How Much Do I Spend on Energy Drinks? Celsius, Monster and Red Bull, Added Up
A can of Celsius, Monster, Red Bull, Alani Nu or Ghost usually costs about $2.50 to $4 at a store. One a day is roughly $900 to $1,400 a year, and two a day doubles that. Bought at a gas station or a vending machine, it's even more. Energy drinks are easy to slide into because each can is cheap and the habit is tied to tiredness, so it shows up every day.
What an energy drink habit costs
| Habit | Per year (roughly) |
|---|---|
| One $3 can on workdays | ~$780 |
| One $3 can a day | ~$1,100 |
| Two $3 cans a day | ~$2,200 |
| Three a day | ~$3,300 |
Watch the caffeine too
Many energy drinks have 200mg or more of caffeine per can. The FDA says up to about 400mg a day is generally fine for healthy adults, so two or three cans can put you over that, especially with coffee on top. Too much can mean poor sleep, which leads to more energy drinks the next day.
How to cut back
- Add up a month from your bank statement or receipts.
- Buy in bulk if you're keeping the habit. A case is far cheaper per can than single cans.
- Cut one can at a time, replacing it with water, tea or coffee at home.
- Fix the sleep side. The need for a can at 3pm is often a sleep problem in disguise.
- Don't keep a fridge stocked. If it's always there, you'll drink it.
Put the money somewhere you'll see it
Cake, an iOS app in development, is built for that: put something you want on a cake sized by its price, $5 a slice. Every can you skip fills slices while the money adds up in a virtual jar.
Common questions
How much do energy drinks cost a year?
About $900 to $1,400 for one a day, and double for two.
How much caffeine is too much?
The FDA says up to about 400mg a day is generally safe for healthy adults. Many energy drinks have 200mg or more per can.
Are energy drinks addictive?
Caffeine can cause dependence, and stopping suddenly can bring headaches and tiredness for a few days. Cutting back gradually is easier.