I collected stamps and coins as a kid, other kids collected baseball cards, wasn't I the rebel!
Stopped collecting stamps 25-30 years ago, just kind of lost interest, but I remember being entranced by the history behind each stamp. I had inherited many from my grandfather. I have since split the collection apart, much of the stuff from mid-late 60's and forward really isn't valued much above face value since it corresponds to the increasing volume and variety in commemorative releases, so I use those for stuff I mail out like Christmas cards, business mailings and such. The older stuff that has more value and has more nostalgia and sentimental value I've kept, I thought I would see if one of my Nephews would want to take it over, but I want to get a new binder and pretty it up first.
Coins I still collect although my collection has changed over the years. I've kept coins of each period for my own interest and much of the bulk was sold/traded to get silver bullion or higher content silver coins in bulk like silver dollars, halfs, and quarters.