So you've finally gotten around to caulking those cracks and seams on the outside of the house you've been meaning to get to someday. Went out and bought some really nice stuff, like Sikaflex. Used about half the tube, stuck a 16-penny nail in the spout and threw the gun and tube in a crate.
Now, 3-4 months later you need to caulk something on a job. Just one little hole in the wall. You've brought the caulk gun, with the tube of Sikaflex still in it. Pull the nail out--unnnnnh! Shit, it's in there tight. Twist it out, along with a string of dried caulk. Try to squeeze out some caulk--damn, I know that tube's still half-full! Nothing.
Last time that happened, I just ripped the goddamn spout off the tube, dug out what caulk I needed, then threw it away. What a waste.
So my current take on things is that caulk ain't for saving. Use it for the job at hand, then just toss that shit. Ain't worth messing with dried-up tubes when you need it.
How do other folks handle this stuff?