EAE

When I was drinking, I always wondered where my money went. I knew I was making it, but I had nothing to show for it. Now it seems that I can buy whatever I need, and most of the things I want. I can even splurge on the brand name stuff and still have money left over. I guess this is just another thing to be grateful for. I don't even want to think of the money I have wasted over the years.

SoberForMySon

Agree!!!

EAE

I should add that I desire less as well. I can think about purchases thoroughly before I buy something. I was very impulsive when I drank.

JimJim

I dont care for money. Alcoholism has cost me a lot more than that.

EAE

There are things far worse than being broke, but for me it's one more thing to be thankful for.

JimJim

You are right EAE, I'm still learning to be thankful for what I have. I'm still learning to be greatful.

Thepatman

Love this post I was actually looking at my budget this week. Between beer and cigarettes. Arround 800$ a month! LOL!

Sorry but I just have to laugh at it or I'll go mad ;-)

Natom

I once attempted to add up the money spent on cocaine and gambling over the years. Came to the conclusion I could have bought a nice apartment and a Range Rover in cash.

Hollyanne

Emotional response and then deleted.
Yes, I agree with all of the above.

MythOfSisyphus

Not counting the times I "treated" myself to some especially nice wine (and not counting all the Amazon.com orders I places while buzzed up...) I figure I spent a minimum of around $6,500 per year just on alcohol.

Cleopatra1

hiya, for me it was about £80.00 a week, not including lil extras like vino when out, or the odd bot of brandy for hot toddies when poorly!!! so id say in region of £4,800 a year,, gee ,,couldve paid rent on time,, couldve took kids on more hols,, couldve brought kids shoes when they needed em,, couldve gone for that new dress,, gee couldve ,, couldve,,,
xx

sobertime1

omg how i relate in just a weeks time i saved over 100 bucks

endlesspatience

oh my goodness. I just kept on going out and getting more booze and cigarettes and sometimes drugs and then stepped over the bills in the hall. Now I have finally opened them and I am full of remorse about the stupid way I have handled my money. What an ass I have been.

DrunkTx

The answer for me is so horrific.....my kids' college, my wife's presents, my long term retirement. Anything could have been better than the booze. My wife and I buy a case of wine now, it lasts for months including guests and family. I alone made the difference. Well I am not drinking anymore....and for a while now.

zanzibar

I used to try and calculate it out but it would just depress me thinking about where I would be had I not drank, so I switched it around and now only think about how much more I now have because I don't drink. The past should be kept around to remind us but not to be dwelled on.

Gladiolus

Money is one thing but ....What about the amount of time wasted?

zanzibar

IMO time lost should be dwelled on even less than the money lost. It's gone you can't get it back, so learn from it and move forward.

EternalQ

About $250 a month, X 12 months, is $3,000 a year.
Multiply by 10 years (minimum), equals $30,000 cash.
UNBELIEVABLE.
If I had that, I'd be out of credit card debt, own my car outright, and have $13,000 in savings.
Makes me sick.
But thanks for the sobering reminder! I literally cannot AFFORD to drink again.
On the plus side, In almost nine months of continuous sobriety, I have saved: $2,250. It is a start.

jobei

A DAMN WHOLE LOTTA CASH! Lets use it for better things now!

BabyJane

I had a $150-$200 dollar a day heroin habbit.

Add that up. That's $1400 a WEEK.

Yup. Not cool at all. It gives me a headache just thinking about it. And I'm
In 50k if debt. Ha! Awful.

Time to grow up for me!