Cutting Bad Habits Helps To Cut Debt

By Fred Cash

Startling Fact: The average full-time employee works approximately 225 days a year. That same average full-time employee who buys a cup of Joe every morning will spend more than $300 dollars a year on her caffeine fix when all is said and done (and that's not counting the $3.00 muffin that often accompanies the morning commute.)

Anyone who's tried saving cash knows that it is not an easy task. Anyone who's tried to give up a bad habits knows that the experience is the same. However, cutting bad habits may not only improve ones day to day life " it can improve cash flow as well. The costs of bad habits have been revealed.

Super-sizing your fast food (and your waistline) can lead to downsizing in earnings.

Although fast food is convenient, and affordable, it is more costly than bringing a lunch to work each day and may not be as good for health. Those extra value meals at iconic fast food joints may seem like a good deal, yet in reality they're not very good for your bod or your savings account.

An example would be if a person spends $3.50 for a meal once a week, it adds up to $14 a month, arriving at a year-end cost of $168 at year-end. $168 could buy 50 loaves of bread and 10 jars of peanut butter " enough for more than 400 PB&J sandwiches!

A Savings of Smoke and Mirrors

Smoking cigarettes isn't just a health hazard " its a financial risk as well. Everyday smokers can spend more than one grand on tobacco and related products each year. The average cigarette pack runs $4.70 and takes an even greater toll on a persons health.

That Jolt of Coffee can Jinx that Savings Account

Its coffee " not the fresh start to a new day " that often gets us up in the morning. Getting the coffee going at home has become somewhat of an afterthought in many families as coffee houses can be found on almost everywhere " and many come with a drive-through! While its always nice to start the day with a jolt of coffee " as stated in the beginning of this article " its also a jolt to the savings. For those who prefer a pricier specialty drink - that $4 latte or tea, five times a week, turns into a hefty $20 by Friday. This daily fix can turn into a total cost of nearly $1,000 a year!

The Sum Total

While the costs associated with not so favorable habits are clear and accountable, the toll these vices can take on ones body, mind, and well-being could raise the stakes even more. Excessive trips to fast food places and habitual smoking correlate directly with steeper health costs that can linger long-term. Health insurance businesses take ones daily habits into account and charge a higher premium to those whose vices are detrimental.

The pack a day smoker who downs a cup of coffee each morning and makes a drive through run twice a week is looking at charges upwards of $3500 spent on supporting their habits. What might happen should Mr. or Ms. Vice use that same amount and place it in a CD account earning a 5% annually? 12 months later Mr. or Ms. Vice would have an extra $140 - and on the intangible side of things " a healthier life both physically and financially. - 29866

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