This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Katie Butler, a 30-year-old from Dallas, whose sobriety saves her money. It’s been edited for length and clarity.
For nearly eight years, alcohol was my only escape from anxiety. I spent up to $2,000 a month to fund a drinking habit that I believed was helping me.
But, when I hit rock bottom in 2021 and was confronted with the mental, physical, and monetary toll of drinking, I quit. My journey to sobriety wasn’t easy, but I’m now able to save money for my future while investing in a nourishing lifestyle.
I started drinking in college to soothe my anxiety
I’ll never forget the first time I got drunk. It was my freshman year of college, and I remember feeling like it was the first time I had a reprieve from my anxiety. From then on, alcohol became my crutch, an escape from reality.
I was very fortunate to have parents who financially supported me throughout college. During my senior year, I spent multiple days a week going to bars, buying drinks, and racking up charges. My mom called me one day about my credit card bill and said, “Do you have any idea how much you’re spending?” Admittedly, I didn’t.
But, when I graduated from college and started paying my bills on an entry-level job salary in higher education, I had no choice but to take notice.
Every extra dime went to funding my drinking habits
Rent took up most of my paycheck, but the rest went directly to drinking. A typical night out consisted of Uber rides around town, stops at liquor stores, fancy meals with fine wine, and two to three more drinks at the bar to end the night.
Rinse and repeat three times a week for upwards of $2000 a month.
At age 24, I decided to pursue a master’s degree to open up more career advancement opportunities. I’m endlessly proud of my degree, but if I’m being honest, I went back to school to sustain my drinking habits.
My peers in my master’s program were all a bit older than me, and I remember going over to their beautifully decorated homes and seeing the rich lives they’d built. I realized that I wanted what they had, but I knew I couldn’t do it with alcohol in the picture.
After a year of deeply contemplating sobriety, I took my final sip of alcohol in October 2021.
Getting sober was a fresh start
That same year I graduated with my master’s degree and started a full-time job in talent acquisition. It felt like I was starting fresh. I remember tracking my bills coming in and being shocked at how much money I saved. Cutting out alcohol and the sneakily expensive lifestyle that surrounded me saves me $1,000 a month.
For the first time in my life, I have money to put in savings each month, and I even started investing in a THC-infused drink brand. I haven’t made any financial gains yet, but I feel passionate about supporting a brand that provides folks like me with a healthier alternative to alcohol.
My boyfriend, who I met after getting sober, and I started renting a townhouse last December. We save a small percentage of our monthly paychecks to purchase a house. Knowing that I’m investing in my future, I feel confident in my financial decisions.
I’m able to invest in a nourishing lifestyle
My priority is saving, but I can also spend money on a lifestyle that nourishes me.
I spend a total of $325 a month on two gym memberships and gift myself a massage or facial every other month at about $200. A previous version of me would’ve found these expenses ridiculous, but taking care of myself is a way for me to manage my anxiety in the way alcohol never truly could. Plus, there’s no nasty hangover after spin class and a facial.
It wasn’t easy to go alcohol-free. For nearly eight years, alcohol was my thrill, my safety, my fun, and my lifeline. Letting it go meant a piece of me was left empty. It took time for me to fill that space, but now I have the means to choose a lifestyle that supports me and my future.
If you saved money by eliminating an unhealthy habit and want to tell your story, please email Tess Martinelli at tmartinelli@businessinsider.com.
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