The Real Cost of a Fake ID vs. the Cost of 2 Years of Buying Separate Drinks

The Question

Here's the question every college student asks: Is a $119 fake ID worth it?

The answer depends on one thing: how much you're going to be drinking in the next 2 years.

If you're going to be in bars 3–4 times a month, the math works. If you're going to be in bars once a month, the math might not work.

Let's break it down.

The Cost of a Fake ID

Here's the upfront cost:

| Item | Cost |

| Card | $89–$99 |

| Shipping | $20 |

| Total** | **~$119 |

That's it. No hidden fees. No "expedited processing" unless you're in a rush.

The card lasts 2–5 years (depending on the state's expiration date). So the upfront cost of $119 is spread over 2–5 years.

The monthly cost: $119 / 24 months = ~$5 per month. Or $119 / 60 months = ~$2 per month.

The Cost of Buying Separate Drinks

Here's the cost of buying drinks at a bar without a fake ID:

| Drink | Cost |

| Well drink (vodka, gin, whiskey, etc.) | $5–$8 |

| Craft beer | $6–$10 |

| Cocktails | $8–$14 |

| Wine (by the glass) | $8–$12 |

| Average drink** | **$6–$10 |

The scenario: You're 19. Your friends are 21. You're going to bars 3–4 times a month. You're buying 4–6 drinks per night.

The monthly cost:

- 3 bar nights per month × 4 drinks per night × $8 average = $96 per month

- 4 bar nights per month × 5 drinks per night × $8 average = $160 per month

- 4 bar nights per month × 6 drinks per night × $10 average = $240 per month

So the monthly cost of buying separate drinks is $96–$240 per month.

The Comparison: Fake ID vs. Separate Drinks

Here's the comparison:

| Factor | Fake ID | Separate Drinks |

| Upfront cost | $119 | $0 |

| Monthly cost | ~$5/month | $96–$240/month |

| Time in bars | 2–5 years | 2 years (while you're 19–21) |

| Social cost | $0 (you're in the bar) | $0 (you're outside the door) |

The math:

- Fake ID: $119 upfront, ~$5/month for 2–5 years.

- Separate drinks: $96–$240/month for 2 years.

If you're buying separate drinks for 2 years, the total cost is:

- $96/month × 24 months = $2,304

- $160/month × 24 months = $3,840

- $240/month × 24 months = $5,760

So the total cost of buying separate drinks for 2 years is $2,304–$5,760.

The total cost of a fake ID is $119.

The difference: $2,185–$5,641.

The ROI: Is the Fake ID Worth It?

Here's the ROI:

- Upfront cost: $119

- Total cost of separate drinks (2 years): $2,304–$5,760

- Savings: $2,185–$5,641

- ROI: 1,836%–4,739%

The verdict: If you're going to be in bars 3–4 times a month for the next 2 years, a $119 fake ID saves you $2,185–$5,641. The ROI is 1,836%–4,739%.

The math works.

The "I'm Not Going to Be in Bars That Often" Scenario

Here's the exception: if you're not going to be in bars 3–4 times a month, the math might not work.

Scenario 1: 1 bar night per month

- 1 bar night × 4 drinks × $8 = $32/month

- $32/month × 24 months = $768 total

The fake ID cost: $119. The separate drinks cost: $768. The difference: $649.

The math still works. The fake ID is cheaper.

Scenario 2: 2 bar nights per month

- 2 bar nights × 4 drinks × $8 = $64/month

- $64/month × 24 months = $1,536 total

The fake ID cost: $119. The separate drinks cost: $1,536. The difference: $1,417.

The math still works. The fake ID is cheaper.

Scenario 3: 1 bar night every 2 months

- 0.5 bar nights/month × 4 drinks × $8 = $16/month

- $16/month × 24 months = $384 total

The fake ID cost: $119. The separate drinks cost: $384. The difference: $265.

The math still works. The fake ID is cheaper.

Scenario 4: 1 bar night every 3 months

- 0.33 bar nights/month × 4 drinks × $8 = $10.67/month

- $10.67/month × 24 months = $256 total

The fake ID cost: $119. The separate drinks cost: $256. The difference: $137.

The math still works. The fake ID is cheaper.

The Break-Even Point

Here's the break-even point: at what frequency does the fake ID stop being worth it?

Let's calculate:

- Fake ID cost: $119

- Cost per drink: $8

- Break-even: $119 / $8 = ~15 drinks

So if you're going to buy 15+ drinks over the next 2 years, the fake ID is cheaper than buying separate drinks.

15 drinks over 2 years = 0.6 drinks per month = 1 drink every 2 months.

So if you're going to be in bars at least once every 2 months, the fake ID is worth it.

If you're going to be in bars less than once every 2 months, the fake ID might not be worth it.

The Bottom Line: The Budget Breakdown

Here's the full budget breakdown:

| Factor | Fake ID | Separate Drinks |

| Upfront cost | $119 | $0 |

| Monthly cost (3–4 bar nights/month) | ~$5/month | $96–$240/month |

| Total cost (2 years) | $119 | $2,304–$5,760 |

| Total cost (1 bar night/month) | $119 | $768 |

| Total cost (1 bar night/2 months) | $119 | $384 |

| Total cost (1 bar night/3 months) | $119 | $256 |

| Break-even point** | 15 drinks over 2 years | **N/A |

The verdict: If you're going to be in bars at least once every 2 months, a $119 fake ID is cheaper than buying separate drinks. The math works.

The exception: If you're going to be in bars less than once every 2 months, the fake ID might not be worth it. But for most college students, that's not the case.

The "I'm on a Tight Budget" Angle

Here's the angle for the student on a tight budget:

- Fake ID: $119 upfront.

- Separate drinks: $96–$240/month.

If you're on a tight budget, $119 upfront might be hard. But $96–$240 per month is harder.

The compromise: If $119 is a big chunk of your monthly spending, you can:

1. Save up for a few weeks and then buy the card.

2. Buy the card with expedited processing and use it for the next 2 years.

3. Wait until you have a bit more breathing room and then buy the card.

The math still works. The fake ID is cheaper than buying separate drinks.

The Final Math

| Scenario | Fake ID Cost | Separate Drinks Cost (2 years) | Savings |

| 3–4 bar nights/month | $119 | $2,304–$5,760 | $2,185–$5,641 |

| 1 bar night/month | $119 | $768 | $649 |

| 1 bar night/2 months | $119 | $384 | $265 |

| 1 bar night/3 months | $119 | $256 | $137 |

The verdict: If you're going to be in bars at least once every 3 months, a $119 fake ID is cheaper than buying separate drinks. The math works.

If you want the easy version: visit https://www.IDomni.com/ or email [email protected]. Pick the state that matches where you'll be in bars, order the card, test it at home, and walk in like you belong.

The math says it's worth it. The budget says it's worth it.

IDomni — Your Plug. 48 contiguous states. https://www.IDomni.com/