Fiscal Responsibility

[Diesel Grinch]

Very true Mark. It's easy to get excited and lose your way. Always remember a box pass, box split, cigar draft, PIF, or anything else will always be their. Don't over extend yourself just to play.

Happy Thanksgiving all!

DG

[King Catfish]

I agree. I had to adjust my cigar budget severely lately because it was getting away from me a bit.

[DeeDubya]

Some really good advice, especially at this time of year.

I prefer to put the blame on credit cards instead of cigars.

[CAJUNBLAZE]

Good advice for newbies such as myself, it is very easy to get caught in the specials offered!

Rich

[Cabaiguan Juan]

Amen. My budget is ductated by the pay check i get at my part time gig. The Day job is for the Shorter Half and I's living expenses and whatnot.

[craig]

Y'know, I agree with this for the most part - credit card debt is BAD - but ... when times are bad, the smart money buys. The key assumption is that you MUST have money, of course.

Besides the general economy, there are two other factors:

1) SCHIP is coming. If we assume that it is 40 cents a cigar, then that's $10 on a box of 25. I don't know if there will be a floor tax (tax levied on existing stocks), but if you smoke $2 cigars, that's quite a hit.

2) Cuba has been hit HARD by the hurricanes. The tobacco wasn't planted, but many curing barns have been lost. This means prices will naturally rise in a couple of years solely due to the upcoming lost crop. If that is further combined with the suspension of the embargo, then CC's will go through the roof. Unfortunately, it is only boxes that remain sealed that will be worth sitting on for investment purposes.

YMMV

[drew_goring]

Y'know, I agree with this for the most part - credit card debt is BAD - but ... when times are bad, the smart money buys. The key assumption is that you MUST have money, of course.

Besides the general economy, there are two other factors:

1) SCHIP is coming. If we assume that it is 40 cents a cigar, then that's $10 on a box of 25. I don't know if there will be a floor tax (tax levied on existing stocks), but if you smoke $2 cigars, that's quite a hit.

2) Cuba has been hit HARD by the hurricanes. The tobacco wasn't planted, but many curing barns have been lost. This means prices will naturally rise in a couple of years solely due to the upcoming lost crop. If that is further combined with the suspension of the embargo, then CC's will go through the roof. Unfortunately, it is only boxes that remain sealed that will be worth sitting on for investment purposes.

YMMV

Why would a opened box not command the same price as a sealed one? Personally (and I am not a "collector") I would rather purchase open boxes if they are aged so they can be inspected and such.

Great posts Mark. Definitely something for all of us to think about.