Purchasing Mint Coins

I am purchasing the Presidential Proof Set each year, to crack them from their holders and put into a nice Dansco at some point.
The "P or D Rolls" purchased from the U.S. Mint, at $35.95 per, (that's $71.00 plus shipping and handling for both the P&D rolls each and every time a new President comes out) are WAAAAYYYY too expensive for me to do that for the entire run of the program. And I'll have a future problem getting the "P" mints for my album ......but I'm not worried about it now.
(Perhaps a "Proof only" album for me ?)...
Perhaps I'll crack some Uncirculated full year Sets to free the "Satin Finish" Presidential dollars from inside and put them with the Proofs into a Dansco......I dunno....I'm still thinking about what kind of "album" I'll put together !

The First Lady Bronze medals you're referring to tyretiredwave, have never carried much interest for me personally, though I do think it might be kind of attractive to have that pairing as a collection, but I don't know of anyone currently doing that. I just don't think that the Bronze First Lady Medals are ever going to be "a big hit" by themselves...but they "can" certainly be "interesting" for a display in an album.

The First Spouse "GOLD" coins that Seated mentioned......I only have one..... the "Dolley Madison"...and I do like it !....but they're too expensive for my financial budget with coins !

You know, really, you just have to collect what you like, and do it within your own budget.
If you think this future completed Set will be attractive to you, then do it ! Kids LOVE them ! And they find it fun to put the folders together....and they might learn a little about the Presidents along the way....they could bring their folder to school maybe when they have to memorize the Presidents (hopefully not to cheat !)
Do not pursue them thinking you're going to have something "really valuable" someday.....because that's just not likely, even if all the mintages begin to drastically drop as is being discussed everywhere.
These Presidential dollars are met with "fury & venom" from strictly Classic coin collectors and Modern Collectors alike....and with generally good reason too, but if it's appealing to "you" and you enjoy it.....and it's within your means....by all means....proceed with it, and put the best Set together that you can I say !

It's really all just that kind of thing "for me". Do not wait for Carls 100 year half price sale ! .... ..

Thank you for all of your comments. I am just about 2 weeks into this new adventure and I have so very much to learn. Your most learned advice is just what I need. I may have really stupid questions going forward but it is hard to get a coin dealer here in the SF Bay Area that will even talk to you if you don't look like you have a million in the bank already, after all this is Silicon Valley! There is one guy but he is hard to catch and when you do find him in, he is really busy.

Again thank you for your comments and concerns.

Terri

Now here is a really great suggestion. Move to Illinois. We have 4 coin shows a Month and all within about 15 miles of each other. Most, not all, dealers will talk your head off if allowed and not to busy. Same with many of our coin stores. I went to one just to buy one item and had a tuff time getting out of the place and started walking out as one of the dealers was still talking. At some coin shows I've had dealers say pull up a chair and sit down. It makes people think I've got something worth looking at.
Meanwhile back to all those baby sized dollar coins. I never see any in circulation at all. I go to a restaurant several times a week with a bunch of people. A guy at the next table showed us one of those Presedential dollars and I was the only one of 6 that knew what they were. Some never even heard of them. So obviously they are being collected by someone, somewhere.
As easglefoot stated you really should just collect what you like regardless of what others may or may not say. Regardless of any possible future increases in values. Always remember that coin collecting is a hobby and should be considered FUN.

Thank you to everyone. I bought a bunch of great books and still have much to learn. I was hoping to buy a few more but was shocked to find out I have another $10,000.00 in tuition to pay, so my coin collecting is going to have to be in gathering change, reading and studying.