My goal with this post is to get you to give up a bad habit.

Okay, I'm not perfect...I drink too much coffee. I don't exercise quite enough (although I DID start running again recently - yay me! - but then I injured my foot - BOO).

But, seven years ago, during the Christian season of Lent, I decided to give up soda. (You might call it pop where you are, or cola, or...whatever you call it.) I quit cold turkey.

And...seven years later...I'm still done with soda.

How Did I Do It?

It was a combination of will power, health, desire to get in better shape, and money. Yes, that's right. Money.

I wrote about the experience for a financial website I still own called 10KaYear.com.. There, I explained that the health benefits were actually outweighed by the financial benefits.

But, if you don't want to read that whole post, let me give you a few of the highlights...ways that you will benefit from kicking the (Coke) can down the street.

More Money

Super sizing - the act of going to McDonald's or Wendy's or Burger King and getting the "extra value meal" - sucks. It's a ripoff. You're paying an extra two bucks for a drink and fries. The drink is insanely overpriced - it costs the restaurant pennies to give you something that you're paying a buck or more for.

Next time you're at one of these places - and I won't lecture you about going there; I have a wife and three kids and my wife and I both work and...avoiding Mickey-D's is impossible - let your eyes wander over to the dollar menu or the value menu. Most of the time, you can find a sandwich and a side for a couple bucks each. Then you get tap water and you're all set.

Better Health

Sugar sucks. HCFS sucks. Artificial sweeteners suck even more.

We're becoming a bunch of over-sugared diabetics in this country - taking that added crap out of your life will work wonders for your metabolism and your general well-being.

Plus, you'll need to make up for the soda deficit by drinking something - and nine times out of ten, that something will end up being WATER.

A Feeling of Accomplishment

If you've ever had to quit a habit, you know how tough it can be. Smoking, drinking, whatever...if you've been successful giving something up, good for you!

And you know about the feeling of accomplishment that comes with that.

Me? I wear my anti-soda stance as a badge of honor. I did that! I'll tell people that I did that! Maybe it inspires someone - even better!

Did I Mention The Money?

Where I live, in Cook County, Illinois - Chicago and a good bunch of the surrounding suburbs - they're about to tax us A PENNY AN OUNCE on all sodas. That's insane - a 99-cent two-liter would cost another 67.6 cents - on top of the 10 percent sales tax - and it's just not worth it to me.

Sure, I drink a bunch of LaCroix and Dasani Sparkling - I'm into these flavored waters! - but I don't buy soda for myself at home, and, as a result, I buy less for my kids. And, when I'm eating out, it's water.

The benefits to the pocket book are immense.

What Are YOU Waiting For?

Really - if you're addicted to soda, or even if you're not, consider giving it up. It will do wonders for you.