Millennials Might Have Saved Up to $900 by Quitting Alcohol for Dry January — Here’s the Math
Written by
Dawn Allcot
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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Do the winter holidays have you drinking more alcohol than you intend? You’re not alone.
Four in 10 people said they turn to alcohol to cope with holiday financial stress, according to a survey by Freeman Recovery Center. Amongst millennials, that number rises to 54%.
But the cost of those drinks adds up, making your money situation worse rather than better. Participating in Dry January, where you abstain from alcohol for a full month, can give your wallet — and your body — time to recover. While Dry January is almost over, you can still participate on your own time or plan for next year. Find out how much those who participated saved.
How Much You Could Save During Dry January
Because alcohol costs and the amount people drink varies widely, it’s hard to pinpoint exact savings during Dry January.
“The average American who drinks alcohol consumes about four to six drinks per week,” said Shawn Baker, CEO of Freeman Recovery Center. “This works out to around 18 to 25 drinks per month.”
Let’s look at a few examples for light to moderate drinkers of wine and beer.
Low End: Cost Savings With 18 Drinks Per Month
The nationwide median price for a beer in restaurants, factoring in cheap domestic and pricier craft or imported brews, is $6.50, according to data from Toast. Choosing a free water instead of beer when you go out would save $117 in January.
On the other hand, if you drink beer at home, two 12-packs of Budweiser from Walmart at $13 each would last you all month. If you skipped them, you’d save about $26 off your grocery bill in January.
If you usually choose a pricier beer like Samuel Adams Boston Lager, you’d save more than $42 removing it from your grocery list for the month.
Wine often ranges in price from $6 per bottle up to hundreds or more. The average price for a bottle of wine in December 2025 was just over $14, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
There are four pours in your standard bottle, which means if you’re drinking four glasses a week, you’d need four bottles to last through January. That means you could save between $24 and $56 by cutting out low-cost to average-priced wine in January.
If you choose wine in restaurants, you’d spend about $144 at $8 per glass or $270 on $15 per glass wine, based on SommelierBusiness.com price estimates.
If you’re in the Bay Area, according to the San Francisco Standard, you could spend $25 per glass at some upscale restaurants or $450 per month if you dine out a few times a week and enjoy a few glasses of wine. That could be a car payment for a mid-sized sedan.
More Drinks, Same Prices
Let’s assume you are drinking the maximum recommended amount of alcohol for men or two drinks per day. That would equal roughly 60 drinks per month, rather than 18. If you drank those 60 beers at restaurants, you’d spend $390 in one month.
Usually drink Budweiser or Sam Adams at home? You’d need five 12-packs for the month. Save between $67 and $91 by skipping your nightly beers.
A wine drinker indulging in 60 five-ounce glasses (or five bottles) at home throughout January would save between $30 and $70. If you drink wine in restaurants, you could easily spend between $480 and $900 per month.
More Drinks, More Expensive Taste
If you drink more than this or you’re regularly the type to indulge in higher-quality wines or even cocktails, it’s likely you could save $1,000 or more during Dry January.
Benefits You Can’t Put a Price On
Beyond cost savings, there are additional benefits to spending even one month fully sober, according to experts.
“Even people who drink within recommended guidelines often notice changes within the first two to three weeks of cutting alcohol,” Baker said. “Your sleep improves first, followed by better energy, mood stability and mental clarity.”
Even if you decide not to give up alcohol permanently, you can still enjoy the financial, physical and emotional benefits for 31 days.
“Removing it for a month allows the body to reset, which is why people commonly report fewer headaches, less anxiety and more consistent focus,” Baker explained. “Our research shows alcohol is frequently used to cope with stress or loneliness, so taking it out of the picture helps people identify what they are actually feeling rather than numbing it.”
Baker did provide one note for those attempting Dry January, whether now or in the future: if you think you might have a problem with drinking, it’s important to speak to a medical professional first.
Editor’s note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
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