PAD and TAD Self-Control

[mso489]

We all love to click online to order some beautiful pipe, new or estate, or a good shipment of

tins or bulk tobacco in an old favorite blend or some new exciting leaf. Given. But no one

wants to be jamming an excess into drawers and jars and humidors, out of control. We want to

support the interest, but not just fall into an excess that supplants the enjoyment of the pipes

and tobacco themselves. Lately, I saw a really attractive pipe at a very attractive price, but I'd just

received three birthday pipes and am greatly enjoying breaking them in. I have way too many pipes,

from my point of view, to ever need another, so necessity is beside the point. Well, sure enough,

after four or five admiring stops at the web site, someone else shared my admiration and the pipe

was gone. I'm okay with that. I did Google the pipe brand and particular pipe number, and found

another site that offers it, but it was sold out. However, they did have a mechanism to notify me if

they restock that pipe, so I gave them my email. What strategies do you use to evade PAD and TAD,

at least sometimes, to slow down the pace of acquisition even if you don't want to shut if off?

 

[captainsousie]

I have a PAD fund that is a certain ammount from each paycheck unless there are extenuating circumstances (car licenses and insurance might take the whole thing that month). When it's gone, it's gone. I can replenish it by selling something but I can't go above that budget.

 

[rmason]

What strategies do you use to evade PAD and TAD,

Evade? that is a good one MSO, it is in our nature. PAD and TAD are unavoidable and uncontrollable.

~Ron

 

[mso489]

rmason, yes I know the feeling. It's like weather systems. Sometimes you just have to batten down the hatches and wait for UPS to arrive.

 

[rmason]

I know PAD and TAD are difficult, the best way I end up dealing with them is usually try to stay away from anything pipe related on the internet, other than the forum of course, and hope that it blows over.

~Ron

 

[cigrmaster]

I basically buy what I want when I want but only with disposable income. I have my price threshold on pipes and do not go over it. I have recently thinned the herd to the point that I have a lot of open spaces in my rack that I will slowly fill. In terms of my cellar, I am almost done filling it, so my TAD will be over soon. I spent a lot of money on tobacco this year because I know it will never be cheaper and the prices could go through the roof. Ten years down the road, I could sell my stash for at least 5 times what it is worth today so I also look at it as an investment if I ever need it. Ten year old tins of Escudo are going for 50 a pop on ebay and other places so it is like money in the bank. When I got back into my pipes in April of 2012, I had a bunch of English blends I no longer cared for and sold them for a large profit, tins I paid 5.00 for sold for 50-60.
When I am searching for a new pipe I ask my self will this be the kind of pipe you will want to reach for time and time again? Will it be a fantastic smoker and be the correct pipe for smoking my flakes? I have learned over the years that just because a pipe is pretty or a good deal, it does not mean it will be a great smoker. I buy pipes to smoke, not to look at. I never buy pipes or tobacco at the expense of my children or on credit, I am proud to say that I have never paid one penny of interest on a credit card for as long as I have had one( 34 years and counting). I pay cash and I have never gone into debt to support a hobby. I could buy pipes costing three times what I pay now but to me I know they will not smoke better, I gave up the chase for grain a decade ago and learned a valuable lesson, you cannot smoke grain.
I believe that if we work hard and support our families we are entitled to treat ourselves within limits. Life is short and it is to be enjoyed. I think everyone should buy pipes and tobacco with the idea that they are not taking anything away from their loved ones as they should always come first.

 

[Perique]

Well said, Harris.

 

[dread]

I have put myself on a budget and don't go over it (finally). I also abide by Harris's philosophy, I work very hard and completely support my family. I get a great deal of pleasure from this hobby and do little else "on my own", it is all for my family. So, I don't feel too bad about my expenditures. After the wife and I reached an understanding, that is . . .

 

[bryanf]

I think I may be the only one on this forum that doesn't suffer from PAD/TAD. I think it's a personality thing. I'm glad that it is a source of happiness for many people, and I don't look down upon anyone for it. In the beginning, I was curious to try a lot of blends, but once I figured out what I liked, I just stick to those. I'm pretty boring as far as pipe smoking goes.
I think what "helps" me stay away from PAD/TAD also, is that pipe smoking is not a hobby to me, nor have I ever viewed it as such. For me, it is first and foremost nicotine delivery and nearly lifelong nicotine addiction, which I admit. The additional benefit is, that I enjoy it very much, and get lots of time to sit and think....and it's a lot healthier than other forms of tobacco use.

 

[phred]

Given the number of other hobbies I've got, I have to limit myself. Right now, I've got plenty of tobacco and plenty of pipes to smoke it in, though I've already picked out at least 3 pipes for the short list and the TAD list awaits an empty jar or two, if I can ever get through what I've already got on hand...
So in the meantime, I just have to make sure I prioritize my purchases of leatherworking supplies, chainmail supplies, basic electronics, and other crafting supplies (thread, cloth, notions, yarn, etc.) and focus on projects that are near completion. :D
But someday, that Savinelli and that Tsuge will be mine, yesssss.... along with some Escudo, some Frog Morton blends, and a couple of Virginias.

 

[murf]

I think Harris has got a good handle on it. I have just started to use my debit card, or cash, for everything. Rather than credit cards. I've even gone as far as to take all but 1 credit card out of my wallet, just in case. The others are stored away while I make payments.
I don't have a set "schedule" for PAD and TAD. Mostly because my work schedule can be so varied month to month. Depends on whether I take on extra jobs. But, I just made an extra $500 this weekend, so $200 on my latest PAD/TAD doesn't seem like a problem to me.
I definitely have to pump the brakes on my purchases. My wife is the one who works full time now, and I'm just working on the side, and taking care of our boy when he's not in daycare. So, my personal income isn't that much, and my fun money is even less.
Something I've gone and done was unsubscribe to all the e-mails from vendors. It seems to have helped. Shutting down my computer for days at a time helps too. That way, I don't spend as much time on this forum, hearing about everybody's TAD/PAD, seeing pics of pipes I could probably never afford, and would be afraid to smoke something so expensive anyway. Or hearing about a great blend that I decide I want to try.
Looking at my cellar every once in awhile helps too. We were gone pretty much all summer. I had several pipes with me, along with a few blends to smoke. I had never put them away when we got back home, and ended up ordering some more. I then went to put it away and thought "holy crap! where am I gonna fit all this?!" My last few orders have been just tins, because there's no way I could fit more mason jars into my cellar, but tins can get stashed a little easier. But, since my cellar is filled nearly to the brim, it's been a little easier. Now's when the real fun starts, smoking up the contents!
I've been thinking about supporting my local B&Ms a little more. Maybe 3-5tins at a time (better than 20 from online vendor to get free shipping!).