From Cigarettes to Coffee: This is What Your Favourite Vice Costs You

We get it; your personal life is chaotic, work is busier than ever, and you desperately need more hours in a day.

You deserve your simple pleasures.

But as satisfying as they may be, they’re making a major dent in your wallet – which may very well make your “problems” even worse.

Or not.

We did the math – it’s up to you to decide if it’s worth it.

THE VICE: CIGARETTES

Average Cost/Pack: $10.00
Average Cost Per Year:

Occasional Smoker: (pack/week): $520.00
Moderate Smoker: (half a pack/day): $1,825.00
Heavy Smoker (a pack/day): $3,650.00

If you’re a heavy or moderate user, the cost of your habit could be equal to a pretty sweet vacation (and that sounds pretty nice at the moment, doesn’t it?).

THE VICE: ALCOHOL

Average Cost (Going Out): $10/drink average (including beer, wine, and cocktails)
Average Cost Per Year:

Occasional Drinker: (2 drinks per week): $1,040.00
Moderate Drinker: (8/per week): $4,160.00
Heavy Drinker (20 drinks/week): $15,600.00

Average Cost (Staying In): $25 average for a 12-pack of beer, bottle (or two, depending on cost) of wine, and a 26-er of booze.

Occasional Drinker: (1 night/week): $1,300.00
Moderate Drinker (3 nights/week): $3,900.00
Heavy Drinker (5 nights/week): $6,500.00

That’s right; it’s not just your liver that pays the price for heavy drinking. Keep in mind; this doesn’t include the costs associated with drinking, like cab fares, late-night pizza, and, sometimes, your pride…

THE VICE: WEED

Average Cost/Half Quarter: $40
Average Cost Per Year:

Occasional User (one half quarter/month): $480.00
Moderate User (one half quarter/2 weeks): $960.00
Heavy User (one half quarter/week): $2080.00 

Let’s not forget the other costs of being a stoner – pizza, chips, candy, and cab fare because you lost track of time/keys and are now in a rush. And for the hardcore stoners who smoke a quarter/week ($60), you can raise your yearly cost to $3120.00

THE VICE: GOURMET COFFEE

Average cost: $4/drink
Average Cost Per Year:

Occasional Drinker (3/week): $624.00
Moderate Drinker (1 day): $1456.00
Heavy Drinker (3/day): $4368.00

Perhaps it’s time to purchase a French press and a thermos?

THE VICE: FAST FOOD

Average cost/meal: $6.50
Average Cost Per Year:

Occasional Fast Food Eater (2 times/month): $156.00
Moderate Fast Food Eater (1 time/week): $338.00
Heavy Fast Food Eater (4 times/week): $1352.00

Ok, so fast food is sometimes more affordable than a grocery bill…but if you’re in the “heavy user” category; it would probably do you good to revisit Fast Food Nation.

THE VICE: CHOCOLATE AND CANDY BARS 

Average Cost/Bar: $1.70
Average Cost Per Year:

Occasional Craver: (3/month): $61.20
Moderate Craver (1/week): $88.40
Heavy Craver (5/week): $442.00

Ok, so this one doesn’t sound too steep. But seriously, if you’re eating one a day, it’s not just money you have to be worried about – chocolate and candy aren’t exactly lifesavers…

THE VICE: LOTTERY TICKETS

Average Cost: $5/ticket
Average Cost Per Year:

Occasional Player (two lottery tickets/month): $120.00
Moderate Player (one lottery ticket/week): $260.00
Heavy Player (all three Canadian national lotteries, each week): $780. 00

There are worse gambling addictions you can have than playing the lottery. We get it – that $780.00 per year could make you a millionaire. Riiiiiiiight.

THE VICE: COCAINE

Average Cost: Who cares, you’re rich!

Just kidding, if this is your vice you definitely should seek the appropriate help

#NOTABLE

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