From passion to pawnshop: Singaporeans are cashing out their collectables just to get by: From Pokémon cards to vintage comics, more Singaporeans are cashing in their collectibles to cover rising living costs. Retailers, however, say demand remains strong and the market is far from dead.     🔗 Read more: https://theindependent.sg/from-passion-to-pawnshop-singaporeans-are-cashing-out-their-collectables-just-to   Based on the article published by *The Independent Singapore* (which draws from an in-depth Channel NewsAsia report), here are the full details of how Singaporeans are increasingly turning their personal hobbies into financial lifelines to cope with the rising cost of living.   ### 📈 The Numbers Tell the Story   Collectibles shops in Singapore have reported a massive surge in individuals looking to offload their private collections:    * **Sugoi Collection** (toys and general collectibles) reports a **50% increase** in sellers compared to four years ago.    * **Shane Collectibles and Consignment** and **SC Collection** (both specializing in trading card games like Pokémon) have seen a **30% spike** in collectors trying to sell.    * **Comic Book Hobbyists** have noted an estimated **45% increase** in people liquidating prized vintage graphic novels over the past two years alone.   ### 💰 Why Are People Cashing Out?   While some hobbyists are simply timing the market to cash out at peak values, retailers note that a substantial portion of sellers are younger couples, working adults, students, and national servicemen (NSFs) who are facing immediate financial pressures.   The cash unlocked from these sales is heavily being used to fund:    * Housing down payments and home renovation costs.    * Wedding expenses and newborn-related costs.    * Immediate business cash flow needs.    * A financial buffer to tide over periods of unemployment between jobs.   ### 🃏 Key Perspectives from Retailers    * **Temporary Capital Reallocation:** Malcolm Wong, owner of Shane Collectibles, pointed out that many collectors are emotionally attached to their items. They aren't leaving the hobby permanently; rather, they are treating their collections as liquid assets—selling now to clear cash flow hurdles with the explicit intention to buy them back later when their finances improve.    * **The Scale of Value:**    The price range remains vast. At card shops, items being moved range from single cards worth S1 up to high-end grail items worth S15,000.   ### 🗣️ Netizen & Public Reaction The article highlighted a deep divide in how locals view this trend:    * **The Affordability Crisis:** Many netizens expressed sadness, noting that having to sell off hard-earned sentimental items "just to survive" points to a harsh economic reality, blaming structural issues like soaring rent prices.    * **The Market Skeptics:** Others argued that this isn't purely out of desperation. Because values for modern collectibles (like *Pokémon*, *One Piece*, *Disney*, and *League of Legends*) have skyrocketed to highly inflated levels, many smart sellers are simply capitalizing on a "hype bubble" to make a calculated profit.   ### 🔮 The Long-Term Market Outlook   Despite the massive influx of people selling, **retailers insist the market is far from dead.** Demand remains incredibly robust. Because major intellectual properties continue to pull in new fans, there are still plenty of buyers waiting to pick up the pieces that others are forced to leave behind, keeping the secondary collectibles ecosystem very active.

that type of Propaganda  no need waste time to read, just cut and paste and ask ai focus on money/ job can liao     report news easy, at least tell money come of where liao, my guess must be lot that why they rather ignore the parts where it the most important

I have 3 mobile lines with them. Only challenge is no ability to talk to anyone   I wonder if they offer better options if you go broadband too with them?

For Family 1 I believe he has some help from his Church. It could be in the form of donations or follower subscriptions to the Christian websites he maintained.