Not only is smoking an addictive habit, but it also becomes quite expensive. Having a smoking habit that consistently forces you to quite literally burn through packs of cigarettes a week can end up being very costly. Furthermore, states continue to push regulation raising smoking taxes that make it seem like smoking expenditures are sharply increasing each and every year.
If you’re finding that the money you’re spending each week on smoking is getting harder to part with, we have compiled a list of a few ways that you can help cut back on some of the money you spend on cigarettes.
Opt for a Cheaper Brand
Just like all other products available to us, there are different price points for cigarettes. There are brand named, top of the line cigarettes that will be priced the highest and could end up costing the most money in the long run. Remember that as the price per pack of cigarettes increases, the taxes that are placed on each pack of cigarettes also increases.
An option to save money on smoking expenditure could be as simple as selecting a different brand that comes at a cheaper price. There are several cheaper brands that mimic the same taste and flavor as the brand name cigarette packs. If you decided to choose a pack of cigarettes that was just $2 cheaper than your usual brand, and if you were a pack a day smoker, over the course of a month you could save over $60. In a year, that is a savings of over $700.
Cut Back on Smoking
Another option to save money on smoking expenses each month is to simply cut back on the number of cigarettes that you smoke. It’s a very simply concept, but the savings can be huge over the course of a month. If you’re able to cut the number of cigarettes you smoke in half, then effectively you are able to cut your monthly smoking expenditure in half. Smoking less will allow you to purchase new packs of cigarettes less often because you’re not going through the cigarettes as fast. If you normally spend $100 a month on cigarettes, cutting back your smoking will save you $50 a month.
Quit Smoking Altogether
The simple solution to save money on smoking expenses is to simply not buy cigarettes any more. Not only is quitting extremely beneficial to your health, but it will save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars each year that would have normally been spent on cigarettes.
While quitting may not be as simple and cut and dry in real life as it is on paper, it is the ultimate way to completely eliminate any expenses that come from smoking cigarettes. Find an approach which you know will be most suitable for you. Many find quitting suddenly with no nicotine substitute difficult, so try a product which can help ease the transition.
Switch to Vaping
As mentioned above, finding an alternate product to cigarette may be just what you need to quit. By selecting an e-cigarette or vape pen, not only are you able to save some money each month, you are also going to inherit a ton of additional benefits and the change to vaping will be very easy.
While purchasing the initial supplies may be slightly more expensive than a pack of cigarettes initially, the e-liquid refills for the device are far less expensive than a pack of cigarettes. In the long run, you will end up coming out ahead on your monthly smoking expenses. Plus, many online vape stores often have special deals that can help save you even more money. If you are able to purchase what you need to switch to vaping at a discounted price, you are already coming out ahead.
Some of the benefits other than saving money include:
• Greater health (there is no tobacco or harmful carcinogens)
• No second hand smoke
• No lingering smell
• You can change the nicotine levels in the device
Try and implement some of the above methods today, and watch the amount of money you have left over at the end of the month rise. Even if you just trial it for a week, you’ll still see results.
What have you got to lose?
