[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!