By being creative, I have been able to keep my supply cost under $100 per year. I use mineral oil as a lubricant and a 16 oz bottle costing about $2.00 at Walmart lasts about a year. Vegetable oil (like olive oil) can also be used. Put a small amount of it in a medicine bottle for use when away from home. I use generic incontinence pads cut in half to cover my stoma. Others have used nursing pads, which are a bit larger and more absorbent. Although they are sticky on the reverse side to hold them in place, sometimes tape is needed. If taken care of, catheters can last 6 months or more and will become stiffer with use. Although they turn brown over time, that does not affect how they work or present cleanliness issues. Just flush them out after each use. By using plenty of lube and gently working the catheter in, a “flimsy” new catheter should work OK. I have had no problems with the Marlin 30fr curved catheters.