She Strengthens

Breaking Free from Bad Habits and Building a Brighter Financial Future

Quitting cigarettes was the best decision I made in 2016. It wasn’t just about breaking a harmful habit; it was about leaving behind a chapter of my life marked by burnout, low pay, and discontent. However, giving up something I’d done daily for years wasn’t easy. Cigarettes had become an integral part of my routine, punctuating my workday and sparking conversations in dive bars. But they were also draining my wallet.

The Wake-Up Call

It wasn’t until I calculated my annual cigarette expenditure using the Smoke Free app that I realized the true cost of my habit. I was shocked to discover that I could save at least $80 per month – or $960 by the end of the year – if I quit. That amount was equivalent to a plane ticket, a month’s rent, or a decent new mattress. The prospect of saving that much money was all the motivation I needed to kick the habit.

The Reality Check

However, after two months of not smoking, I was disappointed to find that my bank statement and savings remained unchanged. Where had the extra money gone? The truth was that I’d simply redirected it towards other frivolous expenses. I wasn’t mentally accounting for the $80 I was saving each month, treating it as “extra money” rather than a deliberate allocation towards a specific goal.

The Key to Successful Savings

When I stopped smoking, I didn’t have a clear plan for the money I was saving. I didn’t consider it part of my new budget or allocate it towards a specific purpose. That was my major mistake. To truly benefit from cutting back on an expense, it’s essential to have a clear idea of where that money will be redirected. Will it go towards an emergency fund, travel, living expenses, or retirement? For every dollar I saved, I made sure I knew exactly where it was going and why.

My New Budget Breakdown

Here’s how I now allocate the $80 I would have spent on cigarettes:

• $10 to Spotify, which provides me with tunes for exercise and relaxation – activities that help me stay smoke-free.
• $50 towards my “Apartment Savings” fund, as I’m planning to move next year and want to feel secure about it.
• $20 towards my “Travel fund for 2017,” which is a separate account from the apartment savings, as I want to prioritize new experiences.

Taking Control of My Savings

By accounting for every “extra” dollar in my budget, I prevented myself from mindlessly spending it on whatever I wanted in the moment. Tracking my savings also kept me engaged with my goals to stay smoke-free and build my wealth. I opted to make manual transfers to my specific accounts, labeling each transfer with a memo so I knew exactly where the money was coming from. This active approach to saving helped me stay focused on my objectives.

The Power of Positive Thinking

Giving up something to save money doesn’t work for me. Instead, I focus on what I can gain from making a positive change. When I quit smoking, I thought about how I could use that $80 to improve my health and well-being. I could join a gym, buy new workout clothes, or invest in healthier food. This mindset shift helped me view quitting as an opportunity rather than a sacrifice.

A Year of Progress

As I reflect on my journey, I’m proud to say that I’ve saved $450 towards my future apartment and $180 towards my travel fund. These amounts may seem small, but they represent a constant reminder of my potential and the power of making positive choices. This year has taught me that my personal and financial goals intersect, and it’s essential to stay engaged with each one, no matter how small they may seem.