How much do you spend on alcohol per month?

[MrsTuxedocat]

Last year, Hubby and I tried to stick to a booze budget of 50 per month. Each month we pretty much failed with December being much higher. I'd like to know what people spend on alcohol. This year we are doing better mainly because MrTuxedocat is on a health kick.

We live in Canada, where booze prices are quite high. The cheapest bottle of wine that I like is about $12 and a 12 pack of beer is about $24.

[LeRainDrop]

Well, I don't drink much.  I almost never buy alcohol to bring home -- perhaps four bottles of wine per year at around $10 to $15 per bottle.  Otherwise, I go to one or two happy hours per month where my work picks up the tab.  I may pay for one glass of wine per month out of my own pocket, so like $7 to $15, including tip on the glass.

[mxt0133]

I'm happy to say this year I've got it down to ZERO.  I did have one beer this year at the super bowl because the host offered and I didn't want to offend him because he opened it already, but I babied that thing for literally two hours.

Prior to that I would say maybe $40-60 a month, which was mostly boxed wine and a six pack or two.  When I went out for drinks which was once every two or three months that would be $20-$30 an outing.

My wife still buys wine for herself, but in my mind that doesn't count.

[Lnspilot]

I usually fail horribly if I try to stick to a booze budget. What has helped the most, though, is making a rule not to drink alone! I drink much less now :-D.

The last time I went to a bar (St. Patty's Day) I brought only $23 with me. For a reason. And it was a good one, because I could have spent much much more.

I'm hoping to spend less than $50 per month, but I'll bet it will be more like $75 ish. This month I'm at $42 already, and it's the 20th of the month.

[forumname123]

I'm happy to say this year I've got it down to ZERO.  I did have one beer this year at the super bowl because the host offered and I didn't want to offend him because he opened it already, but I babied that thing for literally two hours.

Prior to that I would say maybe $40-60 a month, which was mostly boxed wine and a six pack or two.  When I went out for drinks which was once every two or three months that would be $20-$30 an outing.

My wife still buys wine for herself, but in my mind that doesn't count.

I'm confused, do you just not enjoy alcohol?

[okits]

What province?  Comparisons are less helpful between higher and lower-cost areas/countries.  (Point of reference: $39 for 24 bottles of domestic craft brew, $49 for 24 bottles of imported beer.  Wine $8-14 for okay-ish 750ml bottle.  I don't think you can actually buy a bottle of wine at the LCBO for less that $7-8, nowadays.)

I'm in Ontario.  During our most stressful months, I guesstimated we were in the ~$200 range.  <insert incredibly ashamed face>  Thankfully, this phase did not last too long, as self-medicating with booze is not a long-term plan.  (That figure excludes restaurant/pub purchases.)

We have had a stretch of months at or near $0 (gone dry/nearly dry for some health goals.)  This won't continue indefinitely.  I'm a bit concerned we'll easily get into the $100+ range again (that's two cases of beer and one bottle of wine - not a vast quantity.  Works out to less than one drink per adult per day.)  Not willing to drink plonk just to save money, so I'm wondering if the solution is having more dry periods (or requesting all-booze Christmas gifts.  "Look, Mommy got a 2-4!")

[aFrugalFather]

ZERO for me too. 

[rageth]

I spend a grand total of $0/month.  I like alcohol, but it's at least twice as expensive as soda (or pop if you're one of those people) even here in alcohol consumer-friendly Wisconsin and I like Mountain Dew just as much.  That said, I pay at least $25/month on soda which I'm slightly embarrassed by.  It's literally all I drink, though, so it could be far worse on the financial side of things, dental is another story...

[JLee]

Probably too much...

[mxt0133]

I'm confused, do you just not enjoy alcohol?

Oh, I dooo enjoy alcohol.  Just like I enjoy gambling, binge watching shows, playing video games, eating junk food, and most any other vice you can throw out there.  However, what I don't like is being dependent on something, I know I'm dependent on food, but the things I know I won't die without I try to cut or limit.  Also it does not align with my long term goals and values.  I used to drink a lot of coffee, but looking at the costs and the physical effects it had on me.  I decided to quit three years ago.  Same with alcohol now, I was never a big drinker but due to advertising and social gatherings over time I have associated alcohol to having a good time with friends and family.  I then find myself having beer, wine, ect when I was alone and feeling lonely to recreate the atmosphere of being around company and having fun. 

So when I achieve FI and have a healthy social life again, we just had a new born and live away from family , I might start drinking again as long as I'm not dependent on it and use it as a crutch.

The thing is after three months, I don't even think about it anymore and it doesn't bother me to hangout at a bar as long as I'm with good company.

[Venturing]

Me: nothing. Between pregnancy and breast feeding I discovered that I just don't have a taste for alcohol any more.

Husband: maybe $15 a month for a couple of glasses of cider when we go out for dinner.

Amongst my 30ish aged friends there are a large proportion who either don't drink at all or only in very small amounts. Generally there's no particular reason, they just dont really care for it

[FIRE me]

Last year, Hubby and I tried to stick to a booze budget of 50 per month. Each month we pretty much failed with December being much higher. I'd like to know what people spend on alcohol. This year we are doing better mainly because MrTuxedocat is on a health kick.

We live in Canada, where booze prices are quite high. The cheapest bottle of wine that I like is about $12 and a 12 pack of beer is about $24.

I have a bottle of wine that has been in the bottom of the fridge for two years. I keep meaning to drink it, but I always find something else to do.

You might find this interesting.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/09/25/think-you-drink-a-lot-this-chart-will-tell-you/

A small percentage (about 10%) of the population does the large majority of the drinking. To someone in that top 10 percent, a heavy drinking lifestyle seems normal. It isn't.

[JLee]

Last year, Hubby and I tried to stick to a booze budget of 50 per month. Each month we pretty much failed with December being much higher. I'd like to know what people spend on alcohol. This year we are doing better mainly because MrTuxedocat is on a health kick.

We live in Canada, where booze prices are quite high. The cheapest bottle of wine that I like is about $12 and a 12 pack of beer is about $24.

I have a bottle of wine that has been in the bottom of the fridge for two years. I keep meaning to drink it, but I always find something else to do.

You might find this interesting.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/09/25/think-you-drink-a-lot-this-chart-will-tell-you/

A small percentage (about 10%) of the population does the large majority of the drinking. To someone in that top 10 percent, a heavy drinking lifestyle seems normal. It isn't.

I thought I started drinking a lot after I moved to the east coast - then I read your link and the top 10% consumes 74 drinks a week.

Whoa.

I'm safe! :P

[Zikoris]

Zero. Alcohol is the second nastiest shit I've ever tasted. The worst was some sort of hot drink I got handed in a natural foods restaurant in Paris, which almost made me puke my guts out. I have no idea what it actually was. Ah, tangent...

[MrsTuxedocat]

What province?  Comparisons are less helpful between higher and lower-cost areas/countries.  (Point of reference: $39 for 24 bottles of domestic craft brew, $49 for 24 bottles of imported beer.  Wine $8-14 for okay-ish 750ml bottle.  I don't think you can actually buy a bottle of wine at the LCBO for less that $7-8, nowadays.)

I'm in Ontario.  During our most stressful months, I guesstimated we were in the ~$200 range.  <insert incredibly ashamed face>  Thankfully, this phase did not last too long, as self-medicating with booze is not a long-term plan.  (That figure excludes restaurant/pub purchases.)

We have had a stretch of months at or near $0 (gone dry/nearly dry for some health goals.)  This won't continue indefinitely.  I'm a bit concerned we'll easily get into the $100+ range again (that's two cases of beer and one bottle of wine - not a vast quantity.  Works out to less than one drink per adult per day.)  Not willing to drink plonk just to save money, so I'm wondering if the solution is having more dry periods (or requesting all-booze Christmas gifts.  "Look, Mommy got a 2-4!")

That's amazing, I had no idea wine was so affordable in Ontario. I live in British Columbia and there is nothing under $10 range (for wine) that I would enjoy drinking. I am including tax too.

I think I will steal your idea for requesting all-booze Christmas gifts! So awesome :)

[shanghaiMMM]

Looking at YNAB, I average about $80 a month.

Generally equals a couple of beers with a friend on a Friday or Saturday and maybe a drink with my wife if we eat out.

It's quite a bit I suppose but I extract quite a lot of enjoyment out of nice beers and being sociable in this way, so I don't mind that figure too much. I spend very little in general so it's one of my larger budget areas.

Also, Shanghai isn't renowned for outdoors activities, hopefully when I move in the future, outdoor activities will overtake trips to the pub as forms of entertainment!

[GuitarStv]

According to our credit card statements, last year I spent 30$ on booze . . . so about 2.50$ a month.  While I enjoy a drink now and again, it's not something that I need to have regularly.  My wife doesn't drink at all.

[SMCx3]

I am around $24 s $30 dollars a month.  This is one those questions I wanted to avoid, but need to tackle head on. 

[Tjat]

I don't regularly drink. My wife occasionally gets a glass of wine if we go out to dinner. Sometimes we bring a bottle of wine to someone's house. I probably buy a bottle of liquor a year. Probably estimate <$15 a month in total

[RobFIRE]

Typically at home I would have 1 or 2 beers over the weekend. If at client site for work then might have ~5 beers in the week instead (usually all on expenses).

Then every few months I meet up with friends and have ~10 beers over an afternoon/evening (I don't claim this is really very sensible but neither do I claim to be perfect...).

So probably £250 a year at £5 a week plus 3 or 4 splurges at £50 each, so ~£400 a year in total. I'm fine with that figure in terms of expenditure.

[2buttons]

All of it. Reading all of these posts makes me suspect I might be an outlier.

[andy85]

I've spent $120 so far this year...or about $11/week. Last year it was probably double to triple that. This only includes actual liquor store purchases...i include getting drinks at a restaurant in my dining line item (although i have quit buying drinks out when eating for the most part).

[lithy]

Average about $100/month between wife and I. 

A lot.  Way too much.  And that doesn't count what I get for free.

Looks like the Washington Post would put me in the 9th decile.  15 drinks sounds about normal for a week, some weeks maybe slightly more when multiple social events happen in the same week.

74 drinks a week makes me sad though.  Alcohol is great fun, to a point.  That point is not 74 drinks a week.

[FrugalFan]

I usually drink about 3-4 glasses of wine per weekend, nothing during the week (so average less than $10 per week for me). Husband drinks more wine and several nice craft beers 3-4 times a week, and the occasional glass of scotch. I was shocked at how much this comes up to when we started using Mint (roughly $200 per month, all at home). But we make decent money and are frugal in other ways so I am not willing to ask him to cut back on this as he truly enjoys it.

[Tabaxus]

Probably $100-200 a month, depending on the month.  I figure it cuts down my ultimate stash need because it has an inverse impact on my life expectancy, so it comes out in the wash.

[I'm a red panda]

$0

I haven't had a drink in years. And before that I only had one or two a year on vacation.  Just haven't been interested in drinking since I left college.

[Schaefer Light]

Last year, Hubby and I tried to stick to a booze budget of 50 per month. Each month we pretty much failed with December being much higher. I'd like to know what people spend on alcohol. This year we are doing better mainly because MrTuxedocat is on a health kick.

We live in Canada, where booze prices are quite high. The cheapest bottle of wine that I like is about $12 and a 12 pack of beer is about $24.

I have a bottle of wine that has been in the bottom of the fridge for two years. I keep meaning to drink it, but I always find something else to do.

You might find this interesting.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/09/25/think-you-drink-a-lot-this-chart-will-tell-you/

A small percentage (about 10%) of the population does the large majority of the drinking. To someone in that top 10 percent, a heavy drinking lifestyle seems normal. It isn't.

That sounds kind of like our tax system.

[JLee]

Zero. Alcohol is the second nastiest shit I've ever tasted. The worst was some sort of hot drink I got handed in a natural foods restaurant in Paris, which almost made me puke my guts out. I have no idea what it actually was. Ah, tangent...

I used to think that. Turns out I had experienced shitty alcohol.

[Zikoris]

Zero. Alcohol is the second nastiest shit I've ever tasted. The worst was some sort of hot drink I got handed in a natural foods restaurant in Paris, which almost made me puke my guts out. I have no idea what it actually was. Ah, tangent...

I used to think that. Turns out I had experienced shitty alcohol.

I've tasted a pretty big variety - wine, champagne, beer, rum, and I think vodka. Every one had me running to the bathroom to go wash my mouth out. I have a hard time believing every person gave me shitty alcohol.

[Dicey]

We had a couple of parties this year where people brought wine as hostess gifts. Our clown house has a wine fridge, so people think we drink it. We have more than we will ever consume. My plan is to donate it to a local non-profit. They will use the good stuff as a Silent Auction Item and the lesser stuff for events. Win-win. Tax deduction far greater than dollars spent on booze, score!

[Bolshevik Artizan]

One six pack of craft light beer for $15 including tax and one bottle of wine in he $15-20 range. So say $33 a week, maybe $130 a month? That is for wife and I... total alcohol units around 9-10 per week for me, six-seven for wife. Just cannot drink more, it makes me sick to drink more than 3-4 300ml bottles of light (4%) beer, normally try to stop at two. Always on social occasions, never by myself. no liquor (what they call "spirits" in the UK)... I thought I was being quite frugal and abstemious until I came on here!

[JLee]

Zero. Alcohol is the second nastiest shit I've ever tasted. The worst was some sort of hot drink I got handed in a natural foods restaurant in Paris, which almost made me puke my guts out. I have no idea what it actually was. Ah, tangent...

I used to think that. Turns out I had experienced shitty alcohol.

I've tasted a pretty big variety - wine, champagne, beer, rum, and I think vodka. Every one had me running to the bathroom to go wash my mouth out. I have a hard time believing every person gave me shitty alcohol.

There's a huge variance within each type - for example, New Amsterdam gin is terrible (~$20 / 1.75l) and Barr Hill is fantastic (albeit at $35.99 / 750ml).

[TravelJunkyQC]

Perhaps 25 to 40$ for the two of us per month (we are also in Canada - Québec to be exact). I don't care much for the taste of alcohol, but I enjoy the occasional glass of wine or cider or even a beer. My BF is a fan of good beer. We only really drink on the weekends if we're having dinner with friends, and will always bring either a bottle of something or a case of beer when invited to others' place. It comes out of our very modest grocery budget though. And whenever I go visit my family in the states, I always bring back two bottles of wine (or 4 if we're both in the car), since wine is about 50% of the price in the states. These bottles will last us at least a few months.

[Wekeeprollingdowntheroad]

0 here too. It does nothing to improve my life, so I don't partake. It blows my mind how expensive it is

[I'm a red panda]

Zero. Alcohol is the second nastiest shit I've ever tasted. The worst was some sort of hot drink I got handed in a natural foods restaurant in Paris, which almost made me puke my guts out. I have no idea what it actually was. Ah, tangent...

I used to think that. Turns out I had experienced shitty alcohol.

It really is an acquired taste.  I'm not interested in bothering to acquire it.  It saves me a lot of money otherwise. (And I've had access to really excellent alcohol. It all tastes horrible to my palate.)

[JLee]

Zero. Alcohol is the second nastiest shit I've ever tasted. The worst was some sort of hot drink I got handed in a natural foods restaurant in Paris, which almost made me puke my guts out. I have no idea what it actually was. Ah, tangent...

I used to think that. Turns out I had experienced shitty alcohol.

It really is an acquired taste.  I'm not interested in bothering to acquire it.  It saves me a lot of money otherwise. (And I've had access to really excellent alcohol. It all tastes horrible to my palate.)

I am ever so slightly envious, haha. It's well worth the cost for me, though, so I suppose I can't complain.  My roommates and I have a quality beverage selection, but I very rarely have a drink if I go out somewhere - the cost differential between home and 'out' is excessive.

[Inaya]

Zero. Alcohol is the second nastiest shit I've ever tasted. The worst was some sort of hot drink I got handed in a natural foods restaurant in Paris, which almost made me puke my guts out. I have no idea what it actually was. Ah, tangent...

I used to think that. Turns out I had experienced shitty alcohol.

It really is an acquired taste.  I'm not interested in bothering to acquire it.  It saves me a lot of money otherwise. (And I've had access to really excellent alcohol. It all tastes horrible to my palate.)

This was me about two years ago. All of it by and large tasted like acetone to me. I have, however, acquired a very slight taste for some cocktails via sips from my husband's drinks at restaurants. The ones I get are mostly froo-froo girly drinks, though, so the alcohol content and flavor is fairly low. I have developed a liking for a good old fashioned though. Also shandy, which sounds disgusting in theory but is really refreshing in practice (I otherwise hate beer). I could quit drinking alcohol forever today and not miss it a bit.

We don't have an alcohol budget. The vast majority of our (albeit minimal) drinking is facepunchable $12 cocktails at restaurants, so it goes in the restaurant budget. My husband likes some rum from time to time, or during the summer we'll get some bottles of something to sip around the balcony firepit, but those go into groceries because we get them at the grocery store. Annualized, it's probably about $20/mo, maybe?

[Bucksandreds]

I'm confused, do you just not enjoy alcohol?

Oh, I dooo enjoy alcohol.  Just like I enjoy gambling, binge watching shows, playing video games, eating junk food, and most any other vice you can throw out there.  However, what I don't like is being dependent on something, I know I'm dependent on food, but the things I know I won't die without I try to cut or limit.  Also it does not align with my long term goals and values.  I used to drink a lot of coffee, but looking at the costs and the physical effects it had on me.  I decided to quit three years ago.  Same with alcohol now, I was never a big drinker but due to advertising and social gatherings over time I have associated alcohol to having a good time with friends and family.  I then find myself having beer, wine, ect when I was alone and feeling lonely to recreate the atmosphere of being around company and having fun. 

So when I achieve FI and have a healthy social life again, we just had a new born and live away from family , I might start drinking again as long as I'm not dependent on it and use it as a crutch.

The thing is after three months, I don't even think about it anymore and it doesn't bother me to hangout at a bar as long as I'm with good company.

Alcohol consumption of 1-2 drinks per day should not be considered a vice.  It should actually be considered a part of a healthy lifestyle.  Now for those who drink 4 or more at a time. That is a vice, for sure.  I try to stop at 2 but every now and then have 3.  I spend in the range of $50 per month on alcohol and would gladly give up meat, air conditioning and travel before I cut down on alcohol purchases.

[Bucksandreds]

Zero. Alcohol is the second nastiest shit I've ever tasted. The worst was some sort of hot drink I got handed in a natural foods restaurant in Paris, which almost made me puke my guts out. I have no idea what it actually was. Ah, tangent...

Clearly you've never tried a 12 year single malt scotch on the rocks!

[GuitarStv]

I'm confused, do you just not enjoy alcohol?

Oh, I dooo enjoy alcohol.  Just like I enjoy gambling, binge watching shows, playing video games, eating junk food, and most any other vice you can throw out there.  However, what I don't like is being dependent on something, I know I'm dependent on food, but the things I know I won't die without I try to cut or limit.  Also it does not align with my long term goals and values.  I used to drink a lot of coffee, but looking at the costs and the physical effects it had on me.  I decided to quit three years ago.  Same with alcohol now, I was never a big drinker but due to advertising and social gatherings over time I have associated alcohol to having a good time with friends and family.  I then find myself having beer, wine, ect when I was alone and feeling lonely to recreate the atmosphere of being around company and having fun. 

So when I achieve FI and have a healthy social life again, we just had a new born and live away from family , I might start drinking again as long as I'm not dependent on it and use it as a crutch.

The thing is after three months, I don't even think about it anymore and it doesn't bother me to hangout at a bar as long as I'm with good company.

Alcohol consumption of 1-2 drinks per day should not be considered a vice.  It should actually be considered a part of a healthy lifestyle.  Now for those who drink 4 or more at a time. That is a vice, for sure.  I try to stop at 2 but every now and then have 3.  I spend in the range of $50 per month on alcohol and would gladly give up meat, air conditioning and travel before I cut down on alcohol purchases.

Not exactly.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/alcohol/art-20044551

If you choose to drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women of all ages and men older than age 65, and up to two drinks a day for men age 65 and younger.

If you're a middle-aged or younger adult, some evidence shows that even moderate alcohol use may cause more harm than good.   You can take other steps to benefit your cardiovascular health besides drinking — eating a healthy diet and exercising, for example.

The latest dietary guidelines make it clear that no one should begin drinking or drink more frequently on the basis of potential health benefits.

Many people have trouble keeping themselves to healthy drinking practices.  You even gave yourself as an example of someone who is often unable to control his alcohol consumption and limit himself to safe ranges, and strongly indicated how dependent you are on the drug.

[JLee]

Zero. Alcohol is the second nastiest shit I've ever tasted. The worst was some sort of hot drink I got handed in a natural foods restaurant in Paris, which almost made me puke my guts out. I have no idea what it actually was. Ah, tangent...

Clearly you've never tried a 12 year single malt scotch on the rocks!

Or a Lagevulin 16....

[rantk81]

Sometimes it is an embarrassingly large sum, and sometimes it is zero.

I would like to make it closer to zero all the time.

[Fishindude]

I refuse to answer this question on the grounds it may incriminate me. :)

[prognastat]

Most months of mine it is $0, although I have been looking at brewing as a fun low cost hobby that at worst would generate cheap drink and at best maybe even can recoup the cost by letting friends have it if they are willing to pay for ingredient costs or trade for something of similar value.

[littlebird]

Ours is way too high, about $200/month for two people. I drink usually one per night and four on one weekend night every week. My husband drinks somewhat more, but generally similar.

I sometimes feel bad about how much money we're spending on it, but we're naturally trending downward as we leave our twenties. It will never be $0 but I think it will continue to reduce. Plus there's this: http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2017200,00.html

[2Birds1Stone]

Way too much lol. Working on cutting that down big time.

[Sibley]

I rarely drink, and never alone. I have a (dad's) family history of alcoholism - grandmother, uncle, and a cousin all have/had problems that I know of. There's some family I simply don't see, so no idea on them. My dad would, except my mom does the grocery shopping and doesn't buy beer. It's the kind of problem where it sneaks up slowly and isn't obvious to people. No getting drunk all the time, no throwing up, etc. Just ALWAYS having a cocktail. I choose to skip the problem and just drink very rarely.

Most of my alcohol purchases fall under the gifts category. I do like St. Julien's sparkling juice though - non-alcoholic, and yummy.

[ketchup]

Average over the past two years is about $1-1.50 per month.  One bottle of wine and one bottle of vodka that I can think of over that time.  I think someone also bought us a bottle of wine once.

[prognastat]

I rarely drink, and never alone. I have a (dad's) family history of alcoholism - grandmother, uncle, and a cousin all have/had problems that I know of. There's some family I simply don't see, so no idea on them. My dad would, except my mom does the grocery shopping and doesn't buy beer. It's the kind of problem where it sneaks up slowly and isn't obvious to people. No getting drunk all the time, no throwing up, etc. Just ALWAYS having a cocktail. I choose to skip the problem and just drink very rarely.

Most of my alcohol purchases fall under the gifts category. I do like St. Julien's sparkling juice though - non-alcoholic, and yummy.

This is very close to me too, I drink some at social occasions, but my father and most of his side of the family all struggling with alcohol has made me very sober in how I deal with alcohol. Moderate and only in social occasions, never alone.

[Bucksandreds]

I'm confused, do you just not enjoy alcohol?

Oh, I dooo enjoy alcohol.  Just like I enjoy gambling, binge watching shows, playing video games, eating junk food, and most any other vice you can throw out there.  However, what I don't like is being dependent on something, I know I'm dependent on food, but the things I know I won't die without I try to cut or limit.  Also it does not align with my long term goals and values.  I used to drink a lot of coffee, but looking at the costs and the physical effects it had on me.  I decided to quit three years ago.  Same with alcohol now, I was never a big drinker but due to advertising and social gatherings over time I have associated alcohol to having a good time with friends and family.  I then find myself having beer, wine, ect when I was alone and feeling lonely to recreate the atmosphere of being around company and having fun. 

So when I achieve FI and have a healthy social life again, we just had a new born and live away from family , I might start drinking again as long as I'm not dependent on it and use it as a crutch.

The thing is after three months, I don't even think about it anymore and it doesn't bother me to hangout at a bar as long as I'm with good company.

Alcohol consumption of 1-2 drinks per day should not be considered a vice.  It should actually be considered a part of a healthy lifestyle.  Now for those who drink 4 or more at a time. That is a vice, for sure.  I try to stop at 2 but every now and then have 3.  I spend in the range of $50 per month on alcohol and would gladly give up meat, air conditioning and travel before I cut down on alcohol purchases.

Not exactly.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/alcohol/art-20044551

If you choose to drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women of all ages and men older than age 65, and up to two drinks a day for men age 65 and younger.

If you're a middle-aged or younger adult, some evidence shows that even moderate alcohol use may cause more harm than good.   You can take other steps to benefit your cardiovascular health besides drinking — eating a healthy diet and exercising, for example.

The latest dietary guidelines make it clear that no one should begin drinking or drink more frequently on the basis of potential health benefits.

Many people have trouble keeping themselves to healthy drinking practices.  You even gave yourself as an example of someone who is often unable to control his alcohol consumption and limit himself to safe ranges, and strongly indicated how dependent you are on the drug.

LOL.  A third drink every few weeks makes me alcohol dependent.  Get real. 
Just because you have a problem with alcohol, don't push your bias on others, please.  From your link.

Health benefits of moderate alcohol use

Moderate alcohol consumption may provide some health benefits. It may:

Reduce your risk of developing and dying from heart disease
Possibly reduce your risk of ischemic stroke (when the arteries to your brain become narrowed or blocked, causing severely reduced blood flow)
Possibly reduce your risk of diabetes
Even so, the evidence about the possible health benefits of alcohol isn't certain, and alcohol may not benefit everyone who drinks.