Kicking the habit could breathe life into your finances

WEDNESDAY’S 50c increase in the price of a packet of cigarettes means that an average 20-a-day smoker will be spending over €2,500 a year on their habit.

For those thinking of giving tobacco the boot, encouragement may be found in the knowledge that the extra money would provide quite a decent treat.

* If you’re married with two children, the whole family can take-off next June for two weeks in Luxor, Egypt. Just under €2,500 buys a package holiday, including flights from Dublin and 14 nights at the Movenpick Resort and Spa at the El Gouna peninsula.