Cigar budget - ouch...

[itsme_timd]

Ummm, OK... well.....

I use Microsoft Money to keep up with my finances and it has this great (or not so great, depending on your POV) feature where you can run reports based on category - I'm sure a lot of others use something similar.

I ran a report today on my "hobbies and leisure" spending, which is about 95% cigar related. I was shocked, stunned, scared, bewildered and a bit flatulent after I saw the results.

Oh man, I've got to slow down on this stuff! The B&M is my social time and I'll usually hit it at least once a week to hang out, chat and smoke up. Then if you throw in an event on top of that, plus my love/hate relationship with Cigar Monster, the awesome box splits that pop up, great deals by other BOTL... it all adds up.

I'm in Atlanta and we have a lot of great events here! I've already got one for Friday and Saturday plus 2 next Saturday! Craziness.

So, I won't ask if this has happened to anyone else - I know it has! How 'bout I just ask you to share your story... We'll get through this together.

[ribletman]

I have been using Quicken brand personal finance software since the early 90's. Every purchase, every bill, and every dollar spent from my pocket goes into it, properly categorized. I very carefully manage my budget based on this data. The only difference between my budgets and most people's is that I accurately know how much I spend on everyday things like groceries, dining out, gasoline, etc. Instead of wishing I had more money in a category of the budget, every category has exactly as much as needed without crimping my spending. The budget includes saving money for future unexpected expenditures (like fixing a car, or re-roofing the house) and saving for retirement. All the money that is left (disposable income) I spend on whatever I wish... But I never spend more than that, ever. Budgets work.

[Stinkdyr]

Yikes. I guess in a way, I am "lucky" up here that I don't see so many events. So I just sip an occasional stick on my roofdeck alone. Nice and peaceful. I have been used and abused by cbid, so I am forcing myself away from that site for the near future. A selfimposed adult time-out.

Originally Posted by itsme_timd

Ummm, OK... well.....

I use Microsoft Money to keep up with my finances and it has this great (or not so great, depending on your POV) feature where you can run reports based on category - I'm sure a lot of others use something similar.

I ran a report today on my "hobbies and leisure" spending, which is about 95% cigar related. I was shocked, stunned, scared, bewildered and a bit flatulent after I saw the results.

Oh man, I've got to slow down on this stuff! The B&M is my social time and I'll usually hit it at least once a week to hang out, chat and smoke up. Then if you throw in an event on top of that, plus my love/hate relationship with Cigar Monster, the awesome box splits that pop up, great deals by other BOTL... it all adds up.

I'm in Atlanta and we have a lot of great events here! I've already got one for Friday and Saturday plus 2 next Saturday! Craziness.

So, I won't ask if this has happened to anyone else - I know it has! How 'bout I just ask you to share your story... We'll get through this together.

[Dom]

I've been doing alot of "smart" Spending lately, alotta Joe's, Monster, Cbid, things like that.

But what i've realized is that even though I'm getting 30-50 percent off on a consistent basis, i'm actually spending MORE than when I was paying retail. Granted I'm getting more for the money, it still adds up.

[GrtndpwrflOZ]

Originally Posted by Dom

I've been doing alot of "smart" Spending lately, alotta Joe's, Monster, Cbid, things like that.

But what i've realized is that even though I'm getting 30-50 percent off on a consistent basis, i'm actually spending MORE than when I was paying retail. Granted I'm getting more for the money, it still adds up.

Why is this starting to sound like role reversal.
The old clishe'(sp)
Wife: Honey look at all the clothes I bought!
Husband: WHAT!?!?!
Wife: Don't worry it was ALL on sale.

Now when it comes to cigars........

Husband: But honey, they were on sale......


Does it work both ways?



Disclaimer: All men who answer yes are either 1. Single or 2. Lieing

[itsme_timd]

Originally Posted by GrtndpwrflOZ

Why is this starting to sound like role reversal.
The old clishe'(sp)
Wife: Honey look at all the clothes I bought!
Husband: WHAT!?!?!
Wife: Don't worry it was ALL on sale.

Now when it comes to cigars........

Husband: But honey, they were on sale......


Does it work both ways?



Disclaimer: All men who answer yes are either 1. Single or 2. Lieing

Well it SHOULD work both ways!

However, I fall into the same trap of 'smart spending'.

I got a $60.00 lighter for $30.00, a $50.00 lighter for $20.00, $150.00 box of Cigar of $110.00... I JUST SAVED $90.00, this is better than Geico!!!

Yep, they fish me in with the sales. Especially if it's something I've wanted for a while or I know I like.

Must.... resist.... Cigar Monster................

[sboyajian]

Tim there is a reason I stopped keeping track.. (and another reason I do everything through ****** now)..

Ever since that one fateful December when I spent $250 at events, $200 at my local B&M, $800 at CBid and $200 at CI and Famous.. my wife has kept a very very very watchful eye.

[GrtndpwrflOZ]

I am confused by the term "Smart Spending"
Smart Spending is defined by anything I buy that I want....Now that's pretty smart.

Hell, I just bought a cab of SigIIs. I don't need anymore sig II's. I have plenty in my humi.
Why did I buy them you ask?
Because I got them for $162...........THEY WERE ON SALE!!!!!!!!!!!! Now THAT'S SMART SPENDING.

Now, how to pay the mortgage......there's a tough one

[itsme_timd]

Originally Posted by sboyajian

Tim there is a reason I stopped keeping track.. (and another reason I do everything through ****** now)..

Ever since that one fateful December when I spent $250 at events, $200 at my local B&M, $800 at CBid and $200 at CI and Famous.. my wife has kept a very very very watchful eye.

OK, I feel a little better now... that's not much less than my 6-month speding!

Originally Posted by GrtndpwrflOZ

I am confused by the term "Smart Spending"
Smart Spending is defined by anything I buy that I want....Now that's pretty smart.

Hell, I just bought a cab of SigIIs. I don't need anymore sig II's. I have plenty in my humi.
Why did I buy them you ask?
Because I got them for $162...........THEY WERE ON SALE!!!!!!!!!!!! Now THAT'S SMART SPENDING.

Now, how to pay the mortgage......there's a tough one

That seems like a smart buy to me!

[Cigary]

Smart spending,,,what a concept! I go thru spurts and C Bid is either my friend or my enemy,,,not sure which anymore. They are my friend until I get the bill. B&M's can take a good chunk of your hard earned dollars if you frequent them a lot. I used to belong to B&M's that rented out humidors and I'd stock all of my cigars in the humidor supplied by my B&M. I would buy my cigars from various sources,,including the B&M when they had good deals. I ended up breaking even with the cost of cigars overall but the good part is I had another great place to smoke my cigars without feeling obligated to buy my cigars there every other day I went to that B&M. The B&M was still beng supported by my renting a humidor but I could still get my deals from other sources as well. A Win-Win for everyone.

[Dom]

There are SO MANY good deals out there, many of which you just can't pass up.

All I do is show the fiance` what I spent versus what I would have spent and it usually shuts her up. And if she still has a problem, too bad.

[commonsenseman]

I'm trying not to look at how much I've spent this month on cigars/pipe tobacco. I think it's about 20% of my income though.

[2Curious]

The main problem at my house, is that we BOTH smoke cigars. So, double your pleasure, double yor fun, and double your spending.
If we're out exploring a new shop, and find a stick we want to try, we obviously have to buy 2. Arghghgh.
Now THAT adds up quick for 1 household.

[GrtndpwrflOZ]

Originally Posted by 2Curious

The main problem at my house, is that we BOTH smoke cigars. So, double your pleasure, double yor fun, and double your spending.
If we're out exploring a new shop, and find a stick we want to try, we obviously have to buy 2. Arghghgh.
Now THAT adds up quick for 1 household.

buying singles can add up real fast. that is probably $20 a pop for 2 half decent smokes.
I can not believe the prices for cigars now days. average $10 for a nice cigar.

George (curious), you smoke Camacho Triples don't you? They are about $10 a pop...right?

Buy by the box.

[sboyajian]

Originally Posted by GrtndpwrflOZ

buying singles can add up real fast. that is probably $20 a pop for 2 half decent smokes.
I can not believe the prices for cigars now days. average $10 for a nice cigar.

George (curious), you smoke Camacho Triples don't you? They are about $10 a pop...right?

Buy by the box.

The solution to SCHIP seems to be that everyone is running deals and specials.

Most quality and big name smokes can still be had for between $5 - $9 a piece.