View Poll Results: Did your personal finances get better or worse after you quit drinking?
Worse
5
4.39%
Better
109
95.61%
Voters: 114. You may not vote on this poll
Finances and Alcohol
Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 370
I couldn't hack my high stress job sober, so from that perspective, worse. I still voted better, drinking always cost me plenty. There was also every indication I would have eventually found myself in some serious legal troubles, I was a maniac.
Thankful for this community
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ontario
Posts: 371
Even if I only added up the money I spent directly on booze (so not the peripheral partying, gambling, etc.) over the past 20 years... it is staggering. I look forward to that money improving my financial situation over the next 20 years!
I have historically earned a very good wage, but that gave me the excuse to spend whatever, whenever. I never thought much about it...somehow leading to monthly credit card bills in the 1000's. If I look at my life early and even recently. That behavior is not in my nature.
I have historically earned a very good wage, but that gave me the excuse to spend whatever, whenever. I never thought much about it...somehow leading to monthly credit card bills in the 1000's. If I look at my life early and even recently. That behavior is not in my nature.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 6,224
I put around $150 a week into a savings account, the money I used to spend on wine and cigarettes. We've bought some really nice things with that, today we got a new TV and sound box for it for about four week's worth of former boozing of my part.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 301
A little worse. Obviously I spend less but I quit a well paying job for another which pays less but makes me happy.
Chasing money never made me happy. I'd take double the pay cut as long as it meant having this life and not my old one.
Chasing money never made me happy. I'd take double the pay cut as long as it meant having this life and not my old one.
I now pay my bills in full and on time. All that wine I was drinking took money away from paying bills and I was deep in debt. Not any more. 
Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: MN
Posts: 8,704
Originally Posted by mfanch 
Well, I lost a $200K+/year career, so I would say worse, BUT everything else got SO. MUCH. BETTER. I will never be well-off or even have a career like that again, but I am happy and free from the fear of financial insecurity. I have food on the table and a place to sleep. Life is pretty darn good I would say.
Running on Backup Power
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 62
A little bit better, but probably not by nearly as much as some other people. I was always a very budget-conscious drinker, looking for the best deal per unit of alcohol. Mostly bottom-shelf vodka, which in my state is sold dirt cheap due to practically non-existent liquor taxes. I probably save about $100-$150 per month by not drinking.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Lakeside, Arizona
Posts: 1,138
Poll is missing an option.
"Same" should be included. As a bar owner I am unable to see any difference in ordering by me not drinking anymore.
Not to mention sales reps have quotas where their boss is on them to have sit down sales sessions with as many of their customers as possible.
They love the reliable sources which mean they always pack special bottles when they come with samples. I've sipped a shot of tequila that was poured from a bottle with a $1900 wholesale price tag.
If they know you'll sit down and drink with them for an hour they'll be at your place a couple times a week. They have GPS devices and are monitored. I'd spend my afternoons tending a slowish lunch place with a revolving door of reps bringing me free drinks.
That said I'm taking more ownership in my place and labor was down a considerable amount last month so I suppose I might just need to look at the big picture.
"Same" should be included. As a bar owner I am unable to see any difference in ordering by me not drinking anymore.
Not to mention sales reps have quotas where their boss is on them to have sit down sales sessions with as many of their customers as possible.
They love the reliable sources which mean they always pack special bottles when they come with samples. I've sipped a shot of tequila that was poured from a bottle with a $1900 wholesale price tag.
If they know you'll sit down and drink with them for an hour they'll be at your place a couple times a week. They have GPS devices and are monitored. I'd spend my afternoons tending a slowish lunch place with a revolving door of reps bringing me free drinks.
That said I'm taking more ownership in my place and labor was down a considerable amount last month so I suppose I might just need to look at the big picture.
Editor
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Pensacola, Florida
Posts: 1,516
Like many on here...I am saving from not drinking...around 600 per month often more...but it goes to the bills I should have been paying...by the grace of God I still have my job. I would say the best part is I no longer have the financial stress of not having enough to pay the bills and pay for my addiction...as we all know the Addiction always won that battle.....causing even more stress for not having enough for the bills. It is a great feeling to pay bills in full ahead of time. D
Friendly Folk
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Powers Lake, Wisconsin
Posts: 21,721
About the same or worse. I still buy things that make me feel good...like treats for my cats, sewing supples and holiday decorations. That costs alot more than a bottle of wine.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: MN
Posts: 8,704
I ususally have $20-$40 dollars on me, and when I was drinking that money would be gone every single week. Now If I get 40 bucks, it'll stay in my jeans pockets for 2-3 weeks before I run out. I only buy chew now.
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