First off, I'd like to say there's no reason for you to fear being ridiculed for purchasing within your means. There's nothing wrong with buying from Thompson Cigars. Some of their house brands are less than stellar, but that's the story with many sellers. CI and JR have their fair share of cheapies too. There's a reason they do. You only smoke what you can afford, when you can afford to do it. If you want to smoke multiple cigars daily on a budget, you really have no other choice but to shop no-name bundles for price. I started out with a 20 count burlwood humi and a bundle of Don Kiki's for $39 bucks too. I still pretty much smoke mid-range cigars I find on special or get for a good price on Cbid. I typically pay between $2-$3 a stick for regular smokes, and I only smoke a couple times a week. I have the occasional Montecristo or such, but it's a treat. Could I buy more expensive smokes if I wanted to? Sure. But I wouldn't feel responsible putting that kind of burden on the household budget. I have a new home, a wife, a baby, and I have to set priorities. Cigar smoking is a hobby and should be treated as such.



P.S.- We do tend to ridicule gas station type cigars, but only because they're not really cigars at all.