Maybe you don’t think your continued good health is a good enough reason to quit smoking. Let’s look at some of the financial costs that come with smoking!
- Job security. Some rather large companies are starting to think twice about hiring smokers. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, more than six thousand companies across the nation are refusing to hire smokers. Among the smoke free companies: Alaska Airlines and the Union Pacific.
- Higher insurance costs. Expect to pay at least twice as much as a non-smoker if you’re looking for life insurance. For health insurance, the difference isn’t as dramatic, but even a $20 dollar monthly difference in policies adds up over the years.
- Home resale values. The smell of smoke can be off-putting to potential buyers. But if you want to clean up your act, you’re going to pay for it. A smoker’s house may need all new paint, carpets, and drapery — or at least a professional cleaning. Hiring somebody to repaint a two bedroom house can cost you around two grand. Tack on another three hundred dollars to get your carpets deep-cleaned.
- Car resale values. Stray ashes and butts can burn holes in your upholstery and floor mats if you aren’t careful. And to get that smoke smell out? Count on at least $150 for a thorough cleaning. Car dealers may knock a thousand dollars or more off your trade-in price if your car smells like smoke.
- Dental costs. Unless you like bad breath and yellow teeth, you probably use a lot of mints and gum. Buying an extra pack of breath fresheners every week adds up to around fifty bucks a year. Need a teeth whitening? Expect to pay no less than two hundred dollars per visit to see a professional.
- Dry cleaning bills. You’re going to clean your stinky clothes more often. Is your favorite suit dry clean only? Figuring ten dollars per cleaning, that’s another $120 per year IF you only clean that suit once a month.
Read more about quitting smoking from Familes.com!