Fiscal Responsibility

[bigloo]

There is definately a lot of over spending going on. I am fortunate in that I am doing well currently and feel for guys loosing jobs, etc. However, over the last three weeks I have made several purchases on various forums from guys essentially needing cash, I did not need these sticks, I did it as I felt I was helping some folks out. Some of these were fair, some I got screwed but I never complained as I felt my $25-50 was helping a botl out. Truth is, my $25 is not going to help someone pay the rent. To a large degree I am beginning to think that the WTS sections on the various boards might contribute to the "cigars are an investment" mentality. I have sold cigars once on the forums because I did not have room for them, thats OK although I should not have bought in the first place right? Selling cigars you dont like, thats also OK. Selling swag, same argument, should we have bought it in the first place? (Hell, I admit, I am trying to sell swag now). But selling cigars to meet the rent is not good. I know this will sound like me being a royal a$$hole, but if you have debt on your credit cards you cannot pay off, struggle to make rent, you should not be smoking Padron 1926,Graycliffs, etc for the same reason I dont drive a Ferrari, yeah I could afford one by missing my morgage and getting action on the credit cards that would haunt me for a lifetime. The best cigars in my humidors come from folks selling them to make casht to pay the bills. Different strokes for different folks, and you do what you want with your money, but Mark is spot on and I am glad someone said it.

One final rant, I agree this should be a sticky. I have seen a lot of .edu email addresses lately. There are college kids in here with enough financial problems they dont realize they have yet without having to deal with a $300/month cigar habit!

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by bigloo

I have seen a lot of .edu email addresses lately.

I'm curious. Where have you "seen" email addresses here at The Asylum? Are you talking about those that were provided to you by individuals? If so, that's o.k. But if you can "see" everyone's email address, that is a problem for the Team of 11 to address.

[Redbaron]

Originally Posted by pnoon

I'm curious. Where have you "seen" email addresses here at The Asylum? Are you talking about those that were provided to you by individuals? If so, that's o.k. But if you can "see" everyone's email address, that is a problem for the Team of 11 to address.

Pretty sure its from when he is buying sticks from people.

(least thats what I got from the post)

[landhoney]

I agree with the OP, keep within your budget.

My only general disagreement is with people's idea that credit cards are bad, or that you shouldn't charge things. If you have the money, what's wrong with that? I pay my balances off each month and an amazing thing happens....I get money back from the CC companies for every dollar I spend, to the tune of several hunded dollars a year. I'm in the camp that guns don't kill people, people kill people. It's the same with credit cards, they're not bad, but irresponsible spending with them is of course.
They also are a great way to keep track of spending (debit cards will do the same though). We upload all transactions into a financial program to track spending and keep up with how and where we are spending money. Harder to do with cash transactions.

[bigloo]

With regards to posters asking were the .edu emails come from, it is from ****** accts, no security flaws for the mods to be concerned with.

Also, landhoney, I agree with you. I get all I can from my credit cards in cash back, consumer protection and even double warranties, but I pay them off like you which is why I said carrying debt. I treat my credit cards like charge cards and mostly enjoy up to 2 months (month+grace period) where big purchases go interest free. I think the message is that this is a restraint issue and that credit cards are the vehicle.

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by bigloo

With regards to posters asking were the .edu emails come from, it is from ****** accts, no security flaws for the mods to be concerned with.

I appreciate the prompt reply and am pleased that there is not a security flaw.

[padronme]

One of the better posts I've read in a while.

[zmancbr]

Originally Posted by landhoney

I agree with the OP, keep within your budget.

My only general disagreement is with people's idea that credit cards are bad, or that you shouldn't charge things. If you have the money, what's wrong with that? I pay my balances off each month and an amazing thing happens....I get money back from the CC companies for every dollar I spend, to the tune of several hunded dollars a year. I'm in the camp that guns don't kill people, people kill people. It's the same with credit cards, they're not bad, but irresponsible spending with them is of course.
They also are a great way to keep track of spending (debit cards will do the same though). We upload all transactions into a financial program to track spending and keep up with how and where we are spending money. Harder to do with cash transactions.

I have to agree... this is Great advice from Mark to stay within your budget, but it is also a good idea to use the perks given to you if you can.

I keep a credit card on hand for monthly usage and I charged lots of stuff on that card. I get cash rewards for using it, plus I keep my money in the bank to earn interest (which is a crazy 4.56% on my checking account). Then come the due date on my card I pay off the entire balance that month... It is my special way of sticking it to the man since he stuck it to me until I learned not to carry balances...