After reading a lot of posts in the different forums and threads, I noticed people mentioning they (or others) were "getting low". That got me think about how few sticks someone needs to have in the humidor to be considered "getting low". Then it occurred to me that factors such as frequency of smoking, budget and personal finances will make the answer different for everyone and any particular count is meaningless.
But then I had an idea that removes anyone's smoking frequency out of the equation: measure by the number of days/weeks/months/years. So, if you only smoke once a month and have only 12 sticks in your humidor, you're probably not really running low because you have a year's worth of cigars. I only have 26 cigars in my humidor but since I only smoke once a week right now, that's 6 months worth (probably less if I assume 2 or 3 will be unsuitable to be smoked for any number of reasons), so I don't feel I am running low.
So here is my question: At what point do the different brothers here feel that their humidor is running low? When you have just a few days worth? A month? And what kind of supply do you normally keep on hand?
P.S. it's possible that I may use some of the answers here to help justify my buying habits to my wonderful wife who is starting to raise eyebrows with each purchase.
In my situation, it was only early on into cigars that I felt I was "getting low" on my supply. It may take months or even years to build a sizable collection for smoking depending on your spending/trading. It's also subjective. I may think that a full 150 count humidor is plenty to last me for 5-6 months without buying more, whereas another brother may see that as running low, and has an urge to buy more and to not ever go below 150 cigars. The thing with me is that I am always looking to try the next thing from my favorite brands, so I'm frequently buying or trading and almost never "run low" on cigars these days.
I had a similar conversation a while back with my friend Sean (sean) about our cigar stashes, and we could calculate how long our supply would last if we suddenly stopped buying cigars, like during the zombie apocalypse or something. The results shocked me, and I thought that I may have a problem. Then I thought, no I don't. lol.
Just keep fiscal responsibility in mind. Even I need reminders now and then about my cigar priorities. If you think you are "running low", just buy a 5 pack or two of something you like or wanted to try, and see how long they last.
Hope this perspective helps.
