Americans spend $39 billion while drunk shopping

American’s spent almost US$10 billion more on spontaneous drunken purchases this year compared to last, according to a survey that found that men do more drunk shopping than women, with millennials the top spenders.

Collectively, Americans spent US$39.4 billion on drunk purchases in the past 12 months, up from last year’s $30.43 billion.

The percentage of Americans that admit to buying under the influence decreased to 26% in 2019, from 46% in 2018, however the amount spent per person has increased, according to Finder.com, an annual survey of roughly 2,000 American adults about their boozed buying habits.

Collectively, Americans spent $39.4 billion on drunk purchases in the past 12 months, up from last year’s $30.43 billion.

In 2017, the average American spent $206 per year on items while under the influence. That figure jumped to $447.57 per person in the 2018 findings, and now stands at $736, according to the latest survey.

Interestingly, men are more likely than women to drunk shop, spending an average $870 on drunk purchases, compared to women who spent only $511.

Food and cigarettes are common purchases, but 38% of men also admitted to buying shoes and clothing, compared to women (52%).

The top purchase for women under the influence is food, with 58% admitting to buying a spontaneous meal after a drink, compared with 48% for men.

When it comes to the generations, millennials spent the most when under the influence – an average of $1,047. That’s more than double the spending of baby boomers ($466) and Gen X ($469). Of the generations, Gen Xers (60%) are more likely to consume alcohol regularly than boomers (57%) and millennials (54%).

You can see the full report here.