Health Before Money

As I write I am chewing Nicorette Gum. Buy the store brand: It's the exact same thing and way cheaper. Just one more money-saving tip.

Seriously, as I began the process of overhauling my personal finances something important occurred to me: None of this frugality and penny wisdom means anything unless we're healthy and alive. In my case it means I need to cut out tobacco and drink less. Way less.

The beer calculator on another site illustrates how I can save more than $1,000 this year on Budwiser alone. But the long-term potential savings are far greater. What is the cost of a DUI conviction? How would a stoke, heart attack, or cancer affect my net worth? How would my untimely death affect my retirement planning?

My journey toward financial freedom begins with getting clean and sober.