The Benefits of Dry January – How Much Will You Save?

Dry January has grown from a niche wellness experiment into a mainstream annual habit. For many people it acts as a reset after December. For others it’s simply a structured reason to take a break. Whatever your motivation, the benefits of Dry January reach further than you might expect. Smoother mornings, clearer thinking, and a decent taster of how much money you could save if you cut down on alcohol for longer than for just Jan.  

Read on to learn about the key benefits, and work out how much you can save with our quick calculation.

What are the main advantages of Dry January?

A month off alcohol brings a mix of physical, emotional, and financial perks. Here are the most common advantages of Dry January.

Better sleep

According to the Sleep Foundation, even small amounts of alcohol can lower sleep quality by 9.3% and moderate amounts reduce it by 24%. So quitting for a month is pretty much guaranteed to result in more peaceful, restorative sleep. 

No more hangxiety

As alcohol is a depressant, when the positive effects wear off, you can be left with feelings of anxiety and even shame – a phenomenon now known as hangxiety. Ditching the drink means ditching the productivity and happiness-hindering hangovers.

Better mental health

As well as feeling better the day directly after drinking, you might notice better mental clarity and a greater feeling of wellbeing through the month. Drinking alcohol interferes with chemicals in the brain that help promote good mental health – worsening or even creating feelings of depression and anxiety over time.

You could lose weight

Those who are overweight and regularly drink alcohol might find that they start to lose weight when they stop drinking due to consuming less calories. The health benefits of losing weight (when you’re overweight) are far reaching – from lowered risks of certain diseases to increased energy levels and mobility.

Healthier skin

Alcohol dehydrates you (hence the ungodly phenomenon of waking up with the driest mouth known to man after a few too many). When you stop drinking alcohol, hydration improves, inflammation drops, and your skin and eyes tend to look brighter. Who doesn’t want that?

Healthier wallet

Alcohol doesn’t come cheap. Drinking less means spending less – see how much you could save below.

How to calculate and maximise your Dry January savings

Use this short step-by-step approach to estimate your total savings. It works whether you drink once a week or several times.

Step 1: Work out your average weekly drinking cost

Make a quick list of what you typically spend on alcohol in a normal week. Include:

• Drinks at pubs or restaurants

• Supermarket alcohol

• Drinks bought for social events

Add it up to get a single weekly figure.

Step 2: Add the “knock-on costs”

It’s unlikely your drinking leads to zero additional costs. Think about:

• Taxi fares

• Takeaways or snacks on drinking nights

• Impulse purchases while socialising

• Next-day comfort food

Estimate a weekly average and add it to your total.

Step 3: Multiply your weekly total by 4.5

Dry January is roughly 31 days, so multiplying your weekly cost by 4.5 gives you a good estimate of what you’ll save by skipping alcohol for the month.

Step 4: Put the saved money away

Don’t let your Dry Jan savings get eaten up by other life expenses. Open a dedicated Space and move the money you would have spent each week into that Space. Seeing the number grow gives the challenge a satisfying, gamified edge.

Step 5: Add a bonus for interest

If you place your savings in an account that earns interest, your month off alcohol pays you twice.

Step 6: Track what you don’t buy

Many people report extra savings they weren’t expecting. Fewer takeaways. Cheaper weekends. Less random online shopping. Note these as they happen and add them to your total.

Ready to feel the benefits of Dry Jan?

The benefits of Dry January reach far beyond the 31-day window. Some people gain better sleep. Others enjoy clearer thinking. Nearly everyone gains at least some financial benefit. This combination makes the month surprisingly motivating – often leading to a feeling of maybe I’ll carry this on for another month, or two, or three…

Whether your goal is to feel healthier or simply reduce spending, Dry January acts as the perfect trial period to give it a go. And you could track your numbers – in a Starling Space.

*The article above includes general information and should not be taken as financial advice. If you have questions about your specific circumstances, please speak to an independent financial advisor.