This simple change could boost a couple's yearly income by $42,000! What did they do?

In The Land Down Under, the sun scorches the earth with temperatures as high as the cost of living.

However, an Aussie couple has found a way to beat the heat on their finances.


Dubbo-based couple Jennie and Scott Bell discovered a golden ticket to a $42,000 annual cash boost.

The couple extinguished a money and body-burning habit: smoking.

Australia has been notorious for its steep cigarette prices.

These prices have been a deliberate strategy to keep smoking rates across the country low.


compressed-pexels-no smoking sign.jpeg
The Bells have jumpstarted their smoke-free career and have already saved over $1,400. Image Credit: Pexels/Ravi Kant


While the health benefits of quitting are widely known, the financial gains can be just as impactful.

The Bells shared their journey to a smoke-free living through social media, where they candidly documented the ups and downs of their mission.

Jennie, an NSW Ambulance 000 responder, downloaded the QuitNow app, which helped her track her progress and visualise her savings in real-time.


Within ten days into their smoke-free life, the app showed nearly $600 saved.

'This is nuts, and that was the moment,' Jennie said in a video, which marked the turning point in their decision.

Now, with fresh air in their lungs, the couple has already saved over $1,400.

Despite the challenges—including Jennie's stressful 12-hour shifts—the Bells have managed to stay the course.

'Everyone was saying, "Stop coffee, drink tea. Change your routine. Sit in a different spot." No, no, that's too much change for me,' Jennie explained.

Instead, she found solace in her usual routine—drinking her morning coffee in her usual spot, accompanied by the sounds of nature.


Personal finance expert Sarah Megginson spoke about the Bells' revelation, which could be a wake-up call for many.

'I was completely gobsmacked at that dollar value. So absolutely, hats off to them for making this commitment,' Megginson said.

Megginson pointed out that confronting the actual cost of any vice could be a motivator for change, especially for those reluctant to face the financial drain of their habits.

Watch Jennie's smoke-free journey here:

Source: @bellfamfarm/TikTok

For those who may have considered quitting smoking or know someone who is contemplating it, the Bells' story could be a testament to the profound impact such a change could bring—not just to your wallets but also to the quality of your life.

If The Bells' story inspired you and you are ready to take the leap, support is always available. Apps like QuitNow, local support groups, and national helplines are ready to help you with your decision to quit smoking.
Key Takeaways

  • A couple from Dubbo, NSW, saved $42,000 a year after giving up cigarettes.
  • Personal finance expert Sarah Megginson emphasised the importance of working out the cost of vices, which could be an eye-opener for many.
  • Jennie Bell documented her journey to quitting smoking on social media. She used the QuitNow app to track her progress and savings.
  • Despite the challenges of giving up cigarettes, Jennie found success by maintaining her usual routine without cigarettes.
What do you think of The Bells' decision? What would you do with an extra $42,000 a year? Share your thoughts and stories about quitting vices with us in the comments section!
 

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I think I'll stop drinking my 6 "Schooies" a week at the club. That'll certainly save me a dollar or two over the next 5-10 years.

A much better way to save on costs, is, we'll all stop breathing. That way we'll save on all costs permanently.

What a lot of bloody rot to write about.
 
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I think I'll stop drinking my 6 "Schooies" a week at the club. That'll certainly save me a dollar or two over the next 5-10 years.

A much better way to save on costs, is, we'll all stop breathing. That way we'll save on all costs permanently.

What a lot of bloody rot to write about.
The health saving alone is considerable, I would not play Russian roulette with my health.
 
How do they get to $42,000.00. The best I can make from the government figures is $12,775 each, which equates to $25,550 total for 2 people. If they save $42,000, they must be really heavy smokers.
This comes from government circulation:
As of 2024, a pack of cigarettes costs $40 on average. With the new taxes imposed in May of the previous year, the price of a pack is expected to rise to $50 by 2026.

To put these prices into context, a pack a day smoker (20 pack) would currently spend $12,775 (in 2024) on cigarettes per year. By 2026, they’ll be saving around $15,000.

Currently, a 20 pack of cigarettes sits around the $35 mark.

Using the 20 pack as our reference, a pack-a-day smoker currently spends $12,775 on cigarettes per year.
 
How do they get to $42,000.00. The best I can make from the government figures is $12,775 each, which equates to $25,550 total for 2 people. If they save $42,000, they must be really heavy smokers.
This comes from government circulation:
As of 2024, a pack of cigarettes costs $40 on average. With the new taxes imposed in May of the previous year, the price of a pack is expected to rise to $50 by 2026.

To put these prices into context, a pack a day smoker (20 pack) would currently spend $12,775 (in 2024) on cigarettes per year. By 2026, they’ll be saving around $15,000.

Currently, a 20 pack of cigarettes sits around the $35 mark.

Using the 20 pack as our reference, a pack-a-day smoker currently spends $12,775 on cigarettes per year.
Even $25 000 is an absolute fortune for a couple to waste on smoking
You might as well take that money and burn it as that's what your doing and ruining your health as the same time.
$100,000 every four years, yikes!!
 
I too gave up smoking nearly 10years ago. I had been smoking since I was 16. I am now 77 & had a wake up call from my dear sister in law that I could have purchased a house with the money I had spent on cigarettes. how true. I still crave for a smoke very occasionally now but get over it. 🤗🤗
 
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I too gave up smoking nearly 10years ago. I had been smoking since I was 16. I am now 77 & had a wake up call from my dear sister in law that I could have purchased a house with the money I had spent on cigarettes. how true. I still crave for a smoke very occasionally now but get over it. 🤗🤗
I got my husband to give up smoking by taking the same amount of money every week for myself.
Spent it on anything I felt like. new clothes, going out for coffee with friends,
etc.
I cooked sausages, instead of steak, cut corners everywhere because we didn't have as much money any more. He didn’t think it was fair, what's not fair about it. I worked too , in fact earned more than him.
I saved quite a bit and went for a holiday with a girlfriend and left him home with his smokes. It took nearly a year but it worked.
 
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How do they get to $42,000.00. The best I can make from the government figures is $12,775 each, which equates to $25,550 total for 2 people. If they save $42,000, they must be really heavy smokers.
This comes from government circulation:
As of 2024, a pack of cigarettes costs $40 on average. With the new taxes imposed in May of the previous year, the price of a pack is expected to rise to $50 by 2026.

To put these prices into context, a pack a day smoker (20 pack) would currently spend $12,775 (in 2024) on cigarettes per year. By 2026, they’ll be saving around $15,000.

Currently, a 20 pack of cigarettes sits around the $35 mark.

Using the 20 pack as our reference, a pack-a-day smoker currently spends $12,775 on cigarettes per year.
Hard to believe when I was a kid my mother smoked 100 a day that is back in the 60's & 70's
 
I gave up 20 years ago and have saved heaps of money. When I was trying to quit I used all the excuses people use for not quitting. Then I decided it was time to get serious about, and guess what. It was really easy so those that say they can't quit, I say you havn't even tried. Stop being a cry baby and make a real effort. If your kids can give up sucking their bottles and dummies you can quit sucking on cigs.
 
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I got my husband to give up smoking by taking the same amount of money every week for myself.
Spent it on anything I felt like. new clothes, going out for coffee with friends,
etc.
I cooked sausages, instead of steak, cut corners everywhere because we didn't have as much money any more. He didn’t think it was fair, what's not fair about it. I worked too , in fact earned more than him.
I saved quite a bit and went for a holiday with a girlfriend and left him home with his smokes. It took nearly a year but it worked.
Well done!
 
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I think I'll stop drinking my 6 "Schooies" a week at the club. That'll certainly save me a dollar or two over the next 5-10 years.

A much better way to save on costs, is, we'll all stop breathing. That way we'll save on all costs permanently.

What a lot of bloody rot to write about.
Lot of rot my R's......many many people would be surprised at how much could be saved by giving up some of their regular spending habits like smokes and beers at the pub....these costs are spiraling out of control thanks to our greedy gov'ts taxes....savings like these will make a world of difference to many households....it's up to themselves to make the changes necessary.....but its also important to point out the savings that could be achieved by writing articles such as these.
 

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