I'm sorry you feel that way. The same could be said, I think, for just about every article written on any website, financial or otherwise. And just because they are some basic economic principles doesn't mean it doesn't help to see them in action in the MTG market. After all, nothing written means much without context. This isn't a textbook, and there's a big difference between spouting off economic principles and seeing them in live action.

With the travelling and extra effort, $45 feels like it might not constitute a very good hourly rate.

While you're likely right that some part of the audience just wants the basic facts in bite size chunks ready for implementation in their own speculation activities (or at least, that's what i think you are looking for?), there is a different part of the audience that likes the verbose descriptions (I would be one of them). Whatever your preference though if you note this for more insider articles it might be a bit unfair to Corbin to raise it as a point just for his article. It seems more like something to raise as a general comment to the site on the forums, which will also make sure more people will notice it and it may become more clear how many people have a viewpoint similar to your own.

The basic ideas you are espousing are economic 101, buy low sell high, see what the market will bare, sell your product where the demand is the highest, etc. I see you bought; foil Snapcaster Mage, foil Stoneforge Mystic, and a NM- Wasteland for $72. Conservatively, these cards sell on ebay for $50, $40, $30. Therefor, you either found someone generous or foolish. Assuming the people paying for insider content know how to trade up, your many examples seem like “good for you” moments, not tips for aspiring traders.

There are some interesting tidbits in here, but it feels like real work to glean relevant information from Quiet Speculating insider articles.

As for when to sell: my advice is immediately. I always start with the cheap stuff and sell everything as singles to dealers until I've recuperated all, or the largest part of, my investment. Sometimes that leaves you with one or two prize cards, sometimes a ton more, but you're then poised to re-invest that money into another collection while you slow grind the good stuff. Plus, it makes your efforts immediately apparent and easy to determine. (ie "It took me X dollars and Y hours to earn this pile of cards in my hand")