Friday 28 September 2018

How to Get Rich - Quit Drinking



There were many things about my life that I thought would change when I stopped drinking, but becoming richer wasn't one of them.

Back in the drinking days, I was always broke. At the beginning of the month, my bank account might just sneak its head over the wall into the black, but within a week I'd be wallowing back in the depths of my overdraft facility.

I tried many ways of economising, but one thing that I didn't consider for a minute was the amount I was spending on booze.

I saw my wine expenditure as a necessary staple, like loo roll and washing powder. I didn't even consider buying cheaper alcohol, as I thought the fact that I bought relatively expensive wine made me a connoisseur rather than a lush.

It was only after I quit that I added up the amount I was spending on alcohol, and it was HUGE! I'm too ashamed to confess the numbers, but it was thousands of pounds a year, enough for a family holiday.

And it wasn't just the amount I was spending on the actual wine, it was the knock-on effects. I spent a fortune on taxis, as I was always drinking too much to drive. I spent loads of money buying things I didn't need on the internet late at night, a few glasses down. I bought many bunches of flowers, as an apology to various hostesses for my behaviour the night before.

It all adds up.

When I quit, slowly, slowly, the amount of time I spent overdrawn decreased, without any effort at all. By the end of Year One I was SOLVENT.

But that wasn't all.

The other thing you notice when you quit drinking is how much more energetic and creative you become, and how much time you have on your hands.

Many people have e-mailed me telling me that their careers took off as soon as they quit. They started bouncing into the office in the morning with all the enthusiasm of the youngest intern, firing on all cylinders throughout the day.

Being the sober person in an office gives you an edge. You don't spend hours shuffling paper back and forth while waiting for a hangover to recede, you can use office parties to network rather than snogging someone you'll regret and you are always on form.

It is no surprise that many of the most successful people in any field are non drinkers. Anna Winter and Tina Brown don't drink. Kim Kardashian doesn't drink. Many of the mosr successful Hollywood actors, pop stars and captains of industry are sober.

Also, many of us find that when we quit drinking we re-discover childhood passions, and sometimes those passions can lead to wonderful new careers.

In my case, going sober led to writing, starting right here with this blog, and (drum roll), I've just agreed deals for my first two novels with publishers in the UK, USA and all over Europe.

I've heard stories of people launching new businesses in a myriad of fields: teaching yoga, making jewellery, psychotherapy, recovery coaching, interior design. The list goes on and on.

So, if you're reading this while hungover and broke, then just consider the fact that those two things may be completely intertwined.

To find out more about the benefits of going sober, read The Sober Diaries here (UK), or here (USA).

There's daily information and inspiration on the SoberMummy Facebook Page ('like page' to stay updated).

Love and prosperity to you all!

SM x

29 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. Politics in a sobriety blog? Way to derail the conversation, Anne. BTW, "too", not "to"

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    2. You’re right! I’ve deleted Trump!

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    3. Anonymous, unfortunately this happens quite a bit. I never go back to that blog.

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    4. I deleted my comment as you have changed the blog and I am somehow being criticized for mentioning the unmentionable.anne

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  2. Anne, Clare never mentioned President Trump's sobriety. It's actually a very sad story about his brother's alcoholism and ultimate death. The same thing happened to my husband's brother. And, like President Trump my husband abhors alcohol. Congratulations on your first two novels, Clare! Wishing you much success! x

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    1. Joni, Clare's original post listed Donald Trump right after Kim Kardashian. She removed his name and modified that paragraph in response to Anne's comment.

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    2. I removed my comment, as she change the blog.
      I’m sorry you feel the need to chastise me. I was joking.

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    3. Joni
      I have to say, I have been around the sober blogs for a long time. And it has been a long time since someone commented to me in a way that was demeaning and unkind.

      Your comment was.

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    4. Anne, in all sincerity I never intended to sound demeaning or unkind. That is so not me and I am sorry my comment came across that way and caused your feelings to be hurt. When I replied to anonymous I was referring to another sober blogger who used vulgar language during a political rant. I highly respect you and think your blog is amazing! I hope we can put this behind us and be friends. Again, I apologize!

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  3. Two novels SM!? That's made my day. I'm so happy for you :)

    love

    Rob

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  4. Two novels! Well you don't do anything by halves do you! Huge congratulations Clare. So well deserved. x

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  5. Well done on the book deals! Flossie x

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  6. Well done on your book deals!
    Delighted for you.
    I ga e up booze in January and have glided through it fairly easily thanks to your uplifting but realistic book.If it weren't for your book I know I wouldn't have done it, it's as simple as that. Organizations like AA have always intimidated me as they seem extreme,judgemental, humourless and self righteous. I was afriad to go near them, so privately, reading your book and reading blogs, I have been sober since January 7th.
    I've been promoted at work, my marriage is enjoying a boost and my relationship with my teenage children is calmer.
    Thank you Clare, most of the credit is due to your honest, beautifully written hilarious book.
    Now, if you could consider writing a weight loss book, you'd make my day! I would nominate you for a Noble Prize!,
    I seem to have replaced alcohol with food, but that battles needs to be fought another day.

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  7. When I first made that decision to quit the wine, like you say, I never thought about the cash. Now when I gave up smoking I had done the maths and had a monthly cash bonus to spend... That was part of my motivation. Different toxin different treatment maybe ... Who knows ... Whatever works ....
    However now I do neither ..... How much richer I am .... In so many ways .....

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  8. "you can use office parties to network rather than snogging someone you'll regret"... Man, I never went to office parties that were that fun LOL! Congratulations on the book deals, that's fabulous news.

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  9. Just finished reading your book. Laughed out loud a number of times. Found it funny when you started using bottles of wine as units of money. This treat or spa day cost me x bottles. What a great way to look at it. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. Hissy Fit Kitten1 October 2018 at 12:28

    Yay Clare on your book deals!!!!! I loved your book. It inspired me to go sober for a significant period of time last year..... I saved my not-drinking money and managed to treat my husband and our then-7 year old to 4 days in Lapland to meet Father Christmas....I seriously saved THAT much money.... I started drinking again just after Christmas.... did Dry June, Did Action August and then drank again. I have NO idea why... I am happier and healthier sober. 2 days back on the wagon, and feeling content, happy and sure that this is the new and forever me. ..... Maybe this time in a few years I will be writing about my own promotion at work; or my book deal or something equally exciting, glorious and as yet unknown to me.:) Bring it on!!!!

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  11. Congratulations on the two new books! Your story is an inspiring one! I still go back and read your first, every entry, because it brings joy to me knowing how far you've come! xo, Lia

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  12. Today is Day 2. I spent all day yesterday watching YouTube videos and reading your blog. Monday October 1st was the worst day of my life. I had 13 sober days and felt great then I found rum that my son had bought on the weekend and proceeded to drink. I have no idea why. I have been drinking heavily for 8 years and have made many attempts to stop the past year. I feel like alcohol has hijacked my life. On Monday I reached a new low. I drove to get more alcohol. I drank while driving and then decided to go to a restaurant for another drink. I parked in a handicapped spot and got a ticket. The waiter at the restaurant knew my son and called him to come get me because I had passed out..My 17 year old daughter came to collect me and I was so drunk I couldn’t walk. The waiter carried me out to the car.. I then threw up all over myself and layed on the garage floor for a couple of hours. I don’t remember any of this. I want to stop all of this. I am 54 and I know what it is like to be sober because when my children were young I rarely drank and never thought anything about it. I’m feeling somewhat hopeful now that I found your blog.

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    1. Hold strong, the best you can, it can get better, but it takes hard work.

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    2. Thank you, I’m almost through the sober diaries and I am so happy to have found this blog. It does help to know other people have gone through this Thank you Clare for all you are doing to connect and help all of us


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    3. You can do this. Go to your doctor and ask for help. Look up the local aa meetings.
      Clear all the alcohol out of the house and ask your family for help. They will give it.

      The freedom of sobriety is worth the effort. It isn’t easy in the beginning, but it is oh, so worth it.

      Anne

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    4. Thank you day 7 and feeling strong.

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    5. Good for you Brenda. Call out for help if you need it. If AA is not your thing, there are lots of services like Alcohol Concern if you're in the UK, and many other blogs and forums.

      Love

      Rob

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  13. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
    I am or was a ‘once I pop can’t stop’ girl, moderation didn’t exist and I never had an empty glass particularly on a Saturday night. My husband could make a glass of wine last all evening where as I’d have my glass of wine for dinner on the side ready while drinking a couple of drinks while cooking dinner. After my ‘dinner wine’ I’d then have another glass followed by a few spirits. I thought I had a problem but could still go weeks without alcohol when I wanted to. 7 weeks ago we had a bbq for my daughters 18th birthday on a Sunday afternoon and I ended up being very ill, fortunately it was after everyone had left but I passed out, waking up to a very annoyed husband on the Monday morning and actually taking the day off work which I have never done before, I was so ashamed. That day I was online looking at AA and other website trying to find one sentence to say I didn’t have a problem but I knew deep down I do. I found The Sober Diaries on audiobooks and been listening to it whenever I can, I didn’t want anyone seeing I was reading a physical book for fear of being judged - crazy but that’s how I felt. I went 6 weeks without one drop, we had a holiday and although I didn’t drink half as much as I normally would I did have a glass of wine with my dinner a couple of evenings but I have to say I didn’t really enjoy them it was more to keep my husband company. We’ve been back home for a week and I’m back on the sparkling water! I have an app as well to record my no drinking days and find it really satisfying when I mark another day of no drink. I feel happier, more refreshed for sleeping better and Sunday mornings are completely different waking up without a headache!
    The Sober Diaries has helped me to stay focused, I don’t know if I will give up drink completely but at the moment I’m liking not drinking and if I do I think or hope that I can do so my glass of wine lasts longer than my husbands! ��

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  14. I am currently reading the sober diarys an have to say it could be about my relationship with alcohol. It's so good to read about the relationship others have with alcohol and that I am not totally alone, or mad!!! I've been aware for a while I have an unhealthy habit and been seeking help which does not include attending a group and I can remain as anonymous as I wish too without feeling judged or a bad person. I am currently doing sober October and so far it's been a doddle, I'm also aware this is currently my mind set as I WILL NOT DRINK IN OCTOBER so I wont, but when the demon voice is once again giving me permission to have a drink in November, this may be a totally different matter!! My family are aware I drink too much but it's a taboo subject, not mentioned but not accepted so of late my son has chosen not to speak to me, I'm guessing due to my drinking, bazzarly this has helped with my mind set and may have encouraged my change in the way I view alcohol. I feel I have now found support by reading about other people journeys and not feeling so alone in my journey, I have too much to lose and a lot to gain by quiting and I find I am looking forward to the journey to sobriety and the new life this will offer me.

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    1. Well done with your positive start ... By the end of October you will be stronger .. I set myself 30 days and after achieving that increased my aim to 100 days ... Only another 2x what I had just done. Doable I thought, and it was. By then I was feeling so much better about myself and with my family that I went for the next 100.... And am still happily strong against the wine witch and her whispering (which have reduced in frequency and power over me). My sons were so proud of my 100 day achievement, I am sure yours will be too.
      Keep reading all Clare here publishes and also I recommend Jason Vale Kick the Drink Easily.
      You are doing so well and it can only get better .. All here cheering you on !!

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  15. Hi would you mind stating which blog platform you're working with? I'm going to start my own blog in the near future but I'm having a tough time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I'm looking for something unique. P.S Sorry for getting off-topic but I had to ask!
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