The first step is a step I recommend to all early investors. Setting a budget is very important in order to set expectations and reach your financial goals responsibly. You have to always keep in mind that you should only invest an amount you're willing to lose. Not every Pokémon card will net you a profit, just like not every stock is a good pick.

Pokémon cards or any collectible investments are, in my opinion, a medium risk. Most cards will eventually go up in value because the supply will cut off one day, but there won't always be a demand for all cards. If you're going to invest in newer cards, be certain you are willing to hold onto them for a long time because it might take a while for prices to be high enough to meet your standards. Due to the uncertain nature of Pokémon cards, I recommend only making Pokémon cards a small percentage of your portfolio. The younger you are, the more risks you can take with your portfolio. However, always stay within the budget of the money you're willing to lose.

Lastly, evaluate your opportunity costs. Is the amount you're investing in Pokémon cards worth your time? If you love Pokémon or miss the memories of your childhood and also looking to see the worth of something you like, you're more than welcome to look into Pokémon TCG. However, if you're only looking to make a quick buck, you might get disappointed. If this is you, you'll have better luck looking in other markets. Most cards' values are only expected to go up in the long term and the rare cards have a high buy-in price.

In conclusion, set aside an amount you're willing to lose and evaluate how much risky investments will affect you. Not every card will be a winner but they are almost certain to increase in price if demand continues to follow the trend. Pokémon cards are a long-term investment and you'll enjoy them the most if you love the hobby.

Buying from a reputable source is probably the hardest step in the process. It is easy to buy packs of new cards at a local retailer, but buying old, rare cards is much harder. With the increase in the hype around Pokémon, so has the number of scams. One of the biggest influencers in Pokémon card investing, Logan Paul, was scammed by a $3.5 million fake box of cards! Be wary when looking online for the cards you want. However, the internet and sites, like eBay, are great places to look for market prices for cards. You can find what people are valuing cards and get your hands on a card with more potential. Check for listing prices and prices last sold to help begin your search.

More reputable places to search would be your local collectibles shop or auctions. Some inexperienced shop owners may hold onto fakes without knowing, so still be cautious, but they can also be places holding onto goldmines. Make connections with the people working at these shops for news and updates on hot cards and maybe they can hold onto special cards for you! A lot of shops also sell already-graded cards so you know the price for them is fair and accurate. Auctions are also a safe bet because Pokémon cards at auctions are graded and pre-evaluated by consumers.

Bottom line, make connections to stay updated on Pokémon TCG news. It can be easy to find others in the space at your local collectibles shop, and these shops are a great place to start your search for good cards. If you're looking online, know who you're buying the cards from and stay connected with them in case any mishaps occur.

The last step (before selling your card) is a very important tip: protect your cards! If you think you're holding onto a potential money-maker, make sure your asset is well kept. Just like you put a case on your phone to preserve it, preserving your Pokémon cards could mean the difference of thousands of dollars! As mentioned in the PSA section, high-quality cards are graded based on their physical appearance. No one would pay for damaged goods! If you pull a nice card from a pack, put it in a soft card sleeve. The more expensive the card, the more you should invest in the protection for it! Use hard sleeves for your special cards, especially if you are shipping them to be graded or sold.

On the same note, get your valuable cards graded! You cannot know the value of your card for sure until it has been graded. Graded cards join a pool of other cards graded of the same caliber, further shrinking the supply pool. People are more willing to pay for your PSA 7 Charizard than a non-graded Charizard. However, do not get all of your cards graded; grading can, on average, $20 per card, so only grade the ones that you're sure surpass that value or is special to you.