Expensive Vices to Avoid

Unfortunately, humans are very easily addicted to a range of drugs and practices that amount to huge costs over time. When under the influence of any vice, it can be hard to think of reasons to avoid it. Just remember that your habit, while you might dismiss it in your mind as just a hobby or relaxation method, can end up costing hundreds of thousands of dollars over your lifetime. Don't believe me? Think beyond the costs of the vice itself (i.e. purchasing a drug). Think instead of the huge financial and emotional costs such as healthcare, lawyers, jail time, and a loss of mental capability. Five of the most costly vices are:

#1: Cigarette Smoking
Not only will cigarettes cost your health, they will also cost you financially. Over time, smokers can pay tens of thousands of dollars on cigarettes, not to mention the inescapable health care costs. If you are a smoker, quitting can seem daunting and expensive- after all, there is the emotional tax of denying oneself nicotine, not to mention the cost of non-smoking gums. Believe me, though. Quitting smoking now will help you financially and in terms of health in the long run. Go to smokefree.gov for help.

#2: Drugs
Any drug habit will cost you thousands of dollars to support. If you do decide to quit, rehab programs and therapy cost big bucks. Also, continual drug use can cost you your career, your friends, your family, and your home. If you happen to get caught using or selling drugs, you will spend tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars on hiring a competent lawyer, and if you go to jail you will surely lose financial control of your life. Do yourself a favor and just say no to drugs, because they're simply too expensive of a habit to maintain.

#3: Gambling
Gambling is possibly the most expensive addiction out there. It is possible (and sadly common) to lose your life savings over a single gambling bet. Recreational gambling is okay but always monitor your spending! Limiting yourself while gambling will save you a fortune. Go to 21stepstostopgambling.com to stop gambling today.

#4 Alcohol
All those late nights at the bar will cost you thousands over time. Medical costs can mount up for this vice, too, with liver cancer as the deadliest and most expensive consequence and drunkenness as the most embarrassing. Alcoholics tend to lose their jobs rather quickly and also have a nasty habit of abusing loved ones. Don't let yourself get addicted to alcohol, for it will cost you and will ultimately destroy your life. Search www.stopdrinkingadvice.org for help.

#5: Food
Food really can turn into an addiction, especially if you eat to deal with stress and unhappiness. Watch what you eat and how much you spend on your food and don't binge. With the current obesity epidemic, its clear that more people are taking part in this vice more than any other. Avoid super-sizing, say no to soda, and remember that no diet pill or plus-size clothing will make up for you not exercising.

#5: Caffeine
With caffeine such a huge part of society, it can be hard to think of it as a real vice. Yet, think about all your Starbucks-hooked friends, your co-workers who can't function without three Red Bull, and you'll realize caffeine is addictive. Caffeine from coffee, tea, soda, and energy drinks brings a high and a biological need that can quickly become an addiction. Avoid drinking beverages with lots of caffeine, or you'll soon find yourself hooked on an addiction that costs you in the form of a daily $4 latte.

I hope my points about the financial toll of smoking, drugs, gambling, food, and caffeine have convinced you to minimize your use of these vices. Staying away from these addictions will be a relief to your body, brain, and wallet. Good luck staying vice-free!