Wikipedia defines a vice as a practice or a habit considered immoral, depraved, and/or degrading in the associated society. In more minor usage, vice can refer to a fault, a defect, an infirmity or merely a bad habit.

Recently, I spent some time thinking about how much money I spend on things that I really do not need – not necessarily things that make life easier – but rather things that are simply a habit, a pleasure or a waste of time. I am not going to exactly reveal my particular “vices”, but I think it is a good idea once in a while to take stock of the little money trickles in our budget. You know the holes that allow a few bucks to slip through during the course of a month? Some of these items might even have a legitimate place in our lives, but we all must consider the cost.

• Coffee: $.50 a day   $15.00 a month   $180 a year (if you make it at home)


• Cigarettes: $4.50 a day   $135 a month   $1,620 a year (pack a day)


• Alcohol: $10.00 a week   $40 a month   $480 a year (conservatively)


• Soda: $4.00 a week   $16.00 a month   $192 a year (two cans a day from the