| And what about the many Americans who want to make all three of these resolutions? Some simple math illustrated below can help put it in perspective.*
Smoking
-- According the U.S. Consumer Affairs Department, the average cost of a pack of cigarettes hovers around $3.50.
-- That adds up to $1,260 a year for pack-a-day smokers.
-- Smoking-cessation methods, such as patches and pills, cost about $50.
Finances
-- Take the $1,210 you'd save by quitting smoking.
-- Each year, invest the $1,210 in a mutual fund with a 15 percent
interest rate.
-- If you are in your early 30s, you could have more than $1 million when you reach the age of retirement.
Weight Loss
-- Some fitness centers charge $600 to $800 for a lifetime membership; professional weight-loss centers can cost around $30 a week.
-- If you adopt the plan listed above and invest the money wisely, you could afford to join a professional weight-loss program and a gym, and
still retire comfortably.
"How did we figure this out? We didn't. We used Microsoft(R) Money 2000 Deluxe."
*Source: Microsoft Money 2000
NOTE: Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
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