I collected as a kid in the 80s and 90s. As an adult, I made the mistake of getting rid of everything and then regretting it almost immediately. I started from scratch and have a collection that may not be the most expensive, but it is meaningful. I stopped in 2020 when collectors came out of the woodwork with tons of money and, in my opinion, completely destroyed the hobby for people like me. I recently had an itch to get back in, but I am more of a $10 here, $10 there guy. I don't make very big purchases and the hobby has so many cards it's hard to see where the value is. I'm not paying $9 a pack for four cards (ahem, Topps Chrome). I miss it somedays, but I know what it's like to get sucked in too deep. However, I am beginning to focus on Vintage. Dabbling into a lot of sets here and there, just to get some players. I have begun a 1980 set and would love to put together a 73 set.
I love the Astros and always have a soft spot for guys I grew up on. Glavine, Ripken, Gary Carter, the 86 Mets.