Welcome! Try leaving your cigar out or in an unhumidified box for around 24 hours prior to smoking. That should improve burn and flavor IMO.
On roughly a $40 a month budget, I'd figure out how many sticks I'm likely to smoke that month then by the best sticks possible.
I do this cigar thing for the enjoyment, taste, and relaxation. I'd rather smoke 5 amazing cigars per month...than 30 average smokes. That's just my humble opinion...and it's worth precisely what you paid for it
P.S. - Here's a screaming deal for $30...I might hop on this one myself!
http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...ASST11&cat=167