40 Days and 40 Nights

Last night, I had my last drink for the next 40 days. 

Yes, you heard me right. 

I, Rachelle, am giving up alcohol for Lent. Alcohol and alcohol's good friend, fast food.

My reasoning for this is simple. First of all, I am constantly going out for a drink with friends (usually after work). Don't get it twisted- I am NOT constantly getting drunk or anywhere near it, just a simple drink. But think of all the money wasted and unnecessary calories consumed.

Lets' do a little math exercise:

A hard working restaurant server often joins her friends and coworkers for a nice cold brew after work. Occasionally, she will go out to the city and have a few more on very special nights. If she consumes on average 6 drinks a week, how much money would she spend during Lent?

Factors to consider:

47 days (count-there are actually 47 days in Lent)

7 days (per week)

6 beers (per week)

$5 (average cost of a beer)

47/7=approx 6.7 weeks of Lent 6 beers x $5=$30 per week

$30 x 6.7 weeks of Lent= $201

Just with giving up alcohol alone, I will be saving approximately $201.

Now let's factor in the money spent on Fast Food.

A hard working restaurant server often goes out with her friends on the weekends to unwind and have a few drinks. Oftentimes, a trip to the local Jack-in-the Box or Taco Bell takes place on the way home. If this occurs once a week and an average of $5 is spent each time, how much money will she say during Lent?

Factors to consider:

6.7 weeks (approx during Lent)

1 Trip to Fast Food (per week)

$5 (average cost of Fast Food)

6.7 trips to FF x $5=$33.50 saved 

$201 ($ saved on alcohol) + $33.50 (Fast Food)= $234.50 saved 

$234.50. O-M-G!

Now let's figure out how many extra calories I am in-taking from alcohol alone.

After work, a hard working restaurant server often enjoys a beer  with her friends. With an average of 6 drinks a week, during the course of Lent she will have consumed approximately 40 beers. If a Bud Light is approximately 110 calories, how many calories will she intake from beer alone during Lent.

110 calories x 40 beers= 4,400 calories

4,400 calories!?! Are you kidding me!?! 

And this is actually underestimating since I only drink Bud Light about half of the time. Not to mention all of that fast food too. 

No wonder I have gained so much weight this past year. 

Lent will save me: over $234.50 and more than 4,400 calories

I should have done this sooner!