$2,724.04 !!!
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: New England
Posts: 1,926
$2,724.04 !!!
$2,724.04!!!! That's how much money I spent on alcohol, cigarettes and bar hopping from January 2014 - July 2014! 7 months! That's so pathetic!!!
I just went through my bank account and added it all up. I'm sure there are more "drinking related" expenses too.
How sad. :-( Anyone relate?
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I just went through my bank account and added it all up. I'm sure there are more "drinking related" expenses too.
How sad. :-( Anyone relate?
Sent from my iPhone using SoberRecovery
Behold the power of NO
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: WA
Posts: 7,764
I sometimes wonder how I managed to afford drinking when making end meets sober is sometimes a bit of a struggle. I am not brave enough to tally up how much I spent over the years, this is the way I feel LOL
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,449
Originally Posted by Carlotta 
I sometimes wonder how I managed to afford drinking when making end meets sober is sometimes a bit of a struggle. I am not brave enough to tally up how much I spent over the years, this is the way I feel LOL
I've always been good with my $$ (thx mom and dad for that lesson!) but when it came to booze, I'd spend the last $20 on a bottle.
serenidad - I hate to admit this, I'd be grateful if that was all I spent in 7months!
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Rogersville, Tennessee
Posts: 2,659
I easily spent that much, since I stopped in March 2013, I've quit my 2nd job, paid my legal bills from my Dui, bought new furniture for my bedroom and living room, tiled my kitchen and bathroom, got a new dog and increased my 401K contribution from 3% to 13%.
Behold the power of NO
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: WA
Posts: 7,764
Originally Posted by BuddinK
I easily spent that much, since I stopped in March 2013, I've quit my 2nd job, paid my legal bills from my Dui, bought new furniture for my bedroom and living room, tiled my kitchen and bathroom, got a new dog and increased my 401K contribution from 3% to 13%.
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LA - Lower Alabama
Posts: 5,068
I was a bar drinker and I had to have top shelf stuff. All a part of my "big shot", ego-feeding persona I that had while I was an active alcoholic. $2700? I spent that every month for the better part of a decade. Seriously. I know there were cheaper ways of getting a buzz, but I had to be the "godfather" type person at the bar. Sad but true.
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 205
I've often wondered why, when it came to spending money on booze, that it seemed so reasonable, whereas spending money on anything else seemed imprudent.
I thought nothing of picking up a bar tab, and a trip to the liquor store was like stopping at the 7-11 for the baby's milk, but if I had to buy a sofa, or lawnmower, or even a pair of glasses, I'd need to be drunk to shell out for it.
I've noticed this irrational economy in other drinkers.
As part of my recovery I make a deliberate effort to spend money on things like self-care, and home and vehicle maintenance, and so on. Do I need to have my teeth cleaned every 3 months? Perhaps not, but it may help to reinforce the benefits of making good - as opposed to self-destructive - choices.
The contrast between having nice clean teeth (and home and auto and so on) and throwing up in the sink every morning is one that even I can't help but appreciate.
I thought nothing of picking up a bar tab, and a trip to the liquor store was like stopping at the 7-11 for the baby's milk, but if I had to buy a sofa, or lawnmower, or even a pair of glasses, I'd need to be drunk to shell out for it.
I've noticed this irrational economy in other drinkers.
As part of my recovery I make a deliberate effort to spend money on things like self-care, and home and vehicle maintenance, and so on. Do I need to have my teeth cleaned every 3 months? Perhaps not, but it may help to reinforce the benefits of making good - as opposed to self-destructive - choices.
The contrast between having nice clean teeth (and home and auto and so on) and throwing up in the sink every morning is one that even I can't help but appreciate.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Leland NC
Posts: 93
Just added it up last week. Over 10,000 on booze alone. I quit smoking a year and a half ago, so throw in another 4 grand for cigs. Doesn't count my DUI expenses and the amount of money I have lost from not being able to do the work I am good at because I don't have my license.
Worse yet the emotional costs are incalculable.
Sober is much less expensive.
Worse yet the emotional costs are incalculable.
Sober is much less expensive.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: CA
Posts: 210
Yes, a nice benefit in sobriety is the cash savings. I eaasliy spent 50k on just booze and I got sober at 31. Yeah it hurts. But now I am in gratitude I don't throw that money into a destructive habit. I have money to buy a house now and that is thanks to sobriety.
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Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,001
Its crazy to think about. Im sure ive spent at least that. Everytime i would buy hard booze i would buy some wine or beer. My wet brain thought it made me look less live an alcoholic. But i guess thats why there is a liquor store on every street corner.
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PA
Posts: 12,000
Originally Posted by Riel
I've often wondered why, when it came to spending money on booze, that it seemed so reasonable, whereas spending money on anything else seemed imprudent.
Yes, I'll try that $7 IPA.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 39
I recently did the same calculation, except I included the last 5 years that have represented the worst of my downward spiral. Estimating a minimum of $300/month (booze is expensive in Canada!) on alcohol, and another $200/month on cigarettes (I quit smoking 9 months ago), my addictive habits have cost me at least $30,000. I'm disgusted by the thought of what I could have done with that money instead.
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