foofighter20x
10-19-2007, 02:25 PM
10 of the Biggest Money Drains (http://www.military.com/Finance/content/0,15356,145087,00.html?ESRC=finance.nl):
1. Coffee: The average price of coffee is $1.38 (or more depending on the coffee vendor), reports the National Coffee Association. So, if you buy a “cup of joe” every morning for a year that could add up to at least $360 a year. That’s money that could be contributed to your retirement fund or savings account.
2. Cigarettes: The average price for a pack of cigarettes in the United States is $4.54. A pack day can cost you about $1,660 a year.
3. Alcohol: Drink prices vary based on where your watering hole of choice is. However, the average cost of one beer is $5 including tip. Bankrate reports that if you buy two beers a day, it can add up to $3,650 a year. It only gets more expensive if you buy a round of drinks for your friends.
4. Bottled Water: A liter of bottled water will cost you $1.50. Buying one bottle of water a day will cost you around about $540 a year. This purchase will cost you and the environment in the long run.
5. Manicures: Nothing is more relaxing than a languorous manicure. But, these types of “treats” are not economically feasible if you have them done frequently. For example, if you get a $20 weekly manicure, you could cost rob your savings of $1,068 a year. Doing your own manicure will only cost you about $5 — the price of a bottle of nail polish.
6. Car washes: The average cost for basic auto detailing is about $58. Not bad, if it’s done sporadically. But, if you have your car detailed every two months it will cost you $348 a year.
7. Buying Your Lunch Everyday: It’s hard to get out of the door with all of your belongings, and a sack lunch. But, if you have to buy your lunch everyday, you could be doing serious damage to your savings. For instance, buying your lunch daily will cost you about $9 or $2,350 a year. In short, it pays to spend time to make your lunch.
8. Vending Machine Snacks: The average vending machine snack is about $1. Buying a pack a day will cost you $260 per year.
9. Interest Charges on Credit Card Bills The median credit card debt for most Americans is $6,600. Rate tables on Bankrate.com indicate that fixed interest rates on a standard average is 13.44 percent. If you make the minimum payment each month it will take you 21 years — yes, that’s years — to pay off the debt.
10. Unused Memberships: A gym membership, that goes unused, is probably $40 a month; which can add up to $480 a year. Either use the membership or cut your losses.
1. Coffee: The average price of coffee is $1.38 (or more depending on the coffee vendor), reports the National Coffee Association. So, if you buy a “cup of joe” every morning for a year that could add up to at least $360 a year. That’s money that could be contributed to your retirement fund or savings account.
2. Cigarettes: The average price for a pack of cigarettes in the United States is $4.54. A pack day can cost you about $1,660 a year.
3. Alcohol: Drink prices vary based on where your watering hole of choice is. However, the average cost of one beer is $5 including tip. Bankrate reports that if you buy two beers a day, it can add up to $3,650 a year. It only gets more expensive if you buy a round of drinks for your friends.
4. Bottled Water: A liter of bottled water will cost you $1.50. Buying one bottle of water a day will cost you around about $540 a year. This purchase will cost you and the environment in the long run.
5. Manicures: Nothing is more relaxing than a languorous manicure. But, these types of “treats” are not economically feasible if you have them done frequently. For example, if you get a $20 weekly manicure, you could cost rob your savings of $1,068 a year. Doing your own manicure will only cost you about $5 — the price of a bottle of nail polish.
6. Car washes: The average cost for basic auto detailing is about $58. Not bad, if it’s done sporadically. But, if you have your car detailed every two months it will cost you $348 a year.
7. Buying Your Lunch Everyday: It’s hard to get out of the door with all of your belongings, and a sack lunch. But, if you have to buy your lunch everyday, you could be doing serious damage to your savings. For instance, buying your lunch daily will cost you about $9 or $2,350 a year. In short, it pays to spend time to make your lunch.
8. Vending Machine Snacks: The average vending machine snack is about $1. Buying a pack a day will cost you $260 per year.
9. Interest Charges on Credit Card Bills The median credit card debt for most Americans is $6,600. Rate tables on Bankrate.com indicate that fixed interest rates on a standard average is 13.44 percent. If you make the minimum payment each month it will take you 21 years — yes, that’s years — to pay off the debt.
10. Unused Memberships: A gym membership, that goes unused, is probably $40 a month; which can add up to $480 a year. Either use the membership or cut your losses.