I used to have the same opinion, but modern NiMH batteries have far longer shelf live than they used to, and the price is low enough that you can afford to keep

I used to have the same opinion, but modern NiMH batteries have far longer shelf live than they used to, and the price is low enough that you can afford to keep some spares in an 8 battery charger ready to use. I do have a set of alkaline batteries, but I haven't used them in 3 years.