Do e-cigs really save money?

[PapaBloog]

I was a pack to pack+ smoker for 25+ years, along with my wife. Our average monthly usage was 1 PAD for me and 3/4 to 1 PAD for my wife (about 1.95 PAD). At the current So. Cal. rate of $6.50 per pack, total monthly outlay was between $375-$400 based on 60 packs per month. After quitting, I look at these numbers now and just can't believe the waste. On the flip side, I started keeping a very detailed spreadsheet on total transition costs to e-cigarettes. It's pretty alarming as well.

For the period beginning October 18, 2010:
Actual vs. Estimated:
Current expenses to-date for e-cig equipment and supplies: $608.19 (single user)
Current estimated expenses for continuing analog habit: $442.50 (single user)
---------
Net gain/loss (+/-): ($-166.19)
=========

Estimated break-even date based on current recoup rate: January 19, 2010
Initial capital outlay for equipment and supplies: ($300/mo)

Estimated continuing monthly costs (based on actual usage):
e-liquid cost based on usage estimated at 120ml/mo (4ml/Day): $50.00
Cartomizers/Cartridges and other supplies (25 blanks/2months): $20.00
Miscellaneous supplies (batteries, chargers, cases, incidentals): $10.00
----------
Total monthly estimate (subtotal): $80.00
Personal health: - $life benefit
----------
$Priceless
=========

As you can see, there are on-going accrual costs for maintaining the habit. For most users, this cost savings will be substantial. But, the overwhelming benefit of product safety vs. traditional tobacco use outweighs the total actual cost and is immeasurable.

Happy holidays everyone! Let's make this an outstanding year for ex-smoking!

 

[mlinky]

Welcome and congratulations! Money well spent.

Hmmmm...you an accountant?

 

[PapaBloog]

Nup, I'm a database architect ;-)

 

[BlackMetalBuick]

I doubt I'm saving all that much money in the long run. First of all, my smoking habit was always sporadic. Some weeks I went through multiple packs. Then I would slow down. Then stop completely. Then get stressed and buy a pack. Then get hooked again. So it's hard to measure. But $8.50+ packs in Chicagoland were expensive regardless.

Got my starter kit for around $45 on sale. Have spent money experimenting with cartridges, cartomizers, and drip tips. Have ordered juice from multiple vendors. As expensive as cigarettes were, I never had to pay to get them shipped to my house, so that's a downside. But in the near future I plan to decide what my "go-to" flavors are going to be, and order some 60ml bottles that will last awhile, instead of messing with and replacing 10ml or 30ml flavors over and over. Once I get my flavors narrowed down, I will not be needing to ship things as often.

If anything, at this point, I'm probably breaking even if lucky. But obviously the longer you vape, the more sense it makes. The startup costs of getting a kit and figuring out what method of vaping and which flavors of juice you like are going to skew the costs.

Even if I'm spending the same amount of money.... no stinky clothes, hopefully less damage to my body, being able to stay indoors during the winter... come to think of it, saving money was never really high up on the list. I simply realized me and my gf were probably never going to quit otherwise.

 

[Nomoreash]

vaping vs analog after the initial purchase of the PV and equip to maintain and get started has the potential to save alot of money in comparison. IF and that's a big IF, you treat it like analog smoking, stick with one of two of your fav liquids like we did analogs and keep it at that. Problem is there's so much variety that it keeps us trying new things. If you do that then no it won't save you anything but still worth it no matter what you spend

 

[PapaBloog]

IF, you treat it like analog smoking, stick with one of two of your fav liquids like we did analogs and keep it at that. Problem is there's so much variety that it keeps us trying new things.

Ain't that the truth!? Another thing to factor in is that, at least initially, your taste in juice will change dramatically as your sense of smell and taste buds return to good health... juice I liked early on tastes completely different now! Anyone else experience this?

 

[texasgranny]

Yes...the taste do change for me.

My first PV was a mod Provape. Price about 2 weeks of analogs. Not bad.
Next as a noob, I bought a lot of different juices, from different vendors.
And very few of those, do I actually think that I might reoder.

I wonder now, why do I "think" I need alot of different flavors,
after all I went 30 years on just 2 flavors of analogs...

So after my first 45 days of reckless juice ordering, I have now settled on a few basic DIY's ingredients, and I believe that my weekly cost will be under $10.00

I no longer feel that I need or want---80 different flavors. My taste buds can barely figure out much difference anymore.

So this is a win-win situation for me.
Less exspensive-great
Personal health gain----priceless, just as you said.

Great post and Merry Christmas

 

[bushmaster]

I think I would have saved money if I had a mentor--someone who had any experience in vaping. I did not--still haven't met a vaper in my area. So I spent too much money on juices I didn't like, pv's I found inadequate and stupid mistakes on my own in cleaning attys, etc.. I believe I have spent over $1000 on vaping stuff since my last analog on April 1st--I have not kept a tally--ok, so its probably well over $1000.
I have no regrets. I'd do it over again in a heartbeat.

 

[Nomoreash]

I think I would have saved money if I had a mentor--someone who had any experience in vaping. I did not--still haven't met a vaper in my area. So I spent too much money on juices I didn't like, pv's I found inadequate and stupid mistakes on my own in cleaning attys, etc.. I believe I have spent over $1000 on vaping stuff since my last analog on April 1st--I have not kept a tally--ok, so its probably well over $1000.
I have no regrets. I'd do it over again in a heartbeat.

If the $1,000 estimate is anywhere close to accurate that's not bad at all considering it was your initial period of learning and screwing up was during that period. If you purchased 2 cartons of analogs each month during that period you'd be at $900ish right now so you're just about broke even and learned alot in the process, not to mention the health and other benefits.

 

[Colt808]

Ain't that the truth!? Another thing to factor in is that, at least initially, your taste in juice will change dramatically as your sense of smell and taste buds return to good health... juice I liked early on tastes completely different now! Anyone else experience this?

Yes, on saving $$ and the change in taste! Analogs around here are $7.50/pack. I was at a pack and a half per day, so it's not rocket science...I'm saving big time since switching. As for taste? For me it's been a constant search for the "right" flavor. Aside from the odd cappuccino bottle sent me, I've only vaped menthol ejuice. The closest I found was a 60/40 "house" branded mix, but that was $15/per 10ml. Crack prices and after about 3 weeks it wasn't so good...been looking for something with decent taste for months.

A friend here suggested DIY ejuices, but I feel like some mad scientist with all the mixing, extracting, and blending...got 1/2 a notepad filled with detailed formulas. Too bad they're 99% "... flavored" and 1% just ok.

 

[PapaBloog]

I think I would have saved money if I had a mentor--someone who had any experience in vaping.

Your story seems to be a common thread amongst the communities of vapers. Everyone is basically a 'noob' -- the tech has only really caught on over the last 2 years. If I had to hire an experienced analyst - 2 years simply doesn't cut it! We're all on the bleeding edge, pioneers in our own rights. With the number of absolute success growing dramatically and with companies of ill-repute being named, we will all carry the mantle of mentorship in our small but rapidly expandly community.

I made a number of 'mistakes' early on as well, but have finally settled in on my (now fourth) and permanent vendor.

 

[PapaBloog]

I've heard that the House of Vapor Essence NPT is the menthol lover's brand of choice. Have you tried this one?

 

[WomanOfHeart]

I don't think I'm saving an enormous amount of money, but I know that I have managed to find more money in my pocket since I switched. The more important thing for me have been the improvements to my health and you can't put a price on that.

I think my spending has begun to settle down now that I've started delving into DIY and I have a stockpile of attys, carts and cartos. My last big purchase was the Chameleon mod that I'm using now and I love it!

 

[cliff5550]

For the first six months I kept a detailed account of our expenses.
I was smoking 2-3 packs a day and my wife was smoking a little over a pack a day when we found vaping. I had smoked for about 45 years and she had smoked for about 25 years. We both stopped smoking the first day our ecigs arrived on July 1, 2009, and within two and half months we broke even. Neither of us has had even one cigarette since that first day.
Oh yeh. The savings to our health and bank account have been great for 18 months!

 

[PapaBloog]

For the first six months I kept a detailed account of our expenses.

I expect I'll recoup by Jan 19, 2011 - just 3 weeks away, after that - it's downhill. I still have some 'sperimenting with juices ahead however, because my original fave just doesn't taste the same anymore.

Btw -- I am impressed! Immediate cut-over to e-cig? Certainly not the norm - took me 5 or so weeks straddling the line before I made the switch permanent. Congrats on that!

Oh, and - LOVE your GIF!

 

[mlinky]

I've heard that the House of Vapor Essence NPT is the menthol lover's brand of choice. Have you tried this one?

Haven't tried it. I was a 40 year pad Kool smoker. I ordered a bunch of tobacco/menthol flavors, none worked. I luckily found that VaporBomb Fire n Ice hits the right notes for me. I can't really explain exactly why, it doesn't taste just like a tobacco Kool, but it FEELS like one.

 

[Jessara]

My husband and I also quit analogs the same day our pv's came in the mail. But I know for sure that we've spent more money in just the last couple weeks than we would have on the nasty-stix. I also know that as we find just the *right* flavors, and get our stock of carto's and other stuff at a nice comfortable level, we'll slow down quite a lot. I plan to get into DIY juices, so *hopefully* that will save us a little bit on the juice expenses (after the initial outlay for the Master Artisan Kit over at OneStopDIY).

 

[NCC]

Is it cheaper? That depends on a lot of things, not the least of which is how much value you place on health.

A lot of people switch with economy as a primary goal. Then there is a spectrum, I guess, of folks who mix in varying degrees of health concern in the equation, all the way up to 100%.

I definitely have spent more on vaping than I would've spent on cigarettes, an average of $13.25 per day. For me, and others, it is in good part the obsession and the hobby aspect of it which had a lot to do with our success in leaving the smokes behind.
Whatever works!
So, I spend a little more than I would if I still smoked. The difference is tiny when I consider all of the benefits.

Merry Christmas!

 

[DonG]

Haven't tried it. I was a 40 year pad Kool smoker. I ordered a bunch of tobacco/menthol flavors, none worked. I luckily found that VaporBomb Fire n Ice hits the right notes for me. I can't really explain exactly why, it doesn't taste just like a tobacco Kool, but it FEELS like one.

I'll echo the flavor choice, also for unexplained reasons. Got some fire&ice in a sampler pack and don't think I even tried any of the other flavors till that one was almost gone. Waiting on a 30ml reorder of that one to arrive right now. Nice warm draw (especially with lr cartos) and cool menthol exhale. TH is strong but smooth at the same time. Love it.