I don't really have a cigar budget, pricewise.
It kinda works like "I find a box I want, then try really hard not to buy it."
Sometimes I don't. Sometimes I buy three.
I sort of use the "disposable income" routine. I try to save up $1,000, then I start trying to find the super best deals on the boxes I really like. I shop the WTS here heavily and always get the best deals on the stuff I really like.
Then I go pay through the nose for my Litto stuff.
The last time I managed to save up $1,000 for cigars, I bought tires instead.
Price per stick never mattered to me, but that's because I don't get to smoke all that often. When I do get to smoke, like this week while I'm on vacation, it'll be an all-star lineup because I'll dig through all my stuff and load up all my favorite stuff.
I like Sancho Panza Double Maduros as much as I like an Anejo as much as I like a Don Carlos Anniversario and so on.
I think the only thing that keeps things "affordable" is that I run out of money.
I do make a concious effort to smoke lots of JLP's and Sancho Panzas in the summer because I love them. Lots of 50 cent machine made cc's, too.
I do that because I hate to spark an expensive cigar and end up not being able to smoke it. It makes me feel like I'm taking food out of the kid's mouths for nothing, even though they're taken care of. Or I could have given it to someone who would really have enjoyed it and gave it it's due.
I honestly spend more time gathering cigars that everyone else likes than what I like.
It makes me a lot happier, and I already have more "me stuff" than I could ever imagine.
I am going to buy a bundle of El Original Toro maduros when I'm in Key Largo tomorrow. I don't know how much they cost. It doesn't matter. When I get home, I'm gonna give half of them to Sofaman and put the other half in my humi. What's left of the other half, actually.
So I guess, in summary, $350 for a box of #49's is just the same as $45 for a box of Sancho Panza Extra Fuerte Barcelonas to me.
My gag reflex happens at Cohiba maduros. I still haven't managed to pull the trigger there. I love them, but the $$$ they cost just would make me feel stupid and sick if I bought them. They are so incredible though. Someday...
