!
I also think that married men should keep a ledger for the expenses related to washing their underwear in the event they get divorced. Chris
Just keep in mind, every roll of coins you pick up at a bank these days has already been gone through perhaps several times already, or even better, was put together by me who examines every coin BEFORE it gets in that roll.
I don't care about the costs as any costs associated are ruled out by the enjoyment I receive from doing so. It's the same as camping, hiking, fishing, antiquing, rock hunting or anything else I enjoy. Everything we do in life has costs associated with it, including going to the grocery store.
Hey Rick, I hope you don't have your wife beachcombing for lost coins. LOL. Is that one of the Great Lakes behind her? Lake Michigan perhaps?
Yes I do like the no cost for gas money while I travel. I use more of a shotgun approach to storming the banks. The contact card is a great idea. A one time inexpensive gift like chocolate or donuts helps. I do feel like a door to door salesman at times and dumping halves at the bank can be lame for all involved. I don't spend all my time hunting but when it is convenient I do it. I've been together with my girl for six weeks and she doesn't even know so that gives an ideal that it is not all consuming. The time doing other things when I get crap boxes 16 times in a row makes me wonder what the hell i'm doing sometimes though
Yes, but every once in a while you find one that was put together by someone like you as keepers -- and then inherited, found, or stolen by someone oblivious. More commonly, you find one that was put together by someone oblivious, but containing coins spent by another oblivious heir/kid/crook. All those coins going into CoinStars have been gone through multiple times, too. It's still rewarding to check the reject slots. Finding and setting aside a desirable coin doesn't necessarily remove it from circulation forever.
I want to go back as I've only been there once. I then drove across highway 8 in Wisconsin. Very nice country up that way. Lots of good antiques too.
It was my first time staying on the Island, we got a kitchenette on the Harbor for 3 days during the week .
Unless it has changed a lot in the last 50 years, I remember mosquitos husky enough to carry away small dogs.
Well, I don't spend anything but time on my CRH... I like to kind of kill several birds with one stone at the same time. Since I live within walking distance (1.5 miles or so) of several banks and stores, I like to walk to them, along with doing lots of reading on my cellphone. So I get my exercise in. Some days I buy A LOT of rolls of coins, and they're pretty heavy to lug around... So I get my walking in, a good workout of my arm and shoulder muscles, some reading in, and of course, the thrill of the search and the find once I get home... In 7 months of doing this again, I've found a lot of great stuff, as my signature will attest!