What do you spend your extra $$ on now that you have stopped drinking>
Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 5,171
I've never considered myself a big spender. I sometimes spend money I don't need to spend, but that is not usually the case. Mostly, I spend money when there is a need. My phone app that counts my years sober also renders the amount of money I have saved since I quit, and it's probably a large part of my actual savings today. I just bought an I Bond yesterday, the maximum the government allows. But I also own a couple of nice things that I never dreamed I could afford at one time. They bring me pleasure, but I recognize that the pleasure they bring is not as great as some of the things I do that cost me little or nothing.
Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 1,956
Originally Posted by Hodd 
I like it. I certainly get through a lot of running shoes, but I’ll never spend as much as I did on alcohol so that’s fine.
^^^MLD51, I do a weekly one-to-one yoga class. That’s £30 for 90 minutes. That’s affordable when sober.
^^^MLD51, I do a weekly one-to-one yoga class. That’s £30 for 90 minutes. That’s affordable when sober.
Life is Grand
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Michigan
Posts: 2,041
Raised my Son by myself(had him one year sober), bought a house and a new car(after a few junkers!), bought him a little car on his 16th birthday, helped him set up his household when he moved out, opened a Roth IRA and am building an independent pension. Retirement seems like it may be a possibility some day. Sobriety delivered everything it has promised so far, not always easy, but worth every second! This did not happen overnight, it took time, over almost 28 years of sober living.
Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 3,948
Originally Posted by calmself
Thanks! I want to buy a pair of carbon plated shoes such as Nike Vaporfly. It is 250 bucks, outside my budget at the moment. Will buy it if I manage to find a better job!
My budget for running shoes, usually Brooks, is about £100 ($130), but they only last 8 months or so. I’m quite fussy, though. The designs change every year, and I spend at least one hour trying a new pair - running shops are cool with this - as buying without trying is a bad move.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,747
Oh wow. Just saw my post from one year ago. Boy did that not happen. I’ve been just barely making it. No savings. Unable to start a retirement fund (I’m 41). And I’m trying to move because living in my cheap little house is too much for me. This economy has been absolutely brutal on me. I’m a sober woman doing my best and only spending money on bills and groceries. I never even go out.
this is a very tough time I’m not sure I’ll ever get out of. But, the emotional impact is way less because I’m sober. If I were drinking in my position, I’d be absolutely destitute and probably having a breakdown to boot.
this is a very tough time I’m not sure I’ll ever get out of. But, the emotional impact is way less because I’m sober. If I were drinking in my position, I’d be absolutely destitute and probably having a breakdown to boot.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: NSW - Australia
Posts: 14,598
I promised myself a bottle of French Perfume, and did so. 
Better diet. Better clothing.
Free to walk to coffee shop. Buy coffee. A croissant. Read the newspaper.
Also like op shopping, so can spend up big, still searching for that elusive Michaelangelo.
Better diet. Better clothing.
Free to walk to coffee shop. Buy coffee. A croissant. Read the newspaper.
Also like op shopping, so can spend up big, still searching for that elusive Michaelangelo.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 467
I've been a bit excessive over the past couple of months.
I find moderation in all things difficult.
I estimate I was spending at least £100 a week on booze which is definitely an understatement as nights out are very expensive in the UK the £100 is just for the booze I drank at home.
I've bought a few bits that I really needed for my home, treated myself to some new clothes, countless visits from Amazon for stuff - I need to calm down now and start putting some away - I have no savings!
I find moderation in all things difficult.
I estimate I was spending at least £100 a week on booze which is definitely an understatement as nights out are very expensive in the UK the £100 is just for the booze I drank at home.
I've bought a few bits that I really needed for my home, treated myself to some new clothes, countless visits from Amazon for stuff - I need to calm down now and start putting some away - I have no savings!
Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Florida
Posts: 6,426
Plenny, I hope you can get in a better place with your finances.
I opened a separate account and put money into it that I would have spent on alcohol. It went into five figures in about two years and I quit contributing to it.
I opened a separate account and put money into it that I would have spent on alcohol. It went into five figures in about two years and I quit contributing to it.
Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oxnard (The Nard), CA, USA.
Posts: 13,965
Originally Posted by fishkiller
Good purchase!
I buy fishing related stuff believe it or not. 🙂
I buy fishing related stuff believe it or not. 🙂
If so that's nice!With the extra cash I buy toys basically. Looking forward to next purchase Sims 3 PC game. I played Sims 2 and learned some about game mods. Down the sober line I will decorate my apartment in an automotive theme or who knows. With sobriety there is endless opportunity to build a happy, fun, and healthy life.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: NC
Posts: 5,161
[QUOTE=Zencat;7922061]LOL thanks for the chuckle FishK. I have found fishing to be great fun and completive. When I get a chance to fish I go for it. Do you have your own boat @fishkiller ? If so that's nice!
I am currently boatless and will be maybe forever. Just don't have the time and energy to use one as much as needed to justify the expense.
I've been walking and fishing a local lake and find I enjoy not having to load, trailer, clean, fix a boat.
Sold my last one a couple months ago and have been spending my time and money filling my shop with new tools.
Fish On!
If so that's nice!I am currently boatless and will be maybe forever. Just don't have the time and energy to use one as much as needed to justify the expense.
I've been walking and fishing a local lake and find I enjoy not having to load, trailer, clean, fix a boat.
Sold my last one a couple months ago and have been spending my time and money filling my shop with new tools.
Fish On!
Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 1,068
Sometimes it's fun to watch the drinkers and how much they spend on their precious alcohol. Last week we attended an Orioles MLB game in Baltimore. Beers were between $10 to $15 each. So the beer drinkers in front of us probably spent $50 to $80 on their beers over the course of the game. Us? we each spent $5 on a water bottle. Ouch - right? But we only got one. One thing we noticed is that while they sell plenty of beer, soda and waters at the game we could not find a cup of coffee.
Another random observation. I often hear from newcomers that "everybody drinks" so how can I stop? Not true. There were plenty of other fans around us that chose not to drink any alcohol.
We had a great time... sober.
Another random observation. I often hear from newcomers that "everybody drinks" so how can I stop? Not true. There were plenty of other fans around us that chose not to drink any alcohol.
We had a great time... sober.
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