Where's My Money Going????

Your not a big spender but, once all the bills are paid, your checking account is nearly empty. Do you ever wonder where all that money is going? According to MSN Money (where I got this article) it's surprisingly easy to blow thousands, a few dollars at a time.

MSN Money says here are the "10 little expenses that add up fast."

1. Coffee. According to the National Coffee Assocation, the average price for a cup of brewed coffee is 1.38 ($4 for a latte). There are rougly 260 weekdays per year, so buying one coffee every weekday morning costs $360 per year.

2. Cigarettes. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids reports that the average price for a pack of smokes in the US is $4.54. Pack-a-day smokers fork out $1,650 a year.

3. Alcohol. Drink prices vary depending on location. But assuming an average $5 per beer including tip, buying two beers per day adds up to $3650 per year.

4. Bottled Water from Convenience Stores. A 20-ounce bottle of Aquafina bottled water cost about $1.

5. Manicures. The Day Spa Magazine Price Survey of 2004 found that the average cost of a manicure is $20.53. A weekly manicure sets you back about $1,068 per year.

6. Car Washes. The average cost for a basic auto detailing package is $58, according to Costhelper.com. The tab for getting your car detailed every two months: $348 pewr year.

7. Weekday lunches out: $9 will generally cover a decent lunch most workdays. If you buy, rather than pack, a lunch five days a week for one year, you shellp out $2340, a year.

8. Vending machine snacks: The average vending machine snack costs $1. Buy a pack of cookies every afternoon at work and pay $260 per year.

9. Interest charges on credit card bills.

10. Unused gym memberships. Costhelper.com reports that the monthly service fee at gyms average between $35 and $40. At $40 per month, an unused gym membership runs $480 a year.

Published October 11, 2007, MSN MOney

Have a smart day.