How Much Money Will You Save by Quitting Drinking?

4 min read · All articles

Most people underestimate what they spend on alcohol by a long way. The bottles in the weekly shop are only part of the story.

Do the basic maths

Add up a typical week:

Bottles or cans from the shop
Drinks at the pub, restaurant or bar
Rounds bought for others

Then multiply by 52. Someone spending the equivalent of a couple of bottles of wine and one night out a week can easily spend well over a thousand a year.

The hidden costs

Late-night takeaways and snacks
Taxis instead of driving or public transport
Impulse online purchases made after a few drinks
Lost items: phones, cards, jackets
Hangover breakfasts and coffees
Lost productivity or days off

These can rival the cost of the drinks themselves.

Make the savings visible

Abstract savings don't motivate; visible ones do.

Move what you would have spent into a separate savings pot each week
Give the pot a name: "Summer holiday", "New bike", "Emergency fund"
Check the balance when a craving hits

What could it pay for?

A weekend away, a gym membership, a course you've wanted to take, paying down debt, or simply breathing room at the end of the month.

The best return

The money adds up — but so do the mornings, the energy and the health. Few investments pay off as quickly as skipping a drink.

Craving a drink right now?

Tap for Strength

This article is general information, not medical advice. If you're worried about your drinking, please talk to a doctor.