You post does pose some interesting thoughts and questions. I don't understand why people collect some of the things they do. I use to collect music boxes but then came over run with them. LOst interest. I always said I should collect money as we never have enough.
I started collecting SS when in Vegas with two old friends. We were drinking and having a great time. We were at Bally's for the free pull and walked by the SS machine. We each put in a quarter and won three coins. That did it for me. I was hooked, just loved winning those coins. We started looking all over for those machines. I came home with 7. My husband thought I was nuts and wanted to know why I wanted to play for those things. Well, at least I came home with something other than receipts and they are pretty, fun to win and bring me memories.
My next trip out with my husband, I'm still playing for my SS and he goes on his way. Pretty soon he is over with me seeing how I'm doing and watching me win strikes. Next thing I know he is looking for a SS machine. A year & half later we now have over 500 SS. We also have lots of great memories, seen hotels I would never have gone to (El Cortez for one) and met some GREAT people. We now belong to the SS Club and looking forward to our first convention. We did we first SS Slot Tournament and this is hopefully only the beginning. And now I do collect money and if I sell I can get some of my money back.