Has Your Buying Habits Changed Much?

[mso489]

Gas is down to $1.89 and $1.87 in central N.C. The local sushi place (the good one) has its neon open sign lit and a woman runs out the front door in big rubber gloves with take-out. Driving pretty much looks like Sunday morning all week.

 

[jaytex1969]

Unnecessary home projects such as landscaping, interior painting, decor updates, etc. are not currently being considered because going to the home improvement store is not essential at this time and therefore not worth the risk. This is saving a lot of time and money.

I have been telling my wife this for years now...

 

[Ebarber]

I used to smoke cigars almost exclusively and recently got back into pipes a few months ago. I smoked all of my cigars I had left and sold my cigar humidors. I had a smallish stock of cellared pipe tobacco and I've been adding to that significantly over the last few months. I'm still figuring out what I like and buy pounds of it once I find what I prefer along with new pipes to add to the stable. I own a few companies one of which is an online business so I've been working mostly in my shop since October of last year anyways.

Not much has really changed for me except one of my seasonal businesses is usually ramping up right now and of course isn't but we are fine. We have very low debt and a good position financially so things will have to get a lot worse for an extended amount of time to affect us thankfully.

I've probably been spending more than I should on pipes and tobacco but I'm concerned about the future pricing of tobacco....especially the freedom of being able to purchase online.

I would like to have a lifetime of cellared tobacco by the end of the year if not by the end of next.

 

[peregrinus]

Our house hold expenses are fairly constant as is our income, however our spending is more conservative, at least until the economic, political and medical clouds part and the sun shines again.
What has changed remarkably is the experience I have when actually out buying something we do need. For example, a trip to the grocery store resembles a trip to a third world country, what with the many masked shoppers I encounter, the shortages and the signs limiting purchases of certain items. People are generally polite, but wary.
I feel I am a stranger in a strange land.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

Recently made an Esterval’s purchase for HU blends I wanted to try. Bought an IMP and restocked a lb of my Haunted Bookshop from Smokingpipes. I don’t plan on buying anything other than Esoterica Tilbury, Dunbar, or Dorchester for the immediate future.️

My job is currently essential and is in no major threat of going away. However, as prices might begin to inch up...it might make sense to tighten up on things in preparation for the long hot summer ahead.?

 

[seanv]

We have tightened up quite a bit. I have enough of a cellar to last me years if I want it to. I have put the pipe down for the time being. I haven’t kept track but I think it’s been close to three weeks or so. I’ll probably have a smoke this week if the weather is nice.
My biggest vice on a daily basis is going out to grab a coffee mid day. I’ll reign it in.

 

[badbriar]

I'm usually an English - Balkan - Oriental - Scottish style fan, but lately have been on a VA - VaPer tear!

 

[Umberto]

Yes. I'm trying my hand at my own casing/topping. The lemon virginia from wholeleaf...I believe Don is the guy who buys the leaves, is doing a nice job. My leaves arrived slightly dry but moist enough to work with. I have had some success with a whiskey topped VA/PEr. However the perique was too strong so now it's to be blended off with some new leaves that I recently ordered.

I am hoping to figure out a good recipe soon. I have enjoyed the Comoys Cask no.4 a very simple virginia, light...boring and just simply to smoke. I think I've gone through about 6 ounces of a 24 ounce purchase. I am trying to ration these flakes and get more later.

Quite honestly I'm trying to smoke less and just appreciate the length of each bowl more. This Covid doesn't seem to stop the tin/bulk hoarding going on. I decided against a new bulk order, in hopes that the remaining supply is bought up buy people who will sensibly enjoy it.

I'm on a mission from god to figure out how to case and top bulk leaves. I have done some very good homebrew beer and I don't see why this would be much different. So far it seems easier. I don't have to worry about my yeast dying, I don't have to worry about bacteria...though I hope I don't get mold. I've been using a touch of vinegar and alcohols for the flavorings, so I am hopeful the mold will be kept at bay.

I just hope people will extend a hand in kindness, that is to say give a pipe and some ounces to those who are hit harder with this.

 

[boston]

Laying very low on any pipe or tobacco purchases. I have ample pipes and tobacco (not that this matters!) But discretion is my mode now. Wife's shop shut down and my business stalled, and two kids in college. Setting in for a long haul that I hope will not last past Q2 '21. Good luck to all, stay safe.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Had a Weaver not recently popped up, I would have remained out of buying mode.