As someone who has been in and around the collecting hobby for a good chunk of my life, I've noticed a few traits of collectors. I've talked to many people who have so much stuff in their homes, there is barely enough space to actually walk around. Now I'm guessing these types of collectors aren't the ones who limit themselves to one category or type of toys. They buy anything and everything — to be used as parts, trade bait or simply because they can't seem to let anything pass them by.

Others are like me. I buy a little of something here and there. I'm not tied to one particular category. I have a smattering of action figures, a few tin tanks, some board games and even a lightsaber or two among my Milwaukee Brewers memorabilia in "my room" in the basement. I don't have so much stuff that I can't move, but I don't have a dedicated collecting field, either. To me, it makes it that much more fun when I hit antique shops with my mom. I never know what I might bring home.

And then there are those collectors who have a targeted niche in collecting. For instance, they might collect Hot Wheels. In that case, there might be display case after display case filled with models, prototypes and exclusives. These types of collectors have a specific item they are looking for, and they dive into it like a colege student working on his senior thesis.

Is any one method better than another? No way. And that's what makes this hobby great. You don't have to be rich to enjoy it, and there are plenty of other folks out there who enjoy the same thing.

Of course, that leads to one question — what type of collector are you? (And don't be afraid to show off your collection to the rest of us.)