Janice Milliman, Quit Coach, Service Delivery:
Smoking can be a drain on your wallet as well as your time. How would life be different if you had more time in the day and more money in your pocket?
Saving money is probably the second most common motivating factorparticipants have to quit tobacco. With the cost of cigarettes on the rise, smoking is becoming an even more expensive habit. The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids recently posted a state-by-state cost-per-pack comparison. While the average cost in the U.S. is $5.00-6.00 per pack, smokers in some states pay significantly more (New York - $8.79, Washington State - $7.36, and Hawaii - $7.39).
Participants love the cost savings calculator on Web Coach, the Quit for Life web-based support tool. It's staggering how much money can be saved by eliminating tobacco. A participant I talked with today spends $6.00 per day for cigarettes, which translates to $180 per month. Some participants say they'll spend the money saved on necessities like utility bills or groceries. With the extra $180 per month, the participant plans to get a YMCA membership so she can exercise, feel good about herself, and reduce stress.
What many smokers are surprised to learn when they quit is how much time they also save. As a busy working mom I know there's never enough time in the day. A typical pack-a-day smoker would have an extra 50 hours per month after quitting. Shocking, isn't it! I almost didn't believe it myself until I did the math. Here's how I calculated that figure:
Smoking 1 cigarette = 5 minutes
5 minutes x 20 cigarettes = 100 minutes
100 minutes x 30 days = 3000 minutes
3,000 minutes = 50 hours
With the extra time participants say they'll be able to spend more time with their kids, exercise, or accomplish necessary household chores. Other participants say, "I'm getting a lot more done during my work day which has actually relieved some of my stress too."
Quitting smoking leaves more money and time for necessities, but also for indulgences. If you had an extra $180 and an extra 50 hours per month, how would your life be different?