January is skint month. Christmas has emptied the bank account, the credit card statement is a horror film, and payday feels about six weeks away.
Good news. Dry January is one of the few challenges that actually saves you money. Let's do the maths. Don't worry, I'll keep it simple. I work in marketing.
Add up what you normally spend
Grab a pen. Think about a normal week. A couple of pints at the pub, a bottle of wine at home, maybe a takeaway that arrived with a few beers.
Now multiply by four. Feel faint? Good. That's before you count the taxis, the 2am kebabs and the “why did I buy a novelty inflatable flamingo online?” moments.
Where the savings really come from
It's not just the drinks. A sober night out costs less across the board. You leave earlier, you skip the shots, and you remember to get the last bus.
A night in costs even less. Plenty of our alcohol-free beers are under a fiver a can, which is a lot less than a round at the pub.
Single serves are your friend
If an open bottle of wine has a habit of mysteriously emptying itself, go single serve. A Pierre Zéro Merlot 20cl pours one glass of 0.0% French red for £5. No waste. No temptation. No mystery.
Buy smart
Mix any 6 drinks and get 5% off, 12 for 10% and 24 for 15%. Wine and spirits get 10% off 6 bottles and 15% off 12. Stock up once and you won't be tempted by the corner shop.
Build a beer box, a wine box or a spirits box and watch the saving add up.
Don't spend it all on running gear
Word of warning. Some people save loads in January and spend the lot on running trainers, a GPS watch and a head torch. Next thing, they're doing five-hour runs and you never see them again. Swapped the pub for the park run. Still out the game. Just with very expensive socks.
Treat yourself to something nicer. A weekend away. A meal out. Or just pay off a bit of Christmas. Like Scrooge on Christmas morning, you'll have more than you thought.
The deal bit
For the drinks and tips to get through the month, head to our Dry January guide.
The serious bit
Every drink shows its exact ABV, and 0.0% means zero. If you're worried about your drinking, your GP is a great first call. And if you drink heavily every day, speak to them before you stop.
