Found out my coffee shop habit was costing me $1,200 a year

I was doing my budget last week and decided to actually add up what I spend at the local shop, Brew & Grind on 3rd Street. Figured it was like $4 a pop, maybe $500 a year tops. Turns out with tips and the occasional pastry I was dropping $5.75 almost every weekday. That's $1,196 a year, give or take. I found the stat by pulling my bank statements from the last 12 months and filtering for that place. So here's the debate I keep going back and forth on: is that $1,200 worth it for the social time and getting out of the house, or is it a total waste? I could make coffee at home for maybe 50 cents a cup. But then I'd miss talking to the baristas and that 15 minute walk. What do you all think, does treating yourself count as a win or just an expense?

2 comments

2 Comments

ray_king1mo ago

I used to be in the "make coffee at home, that's a no brainer" camp. But reading your post changed my mind a little. The walk alone is probably worth something, and having a regular spot where people know your name is just nice. I think the key is whether that $1,200 is keeping you from something bigger in your budget. If you're not going into debt for it and it makes your day better, I'd say that treats like that count as a win. Your mileage may vary of course.

lee.diana1mo ago

Question whether it's really that serious though. Like yeah a coffee habit is nice and all but $1,200 a year is still real money you could put into savings or a trip or just about anything else. People act like walking to a coffee shop is some deep life experience but you could walk somewhere else and save $4 every time. Having people know your name is cool, I get that, but is it worth that much over time? I dunno, feels like people just want permission to spend without thinking about it.