Cut out the Small Stuff

Whether it's a pack of cigarettes, coffee, a soda, a cocktail, dessert or candy; there are tons of everyday items that unnecessarily add to our cost of living . By learning to forgo these small purchases you can really save A lot of money, especially if you set the money aside for a rainy day.

Examples of Cost:
Cigarettes - According to MSN Money, "the cost of a pack of cigarettes averages around $4.50 to $5, including taxes, depending on where you live. Using the lower number, a pack-a-day smoker burns through about $31.50 per week, or $1,638 per year. That's a fat house payment or a nice vacation with the family. A 40-year-old who quits smoking and puts the savings into a 401(k) earning 9% a year would have nearly $250,000 by age 70."

Coffee - According to Coffeesearch.org, "the average coffee consumption in the United States is 3.1 cups of coffee per day(NCA)." The average price of a cup of coffee is $1.38 (NCA). That means the average person spends almost $30.00 dollars a month on coffee.

Soda - If you buy a soda out of the vending machine each day for $1.oo that is $30.00 an month right there.

Alcohol - on the cheap side, a twelve pack of beer is $14.00 and you only drink 1 beer a night. That equates to $35.00 a month, and that is drinking at home. If you were to go out once a week and have three drinks for $5.00 each, that would be $60.00 a month.

Deserts - If you went out to dinner 1 a week and bought dessert for $6.95, that is almost another $30 a month right there and that isn't including the meal.

Candy - If you buy 1 candy bar a day from the office vending machine, that is instantly another $20 a month.

Just by cutting out these things you could save around $200.00 each month. That is $2400 a year, or a 7 Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise for 2. Pretty nice annual Vacation for going without that candy bar.