How much do you spend on alcohol per month?

[Philociraptor]

Mint tells me we've spent $120/month on average in 2014 and 2015 on "Alcohol and Bars". Of course, this doesn't count drinks purchased during restaurant meals or along with groceries. It's just drink-only bar tabs, liquor stores, and grocery store/convenience store trips for alcohol only.

[I'm a red panda]

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

I've been forced to try a few (and a few 18 year).  My father really likes fine scotch and has quite a collection.  Tastes like rubbing alcohol.

Since I hear the scotch is running out, I'll continue not drinking it and save it for those who enjoy it.
http://www.grubstreet.com/2016/03/15-year-scotch-shortage.html


I've never understood why people who drink really think people who don't should. Someone's got to drive :)

[Digital Dogma]

My alcohol spending habits have changed a bit, I can't pull a number out of the air (because I don't care to look yet), but since I've been shopping at Costco liquor store with their 11.99 vodka handles and 15$ handles of rum I have saved a TON of money.

To shave some sugar out of my diet I've been drinking straight kirkland rum instead of making mixed drinks, its cheap and it tastes just fine with some nice vanilla and spice flavor.


Whatever I'm spending now its certainly better than my 60$ bottle of 120+ proof bourbon habit I used to coddle.

[Bucksandreds]

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

I've been forced to try a few (and a few 18 year).  My father really likes fine scotch and has quite a collection.  Tastes like rubbing alcohol.

Since I hear the scotch is running out, I'll continue not drinking it and save it for those who enjoy it.
http://www.grubstreet.com/2016/03/15-year-scotch-shortage.html


I've never understood why people who drink really think people who don't should. Someone's got to drive :)

Do you take it with ice?  A good one is so smooth, sweet, smokey etc that I don't get the rubbing alcohol comparison.

[dude]

Too much!  I have a craft beer habit, and regularly pay $14-$16 a FOUR-pack.  Yep, 4-pack.  But I love the beer, and believe me, the beer I drink (locally produced, fresh -- for any fellow Massholes out there, Tree House and Night Shift) is well worth the price.  I would say I go through two 4-packs a week, not including any beers I have out at bars, so that's about $120/month.  Beers out?  Probably another $80-$100/month.

Hmm, I may have a problem . . .

[I'm a red panda]

Do you take it with ice?  A good one is so smooth, sweet, smokey etc that I don't get the rubbing alcohol comparison.

I don't take it any way. I don't drink. 
If it comes from my Dad, it has ice in it. My husband, it's neat, or with a few drops of water.

But people keep insisting that I sip things.  Half the time I can barely stomach to SMELL scotch it's so strong.

I don't see the need to accustom myself to the taste of something that is $100+ for 750 mL.  I'll stick with water.

[slugline]

Barely anything in the grand scheme of things -- maybe a equivalent of a couple of 6-packs per season. It's certainly not enough to warrant its own category in my spending tracking; I bet I spend significantly more money on bread!

[Gone Fishing]

I probably spend somewhere around $30-40/mo on lower end stuff from the store for myself. My wife drinks midgrade, but less of it, so her tab is probably closer to $20-30/mo.   We don't eat out much (1-2x/mo), and if we do we might have a drink each, so even at worst we are well under $100/mo.

[MrsTuxedocat]

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

Too funny! I literally laughed out loud at your comment.

[Eric]

Barely anything in the grand scheme of things -- maybe a equivalent of a couple of 6-packs per season. It's certainly not enough to warrant its own category in my spending tracking; I bet I spend significantly more money on bread!

I just consider beer to be liquid bread.

[Gone Fishing]

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

Wow!  Per the article, alcoholics account for 60% of booze sales. 

[use2betrix]

Very little. Maybe $20 or so when we go out to eat a couple times a month on some good craft beers. Every few months we'll go "out" and spend maybe $50. We almost never drink at home at all. I don't care for drinking at home.

If we're staying near a beach we'll spend some for drinks at the beach. That's pretty rare as well.

Now that I'm married and not out socializing at bars looking to meet women, drinking lost most its appeal.

[Metric Mouse]

...would gladly give up meat, air conditioning and travel before I cut down on alcohol purchases.

Absolutely. I guess I spend about $45 a month between what I have at home and what I have when out with friends/dates.  I'd have totally been willing to work an extra two months to pay for this habit into perpetuity.  One of the great joys in life is a cold beverage while playing guitar around the fire, or an afternoon game of beer darts in the lawn with friends, or a cocktail on the balcony overlooking the city/ocean or a perfect pairing with a great meal to enhance great conversation. There are many things in life I'd give up before I'd sign away those experiences.

[rocketpj]

For the two of us we probably spend about $80/month, mostly on wine.  Usually it's in chunks, like when we buy a couple bottles for a party (ie. I hosted a friend's b-day party at our house a couple weeks ago and bought a couple bottles).  That and the occasional box wine, and the very occasional 6 pack.

Beer goes up in the summer usually.

[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.

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

Wow!  Per the article, alcoholics account for 60% of booze sales.

Much like the rich and the percentage of our country's tax bill that they pay.  But I bet this type of distribution occurs all over the place.  People who are addicted to porn probably watch 60% of the porn.  People who are addicted to fast food, coffee, donuts, the internet, etc., probably consume 60+% of whatever it is they're addicted to.

[mrteacher]

Too much!  I have a craft beer habit, and regularly pay $14-$16 a FOUR-pack.  Yep, 4-pack.  But I love the beer, and believe me, the beer I drink (locally produced, fresh -- for any fellow Massholes out there, Tree House and Night Shift) is well worth the price.  I would say I go through two 4-packs a week, not including any beers I have out at bars, so that's about $120/month.  Beers out?  Probably another $80-$100/month.

Hmm, I may have a problem . . .

I've been meaning to try Night Shift; I have heard great things. I've never even heard of Tree House (add it to the list!)

If you're looking for a new local craft brew, try Castle Island Brewing. Their 'Keeper' is one of the best IPAs I've had in awhile.

I probably spend $30-$35/month on alcohol. Usually a couple nicer 6-packs that I'll bring to a friend's house or split with the SO.

[TheOldestYoungMan]

Zero for personal consumption.  I spend about $80.00 a year on gifts for a few particular friends that enjoy high quality alcohol but won't spend money on it themselves.

I enjoy being drunk but don't actually like the taste or enjoy the act of drinking, so that's why I don't personally partake.  If I could find a really cheap way to feel that way without having to taste the alcohol or suffer the after effects I would.  But that's not the world I live in so...

[Kris]

Came here to see people who don't drink post that they don't drink, instead of just not bothering to post.

Was not disappointed.

[Rightflyer]

Came here to see people who don't drink post that they don't drink, instead of just not bothering to post.

Was not disappointed.

It's hard not to take the opportunity to show you hold the moral high ground.

I'm not ashamed (not particularly proud either) to say that the two of us spend $150 a month...all on wine. It's one of my greatest pleasures.

[bittheory]

Before I fully embraced mustachianism, it was around $100/mo. Mostly craft beer and happy hour drinks. I had a lot of fun co-workers who loved to drink and I loved to partake with them.

Now it's under $25/mo unless it's the holidays. During my dry Jan/Feb it was $0.

Also, having a keg at work sure helps.

[MrFrugalChicago]

About $50?

Maybe 4  $5 glasses of wine or beer while out a month.
Maybe a few $4 bottles of wine, and a $12 box of wine.
Maybe a $8 6-pick of beer.

[GuitarStv]

Came here to see people who don't drink post that they don't drink, instead of just not bothering to post.

Was not disappointed.

The question was 'How much do you spend on alcohol per month?'.  Zero is as valid a response to that question as a billion dollars.

[Jschange]

For a family of one, I probably average $6/ month in Ontario. Obviously, months that I have a drink, I have a few, but they are balanced out by the others. My friends and I all bus, and none of us like being alone on a bus inebriated. So most of the drinks happen when I'm staying over somewhere, or have wine early in a visit.

I probably spend $20/ month on pop and $25/ month on Tim Norton's etc

[Kris]

Came here to see people who don't drink post that they don't drink, instead of just not bothering to post.

Was not disappointed.

The question was 'How much do you spend on alcohol per month?'.  Zero is as valid a response to that question as a billion dollars.

Meh.  Maybe.  But if the question had been, "How much do you spend on golf per month?" it never would have occurred to me -- or probably to most people -- to hit reply and say, "I don't golf!!! And also, I think golf is nasty."

[Cranky]

About $125/month, for the two of us. We have wine with dinner most nights. We very occasionally buy an expensive bottle, but mostly we're happy with an assorted case from Trader Joe's, or what dh makes.

[clarkfan1979]

Big Bottle of Kirkland Pinot Grigio = $7.89 for 8 glasses
Craft Beer = $24.99 for 24 bottles
Kirkland Whiskey = $20 for 1.75 liter (39 shots)
Kirkland Vodka = $20 for 1.75 liter (39 shots)
Ginger Ale & Soda = 30 cents a can

We consume beer & wine more often than a mixed drink. Our alcohol habit costs us about $1/per drink. We probably average 2 drinks/day for each person. That is $4/day and about $120/month.

It's a little high. I think we should try to lower our consumption to $100/month.

[Eric]

Came here to see people who don't drink post that they don't drink, instead of just not bothering to post.

Was not disappointed.

:)

I'd like to buy you a drink!  Maybe a Belikin!

[Telecaster]

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).

I'm literally LOL'ing.  Just last night my wife and I were discussing who we weren't going to buy New Amsterdam anymore, because life is just too short.   

[JLee]

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).

I'm literally LOL'ing.  Just last night my wife and I were discussing who we weren't going to buy New Amsterdam anymore, because life is just too short.

Lmao...yeah, roommates and I have also had that discussion.  Our go-to is Bombay or Bombay Sapphire, depending on which is on sale.

If you like Scotch, I've found that Black Grouse is really good for the price (found it on sale in NH for $40/1.75l). Not as good as a Lagevulin 16...but it's also not $74 for 750ml, heh.

[SaskyStache]

In 2014 I averaged about $126/month and 2015 was about $122/month. I definitely spend a lot on booze, but it's something I enjoy and for better or worse (admittedly probably worse) a lot of my social interactions involve drinks. I don't often go out for drinks anymore, but often have an after work drink and our place is set up for hosting (2 bars in the basement, billiards/table tennis, "hammer-nail" station, darts, and bomb-shelter-party-foul-room).

As I get older, we don't have parties like we used to, but a few people talking about stupid things and drinking good scotch or fancy beer seems to add up just as quickly.

I'm planning to get back into home brewing to bring the costs down; up here a 24 pack of mid range beer is about $50 with taxes and the cheap stuff is about $42.

[GreenSheep]

I'm not sure because it's rolled into my grocery and restaurant budget. However, I've been working on reducing it.

MMM got me into Bota Box wine, which I actually like (Redvolution and their Malbec are my favorites, but I just discovered Nighthawk Black on their website and want to give it a try). My bf likes them, too. So thanks to that, we're saving on wine at home. I limit my drinking to two nights per week, and I typically have 2 drinks on each of those two nights. I realized a while ago that since my work schedule is all over the place, I don't have "normal" weekends to tell me when it's acceptable to drink, and if I don't pay attention, I'll end up drinking more than twice a week. So now I pay attention! (Not that it's not acceptable for a M-F worker to have a drink on Tuesday, but for me, I wanted some parameters.)

I've been cutting back on ordering drinks when I go out to eat (we go out once a week, and I typically order one drink while we're out), both because I'm reducing my sugar intake and because they're ridiculously expensive. My goal, starting in April, is to order zero drinks when out at restaurants. That leaves a glass of wine to look forward to when we get home!

[Kris]

Came here to see people who don't drink post that they don't drink, instead of just not bothering to post.

Was not disappointed.

:)

I'd like to buy you a drink!  Maybe a Belikin!

:) I'd happily drink a Belikin right now!

[gimp]

Fuck, I spent like $400 this month on booze. On one hand, I am annoyed at myself. On the other hand, really fantastic booze.

[Rightflyer]

Not sure if we can "Bota Box" in the Great White North but for the winos here (I'm proud to be a member of that club) that live in Ontario, you can always try Magnotta boxes.

The Sauvignon Blanc Riserva in 8 L boxes is very passable as a quaffing wine. At 8L for $65 it is very good value.

My buddy swears by the Bianco Leggero - 16L for $75 - equivalent of $3.60 a bottle (caveat, I've only tried it at the store's tasting bar...it seemed drinkable). 

[Bucksandreds]

Boxed shiraz at trader joes is 3 liters for about $12 and keeps well (in refrigerator after opening) for about a month.  That's like $3 bottle for a decent Australian Shiraz.  If you like Stout beers a lot of grocery stores are clearing out their Irish Stouts left over from St Paddy's day.  I scored a 10 pack of Murphy's (easiest drinking stout on earth) for $1.29 per beer when it's regularly $2 each.

[Bucksandreds]

Fuck, I spent like $400 this month on booze. On one hand, I am annoyed at myself. On the other hand, really fantastic booze.

What do you drink? A bottle of Scotch every few days?

[dude]

Too much!  I have a craft beer habit, and regularly pay $14-$16 a FOUR-pack.  Yep, 4-pack.  But I love the beer, and believe me, the beer I drink (locally produced, fresh -- for any fellow Massholes out there, Tree House and Night Shift) is well worth the price.  I would say I go through two 4-packs a week, not including any beers I have out at bars, so that's about $120/month.  Beers out?  Probably another $80-$100/month.

Hmm, I may have a problem . . .

I've been meaning to try Night Shift; I have heard great things. I've never even heard of Tree House (add it to the list!)

If you're looking for a new local craft brew, try Castle Island Brewing. Their 'Keeper' is one of the best IPAs I've had in awhile.

I probably spend $30-$35/month on alcohol. Usually a couple nicer 6-packs that I'll bring to a friend's house or split with the SO.

Amen, mrteacher, I've had the Keeper, and it is indeed a keeper!

Tree House can only be gotten at the brewery Wed-Sat.  They have can sales only days, and can & growler sales days.  Their beers, especially their IPAs, DIPAs, and Pale Ale, are sublime.  They tend toward the citrusy, and are nothing but cloudy, unfiltered goodness.  Night Shift is fantastic as well, and unlike Tree House, you can actually find their cans in some local packies.  But the brewery (w/taproom) is worth the visit.  Located in Everett, MA, in an industrial area.

[dude]

Came here to see people who don't drink post that they don't drink, instead of just not bothering to post.

Was not disappointed.

LOL!!!!!!!!!

I'll admit I was pretty shocked by the number of teetotalers here on MMM!

[Ellabean]

It varies on whether or not we are hosting any events for our friends. But about $50. I might have three glasses of wine in a month, whereas my husband might have a beer four times a week, when he buys a six-pack, and then not buy beer for the rest of the month.

But ask me what I spend on chocolate. About $50 a month.

[slugline]

Came here to see people who don't drink post that they don't drink, instead of just not bothering to post.

Was not disappointed.

Next: "How much do you spend on meat per month?" :)

[sstants]

I probably spend about $25 out (bars/restaurants) and $10 for liquor store purchases per month. I ditched beer a while ago as a part of a paleo/healthy eating kick and mostly do a glass of red wine at dinner or a bottle of cider at home. Probably comes to 1-2 drinks a week on average. Some months are drier than others. After being an idiot in college, I'm happy to drink only what I enjoy now.

If I were to reduce spending in the frivolous drinks category, it would have to be by buying cheaper coffee beans! I do spend a lot on nice beans/blends.

[BFGirl]

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.

LOL!!!  This is me!!!  Lots and lots of social events in my neighborhood.

[markpst]

Maybe $10 per month or so? (A couple of times a year I will occasionally attend after work outings with coworkers, and typically consume two beers or so. That can be $8-10 on those occasions.)

I get the $3.99 Winking Owl Cabernet Sauvignon at Aldi, and typically drink Keystone light or Burger Classic lager, which run $6-6.50 per 12 pack on sale. I like the fancy beers but don't think they are worth the price.

[rahby1us]

Started drinking in college and i have to say, probably not the best place to "learn" to drink...

when newly graduated and fresh out of school, friends and I still drank a lot. Now that I'm newly 30 y/o, married and seriously making the push for FIRE, we've Stopped drinking while out and that has saved us so much money. We still buy some booze to enjoy at home, but less often do we drink to excess, and even if we do at home/camping/cabining with friends, it costs max $15 a person as opposed to some crazy $50 or more night out at a bar twice a weekend like the old days

[BlueMR2]

I'd say we average $1-2 a month on alcohol as it's probably only $10-20 a year...  My wife quit drinking back in college.  I was never a big drinker myself.  I enjoy it, but quality alcohol is just so expensive.  I might splurge on one halfway decent drink a year.

I've got a number of friends that enjoy drinking.  I'd probably do more drinking with them, but they mostly go to bars & clubs to drink, which bores me no end, so I don't go on those trips.

[celticmyst08]

$15/month. That doesn't include if I buy a bottle of wine to use in cooking, which I'd categorize under groceries.

We live near a Costco and a Trader Joe's, both of which have decently priced alcohol. With our budget that averages out to 1-2 bottles every couple months. I like to experiment with making cocktails so most of the budget goes towards hard liquor, lol. We grow our own mint and I make a lot of mojitos in the summer, for example.

[jaytomlinson]

I spend $0/month now, and the times I have tried to drink I end up immediately feeling awful. I miss having zero inhibitions now and then, but I definitely don't miss the hangovers!

[monstermonster]

It's highly dependent on the season (more booze in the summer during soccer season/camping season/bike riding season). I'm on the very high end of the range, as we're a big fan of craft cocktails in my house (and have the barbot to prove it). So while we don't *drink* a ton, just stocking the liquor cabinet with novelty liquors is pricey. I'm in the range of 6-8 drinks/week for a <30 year old female.

I spend on average: $35/month on alcohol at bars when not traveling (traveling is much higher depending on location, but it is usually DC where alcohol prices are high); $40/month on stocking the liquor cabinet for home (including beer or wine). I'd much rather spend $$ on a nice cocktail out than a meal out.

This month I'm happy to say I'm at $0 for liquor at home and $6 for bars. That's because I'm not drinking booze this month :-P
My replacement sparkling water habit has come to $9 this month thus far.

I didn't drink for about 1 year because I was on a medication that didn't allow it, and while it helped my budget, I sorely missed the ritual and taste. There's no taste replacement for good whiskey (if you know of one, let me know!) And I hated having meetings at bars (part of my job) and spending just $2.50 on a credit card.

[Kansas Beachbum]

I'm afraid to even try to add it all up...way too much I'm sure, $300 - $500 a month maybe between the two of us?  It's our only vice.  We eat very well, don't smoke, no drugs, exercise regularly, get our annual physicals (all good numbers), etc.  That's how we justify it, anyway :-).  Mostly beer (macro brews...not really into the whole micro thing, except for a good Wheat), a lot of wine (we like chardonnay...usually Black Box, but like to buy different bottles at World Market), and rum...really good rum (kind of part and parcel to the whole beachbum thing). 

And for those who choose not to drink, kudos!  Your choice, don't let people give you a bad time about it. 

Cheers all!

[Ramblin' Ma'am]

Probably around $50 a month unless I'm traveling. I don't drink very much in restaurants because liquor stores are so much cheaper. Maybe 1-2 drinks a month out.