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Is collecting an idea that has crossed your mind or something you're already into?

We're not talking back issues of GQ or seashells from your last few trips to the beach, but highly valuable items that one day, even tomorrow, could be worth an impressive amount. You may already have a collection growing, or today is day one. No matter where you're at on the collecting curve, if you are into any of these five items, you're on to something. Your hobby could become your retirement fund… and then some!

Comic Books

Comic books can be a gold mineunsplash.com

Turn funny into money by rummaging through your collection of old comic books. The action may be over, but the pages are precious. Rare and vintage comic books can be worth a pretty penny as per Go Banking Rates. "A 1938 copy of Action Comics #1 sold last year for nearly $1 million at a public auction, according to Heritage Auctions." Naturally, not every comic book will yield such a high payout, but it's worth weeding through your childhood favorites to see if any have significant value. Go Banking Rates adds, "Comics with classic covers or first appearances are typically more marketable." If you want to get an estimate of what one of your books may be going for, visit Comics Price Guide for more information.

Antique Furniture

Your family's heirlooms could be surprisingly valuable unsplash.com

Before you donate Granny's creaky old rocking chair to Goodwill, consider keeping it, and any other chairs, tables, cabinets, and chests she may want to pass down, for that matter. According to Huffington Post, antique furniture could be worth a fortune, and you could literally be sitting on a pile of dough. "Furniture that was once considered classic such as china hutches and roll top desks have fallen out of favor. For collectors and wealth investors, however, there are still major pieces of antique furniture in the market." Need proof? "The Badminton Cabinet built in England in the 18th century fetched $36 million at a Christie's auction in 2004, making it the most expensive piece of antique furniture ever sold." Sadly, your future great-grandkids are not going to appreciate your IKEA bookshelves.

Watches

Watches have long been considered a valuable investment unsplash.com

Nowadays, watches are worn more for fashion than function being that we all carry around a smartphone 24/7. But for those who enjoy a fine watch or timepiece, collecting them could mean watching your savings account numbers soar. According to Huffington Post, "Christie's and Sotheby's reported selling half a dozen watches for more than $2 million apiece between June 2012 and June 2013. The most expensive watch ever sold at auction was the Henry Graves "supercomplication" watch by Patek Philippe, which sold for $11 million at a Sotheby's auction." Swiss watches are in the highest demand, so hone in on those if you're serious about scoring big one day. Only time will tell…

Stamps

Have a stamp collection? Consider keeping it! pixabay.com

These days, stamps could be more relevant than ever. With "snail mail" edging closer and closer to becoming obsolete, stamps will likely one day be a collector's item only. But we're talking about older, rarer stamps that are worth keeping stored safely to prevent deterioration. According to Go Banking Rates, "Stamps are among collectibles that are gaining value. Take, for example, the 'Inverted Jenny' stamp. Only 100 of them exist, according to CNN Money, and one that was valued at $1.6 million was auctioned off last May." A collection could be more valuable than a single stamp, though. "If your collection is organized, it will likely sell for more money," advises Go Banking Rates. Will your collection get the stamp of approval?

Wine

Many different vintages hold their value well over time unsplash.com

You may be tempted to drink your cab or pinot with dinner tonight but save those rarer bottles in your cellar and pop open a can of beer instead. Vino can be valuable, and your bottles may bring in big bucks. According to Huffington Post, "While the wine sub-index increased only by 3% last year, it increased by 182% over the decade ending in mid-2013." But which wines are the best to collect? Huffington Post claims, "By far, most investment-grade wine comes from the Bordeaux region of France. However, it was a wine from Burgundy that set a new record. Twelve bottles of 1978 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti were sold for $476,280 at a Christie's auction." For tips on collecting investment-grade wine, read Money Crashers' guide to buying bottles with promise for a payout. Cheers to a wine windfall!

Do you have a collection? Are you in it for fun or fortune?

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As of Oct 12, the death count of California's wildfires had risen up to at least 23 people. The disaster devastated northern California for four days — however, firefighters are no closer to any end point.

The number of fires has also risen from 17 to 22 with approximately 170,000 acres currently burning. Around 1,500 homes and businesses have already been destroyed and if the over 30 mph winds don't stop, much more will be too.

This wildfire has impacted the lives of thousands of people — what will it mean for the wine business?

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As of Oct 11, around 30 commercial wine businesses have been damaged or destroyed including the Signorello Estate, Fountaingrove Inn and Round Barn, William Hill Estate Winery and many more.

The wine industry already withstands many difficulties like — too much frost to too much heat, and grapes can also be damaged by an abundance or deficiency of rain, insects, disease, mold and fungus.

However, added onto these wildfires, drastic changes could be coming to the wine business very soon.

Napa Valley Vintners, a trade association, recently delivered a press release: "We are assessing information on how the fires might affect the 2017 harvest and the wine industry specifically, but it will be some time before we have any specific information along these lines. It should be noted that the majority of Napa Valley's grapes were picked before the fires started [Sunday] night."

If the majority of grapes weren't harmed, there can still be damages — endless amounts of aging or stored wines, barrels and tanks could be destroyed in these wildfires. Business plans, recipes, machinery directions — all gone.

These fires are burning up heaps of capital

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In a recent San Francisco Chronicle article, Esther Mobley writes, "[The wildfires] could mark a severe shortage of grapes for years to come. When vineyards are planted, it can take three to five years for them to bear fruit."

Even more devastating effects could weigh down on small wine businesses — those who don't own warehouses or vineyards, but make wines in communal spaces. Their entire stocks could be depleted.

However, even if it takes a while, recovery will come. Meanwhile, chief executive officer and president of WineCounty Media, Michael Cann, says that we can

restimulate local economy by increasing travel and tourism. In the end, human resilience will always win out.