Buying records isn’t always a walk in the park, and in this video I lay out the “unwritten rules” I use to keep the hobby enjoyable—and to stop myself getting lost down a rabbit warren. I’m not pretending my rules are universal (your mileage may vary), but I do think a few boundaries help you stay on track, avoid disappointment, and ultimately get more out of your collection. I start with money, because let’s be honest: this hobby isn’t cheap. I talk about setting a sensible price cap for new vinyl (for me it’s usually around £35), being wary of out-of-print panic buys, and not letting the whole thing push you into debt. From there I get practical: don’t get taken for a ride on overpriced charity shop/thrift store records—check Discogs on your phone. I also explain why I’m cautious about anything graded below VG+ (and why overgrading online is a real thing), plus a few inspection tricks like checking the spindle hole for heavy play. I also make the case for cleaning used and new records before they hit your turntable—new pressings can be dusty, statically charged, and full of paper flakes. Finally, I cover sound-quality pitfalls like picture discs, why supporting local record stores matters, and a curveball: sometimes buying something random is the best way to rediscover the fun. Bonus rule? Don’t overanalyze—keep it simple and enjoy the music.