How Much Do I Spend on Alcohol? What Drinking Really Costs a Year
Most people have no idea what they spend on alcohol, because it's spread across bar tabs, liquor stores, restaurant bills and delivery apps. Add it up and it's often a shock. With bar drinks at $8 to $15 each before tips, four drinks out a week is roughly $2,000 to $3,000 a year. A bottle of wine at home three nights a week is another $1,500 to $3,000. Here's how to find your real number, and what cutting back could save.
What drinking typically costs
| Habit | Per year (roughly) |
|---|---|
| 2 bar drinks a week at $12 | ~$1,250 |
| 4 bar drinks a week at $12, plus tips | ~$3,000 |
| A $15 bottle of wine, 3 nights a week | ~$2,300 |
| A $12 six-pack, twice a week | ~$1,250 |
How to find your number
- Search your bank statements for bars, liquor stores and the delivery apps you use. Look at the last three months.
- Add the hidden bits: tips, rideshares home, late-night food.
- Multiply by four for a yearly figure.
Many people find that cutting back, not quitting entirely, saves more than they expected. Dry January and "sober curious" months are popular partly for that reason.
Put the money somewhere you'll notice
Pick a goal and price it in drinks. A $1,200 trip is 100 bar drinks. Seeing the progress makes it much easier to say no to "just one more".
Cake, an iOS app in development, is built for that: put the thing you want on a cake sized by its price, $5 a slice. Every drink you skip fills slices while the money adds up in a virtual jar.
If it's more than a spending habit
Cake helps with the money side, not alcohol dependence. If you drink heavily or every day, don't stop suddenly without medical advice: alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous. Talk to a doctor, or call SAMHSA's free, confidential National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357, available 24/7.
Common questions
How much does the average person spend on alcohol?
It varies a lot. Regular drinkers who go out a few times a week often spend $2,000 to $4,000 a year.
How much will I save if I stop drinking?
Whatever you spend now. Add up three months of bank statements and multiply by four.
Is it cheaper to drink at home?
Much cheaper per drink, but it's easier to drink more, so the total can still be high.