I decided to end my alcohol-free month a couple of days early. I really wanted a glass of wine (okay fine, two glasses) with dinner last night. Aside from the two glasses of wine that I had two weeks ago, this was the first time that I’d drank in about a month. Four drinks in a month doesn’t sound like such a little amount, but really it is. There were two specific times when it felt really weird not to drink – one when we went out for a friend’s birthday to a wine bar and then to a pool hall and the other was when we made sushi at a friend’s house. Basically, when Jason and I were alone, it wasn’t weird not to drink because the other person wasn’t either, but when we were with friends that did drink, it did feel odd.
When I say the high cost of drinking, I’m not talking about cost as in risk; I’m talking about the actual cost. I didn’t really think about it before, but alcohol can be really expensive. The primary thing that I noticed about not drinking wasn’t that I was losing weight (I maybe lost a pound) or that I felt better (although I did, but I typically don’t drink so much that I get a hangover), it was that when we went out to dinner, the bills ended up being so cheap!
While I was unemployed, we got into the habit of almost solely going to restaurants that had a Scoutmob deal available. It was a fun way to try new places and it was cheaper. The way that Scoutmob works, if you are unfamiliar, is that you get 50% off your total bill up to a certain amount. Restaurants are usually anywhere from $10-$25 depending on how pricey the restaurant is.
Last night, we decided to go to Urban Pl8, also on Scoutmob. I’d been there once, probably a year or so ago, and Jason had never. We got stuck in some horrible traffic on the way there and didn’t get there until 8:45. The restaurant closed at 9:30, but it was still packed, so we went in anyway. I always feel sort of bad going to a place right before it closes, but why are they only opened until 9:30 on a Friday night?
Urban Pl8 is really off the beaten path. It’s in a trendy area, but way down this random street and you’d never know it was there if you didn’t know about it. The interior is small and industrial looking.
There was a little bit of a wait, so we started out at the bar, where I ordered the aforementioned glass of wine.
For my entree, I had the veggie burger. It was on the smaller side, although you can’t really tell that in the picture, but it was good.
I don’t usually post pictures of Jason’s food, but he declared his cheeseburger one of the top five that he’s had in Atlanta which is a major compliment as he likes to fashion himself as a cheeseburger aficionado.
Our bill ended up being $37 after the Scoutmob discount which is pretty decent for a nice place. However, you know what our bill would have been if we hadn’t been drinking (I had two glasses of wine and Jason had three beers)? $8. Yes, $8. Both of our entrees were on the less expensive side at $8 each so 50% of that would have been $8. So we spent nearly $30 extra dollars on alcohol. Part of the issue is that I get wine which is anywhere from $6-$9 a glass (I usually don’t get glasses that are more expensive) and while I only have two, sometimes three, that adds up!
If we didn’t drink when we went out, or at least drastically cut down, think of all the money that we would save! And with that saved money, we can buy expensive ice cream instead!
FYI – I thought it was too icy and minty tasting.
That’s insane! But I know what you mean. At my first restaurant week, the booze total ended up being more than if we had brought a 3rd person. One time I went out and we had an 80 dollar bar tap – for two people! It’s so crazy. I need to either cut back or only go to BYOs.
I totally know what you mean. I used to treat myself to diet coke only when we went out. Some places charge more than $2 for soda or tea! We have 4 people in our family so 2 sodas and 2 milks is $8. We all get water now. It saves us in the long run.
That ice cream is the least favorite of the three I’ve tried in the sugar-free So Delicious line… the chocolate is definitely the best in my opinion!
I almost bought the vanilla. I wish I did. I actually don’t really like chocolate ice cream. Weird, I know!
I hate icy ice cream! And the amped up costs of alcohol out. I rarely drink out for that reason. It helps that Peter doesn’t usually want to get anything and then I don’t want to be the only one ordering a drink. Weird, I know.
Can’t wait for next weekend!
I don’t think it’s weird. I won’t order a drink if no one else is drinking.
Haha yes, I actually never drink at restaurants for that reason. I get a drink out maybe once a year on my birthday or something but other than that we wouldn’t be able to afford eating out if we had alcohol with our meals!
I LOVE the vanilla flavor of that ice cream- but yes- it costs an arm and a leg! I almost always buy vanilla ice cream, because I add my own fruit to it. And that bulks it up and makes me think I’m eating more ice cream. Haha.
As for alcohol- I absolutely love wine and beer. I could do without liquor for the rest of my life and be just fine. With wine and beer- I really love the taste. And I’m okay with have a few sips and that’s it. Unfortunately, anything over 1.5-2 drinks leaves me feeling like utter crap the entire next day and it’s not worth it. I used to be able to easily drink a few drinks, get a healthy buzz and be good to go the next day. I got really, insanely drunk once almost 3 years ago and was hungover for literally 3 days. Ever since then, I can’t handle any more than 2 drinks. It makes it nice- because yes- it does save money (and calories), but there are still some people that seem to have a problem with it. I have a lot of friends that I love dearly, but make just want me to drink, drink, drink. Ugh..
Sorry for the rant.
And your burger looks yummy. I’m off to make the Sweet Potato Shephard’s Pie from PicklesNHoney.
I almost bought the vanilla but then though mint would be more interesting. It’s too minty! And I like mint ice cream. Oh well, not that it’ll stop me from eating it.
I can usually have 2 drinks without feeling too bad the next day, sometimes 3 if I can sleep it off, but if I have more than that, I definitely feel like crap.
Yes! It does add up very quickly. The hubs and I are going alcohol-free for a month as well. I hope to maybe lose a pound or two, but I hope to hand on to a few more dollars. The party we went to today wasn’t too awkward since we brought NA beer. No one knew the difference since we had koozies!
A lot of my friends in college worked so they could drink. LOL.
So true. Drinking does get costly when you go out (the markups are ridiculous!), but it is fun to go out for a drink too, so it’s a tough balance! Congrats on making it through the month!!!
I go through periods of drinking more (which for me equals 3 or so drinks a week) to not drinking for months – it really depends. I do hate the cost though – I think that’s the most annoying part. Also, I genuinely enjoy the taste of the things I drink & would drink them if they were non-alcoholic, the alcohol part is sort of irrelevant for me. Lately, I’ve been in my drinking “more” phase, mostly because I get free drinks at work and they have my favorite hard cider on tap, which never happens.
hard cider is my favorite! Have you ever had JK Scrumpy’s? Amazing.
Is it ironic that I’m reading this while sipping a cocktail?
Yep, drinking is one expensive habit. Crazy to think that the $10 glass of wine at a restaurant would only be 4 or 5 at home.
Tony and I always talk about how much cheaper our checks would be if we didn’t drink!
…as I am drinking a glass of wine
Yep, this is so true. I mainly go out for happy hours and find drink specials, but it still adds up. Having wine and beer at the house adds up as well.
They don’t have happy hour drink specials in Atlanta. Isn’t that ridiculous? It’s illegal to discount alcohol or something.
Seriously, just echoing everyone else but I am always amazed at how much we spend on booze when we go out. I started adding it up each month and it is incredible how much I spend on alcohol. And I don’t even drink THAT much anymore! I think I am going to do a no-booze month before my half to save the money and get my body in better shape.