New Year’s Resolutions That Save You Money

Every year you come up with a New Years resolution and inevitably every year it’s already broken by the end of the month. Perhaps you would have a better success rate if you realized that your new years resolution had a dual purpose. Namely, you’ll achieve your goal and save money while doing it. Let me give you a few examples on how changing a few of your bad habits can translate into big savings.

• Smoking. It seems like every year there’s a new tax added to cigarettes. You can pay up to 10 bucks per pack nowadays. How’s that for a cash incentive to stop smoking. Reduce your bad smoking habit to 1 less pack per week. You’ll save $520 ($10 x 52 weeks) per year.
  
• Alcohol. Water will cost you a few cents while alcohol costs 10 – 20 times as much. If you go out with friends and order $7 drinks every week, have one less than you would normally have. You’ll save $364 ($7 x 52 weeks) per year.
• Family time. If your resolution is to spend some more time with your family, you can do that at home watching movies together, playing video games or board games. Possible savings could be $240 ($20 x 12 months) per year.
• Coffee. Getting your caffeine fix doesn’t have to break the bank. Instead of going to Starbucks for a $3.50 cup of coffee choose to make it at home or get one at a fast food joint for a buck. You’ll save $400 ($2 x 200 cups per year) per year.
• Food. Learn to eat less. If you always get a large combo meal, go for the small. If you always get fries and a soda to go with your burger, just get the burger with no fries. You could save $200 ($1 x 200 meals) per year.

What kind of new years resolutions have you done that reduced costs in your life?