Plenty of pipes, estate or new, in the $100 range. I say don’t. There are beautiful pipes to be had in this range, even handmades if you keep your eyes open.
Rationalizing Spending A Lot On A Pipe?
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you only live once.
If you can afford it and want too ,just do it
If you can afford it and want too ,just do it
Generally speaking I rarely rationalize discretionary purchases. When I do it’s along the lines of a wholly meretricious conviction that “this is the last pipe I’ll buy this year”. In one specific case where I spent stupid money on a pipe I rationalized the expense by selling enough pipes & tobacco to cover the cost, the logic being the aggregate amount invested in my hobby stayed the same. Since money is fungible my thinking was obviously delusional, but honestly where would any of us be without a few delusions?
Most of my pipes are in a fairly modest range or lower. The sport for me is to shop rigorously so i am getting quality for shopping for it and not for paying a lot. Often, this has worked pretty well.
It all depends on where you want to budget your money. Something you can share with your spouse like travel might be a better investment. Also, is this a one-time splurge or something that will put all less expensive pipes in the shade and require regular raids on your finances.
Some people get in a financial boom where they'd rather pay $300 for a shirt than a more standard amount, because they can, and because it exalts their feelings about themselves. Even in that situation, I think I'd look around for something more productively "good" to do with the money.
But I understand the posts that say, if you can, just do it. I just wouldn't make it my way of life. If it is a burst of joy, maybe yes. If it starts a bad habit, no.
It all depends on where you want to budget your money. Something you can share with your spouse like travel might be a better investment. Also, is this a one-time splurge or something that will put all less expensive pipes in the shade and require regular raids on your finances.
Some people get in a financial boom where they'd rather pay $300 for a shirt than a more standard amount, because they can, and because it exalts their feelings about themselves. Even in that situation, I think I'd look around for something more productively "good" to do with the money.
But I understand the posts that say, if you can, just do it. I just wouldn't make it my way of life. If it is a burst of joy, maybe yes. If it starts a bad habit, no.
I buy something or I don't buy it. Would never spend the equivalent of a mortgage payment on a pipe, but have spent the equivalent of three mortgage payments on things related to other interests but never think of it that way. You either value it at a certain price and can afford it (whatever that means to you) or you can't, but if you are stretching for "reasons" IMHO you can't afford it. I'm not saying I don't use bizarre logic when explaining occasional purchases to my wife, lol, but she just rolls her eyes and we both know I'm not really rationalizing and she really doesn't care, it's all in fun, not a matter of competing with our needs.
Agreed. I’m still in cellar building mode. I still see pipes as tools. I’d rather have half a dozen cheaper pipes that smoke well enough and money left for baccy.
Spending money on pipes is better than spending it on liquor.
Or bail.
Or bail.
You have asked a deep philosophical question. People have different attitudes to money management, which would also include the attitudes of your near and dear ones.
I will answer the question in two parts, based on my attitude to money.
The first part is your long term financial goals. My long term goal is to retire comfortably and leave a significant legacy to my offsprings, so they can focus on doing what they love without worrying about money and still live the same (or better) quality of living I have provided them so far. So saving for future is very important. That is the first part.
In the second part, I divide spending into three parts.
1. Consumables (Food, Pipe Tobacco, cigars, tea, coffee, clothes, alcohol when I used to drink it, etc). I believe in not deviating much from average, ie taking the examples of cigars, the typical cigar I would smoke would be priced close to the average. Example: I don’t believe in smoking a $100 cigar once for and smoking $1 sticks rest of the time
2. The second category is experience. This would mostly include vacations for me. I believe in averages here most of the time, but occasionally known to splurge more than average. Example last vacation I spent a large amount on a below average hotel in South Beach, as it had a balcony where I could enjoy the breeze and smoke while watching people
3. The third category is for things that last a long time. Pipes fall in this category. I believe in pride of possession and not quantity. I would rather buy one good pipe than hundred average pipes (After establishing a reasonable rotation of cheap smokers). The key here is frugality. If you are frugal then you can also spend money on high dollar items that give you pleasure of a lifetime.
I had bought a few pipes using this framework above which are in multiples of a typical US mortgage payment (and my mortgage payment)
I will answer the question in two parts, based on my attitude to money.
The first part is your long term financial goals. My long term goal is to retire comfortably and leave a significant legacy to my offsprings, so they can focus on doing what they love without worrying about money and still live the same (or better) quality of living I have provided them so far. So saving for future is very important. That is the first part.
In the second part, I divide spending into three parts.
1. Consumables (Food, Pipe Tobacco, cigars, tea, coffee, clothes, alcohol when I used to drink it, etc). I believe in not deviating much from average, ie taking the examples of cigars, the typical cigar I would smoke would be priced close to the average. Example: I don’t believe in smoking a $100 cigar once for and smoking $1 sticks rest of the time
2. The second category is experience. This would mostly include vacations for me. I believe in averages here most of the time, but occasionally known to splurge more than average. Example last vacation I spent a large amount on a below average hotel in South Beach, as it had a balcony where I could enjoy the breeze and smoke while watching people
3. The third category is for things that last a long time. Pipes fall in this category. I believe in pride of possession and not quantity. I would rather buy one good pipe than hundred average pipes (After establishing a reasonable rotation of cheap smokers). The key here is frugality. If you are frugal then you can also spend money on high dollar items that give you pleasure of a lifetime.
I had bought a few pipes using this framework above which are in multiples of a typical US mortgage payment (and my mortgage payment)
Well, if you have the money and it doesnt create some hardship for yourself or the ones you care for- and it delights you in some way...then why not?
Where I live the lower end, 30% down, 30 year fixed, is somewhere between 3000 and 4000 a month and from there climbs to about an average of about 6,000. At the higher end, 20,000 a month isn't the limit by any means. You can go lower, but generally you're paying to live in urban blight. So, not spending that kind of money on a pipe is an easy choice for me.
Part of my need to rationalize is that I'm frugal in other aspects of my life, and I feel a little guilty about being in the financial position to even think about spending a lot on a pipe when I know other's are not. I realize the question I posed is very specific and personal to each person, but I appreciate the perspective from you all.
Life is short, you get one, be happy. That being said if you have to talk yourself into it or get other people's opinions maybe you shouldn't buy it because you KNOW you don't need it and you must not want it that much. I'd go to a local B&M buy up the esoterica and then flip it here and buy several pipes. YMMV
The way I think about is... I will probably not ever be able to afford a Lamborghini. But, I can afford to buy a few pipes that are the Lamborghinis of pipes.
But, if one were taking money away from mortgages or feeding their kids by doing such, then don't. No amount of rationalizing will keep your wife from beating your head in if a few kids starve, ha ha. Damned kids.
But, if one were taking money away from mortgages or feeding their kids by doing such, then don't. No amount of rationalizing will keep your wife from beating your head in if a few kids starve, ha ha. Damned kids.
My perspective is a bit different in that I'm no longer in acquisition mode but quite the opposite and am finding that less is much more. I've never found happiness in stuff and frankly doubt that that's possible. I've found pleasures with stuff, but happiness is a state of being and an inside job. An acquisition may bring one pleasure, but it won't bring happiness.
Jesse, there are so many numbers flying around in your post that I want to make sure I understand your point; you’re saying as long as you spend no more than $20k/month it’s ok? I want to be positive I have the math right before I discuss this with my wife. Thanks, Jon
Well Jon, knowing that you are very responsible in matters of money and make purchases with due consideration the $20,000 figure wouldn't be too much of a stretch. Homes in that mortgage range come with a weekly bathroom rotation. The one we just sold came with a fire hose to facilitate washing down the basement orgy rooms off the screening room.
When you get into the big boy's toys, that's entirely another matter.
I don't. I imply hand the card to the clerk., sign and leave with my purchase. If one has to rationalize the purchase probably shouldn't be made.
i have spent a lot on a few pipes but never in the realm of a mortgage payment.