Despite the exciting misadventures depicted in ‘The Hangover 3,’ there are many financial disadvantages to binge drinking. Personal finance website www.GoBankingRates.com explores the behaviors associated with a night of boozing with friends and uncovers five risky money moves that stem from heavy drinking.
EL SEGUNDO, CA (May 22, 2013) Sixty-six percent of Americans regularly consume alcohol, according to a Gallup poll, and as the premise behind the popular "Hangover" film series only proves, alcohol is a prominent part of the American culture. However, while the latest movie – The Hangover 3, releasing nationally in theatres on May 23 – portrays the fun, social side of drinking, GoBankingRates evaluates the negative consequences of drinking on consumers’ savings.
"A lot of people will be going to see The Hangover 3 this weekend, which definitely makes light of dangerous binge drinking," states GoBankingRates managing editor, Casey Bond. "I want to remind viewers that there are potentially serious consequences to this kind of behavior, including financially."
In the report, the personal finance site interviews clinical psychologist Dr. Suzana Flores, who specializes in mood and self-esteem improvement to gain insight into how inebriated individuals can avoid losing money due to risky, alcohol-related decisions.
The findings of the investigation reveal five financial mishaps that can result from overdrinking, including:
1. Losing a Wallet
According to GoBankingRates, consumers have a tendency to lose their wallets on a night out because this item is physically in their hands often. A missing wallet is inconvenient at the very least, and downright dangerous in a worst-case scenario as a missing wallet also means missing credit cards and government-issued IDs -- a lot of personal information that’s left vulnerable to identity theft.
As a financial hangover remedy, Dr. Flores advises, “Leave the plastic at home. Go out with a certain amount of money. When it’s gone, you’re done.”
2. Jeopardizing a Job
A major financial consequence of binge drinking the report warns of is the possibility of endangering one’s employment status. If too many Hangover 3-type incidents take place the night before a work day, they can take a serious toll on your job, if it’s prevalent enough.
“When you go into work, your attitude has a lot to do with it. Sometimes people with low self-esteem will sabotage their careers with bad decisions,” says Dr. Flores.
While a single occurrence may not push the envelope, Dr. Flores believes individuals should examine the patterns in their lives. "As a consequence of your drinking, you’re showing up late. Without the awareness of what you’re doing, you’re probably going to lose your job,” she cautions.
See all five financial risks of binge drinking here.
For questions about this guide or to speak with Casey Bond, please use the contact information below.
About GoBankingRates.com
GoBankingRates.com is a national website dedicated to connecting readers with the best interest rates on financial services nationwide, as well as informative personal finance content, news and tools. GoBankingRates.com collects interest rate information from more than 4,000 U.S. banks and credit unions, making it the only online rates aggregator with the ability to provide the most comprehensive and authentic local interest rate information.