2011: A Retrospective On My Resolutions

In December, 2010, I made the fateful decision to estimate the cost of my morning breakfast burrito, coffee, 2 bottles of Coke, and 1 pack of cigarettes per day. Needless to say, I was shocked. This prompted me to make the goal of setting that money aside and instead use it for my stamp collection.

On Jan 3, 2011 (first day back to work for the new year), I stopped my daily purchases of all except the cigarettes. On July 2nd, I stopped smoking (cold turkey).

During the past year, I have found myself purchasing items I dared not dream I could own. And all of this, because I made a change in my lifestyle.

Here's just a few links to items I purchased this year with my "Sin" savings. There was so much more ...

Brian

https://goscf.com/t/20523

https://goscf.com/t/15397

https://goscf.com/t/14008

https://goscf.com/t/13980

https://goscf.com/t/13913

https://goscf.com/t/13593

https://goscf.com/t/15398

https://goscf.com/t/14405

https://goscf.com/t/16654

Very nice Riley. I too put down the Cigarettes as of Dec 12th 2011 as 1 Pack a day added up to over $3800.00 as I smoked expensive ones. I love the idea of using the "Sin money" for my collection, now if I can convince the Wife ! I too have eliminated the extras as I used to buy my Coffee everyday and now I just make it at home and bought a travel mug... Your lovely purchases should inspire others !

Sounds like your goal provided just the right amount of incentive. You are to be congratulated not only for some great stamp successes, but more importantly for quitting smoking "cold turkey".

Riley

Congratulations with your overall fortitude and the end results as a reward as well.

I was glad I never took up smoking in my whole life. I don't even know what a cigarette tastes like, and that's the truth. I don't want to know either.

I have friends who smoke and was wondering with the price of a package or carton as they are nowadays, Iwas imaginaing what they could do for either their hobbies or for their homes if they too could quit cold turkey. My wife quit cold turkey too about 33 years ago and never touched one since.

From you urls, I would say that you made some nice buys.

Keep up the good work.

Chimo

Bujutsu

I'D RATHER HAVE THE SIN !

Nah, just kidding. Very thought-provoking. Thanks for posting.
Kirk

I hesitated to quantify my daily habits publicly, because it's truly embarrassing. A conservative figure for all of the aforementioned was $15 per day, but is most likely closer to $20 per day. The conservative figure comes out to ~$5500 per year - a number that is truly mind blowing, when you think about it ...

Brian

Way to go Brian

I am lucky to have never smoked. But I do have other spending habits that I could get rid of. You have inspired me. I will keep you updated on the progress

Dianne

Riley, all I can say is awesome!

Wish I could kick the habit

Brian,

I admire your decision and the way you handled it. Only smokers (like myself) can apreciate how difficult it is to get rid of that habbit.

Thank you all for the kind words!