steve-in-kville

(or whatever your poison of choice was!)

Some other threads made me think of this.... the amount of money I spent on liquor is staggering if I run some figures on the calculator. Don't even want to think about what chunk of my weekly budget went to support the Pennsylvania State Liquor Control Board.

So where does that money go now?

1) Appears I am able to stay on top of my monthly bills a lot better.

2) The above said, I have a bit of a cushion under me.

3) Cycling/running gear!! Not a huge expense, but I am able to indulge every once and again.

Who's next?

PhoenixJ

shortstop81

Great thread Steve.

Lego! I say it's for my son, but it's really for me (let's be honest).

Doug39

I use this app to find up down to the minute how long I have been sober - you can also put in the amount you spent on alcohol and see how much you saved.

Quit That!

As of the time of this post I have been sober:

198,311 minutes or

3,305 hours or

137.72 days or

19.7 weeks or

0.38 years.

And not counting going out to the bars and just counting what I drank at home I have saved about $1,514.87.

neferkamichael

Steve-in-kville, you are FANTASTIC, congratulations. I mentioned in a thread the other day about how I could use that 150 grand I spent through the years. Rootin for ya.

MsCooterBrown

What app is that Doug 39?

Clean30

It goes to debt for now. In a couple years when I am out of debt I'm banking it so when I get old I have something - I hope. And the little I spend on myself will be a nice little office room setup, new guitar, and some home repairs. If I can manage this its all I can ask for in life.

stargazer016

Steve, I too spend hundreds of dollars a month supporting the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board! I am using the extra money for college 529 funds for my kids.

MrMcTell

We have a big old barn that needs residing. My plan is to take the some of the booze money each week and buy a couple of pallets of cedar shingles. With an hour's work each weekend nailing them up, I can watch the progress sobriety is giving me from my kitchen window!

least

Now that I'm sober, I pay my bills on time and in full. That gives me such satisfaction.

gregknight

Good for you, all!

No wife, no kids, so I am completely out of debt and spend my old Maker's Mark money on lot's more history books, more huntin' and fishin' stuff, falconry, charitable causes, etc. ; on all the things I robbed myself of when I was too drunk to enjoy them. I'm sure I could make a down payment on a Gulfstream V if I totaled it all that past $$ up.

Harley1973

My beer money will go back to working on my hot rods and motorcycles.

zjw

At first i noticed more wiggle room in my budget so i'd get little extra things i usually woulda passed on.

then i got out of debt.

But as time went on i got into other stuff and picked up some expensive hobbies.

countless pairs of running shoes i litteraly tossed 3 trash bags full of them away one time I guess thats better then 3 trash bags of beer cans lol. who knows how many thousands of miles

Then a treadmill to support this insanity.

Now i got this whole bagpipe thign gong so I had to buy that etc..

those are big items i guess. the rest was like more books healthier food etc...

I still sit around complaining i'm broke but I guess i got prety interesting thing going.

gregknight

Do both at the same time and post a selfie for us. I would pay money to see that!

p.s., in a kilt.

Gilmer

Just out of curiosity, how much did the bagpipes cost?

thomas11

Indeed one of the nice side benefits of sobriety is less wasted money. And let's face it, when we are drinking it, its wasting it. At my worst I would buy two 1.75's in a week and I would always order food when drunk. I'd blow through a $100 a week easy. Not any more.

bluedog97

When I was a bar drinker and had money, I'd run up a hefty food and bar tab on a nightly basis. As money got tighter, I opted to drink at home - cheap ice beer(for the higher AC) or Evan Williams bourbon.

At 7 weeks sober, my main indulgence with the money saved is eating better. I love to eat, so that works for now.

zjw

ya know that almost sounds like a challenge? HHAHAHA not a bad idea for a youtube video now the wheels are turning in my head. My only concern is the safety i mean it takes a bit of focus to not fly off the back of a treadmill while running but throw in playing the bagpipes too oh and trying to keep it full while playing lol.

I'm gonna maul it over I might try it lol.

zjw

It depends what your want to some degree. 800 on up. after all was said and done and i got a case with black wood pipes with engraving and ivory i was out about 1800 bucks. It all starts with a practice chanter tho thats only about 75-100 you learn and practice on that then you get the bag and pipes etc.. So i suppose for a minimal investment one can try there hand at it.

I got lucky on lessons a band here teaches you for free so long as you play with them once your competant in the parades. (spelling on competant lol see what i did there)

Doug39

Click this:

Quit That!