Financial benefits of quitting smoking

Smokers are being encouraged to kick the habit ahead of the June 1st ban on lighting up in public.

The health benefits of kicking the habit are clear but Alliance & Leicester is encouraging smokers to look at the financial benefits of stubbing out.

Around 24 per cent of people in England smoke and with the average 20-a-day smoker spending £1,909 each year on cigarettes, their banking situation is suffering as a result.

Alliance & Leicester points out that this money would be better invested in a high interest savings account which would see the saver earn up to £1,962.

“Kicking the habit isn’t an easy thing to do, but the benefits speak for themselves,” said Ross Dalzell, manager for savings at Alliance & Leicester.

“The English population spends billions of pounds on cigarettes each year – money which could be going towards that new kitchen you’ve dreamed of, a two week holiday in the sun, or simply kept as a nest-egg for the future.”

Around 70 per cent of people who smoke say that they want to quit and there is hope for those who want to kick the habit.

Figures show that 21 per cent of women and 27 per cent of men are now ex-smokers.

The smoking ban is introduced in England from July 1st and will mean that lighting up is prohibited in all workplaces, including pubs, restaurants, airports and train stations.

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Protect your pet with insurance

Too few of us are taking out pet insurance despite being a nation of animal lovers.

Debenhams Pet Insurance has released research which shows that three quarters of people with pets have not taken out cover.

Pet insurance can cover any number of things such as vets’ bills, counselling following an animal’s death and advertising and rewards should the pet go missing.

Debenhams believes that the threat to our animals is larger than ever, with high-profile celebrities recently suffering at the hands of animal thieves.

Pop singer Lily Allen had her English bull terrier stolen, while comedian Ricky Gervais helped out his neighbour whose Staffordshire bull terrier went missing.

Both dogs were returned safe and well but only after large rewards were put up, with Gervais offering £1,000 for his neighbour’s dog’s return.

“Pets are family members too. We insure our valuable possessions, we should be insuring our pets as well,” said Diane Jackson, head of Debenhams Personal Finance.

The UK’s love of animals is clear to see, especially when you consider that the RSPCA was established 60 years before the NSPCC.

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