I feel like I am posting a bit late but I feel it is an important message so hang in here with me.
Today is the Great American Smokeout Challenge hosted by the American Cancer Society. You can find out full details here.
I come from a non-smoking family which is good for me. There is no physical way I could even take a puff so no worries for me there. That being said my mom has been a nurse … well forever. She was often involved in the employee relations campaign at her previous employer during the Great American Smokeout Challenge. As kids of a nurse (and I am sure doctors’ kids would say the same), you hear about things you don’t want hear about. We got see pictures (pre-internet images days!) of cancer caused by smoking and the black organs thanks to mom’s magazines, books, and continuing education materials. You know the pictures. You know the dangers of smoking. I don’t need to repeat all of that.
Today for the first time I saw a calculator online that calculates the money you spend on smoking. I have often wondered how people afford to smoke. I can’t even afford a hot chocolate at the coffee stand habit so I know I can’t support a smoking habit. That being I said I know what you afford in your budget is all about habits and priorities. So if smoking is your habit and priority it is costing YOU and YOUR BUDGET!!
I put in a pack of cigarettes costs $4, smoking 5 a day, and for 5 years. I know NONE of those numbers are high but this easily shows you the hard facts of what this habit costs. The smoking calculator gave me back these results:
You have smoked roughly 9,125 cigarettes!
Smoking cigarettes costs you
$7.00 per week, $30.42 per month, and $365.00 per year.
WOW! What can you buy with almost $400 a year? I can think of a lot I could buy for that money.
I have known people who have quit smoking so it is possible. Maybe your health is your motivation to quit. Or your family is your motivation to quit. I think those are the best motivations out there to quit smoking. But I want you to think about adding your budget to be part of your motivation to quit smoking. Take that smoking money and drop it in a savings account, cookie jar, … whatever and then in a year see what you have and buy yourself the best gift ever. Well you can’t buy your best gift ever which is living another day but you can buy yourself an awesome treat for your success at helping yourself and your budget!
So this tip isn’t only a budget tip but a healthy living tip!
Don’t wait until tomorrow, go check out the Great American Smokeout Challenge today!
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