Lily, 35, resents expensive nights out

Occupation: head of customer experience
Salary: £85,600
Average amount spent on alcohol each month: £250
Amount spent on last big night out: £300+

“I don’t really go out anymore as it is too expensive. I have a good salary, and what I used to be able to save is now going on things to keep my lifestyle broadly the same. I really resent it. A bottle of wine used to be £5 or £6. Now it’s nearer £10. I try to buy the offers to save money, but I end up just drinking more. Plus, on my last big night out I got so merry I had my phone stolen. Not only did I have a dent in my bank account, I had to buy a new iPhone.”

Flo, 25, wants to find cheaper ways to see her friends

Occupation: senior marketing manager
Salary: £40,000
Average amount spent on alcohol each month: £60
Amount spent on last big night out: £25

“My friends and I have become a lot more careful about spending when we’re out. We’ll often drink at home as part of our night to save money and drink way less than when we were at university. I really enjoy going out but I just wish there were ways to get together and celebrate without always spending so much on travel, food and drinks.”

Aimee, 29, has stopped drinking just to get drunk

Occupation: writer
Salary: £26,000
Average amount spent on alcohol each month: £350
Amount spent on last big night out: £55

“The days of ‘pre-drinking’ are sadly over, so I end up spending more on drinks in bars and pubs buying things that I like rather than drinks to just get drunk.”

Rachel, 35, hates being ripped off in bars

Occupation: managing consultant
Salary: £74,000
Average amount spent on alcohol each month: £100
Amount spent on last big night out: £120

“Two Aperol spritzes cost me £60 recently. Enough said.”

Laura, 29, leaves events early to avoid going over budget

Occupation: designer
Salary: £30,000
Average amount spent on alcohol each month: £75
Amount spent on last big night out: £75

“£75 on alcohol alone is a painful amount of money for just one night but, unfortunately, you need to spend this much to enjoy yourself with friends. What happened to two-for-one cocktails for £12? These days, I leave a night out early to get the best of both worlds.”

Lucie, 27, avoids buying cocktails on nights out to cut costs

Occupation: senior project manager
Salary: £65,000
Average amount spent on alcohol each month: £200
Amount spent on last big night out: £120

“I love going out so I try to drink ‘cheaply’ to reduce the spending guilt: house wine always; no cocktails ever.”

Ruby, 24, struggles for the rest of the month after a big night

Occupation: PR
Salary: £32,000
Average amount spent on alcohol each month: £300
Amount spent on last big night out: £100

“I always have regrets the day after as I know I’ll be struggling for the rest of the month. But because I’m working and living in London, not going out and drinking at the weekend almost feels like a wasted opportunity. I’m trying to do Sober November to save money.”

Mandy, 42, has implemented a one-drink limit to save cash

Occupation: civil servant
Salary: £44,500
Average amount spent on alcohol each month: £40
Amount spent on last big night out: I can’t remember when I last had a big night out

“I try to stick to only one drink when I’m out. I’m dreading paying £35 for a work Christmas meal without alcohol.”

Dami, 26, is scared of overdoing it during the Christmas party season

Occupation: PR executive
Salary: £30,000
Average amount spent on alcohol each month: at least £250
Amount spent on last big night out: £150

“I regret my spending every single time. It feels like I’ll never ‘catch up’ with my friends and their earnings and will be left behind. I’m also concerned about overdoing it this Christmas season and being emotionally and financially low in January.”

Samantha, 30, thinks drinking and dating is expensive

Occupation: insurance
Salary: £70,000
Average amount spent on alcohol each month: £50
Amount spent on last big night out: £100 – which was only half the total bill

“I hate that it’s wasted money but I’ll never meet a future partner unless I go out late and often.”

Kate, 37, struggles to get friends to come out drinking with her

Occupation: teacher
Salary: £47,000
Average amount spent on alcohol each month: £20
Amount spent on last big night out: £100

“I desperately want to go out more, but my friends are reluctant. The cost of living is making it harder and harder for people to afford it – I feel like I’ve become trapped in this bubble of work or my house.”

Emma, 26, only drinks at house parties rather than in bars

Occupation: unemployed
Salary: £0
Average amount spent on alcohol each month: Between £70-100
Amount spent on last big night out: £40

“Since quitting my job, I’ve been spending less by staying in or going over to a friend’s house rather than going out to a pub. The only time I drink a lot is when I’m at a house party where the cost of drinks is less of a concern.”

Ashley, 36, hates spending so much money on just one glass of wine

Occupation: fashion marketer
Salary: £45,000
Average amount spent on alcohol each month: £50
Amount spent on last big night out: £35

“I’m really concerned about the cost of socialising overall. Every meal is a minimum of £30 plus tips. If you have one or two glasses of wine, that’s easily £15 or more. Why does a cocktail cost the same as a main?”

Sonia, 43, is trying not to feel guilty about her drinking habits

Occupation: advertising
Salary: £140,000
Average amount spent on alcohol each month: £150
Amount spent on last big night out: £100

“I rarely go out, so I try not to feel too bad about what I spend when I do. That said, the cost of drinks is so much when you’re out that £150 is probably only three or four rounds of wine.”

“I spent £247.53 on cocktails last night”: the rise of the financial hangover