Super-charge your finances with the 50/30/20 rule!
Ever feel like you need to go to budgeting boot camp? Do...
Quit smoking, save the pennies for No Smoking Day 2019
You may have been debating quitting smoking for some time now. You’re probably well aware of what a drain on your budget cigarettes can be, but it’s easier said than done to give them up for good.
Believe me, we know how you feel; we have three ex-smokers on the team and one other who regularly steps out into the cold to light up.
Look at the budgeting you can do: cancelling a mag subscription? Easy. Buying more own-name brands than the more expensive food labels? A doddle. But, those cigs keep coming back, almost as if they’re taunting you. We don’t give a fig about your budget, they squeal, so we’re not going anywhere…!
National No Smoking Day 2019
Wednesday 13th March 2019 is National No Smoking Day in the UK.
There are lots of reasons to quit smoking. From feeling guilt about the money spent on it, to the impact of your health, to stopping for the sake of loved ones and overall happiness.
That doesn’t make it easy though. Imagine how hard it can be to quit with all these negative feelings swimming about, causing stress and making those cigarettes seem all the more tempting.
Swap the fags for swag
We’re all aware of the health benefits of quitting smoking, but do we really understand the financial benefits?
The NHS website has a page that will tell you how much money stopping smoking will save you.
For instance, someone who smokes 10 cigarettes a week is spending approximately £152.08 per month. This would be enough for a great new haircut, tickets to the theatre, even a therapeutic massage to ease away any stress in the absence of nicotine.
Saving this up over the course of the year could even take you on a skiing holiday – the sky’s the limit!
What else can I do to quit?
Luckily, no one expects you to quit just on sheer willpower and the possibility of more money in your pocket alone. Here are some more tips on how to quit smoking the right way:
- Talk to your doctor: they can look into all kinds of methods to keep you on track. These can range from nicotine patches and tablets to cognitive behavioural therapy (teaching your brain to recognise a craving and deal with it) and even hypnotherapy.
- Sign up for a Personal Quit Plan: This is a 3-step plan and mobile app offered by NHS Smokefree. It was developed by smokers and ex-smokers alike and has helped thousands quit successfully. (Available to England residents only).
- Find your nearest support group: A problem shared is a problem halved, as the saying goes. Your doctor can put you in touch with your closest support group.
How does all this help you if you’re a client of ours?
Very often we speak to clients who dearly want to free up some money in their budget. They look at everything they spend – from the food shopping to the kids’ pocket money – looking for reductions, but the option of reducing the cig costs can often seem an impossible task.
If you want to quit but you’re struggling, we’re hoping this will have given you that extra little push. Who knows? Maybe it can help you get out of debt quicker.
Do you have any tips for quitting the cigs? Let us know in the comments…
Responses