hallowken78

2023 was the year I realized I was buying records just for the sake of buying records. Blind purchases of new albums from bands that released one great album in their career. Band released a new album I really like? Go buy their entire back catalog. Just really dumb purchases overall of albums I may listen to once and never touch again.
I looked at my collection and thought to myself, "There's probably only a couple hundred records here that I would realistically ever sit down with and critically listen to." So unless I am able to listen to the full album first, and can envision myself ever taking the time to sit down and put the record on and critically listen to it, I don't purchase anymore.
Additionally, I realized my music tastes have vastly changed. I've been going through my collection and re-listening to everything to determine what is really worth keeping. So I've also begun selling records as well.
Pretty much just echoing the sentiments of many others that posted in this thread already.

My record buying habits have changed drastically. For one, there is a tiny number of bands/artists that I will preorder a new record from without needing to hear it first. New records not only have to be amazing, but I must legitimately see myself listening to them regularly. No buying records just for the sake of collecting or completing a discography. 
No duplicates of albums. If a better/nicer pressing comes out, I will sell my old one. 
My number one new rule: be patient. Wait for sales and scoop up whatever variant is the least popular. I could not care less what color the record is. The only color I care about is green. 

This is precisely what I've tried to tell myself, however, I've let that logic lapse a few points throughout the year.  I panic buy so many POs becasue I'm fearful that the price will skyrocket, and I won't be able to obtain one down the road.  But let's face it - that is just silly.  Everything gets re-pressed.   And as you point out, even paying double or triple the price on the aftermarket for an album I develop a true affection for will still limit my spending (and space) in comparison to blind buying everything I anticipate enjoying or digging a single from.    
I accidentally stumbled upon some old vinyl invoices in my email from Deathwish and SoundStageDirect a couple weeks back...stuff from 10+ years ago.  Seeing the price difference is just staggering.   And it's not just the price hike, but the shipping hike.  I buy 99% of my records online, so shipping costs have stopped me from pulling the trigger on numerous occasions throughout 2023.

These preorder prices are off the chain. Not worried about FOMO anymore. Preorders reaching $50 and above is a price gouge. I understand the labels gotta do what they gotta do. But this inflation is choking the life out of the collector(me). I guess what I'm saying is that I spent a little too much last year. Maybe not as much a 2022 or 21. That's when I spent an ungodly💪 amount that i can't say. 
There's been in uptick of classic Thrash that I can't stop buying. I've also been adding to my jazz collection as well thanks to the blue notes. But I guess other than that my spending is a little healthier now than before. 
I might be lying to myself. 
Just got back from a 10 jazz record haul this afternoon...

Another way that I am dealing with FOMO is to tell myself that if I really want that record a year from now, it won't be a big deal to pay say $100+ for it, because I have already saved so much money not buying at standard retail. It all adds up so quickly. I'd rather have one amazing record than 4 that are good or okay. I think this will also make my collection more carefully curated, rather than blind buys of things that I listen to a few times and shelve. I'm actually proud of the self control I have shown, recently.

I have definitely found my obsession with records has faded. I've been doing this a looong time. The insane prices and all of the noobs calling records vinylz and buying them just to hang on the wall, has soured me on the whole experience. I should probably stay off Reddit. There's been many times we've been travelling and my wife asks me if I want to go to the local record store and I just say "nah". I also like having extra money. The evil Spotify has changed things for me. I just stream shit and ask myself if I really need to spend $35+ to listen to it on vinyl. Many times the answer is "not really".
Off the top of my head I can't really come up with a record I was truly excited about when I got it. Man, I'm being a downer! Maybe I'll come up with something later. Oh wait, the signed National "test pressing" was super cool. 😜

18 Visions post-reunion has been amazing 

https://18vmerch.com/products/purgatorio-screen-printed-slip-cover-edition-of-25
 
Alternate artwork slip-cover limited to 25 for $35

There's a box set coming..

These are the 2 extreme metal albums that stood out for me this year:
Horrendous  - Ontological Mysterium
Outer Heaven - Infinite Psychic Depths
 
Also really enjoyed Portrayal of Guilt's Devil Music EP.
 
 

For hardcore I really liked Human Garbage, Envision, Blood Runs Cold, Gel and Buggin. 

I used to buy back my own label’s releases from Hot Topic during Hot Cash days at literal pennies on the dollar then putting them back in my webstore and selling them at full price. Hot Topic was a godsend to microlabels like mine in the 2010s. 

I dropped this in the Deals thread, but there's a lot of records discounted at Metal Blade. Both of the Twitching Tongue LPs are $5. 
https://metalblade.indiemerch.com/collections/clearance?filter.v.availability=1&filter.v.price.gte=&filter.v.price.lte=&filter.p.product_type=12"&filter.p.product_type=2x12"&filter.p.product_type=3x12"&sort_by=best-selling

It's definitely encouraging to hear they're re-thinking how this will apply.  I think if they can raise the threshold and eliminate the ambiguity with how it is applied, then most of us will come out unscathed.  Then again, I could be totally naive...

Update on the Form 1099-K stuff.
 
IRS announces delay in Form 1099-K reporting threshold for third party platform payments in 2023; plans for a threshold of $5,000 for 2024 to phase in implementation
 
It seems to say that the $5000 threshold for 2024 is temporary to eventually drop to $600 in the future. I hope they rethink that. Even $5000 isn't great.

Messaged them last night about the false description of being remastered audio. Told them I already own a copy that sounds like crap so I don’t need another. I asked for a refund if I send it back to them. We shall see. 

Yeah, really just want the EPs, having previously copped the 3LP set. Kinda hoping they become available in the future, all the while knowing that if it happens they will somehow cost more than buying this set would now.

Only Glassjaw could make me feel like a I got a bargain in regard to spending over 100 bucks just to get 2 goddamn EPs on vinyl that I'm dying to have.  

Only Glassjaw could make me feel like a I got a bargain in regard to spending over 100 bucks just to get 2 goddamn EPs on vinyl that I'm dying to have.  

seems work on the Maggot Stomp store, too.

...and I'm spent. (I'm also apparently on every record label ever's mailing list.)

New Hope Con songs are great!
 
Passing on the record. This should have been a 7”.

New HOPE CONSPIRACY!
never thought I’d ever say those words again
https://deathwishinc.com/collections/the-hope-conspiracy/products/the-hope-conspiracy-confusion-chaos-misery

 
Listen here:
https://thehopeconspiracy.bandcamp.com/album/confusion-chaos-misery

They definitely Big Riff-ed!

Yeah that whole show on Saturday was off the hook. I actually met one guy who flew in from Belgium for the show and back home the next day. Worth it. When I last saw them with Yob they played almost only stuff from HP, which was totally cool, but it was nice to also hear some UYHS staples again. And they played Big Riff, right, or am I just imagining that?