Drinking Money, Where Does It Go Now?
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Central America/Florida USA
Posts: 4,064
Mine went to a new habit - cigarettes. And unfortunately, they are $11 bucks a pack here in Chicago. 
Gotta quit this nonsense. I'm seeing a lot of parallels. (sorry to rain on the fun - I say this with a smile because I'm almost 16 months sober).
Gotta quit this nonsense. I'm seeing a lot of parallels. (sorry to rain on the fun - I say this with a smile because I'm almost 16 months sober).
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: NE Wisconsin USA
Posts: 6,223
I was in dire financial straits when I sobered up this last time,
close to $100,000 in debt and living on the streets.
It changes but for today
from not drinking and not smoking cigs
I spend my money for:
Making 9th step financial amends.
Paying back personal loans.
Saving money for my boy's rehearsal dinner.
Saving for trips to N.O. and Cali.
close to $100,000 in debt and living on the streets.
It changes but for today
from not drinking and not smoking cigs
I spend my money for:
Making 9th step financial amends.
Paying back personal loans.
Saving money for my boy's rehearsal dinner.
Saving for trips to N.O. and Cali.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: NE Wisconsin USA
Posts: 6,223
Originally Posted by bigsombrero 
Mine went to a new habit - cigarettes. And unfortunately, they are $11 bucks a pack here in Chicago. Gotta quit this nonsense. I'm seeing a lot of parallels. (sorry to rain on the fun - I say this with a smile because I'm almost 16 months sober).
Gotta quit this nonsense. I'm seeing a lot of parallels. (sorry to rain on the fun - I say this with a smile because I'm almost 16 months sober).Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: NE Wisconsin USA
Posts: 6,223
Originally Posted by JLC82
Hi All,
I'm pretty new to this site. I have a crazy kind of question because I just did the unimaginable. The money that I would have spent getting wasted this weekend and probably part of next week just went to Amazon for books on Alcoholism (gasp) $75.00
. If someone would have told me that on my sober date (10-4) I wouldn't have believed them. So.. out of curiosity what healthy ways are you guys finding spending the "drinking funds" on.
Thanks,
Jazz
I'm pretty new to this site. I have a crazy kind of question because I just did the unimaginable. The money that I would have spent getting wasted this weekend and probably part of next week just went to Amazon for books on Alcoholism (gasp) $75.00
. If someone would have told me that on my sober date (10-4) I wouldn't have believed them. So.. out of curiosity what healthy ways are you guys finding spending the "drinking funds" on.Thanks,
Jazz
JLC You are among friends
Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 380
One way I got myself out of denial was to track ALL of our spending in Quickbooks. After a year or so of history it was and still is so cool to see the extreme reductions in Alcohol expense. I'm just a bit freer now with some nice to haves. Like, say, a new surfboard!
Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 5,229
no idea not even sure how i funded the habit all those years. Man i sure wish i new where the money was theres stuff I'd love to buy but no money!. I ask myself if i spend hundreds a month on booze and smokes how come I still cant afford stuff now that i dont do any of that?
I guess I"m a bit better with my responsiblities. But sure wish i could save a buck or find that money i drank away!.
I guess I"m a bit better with my responsiblities. But sure wish i could save a buck or find that money i drank away!.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Canada
Posts: 300
With the money saved im buying a Enduro.
Sold my ''Crotch Rocket'' motorcycle after 3...24hr driving prohibitions.
Figured I'd sell it and go to southeast asia since I couldn't ride anymore..anyway - Trip was a complete Gong Show.
I feel more responsible now..
Done with stupidity....I hate you alcohol.
Sold my ''Crotch Rocket'' motorcycle after 3...24hr driving prohibitions.
Figured I'd sell it and go to southeast asia since I couldn't ride anymore..anyway - Trip was a complete Gong Show.
I feel more responsible now..
Done with stupidity....I hate you alcohol.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 154
Oh, I am into this subject...
My new found wealth goes on...
-extremely expensive road bicycle parts
-wheel building tools and components
-new sneakers every month
-slim fitting suits
-saved up the deposit for a new apartment in 3 months, and still had money to spare
-just spent 100 dollars on some fancy black curtains
-travelling to bike races
-washing machine
-nice shampoo and skin care stuff for men from Lush
Etc.
I no longer get down to the last penny in my bank each month before payday. No idea how I was managing to spend all that money before.
Wait a minute. Yes I do.
My new found wealth goes on...
-extremely expensive road bicycle parts
-wheel building tools and components
-new sneakers every month
-slim fitting suits
-saved up the deposit for a new apartment in 3 months, and still had money to spare
-just spent 100 dollars on some fancy black curtains
-travelling to bike races
-washing machine
-nice shampoo and skin care stuff for men from Lush
Etc.
I no longer get down to the last penny in my bank each month before payday. No idea how I was managing to spend all that money before.
Wait a minute. Yes I do.
I also, was getting down to the last penny each month and it's lovely to be able to relax and not worry about that anymore.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 154
Yeah, it is like the longer I remain sober, the less I even need to think about money.
I am also able to accurately budget for stuff months in advance, safe in the knowledge that I WILL have exactly the amount I aim for, rather than smashing my plans after a few days with a mega-binge 400dollar night out, again.
I am also able to accurately budget for stuff months in advance, safe in the knowledge that I WILL have exactly the amount I aim for, rather than smashing my plans after a few days with a mega-binge 400dollar night out, again.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Western Canada
Posts: 540
When I quit drinking I started a new hobby--aquariums. Of course if one aquarium is good.... Now I have ten aquariums! So all my booze money goes to keeping my fishies in the lap of luxury. As well as my dogs, rabbit, and mice.
Matt M
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 490
Originally Posted by desertsong
Shopping! I lost over 50 pounds after I quit drinking, so all of my clothes became way too big. It's been fun getting new stuff but I have to be careful that I don't become an alcoholic shopaholic, lol. 
I've put on about a stone because since I quit i've actually got an appetite so haven't stopped eating!
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 7
Once I paid off all my debt and learned to live within my means (no easy feat!!) I drove my first brand new car off the lot. Once that was paid off I paid for IVF as my partner and I were having trouble to conceive....now every spare cent goes on our little miracle baby boy!
Thank you God for the blessings of sobriety! I brought my boy home from hospital on my eighth sobriety birthday!
Thank you God for the blessings of sobriety! I brought my boy home from hospital on my eighth sobriety birthday!
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 21
On my numerous attempts at sobriety earlier on (couple years ago), I found other addictions mainly red bull and rockstar energy drinks (a 4pack cost more than a 6 pack of beer here). Now that I'm months into my new 'permanent' sobriety and a few medical conditions keep me from even drinking energy drinks, I'm spending my 'drinking money' on books, movies, music, apps, video games, and gifts for family.
Guest
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 4,225
Hmmm, Quite a few new things.
It's also great to buy iTunes songs and remember what I've downloaded and not have played them ad nauseum....meaning, I was often 'over' hearing them, before I'd even realised I'd bought them!
It's also not just the money on alcohol I'm saving, it's expensive takeawa dinners and recovery breakfasts....egg roll in the morning or some fatty bakery item.
Anyway...new sofa, and some household stuff. Savings. I also now sponsor a child's education here, through a charity fund to help single parents.
It's also great to buy iTunes songs and remember what I've downloaded and not have played them ad nauseum....meaning, I was often 'over' hearing them, before I'd even realised I'd bought them!
It's also not just the money on alcohol I'm saving, it's expensive takeawa dinners and recovery breakfasts....egg roll in the morning or some fatty bakery item.
Anyway...new sofa, and some household stuff. Savings. I also now sponsor a child's education here, through a charity fund to help single parents.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: new york
Posts: 201
I went 30 days not drink.(just recently had to start over) in those 30 days i have save 900 dollars towards a trip to california. After my trip i will continue to save towards a new vehicle next year
sometime. It does not seem like i have extra money but Im also paying bills on time and everything.
sometime. It does not seem like i have extra money but Im also paying bills on time and everything.
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