Jackson Free Press

A friend of mine sent me a link to a study online saying that drinkers actually make higher salaries than non-drinkers.

Los Angeles (September 14, 2006) – Numerous studies have shown moderate alcohol use can have important health benefits and now a new report finds drinking can help your wallet too.

Drinkers earn 10 to 14 percent more money at their jobs than nondrinkers - and men who drink socially, visiting a bar at least once a month, bring home an additional 7 percent in pay, according to a new study by economists Bethany Peters, Ph.D., and Edward Stringham, Ph.D.
"Social drinking builds social capital," said Stringham, an economics professor at San Jose State University. "Social drinkers are out networking, building relationships, and adding contacts to their BlackBerries that result in bigger paychecks."

The study, published by the Journal of Labor Research and Reason Foundation, finds that men who drink earn 10 percent more than abstainers and women drinkers earn 14 percent more than nondrinkers. However, unlike men, who get an additional 7 percent income boost from drinking in bars, women who frequent bars at least once per month do not show higher earnings than women drinkers who do not visit bars.

The report suggests that the growing wave of anti-alcohol legislation at state and local levels will have harmful effects on local economies and individual finances. Efforts to impose massive tax increases on alcohol, to restrict alcohol sales through zoning laws, and prohibit alcohol advertisements have all been stepped up in recent years.

"We're quick to ban beer at sports stadiums and festivals. The legal blood alcohol level is dropping everywhere, and we're barraged with overhyped warnings about binge and underage drinking," Stringham said. "Instead of fear mongering we should step back and acknowledge the proven health and economic benefits that come with the responsible use of alcohol."

I never thought all those nights I spent in smokey bars holding a beer and thinking I was a bad person meant I was going to be rolling in dough.

Donna, I think this means I need a raise. Maybe. If you don't think so yet, I could definitely start drinking more.