The Financial Case for Sobriety (Yes, Even for the “Middle Lane” Drinker)

When we talk about the cost of drinking, people often imagine extremes.

Daily drinkers.
Rock bottoms.
Dramatic stories.

But I want to talk about the middle lane drinker.

Not the person drinking every day — but the one who has a couple of glasses of wine on a Friday after work. A Saturday night out on the tiles. Maybe a Sunday lunch once a month when you’re too hungover to cook dinner. And of course, the extra few quid for holidays — which famously begin with those now deeply cringeworthy "obligatory airport pints". Time of day irrelevant. Because once you’re in an airport, alcoholism is basically mandatory. There’s no shame in that, right?

Right?

Let’s be conservative.

Let’s say the middle lane drinker spends €150 a week. And I’m being generous here. At the height of my drinking days, I’ll hold my hands up — it was probably more.

€150 a week is €7,800 a year.

That’s not “only a few drinks.”
That’s a financial strategy — just not a good one.

And that’s before we even talk about the hidden costs.

Because drinking doesn’t just cost you money at the bar.

It costs you:

• Missed appointments

• Poor financial oversight

• Bills not opened, not tracked, paid late

• Late fees and penalties

• Impulse spending because “sure I deserve it”

• Holidays chosen for booze, not value

And for me — ignoring the things that actually matter financially.

Health insurance.
Pensions.
Investments.

It’s honestly wild to me that these things are only becoming a solid part of my life in my fourth decade on this planet. And I know, without a shadow of doubt, that had I continued on as a middle lane drinker, I would never have looked into them properly.

Sobriety didn’t just give me clarity — it gave me capacity.

With a little extra cash left at the end of the week, I finally had choices.

The first thing I learned (largely from books I’ve mentioned before) was simple but uncomfortable:

Pay off debt as fast as you can.

Especially the kind of debt so many people in Ireland — and worldwide — find themselves trapped in. High-interest loans. Urgent borrowing. Short-term fixes from companies that profit from your stress, your urgency, and your lack of financial education.

That’s the poverty trap.
And alcohol keeps people stuck in it.

Next came banking.

Moving away from banks that quietly bleed you dry in fees. Comparing options. Choosing places that don’t punish you for being human or disorganised — something drinking absolutely amplifies.

I personally moved the majority of my everyday banking to Revolut. Not because it’s perfect, but because for day-to-day spending and saving, it simply makes more sense for how I live now.

It’s a fully regulated European bank, with eligible deposits protected up to €100,000 per person under the EU deposit guarantee scheme. It offers instant-access savings, interest that’s paid daily, and far fewer fees than traditional banks. That combination alone made it easier for me to stay engaged with my money instead of avoiding it — which, if we’re honest, is what drinking encouraged.

That said, not every financial product belongs in one place.

Dipping my toes into crypto. I started to buy a few euro here and there on revolut, but never made any profit.

Revolut does offer cryptocurrency through its app, but it’s important to understand what it is: a banking and fintech platform where crypto is a side feature. It’s convenient, but convenience often comes at a cost.

Dedicated crypto exchanges like Kraken are built specifically for digital assets and long-term investing. Independent comparisons consistently rank Kraken higher for crypto functionality, transparency, and security. Trading fees and spreads on Revolut can be higher or less visible because crypto there is offered as an add-on, not a core product.

That’s why, if someone is choosing to explore crypto at all, I personally prefer using a dedicated exchange rather than a banking app.

None of this means anyone should rush into crypto — far from it. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile, and this is not something to approach casually or emotionally. You should only ever invest what you can comfortably afford to lose, after doing your own research.

But here’s the truth I keep coming back to:

If I had continued drinking away that €150 every week, I would never have explored better banking, pensions, or investing — let alone something as niche and long-term as crypto.

You get zero return on the money you drink.

No growth.
No future benefit.
No compound interest.

Sobriety didn’t make me rich.
But drinking absolutely kept me poor.

And the middle lane?
That’s where the real money quietly disappears.

Useful Links (Shared Transparently)

These are platforms I personally use and am comfortable navigating. If you choose to explore them, do so at your own pace and with your own research.

Everyday Banking & Saving — Revolut
https://revolut.com/referral/?referral-code=melissmauf!JAN1-26-AR-L3&geo-redirect

Cryptocurrency Exchange — Kraken
Invite code: 5sydyjrd
https://invite.kraken.com/JDNW/8gofgyto

Podcasts

The Money Gains Podcast
A practical money podcast hosted by Sammie Ellard-King that focuses on growing your bank balance and making smarter money moves — no jargon, no fluff. You can listen on Spotify or your favourite podcast app. Spotify+1

🎧 Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/0J4H8RINrvtG2hoYktpoNO

Books & Financial Education

Get Good With Money – Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche
A New York Times bestselling book that breaks personal finance down into clear, actionable steps — from budgeting and saving to investing and wealth building. Tiffany Aliche’s approach is practical, empowering, and especially helpful if you’re just starting out or rebuilding financial habits. A lot of this is USA focused but still has some great messages about getting clever with money.

The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel
This book isn’t a how-to spreadsheet manual — it’s a how-to think book. Morgan Housel uses engaging stories to show how emotions, behaviour, and perspective often drive financial decisions more than logic or technical skill. It’s one of the most highly recommended books for understanding why we make the money choices we do and how to think about wealth in a calm, long-term way.

📘 Title: The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness
📊 Over 8 million copies sold worldwide and praised for its behaviour-focused insights.

Disclaimer

I am not a financial advisor, and this is not financial advice. Investing carries risk, particularly in volatile assets like cryptocurrency. You should only invest money you can afford to lose and consider seeking professional financial guidance before making decisions.