Is that one lump or two?
It is day 37 of my non-smoking journey and I am doing great. I feel like I have broken the hold that nicoteen had on everything I do. While I am in no way totally in the clear (there are danger times ahead of me that I recognise and will plan for), I am well on my way. I have calculated that I have not spent about $650 on cigarettes so far that I would have ordinarily spent. I actually believe that the figure I have saved so far is much more than that, probably double. Previously if I wanted to buy a pack of smokes for $23 it was not uncommon for me to withdraw $40 or even $50 at the ATM. I then had $17 or $27 in my pocket that I would just fritter away on coffee, gum, junk food, drinks etc... The next time I wanted to buy another packet of smokes I would make another ATM withdrawal. One one my strategies at the start of quitting was to not carry any money on me so I would not be tempted to buy cigarettes. I am past that stage now but the habit of not carrying money or needing to go to the shop has remained. I am finding that I am just not spending anything and the money is building up in my account a lot quicker than I thought it would. I went grocery shopping on Saturday and used EFTPOS. I have had no cash on me since then and have had no need to buy anything. I will probably have to go to the supermarket for some grocery items on Thursday or Friday (it is now Tuesday). My total expenditure between Saturday's shopping and Thursday or Friday will be $0. Ordinarily I would have made three or four ATM withdrawals of $40 or $50 a time. In addition to the obvious health benefits I am experiencing, the financial benefits of quitting smoking are absolutely amazing. I remember reading a post on here where someone suggested that everyone gets the quit smoking ads about how dangerous and bad smoking is and that Quit advertising campaigns should run some ads which highlight other benefits of quitting smoking including the financial benefit. Maybe an ad where a group of non-smoking friends are pictured planning and then doing an overseas adventure holiday while their friend who is the smoker is stuck at home on his or her holidays (miserable and smoking) because he or she can't afford to go. Such an ad might appeal to young people who think they are pretty much bulletproof healthwise.
Agree with your idea re images on cigarette packs. Yes, I am sure young people think that they are bulletproof. Death is inevitable but cause a bit like Russian Roulette. But along the way over the course of 40 years the financial loss would be in excess of $400 000. Non smokers would have more time on the planet to spend it... How good is a $10 000 per annum pay rise?
I totally agree with you Lia. A $10,000 p.a. pay rise is a great incentive. I am not so much suggesting different images on cigarette. I am suggesting a different type of tv or ad campaign to compliment the existing health campaigns. I doubt there would be a smoker in this country who isn't aware of the ghastly things cigarettes can do to you healthwise (If there is they have been living under a rock, cut off from the rest of the world). Yet people continue to smoke. I am suggesting a campaign of ads that show other benefits of not smoking, not just health issues. I think that an ad showing what you can do with all the extra money you have by not smoking may appeal to people who have the attitude 'I will be right healthwise, it won't happen to me'. Maybe even an ad showing that a non-smoker in the dating game is much more attractive to others.
This will probably sound stupid but the reason I didn't like using EFTPOS when buying cigarettes and paid in cash is because I didn't like the name of the tobacconist appearing on my bank statement along with the amount I had spent on cigarettes (I acknowledge that my behaviour was real 'head in the sand' sort of behaviour').
I just know if I buy food items the bill is nothing but with smokes it can be up to $70.00 every couple of days . I keep running out of money and being paid monthly I find that I'm always worried about money but spening it on something that makes me feel like crap !
I'm hearing you edcasey. I can say that in just six short weeks that my financial health has improved markedly. There is no more stressing for me worrying how I am going to make it through to payday. It is amazing just how much cigarettes cost us.
Lia , threds, agree , its my day 30 and i got a $500 payrise, In my country a pack of 20's cost $17.....maybe by end of next year, i can visit Aussie again..:)
You're doing great James. Keep it up. If you have saved $500 AU so far (I presume you are talking Aussie dollar figures), by the end of next year you could probably afford to go pretty much anywhere you want.
Way to go Threds. Keep up the good work. Keep going. Looks like you conquer your nicotine addiction, and won! Now, just remember NOT ANOTHER PUFF!! :). Stay Quit!!
Enjoy the rewards of being a non-smoker. Just awesome! Best wishes!!
Thanks jojie. Much appreciated. I appreciate the the support of others that this site brings. It is a massive help. While I cannot say I have totally conquered my nicoteen addition yet (what remains is a mental thing now a physical thing now), I am well on my way and I will!!!! I have started keeping a diary and I list things that I have to do each day in it. No.1 on my list every day is 'Do not smoke today'.
Hello Threds. Again, awesome accomplishment! Looks like you have a good plan with your quit, and it's working. Congratulations! You are very much in charge of your quit and it's a win, win situation. Best wishes.