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Quit for a month, save for a car? The eye-opening math behind Dry January

Kat Aoki January 10, 2026 at 3:01 AM

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Quit for a month, save for a car? The eye-opening math behind Dry January (TrongNguyen via Getty Images)

Thinking about joining Dry January? If so, you've got plenty of company — we're talking millions of Americans jumping on that wagon with you.

Just 54% of adults now say they drink alcohol, according to a recent Gallup poll. That's the lowest percentage of drinkers since Gallup started tracking this back in 1939. Indeed, the share of drinkers has fallen 12.9% since 2023, when 62% of Americans reported drinking. That's a pretty dramatic shift in just two years.

So what's behind this sudden sobriety trend — and how much money could you save by joining it?

Alcohol’s “cigarette moment” has arrived

Here’s the deal: The majority of us (53%) now believe that even moderate drinking — even just one or two drinks a day — is bad for your health. That's a huge turnaround from the early 2000s, when only about 1 in 4 of us felt this way.

For years, we’ve been told that moderate drinking, especially red wine, might be good for your heart. Well, the medical community has done a complete 180 on that advice. Recent research now suggests any level of alcohol consumption could be bad for you.

It's reminiscent of what happened with smoking in the 1960s, when the surgeon general's warnings kicked off decades of declining cigarette use. A similar shift now appears to be happening with alcohol.

🔍 Read more: AOL picks: Best non-alcoholic drinks to try during Dry January

Dry January: From U.K. wellness campaign to American reset

As the name suggests, Dry January is a popular monthlong challenge encouraging people to skip alcohol for the entire month. Starting as a small UK campaign in 2013, it’s since grown into a gateway for millions of Americans to rethink their drinking habits.

Last year, 30% of Americans used the new year as a reset. And while the health benefits get the most attention, the money you save by going dry adds up fast.

Dry January: How the numbers break down

Monthly cost

Yearly cost

Light social drinker — 1 to 2 drinks out per week, occasional wine or beer at home

$150 to $200

$1,800 to $2,400

Moderate regular drinker — 2 to 3 bar visits per week, weekend bottles at home

$300 to $400

$3,600 to $4,800

Frequent social drinker — 3 to 4+ nights out, regular at-home drinking

$500 to $700+

$6,000 to $8,400

Then there are the expenses most people overlook:

Late-night Ubers and rideshares

Drunk food orders (Hello, 2 a.m. pizza!)

Impulse purchases you barely remember making

Add those in, and even moderate drinkers tack on another $100 to $200 a month. This is money that could be used for literally anything else, like contributing to your nest egg or building an emergency fund in 2026.

🔍 Read more: So, you've saved $10,000 — now what? 5 smart moves to grow your money

The community tracking every dollar saved

These aren’t theoretical savings either. On Reddit’s r/stopdrinking community, people are tracking their sobriety savings. The actual results are eye-opening.

A 12-year sober redditor’s calculations: "I had a $40 a day habit at the lower end. Not considering inflation, I've probably saved $175,000."

Another user’s dramatic financial turnaround: "I went from having to overdraft my bank account $1,000 every month just to pay my bills to now investing $1,000 in the stock market every month because after all my bills are paid, there's surplus cash."

A person saving for a home: "I've saved $45,207 over 1,412 days and counting. This money is going straight to our first home down payment."

A redditor who quit seven months ago: "I saved enough for a new laptop and a down payment for a new(er) used car this year. Probably saved at least $5k in not just alcohol but also the ancillary impulse purchases that would be made while under the influence too."

Another redditor who averaged $100 a day before sobriety: "I've saved a whopping $14,600 in just 146 days."

Dry January may not save you $175K, but it will show you whether drinking is a $100 habit or $100-a-day problem.

🔍 Read more: 20+ clever money tricks frugal people swear by (that actually work!)

What happens after the month ends?

The interesting part is that many Dry January participants don't return to their old habits. Research shows people who complete the month go on to drink significantly less in the months and even years after, even if they don’t stop entirely.

That said, staying dry requires support. It’s why many people find that having a community — whether it's a Reddit community like r/stopdrinking, a Facebook group like Sober Today or weekly AA meetings — makes sobriety feel both less isolating and more sustainable.

Tracking apps like Reframe and Try Dry can also connect you with like-minded people, providing accountability that extends well beyond January 31st.

🔍 Read more: A hack that actually works? Why the 52-week money challenge is trending

Bottom line: The financial case is clear

Whether you're trying Dry January (it’s not too late to start!), cutting back permanently or simply sober curious, the case for quitting is compelling: better health, less anxiety, improved sleep and more money in your bank account each month.

It isn’t about quitting forever — it’s about knowing what you’re actually spending. You've got plenty of company. And the financial upside might be way bigger than you think.

Note: Reddit comments edited for length and clarity.

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About the writer

Kat Aoki is a seasoned finance writer who's written thousands of articles to empower people to better understand technology, fintech, banking, lending and investments. Her expertise has been featured on sites like Lifewire and Finder, with bylines at top technology brands in the U.S. and Australia. Kat strives to help consumers and business owners make informed decisions and choose the right financial products for their needs.

Article edited by Kelly Suzan Waggoner

📩 Have thoughts or comments about this story — or ideas on topics you’d like us to cover? Reach out to our team at [email protected].

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Money”