You're going to be amazed at what you can throw your extra cash at when you're no longer buying cigarettes.

As a non-smoker, you'll be saving serious money by not smoking anymore. There will be all kinds of financial possibilities at your fingertips in place of that cigarette that used to be there.

Think about all the cash you've been spending on cigarettes every day. Over a week, or a year, all that cash will really pile up. Over your lifetime, you could be looking at tens of thousands of dollars, and now you're free to use it for something far more interesting and exhilarating. So if you've just quit or are about to, start feeling excited about what you're going to do with all your extra spending money!

Treat yourself every day

The 'little and often' approach could give you a few extra dollars to enjoy each and every day! Imagine what you could do with it. Here are just a few of the possibilities.

• Monday - go for lunch in your favourite cafe
• Tuesday - go to the cinema to see the latest release
• Wednesday - buy yourself a new t-shirt, because why not?
• Thursday - add to your DVD collection or buy a new album
• Friday - pay for the taxi home from a night out
• Saturday - get your favourite takeaway meal
• Sunday - go bowling!

Spending a week's worth

Alternatively, spending a week's spare cash could allow you to do something slightly more extravagant. A 20 a day smoker could easily save $90, but for others it could be even more. If you quit you might be able to afford some of the following items each and every week.

• tickets to see a gig with your friends
• a meal out (or in) with your family
• gold class movie tickets for you and your partner to have a break from the kids
• a new outfit or some new shoes for the weekend
• a luxurious weekly food shop for one
• a cleaner to visit so you won't need to lift a finger
• 30 of your favourite chocolate bars (but don't eat them all at once)
• that big night out clubbing you've been looking forward to for ages
• to get in touch with nature by going whale
• to make the adrenaline flow with a a jet bike ride
• to take a cooking course or wine tasting trip

Spender of the month

If you're able to stop yourself splashing out too soon, you could save a few hundred dollars a month. What would you love to be able to do with that? Remember, that's every single month!

• a clothes shopping spree with your friends, to re-energise your wardrobe
• the latest games console to keep you distracted
• a weekend away with your partner for some quality time, just the two of you
• a relaxing spa day with your best friend
• to pay off a big chunk of your monthly bills
• to learn to fly a helicopter (one day you may be able to buy one!)
• an adventure on a camping trip with some mates
• 100 barista coffees (not at the same time)
• get a little wet on a white water rafting weekend
• be a real rev head with a track day in a V8 racing car

Think big for a year

This has the potential to be really exciting. Maybe you want to spend everything you'll save in a year on one extravagant purchase. A year's extra cash could go a long way. You might be able to afford:

• a holiday with your family (or an even more luxurious one without them!)
• some home improvements
• a payment on a new car
• starting a trust fund for your children
• a luxury gift for someone you love such as jewelry for her or stereo for him
• a ticket to a major sporting event like a World Cup final
• 40 bottles of French Champagne
• flying to New Zealand for a long weekend with your partner (and then flying back too)

Hey big spender

If a 20 a day smoker kept every penny they saved by not smoking, even without any price rises over the years, in 25 years they'd have over $100,000. Imagine what you could do with that! For people who smoke more than that, there could be even bigger savings to take advantage of. With the substantial amount of money you can save over the years by quitting smoking, you might be able to afford:

• a deposit for a house, or to pay off a substantial chunk of a mortgage
• to satisfy a life-long dream by buying a small sailing boat for the weekends
• that super-car you've always dreamed about
• not one, but 5 world cruises
• to start your own business and turn your extra money into more extra money
• to pay off all your debts (hopefully!)
• 5 luxurious and exotic holidays around the world
• 10 family holidays abroad
• part of a holiday home in another country, if that takes your fancy

Quitting smoking can save you a surprising amount of money, so let your imagination run wild.