Smoking cigarettes is pointless and stupid. It's bad for your lungs and throat. They make you smell awful, your teeth get all yellow, everything you own smells... the list can go on and on. Virtually, there's no positive side to smoking cigarettes, but one of the worst things about it is the cost.
On average, people spend thousands of dollars on cigarettes every year. In Pennsylvania, my home state for example, it will cost you about $2,500 a year to smoke. This is based on if you smoke a pack a day, so if you smoke less than that, your total will be smaller-- but if you smoke more, God only knows how much you're spending. To see your state's average, check out this link.
I have people who are near and dear to my heart that still smoke. I know quitting is hard, but here is some incentive.
Here's 11 things you could spend your money on with all the money from a year's worth of smoking cigarettes.
1. Student loans.
Student loans are a pain in the butt and most people don't pay them off completely until they are in their 30s or 40s depending on what their income is. So instead of wasting your money on cigarettes, you could be paying off your students loans quicker.
2. Down payment on a car.
Obviously this one depends on the car, but with approximately $2,000-- you could at least put a down payment on a sick ride.
3. Rent money.
Ah, rent. Depending on where you live, the money you spend on a year's worth of cigarettes could either pay off a few months of rent or put a dent into it. If you do the math, that's less frozen tv dinners, healthier lungs, *some* more spending money and a place of your own. If you're still trying to find an apartment of your own, this money will definitely help get you started.
4. Tickets to see "Hamilton."
Some "Hamilton" tickets can be cheap(ish) if you can find them, but most of the time they go for approximately $600 if you're low-balling it. So really with all of your cigarette money, you could buy a couple of "Hamilton" tickets for you and Hamilton-obsessed friends and family. Do not throw away your shot.
5. Go on a nice vacation.
In the words of Hilary Duff: London, Paris maybe Tokyo. Do you want to see Greece, Italy, Dominican Republic, Spain, Disney World? Well, stop smoking because you could get a good bang for your buck with the money you save. Take a cruise or go see some beautiful sights!
6. Buy a dog.
Why smother your lungs with cigarette smoke when you could buy yourself a puppy who can smother your face with kisses? Dogs are expensive, but so are cigarettes.... *wink, wink*
7. Get married.
Obviously this one only applies to those of you who are smitten and want to spend the rest of your life with someone special-- but weddings aren't cheap, duh. So with the money saved from quitting smoking, you could put it towards a bomb-ass wedding (or her engagement ring, fellas).
8. Treat yo self.
It's important for your sanity to treat yourself sometimes, but if you're worried about money in the bank, it's going to be hard. Saving money now so that you could do little things to treat yourself later is ideal and worth it in the long run.
9. Pay off *some of* your credit card bill.
Honey, I know you have it because so do I. It sits there haunting you as you keep putting more things on it... so why not take your cigarette money and put a dent into it?
10. Go to Vegas.
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas... except if you smoke there then your lungs will take that experience back with you where ever you're from.
11. Literally anything else except cigarettes.
I don't care if you want to spend the money on a lifetime supply of customized pens with your name on them. Just do yourself, your friends and your family a favor and don't spend it on cigarettes.
