I have saved 15 dollars a day. I am treating my wife to dinner tonight we never had the extra money to do this

@Dykie1 Welcome to the Ex and congrats on your quit.  Saving your cigarette money is a great motivator to keep moving forward.  When did you quit?

Have a wonderful dinner together.

Barb

I have just now actually quit benn 5 days now without one

@Dykie1 that's amazing! Thanks for sharing and congrats on five days quit and the money you have been saving!

- Danielle, EX Team

@Dykie1 Congrats on 5 days.  Keep moving forward one day at a time.

If you ever need some help, just reach out.

Barb

I have probably spent as much on rewards as I would have spent on cigarettes or more. Quitting has been a reason to splurge. And for the most part I'm okay with that. I have enjoyed my rewards and little treats (everything from new pens, new curtains, a lovely cake stand, to a couple of mini vacations). So overall, I probably haven't "SAVED" a cent but I have spent my money on actually living instead of slow suicide so it's fine. I really like the idea of taking the ~$10 a day or every couple of days (I smoked less than a pack a day) and putting it away in a savings account or a jar and letting it add up but I found that to be a bit of a hassle too because I don't carry cash often. So, it is what it is. Money is just money and it cannot buy health or happiness, quitting smoking has afforded me greater opportunities for both.    

Financial reasons for quitting were one of the keys for me.  I had been living on the edge financially for awhile.  I keep a notebook and every couple days I write in it how many days quit I have and multiply that by $9.72 (a pack and a half of a cheap brand I was smoking).  Haven't added it up for a few days, but my notebook says on 5/29/24  I had saved $2255.04.  I have spent some of the money on little treats here and there, last week I bought a new pair of pajamas!!

Getting control of my budget has been very empowering for me.  About a year ago I began very strictly writing down in a notebook every penny I spend.  When I first started, that was a real eyeopener--I was throwing away money on inconsequential "stuff" and wondering why I was having trouble paying my bills.  Now in 2024 I am able to save money and it feels great.  Quitting smoking is a big part of my becoming financially responsible, which feels great.

I knew i was spending way too much on cigarettes for the last several years but that did not motivate me to stop. Now, my age and my health were the motivator.  I have been buying a lot of little things with the money I saved from quitting ($18.00 a day!) but long term I have committed almost all that money to my retirement. Imagine being healthier in retirement and being able to retire sooner! What a benefit. 

Unlike many, financial worries were a big part of my quitting and continue to play a huge role in my remaining quit.  I am saving close to $300.00 every month and as I live close to the edge of poverty, being able to save that money is essential.  Yesterday I had to pay for a plumber and if I had been smoking these last 9 plus months I would not have been able to afford it without being short in other areas.  Since quitting, I am doing a much better job budgeting.  I have a notebook where I keep track of every penny, and I mean EVERY penny, that I spend.  Quitting smoking has given me the motivation to simplify my life and not confuse the things I need with things I only want.  Too often in the past I confused needs and wants.  I have done really well with setting aside and saving money each month even beyond what I would have spent on smoking.  I have a whole new mindset about my finances and spending that has been revolutionary for me.  I needed a major attitude adjustment and quitting smoking allowed a reset in my mind.  Now I take pride in my ability to save and have some money for emergencies which come up.  One of my dogs is sick today and I will be able to take him to the vet without being freaked out about how much it might cost.  Every now and then I give myself a small treat to celebrate my freedom from.smoking, like a burger or a new shirt from Goodwill.  Quitting smoking has been a blessing to me for so many different reasons.  Some may say, Well you should have learned these financial lessons a long time ago.  That is true, but at least I can say that I have learned them now, and quitting smoking played a big role in that.  Cheers to all!!

Financially this is going to be a game changer.  The reason I quit is because I got Pneumonia.