"I used Monzo to help quit smoking"

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There's nothing harder than kicking a habit, and smoking's famously one of the hardest things to give up. But with 60% of smokers wishing they could stop, we wondered if there's anything we could to help.

We spoke to Monzo user (and member of the Monzo Saving Squad) David Maybin about how he's been doing just that since December. And how Monzo helped him on the way!

What made you decide you wanted to cut down on your smoking?

I'd always wanted to quit for health and finance benefits. £12.05 a packet a day works out as a lot of money over a year - £4,400!

I've tried twice but only lasted a week each time over the years. This is the longest I've ever gone without smoking!

How are you using Monzo to help?

I'm using a Savings Pot. Instead of spending money on smoking, I've set up a scheduled payment each day into the pot for £12.05 a day - the price I was paying for each packet of cigarettes.

A Pot called "Stopped Smoking Fund" with £470 saved in it

The idea is that if I ever think about starting again I can look at that pot and think "is it really worth smoking pounds up in smoke?"

How much have you saved so far?

I've saved £542 so far! It's been around 45 days since I quit.

Have there been any challenges?

I found when I quit that I was eating more snacks! But think that was just to keep my hand occupied. But it's not as bad now.

Also, the social thing as well. I have a lot of friends who smoke, so it's hard at the pub when they go out for smoke and you're the only one who doesn't.

What are you planning to do with the money you've saved?

Good question, I haven't decided yet! I might put it towards a holiday or something nice for myself. So I could say to myself, if I was smoking I wouldn't have gone on this holiday or bought this.