Bi-monthly card show pickups

I feel like I've been traveling so much for work (and I have been) that I haven't been able to do much as far as trades, card shows, etc.  I was finally available for the very close to my house card show.  This show always has a great mix of slabs and cheap boxes, plus it's not as packed as the monthly one I will frequent.    I always end up spending more at this show than I usually plan, where at the monthly show I can stick to my budget.  Here's a snapshot of what I picked up:

Football

Cubbies and Royals - current and former

Old dudes

Other PC guys

I found this in a 50 cent box

2024 Topps Series 2 hanger left me hanging

Again at the local Walmart looking for cards, especially psyched coming off of the Bowman blaster hits trying to extend my lucky streak.  Well, there was NO extending the streak as there were no blaster boxes; only packs and hanger boxes.  But, as I always get excited for new product, I went for the hanger box...bad choice:

First card...meh

Token catcher card

I'll add the Shota to the Cubs mega collection

Still haven't decided if I want to PC Waters or not

Colors

Inserts

There are always an excessive amount of this insert in any Topps produce the last couple of years...I'm ready for something new Topps

Did I make a good decision?

I was at my local Walmart the other day, and not only did they have some things in stock, I had a choice of a 2024 Bowman Mega boxes or 2024 Bowman blasters.  For my budget and price range, I could get 1 mega or 2 blasters....decisions, decisions.  It's been quite a while since I've had to make a decision in a Walmart about cards due to there never being any.  I went with the 2 blaster boxes and here's how I did; scroll to the end to see how my decision faired:

First card and a great start...a Cubbie and a Cubbie need for the mega collection

Cubbies

Royals

Hits - I only included the prospects because I feel like I did well

Inserts

Favorite insert design

The blaster box decisions was a good one because of this...

May TTMs

Steve Shields
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Home address
42 days

Rick Reuschel

Signed 3/3

Sent c/o Home address

22 days

Mike Schooler

Signed 2/2

Sent c/o Work address

57 days

Dave Johnson

Signed 2/2

Sent c/o Home address

22 days

2024 Big League

I've always been a fan of Big League.  I was just so-so on this year's design, but now that I have some in hand, I really like it.  I've considered putting a base set together, but I probably won't because my collecting goals are changing every year.  He's the goodies I got:

An SP and a Cub as the first card?  Not bad

2nd pack - I love the Marlins throw back uni's

3rd pack

4th pack

5th pack

6th pack

7th pack

8th pack

9th pack

10th pack

Royals PC

PC guy

Catchers!

SPs - one per pack!

Orange SP

Orange parallel

I really like these inserts...it's my favorite of the set!