The Costs of Addiction

It's not cheap to smoke these days. The average pack of cigarettes costs $4.63, and the average smoker spends around $139 a month to support his or her addiction. Tally that up for the year and you could save an extra $1,700—more if you live in New York where a pack of cigarettes packs a punch to your wallet at $8 or $9 a piece. If that alone isn’t enough incentive to quit smoking try these other crafty financial tricks:

* Remember that as you cut back on smoking, you’ll also likely cut down on other costs associated with your habit. Smokers generally spend more than non-smokers on dry cleaning, teeth whitening and insurance.

* Now that you know that the average smoker spends about $139 a month on cigarettes, set a lower budget for yourself, say $100. Gradually continue lowering the bar until you can limbo smoke-free!

* Monitor the number of packs of cigarettes you buy so you can track your progress and your achievements. Even if you go a little over budget, you’re still likely to save from what you were spending, and that’s definitely an accomplishment!

* Although it’s not as tangible, think of all the money you’ll save in health care costs from quitting smoking. You’ll have fewer colds, coughs and trips to the doctor and you’ll likely prevent a possible serious health diagnosis such as heart disease or stroke.

What’s your favorite financial bribe to help you quit smoking? [TheStreet.com]