Keeping track of the money and time I’ve saved by abstaining from alcohol has been a huge positive.
It sets out in black and white how far I’ve come and – as I approach 3,000 days – I’ve come quite far!
In my previous life, I spent a fortune on alcohol. So, my journey of ‘A Year, Probably More, Off Alcohol’, in addition to being beneficial to my health has also been beneficial to my bottom line.
You can keep a track of your savings manually or use an app to do it.
I use I Am Sober, a free app for iOS and Android. It has a paid tier, but the free tier has served me well for the last eight years.
Being able to specify amounts per day – how much you spent on alcohol and how much time you lost to alcohol – was very helpful. I Am Sober tracks:
If you set aside the money you’ve saved it quickly adds up. Watching that money add up will motivate you and allocating it towards a gift for yourself – an alternative to alcohol – is another positive motivator.
Money is just one of the many returns, however. Of more value to me are the changes I’ve seen in my relationships. My relationship with my family – my wife and two children – has immeasurably improved and that’s what keeps me focused.
Stay positive and, as we say at r/stopdrinking: I will not drink with you today.
—Chris
💚