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Fiscal Responsibility

Happy Idiot

Happy Idiot

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Also there are plenty o guys here, me included, who will send you stogies gratis if you ask. So save yr $ for necessities like rent, bills, food, alcohol and porn.
 
Sirspanksalot

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Cigars are pretty the last thing I spend my disposable income on. With that said, sometimes if I want to pick up or list, or want to send something off to someone here I'll spend much more than I would on things I normally smoke. I don't feel as bad when I know I spent it on someone here cause this place has been great to me, and serves as a good escape to tall shit with some good folks
 
gigem_07

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I am a big believer in spending within your means. While I won't tell anyone what they should do with their money, I do believe credit cards in general are a bad idea. I read Dave Ramsey's "Financial Peace" as a senior in college, after I was under a mountain of debt with student loans, and it was like a light bulb went on. Would definitely recommend the book. There is nothing ground breaking in it, or a fool proof get rich quick scheme, just sound common sense advice on achieving financial security regardless of your income.

Also...don't spend money on porn (which directly contradicts sentence #2 above, but still). And don't get caught by your spouse, cause you'll pay twice (unless she's into it!).
 
Madbrewer

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N2Advnture said:
This has been on my mind for quite some time and only write this with the most heartfelt intentions.

I have noticed something that is a little disturbing to me but really none of my business but as a friend to many, I thought it best to express my views. (especially with newer/younger BOTLs)

The problem?

I've noticed many BOTLs who are over extended on their credit in the name of acquiring more cigars. I've heard some disturbing balances being maintained on their credit cards due to large number of purchases of cigars.

I believe that with the amount of discussions in the forums, pictures of collections being shown, crazy sales by retailers, that it is easy to get caught up in the "keeping with the Jones'" mentality but I would be remiss if I didn't express my concern.

PLEASE keep in mind that cigars are a hobby and should be BUDGETED for and is SOLELY based on disposable income. You SHOULD NOT be "investing" in cigars - they are a consumable that are susceptible to damage (fire, water, improper storage, beetles, theft, etc...).

People talk about a "cigar budget" and we all laugh when we blow that budget. But like any other aspect of your life, you REALLY should have a "cigar budget" and stick that budget the same as you would for emergency savings (6+ months), vacation savings, retirement, etc...

The senseless act of carrying credit card debt just to amass a cigar collect is not fiscally responsible and you are doing yourself a disservice in the long run.

The one thing that I have learned over the nearly 2 decades of being into cigars is that it's is not about the cigars. The cigars are just a compliment to the commaradarie. Yeah, the cigars are good but meeting new people and developing longer term friendships has been the best part of the hobby to me. There are many people that I now consider friends (some stay at my home) and I wouldn't have met them otherwise.

My point?

In the great scheme of the cigar community, cigar are meaningless and should not be coveted to the point where we throw away common sense and fiscal responsibility.

So please, take a step back and look at YOUR financial plan (if you don't have one, then make one!). It is your responsibility to take care of your financial security.

Happy smoking my friends.

~Mark


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Click to expand...
Fantastic comment
I agree 100%
I am one who likes to have a nice liquor cabinet but would never sacrifice fiscal responsibility to get a fine bottle or great cigar
 
ChefBoyRG54

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Pay your bills
Then pay your savings/investments
Then pay your family fun stash
Then pay yourself what's left :)

If you don't have credit card debt, do whatever it takes to stay that way. Paying accruing interest is a trap! If you're in out, get out...do whatever it takes.

I had a TOUGH few years to get there but the other side is much less stress and more freedom!!!
 
sofc

sofc

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ChefBoyRG54 said:
Pay your bills
Then pay your savings/investments
Then pay your family fun stash
Then pay yourself what's left :)

If you don't have credit card debt, do whatever it takes to stay that way. Paying accruing interest is a trap! If you're in out, get out...do whatever it takes.

I had a TOUGH few years to get there but the other side is much less stress and more freedom!!!
Click to expand...
ummm, where's the shoe budget?
 
DavisBlue

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I realize this is an older thread and I am new to the part, but I thought this was a fantastic example of why this site is so different. Mark's honesty and concern for friends is awesome! Thank you for the sage advice!
 
Rod707

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N2Advnture said:
This has been on my mind for quite some time and only write this with the most heartfelt intentions.

I have noticed something that is a little disturbing to me but really none of my business but as a friend to many, I thought it best to express my views. (especially with newer/younger BOTLs)

The problem?

I've noticed many BOTLs who are over extended on their credit in the name of acquiring more cigars. I've heard some disturbing balances being maintained on their credit cards due to large number of purchases of cigars.

I believe that with the amount of discussions in the forums, pictures of collections being shown, crazy sales by retailers, that it is easy to get caught up in the "keeping with the Jones'" mentality but I would be remiss if I didn't express my concern.

PLEASE keep in mind that cigars are a hobby and should be BUDGETED for and is SOLELY based on disposable income. You SHOULD NOT be "investing" in cigars - they are a consumable that are susceptible to damage (fire, water, improper storage, beetles, theft, etc...).

People talk about a "cigar budget" and we all laugh when we blow that budget. But like any other aspect of your life, you REALLY should have a "cigar budget" and stick that budget the same as you would for emergency savings (6+ months), vacation savings, retirement, etc...

The senseless act of carrying credit card debt just to amass a cigar collect is not fiscally responsible and you are doing yourself a disservice in the long run.

The one thing that I have learned over the nearly 2 decades of being into cigars is that it's is not about the cigars. The cigars are just a compliment to the commaradarie. Yeah, the cigars are good but meeting new people and developing longer term friendships has been the best part of the hobby to me. There are many people that I now consider friends (some stay at my home) and I wouldn't have met them otherwise.

My point?

In the great scheme of the cigar community, cigar are meaningless and should not be coveted to the point where we throw away common sense and fiscal responsibility.

So please, take a step back and look at YOUR financial plan (if you don't have one, then make one!). It is your responsibility to take care of your financial security.

Happy smoking my friends.

~Mark


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Click to expand...
Great read Mark!!!
This post is extremely benificial for those BOTL who are new to the hobby like myself. It is definitely easy to quickly overspend, especially when trying to build up a collection no matter what size it is. To be honest I feel all BOTL can only stand to benifit from reading this post. After all sometimes we all need reminders of what is truly important. Also somtimes things don't completely soak in, until you hear it coming from someone else's mouth.
 
jmartins

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This is something I think ppl should truly pay attention to and take into consideration. Like Chef said get yourself out of debt pay for the important things first. This year I need to focus on my family. With my illness that hit in December and my wife being off as we just had a child I needed to buckle down and pass on great cigar deals. It sucks yes but to be honest seeing them happy and getting what they want means so much more.

Think before you spend that's all I am saying be sure everything else is taken care of.

Cheers brothers
JM
 
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