Cigar hobby + College student income = bad

[JackImpact]

Currently a community college student in Tampa, Florida. Picked up cigars as a new hobby to be closer to my Cuban Grandfather.

I find it very difficult to branch out and try new cigars with my level of income.

Anyone have a similar problem or been in a similar situation?

Just looking for advice on finding good deals on samplers, to really reach out and try new cigars!

Thanks guys!

 

[grateful1]

Currently a community college student in Tampa, Florida. Picked up cigars as a new hobby to be closer to my Cuban Grandfather.

I find it very difficult to branch out and try new cigars with my level of income.

Anyone have a similar problem or been in a similar situation?

Just looking for advice on finding good deals on samplers, to really reach out and try new cigars!

Thanks guys!

Try the newbie sampler thread...and read up on some of the vendors!

 

[Jonesy]

Try the newbie sampler thread...and read up on some of the vendors!

This is the best advice that you will get!

 

[JackImpact]

Thanks guys! Also I just read a little guide that I saw linked on the forum and realized my post totally sounded like a "Moocher"!

I dont want it to come off that way! Not looking for handouts! Just advice!

 

[rickyny]

Thanks guys! Also I just read a little guide that I saw linked on the forum and realized my post totally sounded like a "Moocher"!

I dont want it to come off that way! Not looking for handouts! Just advice!

It didn't sound to me that way
My advice, stay away from samplers offered at CI (12 angry men, The legal limit, The motherlode #8, etc) they're a bunch a dog rockets. The brothers here prevented me from making that mistake and I'm glad I took their advice.
Like grateful said, try the newbie sampler.

 

[JackImpact]

I will for sure! How much do you think is good to start off with cash wise?

Also whats CI?

 

[bfisher88]

I know exactly what you mean. It's tough to do this hobby on a tight budget, but you can make things work and make some sacrifices....

Some smokes I would look into are Padron londres, Tatuaje P series, and some LFD products. Very affordable decent smokes for a tight budget. PM me if you have any questions and I'll try and be helpful as well without making some long post.

 

[42]

Let me preface my experience by saying it isn't exactly the greatest budgeting advice... :laugh:

For me, I've always been able to smoke when times are tough because I overbuy when cash is available. When I got paid (I was freelancing mostly when times were tougher) I took care of the necessities, made sure I had a bit of a budgetary reserve in case things got really bad, then I'd go buy a box or two of cigars. Buying from the trusty vendors on CP by the box saves you a bundle compared to buying singles in B&Ms when you want to smoke.

On a more serious note, I can't stress enough how important it is to make sure you're living within your means. The cigar hobby in general, especially once you become involved on CP, can be a very slippery slope. It is crucial to ensure your financial obligations are met (school, housing, food, car, health care, etc) before you even consider throwing money at a luxury good like cigars. It's too easy to spend money without planning for the future; make sure you have something to fall back on before you go out and stock your humidor full of Opus!

Lastly, focus on the quality and enjoyment you get out of a cigar you're smoking rather than focusing on the value of the cigar you're smoking. I think I echo the sentiments of many members on the board when I say: I'd rather smoke one cigar I truly enjoy than ten cigars that are less than satisfying.

As for suggestions, look to the Padron x000 series. That's where I got my start (smoked them for near 6 months before trying anything else), and still continues to be some of the best bang for the buck in my opinion. :thumbs:

 

[LilBastage]

In addition to 42's good advice, I'd also offer that you don't have to smoke a cigar every day or several in a week to enjoy the hobby. Try one cigar a week as something that you really treat yourself to after a good week of tests or classes, whatever. Just make it a "special treat" kind of thing until you have the budget to do more. It's easy to jump in with both feet and get into a financial mess real quick.

Consider your budgetary prioritizing as part of your education. I know too many people that are still in a financial hole 10 years after college because they were jackasses with their money. It's been tough to climb out of the hole they created because of the spending habits they developed while digging.

Padron 2000 maduro or natural are excellent cigars (all the Padron x000 series is, really) and one smoke that I have always enjoyed that isn't too expensive is the Fuente Chateau Sungrown.

 

[JackImpact]

Right now my favorite, which might seem girly to some. Are the Cojimar Nu Sunbursts. I think they are delicous!

http://cojimarcigar.com/html/cojimar_nu_cigars.html

 

[Bsneed51]

Right now my favorite, which might seem girly to some. Are the Cojimar Nu Sunbursts. I think they are delicous!

If you like it, who cares what we think. There is a saying around here:

Smoke what you like, and you'll like what you smoke.

You're probably not the first person to get into this hobby through flavored cigars **cough** Souldog **cough**. Try some that aren't flavored (like the Padron's suggested), but mostly smoke what you enjoy.

 

[MilesMingusMonk]

Right now my favorite, which might seem girly to some. Are the Cojimar Nu Sunbursts. I think they are delicous!

http://cojimarcigar.com/html/cojimar_nu_cigars.html

Smoke what you like, but please don't let your Cuban grandfather know you prefer infused tobacco over straight tobacco flavor.

 

[JackImpact]

I just got my grant return actually. Had to sell my AR-15 to pay for school because financial aid was a mess.

Im paying off all my bills, setting aside some cash and then treating myself to one full box of cigars. Christmas is coming soon anyway and I am sure to recieve some as gifts so I am not worried.

Also I have taken to rewarding myself after a hard days studying or testing to a cigar. Good grades = cigar. Haha.

 

[Devil Doc]

What's your Cuban grandfather smoke. I'll bet he doesn't spend an outrageous amount on a cigar, doesn't own a cigar cutter or taste chocolate in what he smokes. You'll get better ideas on how to be frugal and enjoy the hobby from him than you would around here.:laugh:

I found a great cheap cigar the other day. Nicks Sticks Habano blend by Perdomo. Cost about 3.09 a stick before taxes. I can't believe how good this cigar was for the money and I've never cared for Perdomo cigars.

Oh, BTW. you did sound like a mooch to me. Glad you cleared that up.

Doc.

 

[JackImpact]

Right now my favorite, which might seem girly to some. Are the Cojimar Nu Sunbursts. I think they are delicous!

http://cojimarcigar.com/html/cojimar_nu_cigars.html

Smoke what you like, but please don't let your Cuban grandfather know you prefer infused tobacco over straight tobacco flavor.

Id never let him know! They just happen to be cheap and enjoyable lol

Ive apparently got some special family cigars waiting for my 21st birthday in February haha

 

[JackImpact]

What's your Cuban grandfather smoke. I'll bet he doesn't spend an outrageous amount on a cigar, doesn't own a cigar cutter or taste chocolate in what he smokes. You'll get better ideas on how to be frugal and enjoy the hobby from him than you would around here.:laugh:

I found a great cheap cigar the other day. Nicks Sticks Habano blend by Perdomo. Cost about 3.09 a stick before taxes. I can't believe how good this cigar was for the money and I've never cared for Perdomo cigars.

Oh, BTW. you did sound like a mooch to me. Glad you cleared that up.

Doc.

I knew soon as I read the link that I totally sounded like a moocher! And I wanted to clear that up right away!

 

[Breedy]

To echo whatever one else has said, the Newbie Sampler thread is the place to go. Explain what you're willing to spend and what you're looking for ( everyday cigars vs a mix of everyday and maybe some thing a little nicer).

When I first started I bought a lot of cigars because the price was good and I was smoking once a day at least. Now I smoke less often but its a higher quality. Someone once said life is to short to smoke bad cigars.

If you are looking to buy a box Padron Londres and x000s series are good cigars at good prices (honestly pretty much anything from Padron is worth the price). I would add Sancho Panza Double Maduros to the list as well as *blasphemy* Guhrka Micro Batch TPB-1 "boxed pressed lonsdale" *blasphemy* I was surprised by the quality and constancy of both.

 

[MoeCizlak]

To echo whatever one else has said, the Newbie Sampler thread is the place to go. Explain what you're willing to spend and what you're looking for ( everyday cigars vs a mix of everyday and maybe some thing a little nicer).

When I first started I bought a lot of cigars because the price was good and I was smoking once a day at least. Now I smoke less often but its a higher quality. Someone once said life is to short to smoke bad cigars.

If you are looking to buy a box Padron Londres and x000s series are good cigars at good prices (honestly pretty much anything from Padron is worth the price). I would add Sancho Panza Double Maduros to the list as well as *blasphemy* Guhrka Micro Batch TPB-1 "boxed pressed lonsdale" *blasphemy* I was surprised by the quality and constancy of both.

It was nice knowing you Brandon. You can GFYS next year at Padron.

 

[J-Rod]

Hey there, and welcome!

As a fellow student, I share in your budget pain! I usually smoke one cigar a week, maybe two if I decide to treat myself. I can't afford to smoke 4-5 a week, so I don't. Not a big deal, hopefully someday that will change, but for now, I really enjoy the cigars I do smoke. Best advice I can give is read up on these forums about a lot of different cigars. There are a lot of cigars in the $4-7 range that are very good, and come highly recommended from fellow members on here. As stated on here, the Padron X000 series are very good, there are some Romeo y Julieta cigars that are very good and affordable. There are several Arturo Fuentes that meet this criteria as well.

What I did was put together my own sampler on Neptunecigar.com that fit my budget. They allow you to build your own sampler of singles from hundreds of different cigars. This allows you to try a variety of cigars, and customize the sampler to your taste and budget.


Good luck with the cigar selection and class!

 

[w00ts!te]

I am a Sophomore at MSU. The best way I found to cope with the hobby was by getting a job and making sure the hobby didn't become a smoking habit. Cigars are much better when you have them once to every two weeks, that way you can spend a decent amount of money on a single cigar instead of buying a bunch of dog rockets.