Cigars, in a lot of ways, are like children. They needed to be cared for and nurtured to thrive. That being said, taking care of your cigars is much simpler and more cost-effective. A cigar is a naturally grown product, it's not synthesized in a lab or crafted in some industrial factory. They need the same environment they were born into to survive. This may sound daunting, but once you get the basics it is pretty simple.
First, we need to discuss the environment in which you keep your cigars. Temperature and humidity are the most important readings you need to pay attention to. Maintaining humidity is essential to keeping your cigars fresh. Humidity should be kept between 68-72% at all times. If it dips too low, your cigars will begin to dry out. If it goes too high, your cigars will become over-humidified. While neither of these is great, it is better to recover a dried-out cigar than one that has been over-humidified. When you try to dry out an overly humid cigar the wrapper will shrink and shrivel and will ultimately start to crumble when you light it.
I will have a different section on humidors and different humidification accessories, so for now let's say you have know humidor and want to be able to care for a couple of cigars. Using tightly sealed Tupperware makes a great makeshift humidor. Lay your cigars in the Tupperware and add in a damp paper towel or sponge. Do not let the damp sponge touch the cigars. You can also try keeping your cigars in a space where it is generally more damp, such as your basement. A temperature-controlled basement goes a long way in keeping your cigars moist, especially if you don't have a proper humidor.
So the takeaway from this part is humidity. Make sure your cigars are getting the correct amount of moisture. Keep an eye out for more helpful articles from Cigars.com