Remember when coffee shop outlets were a luxury, not a business expense?

I used to think paying for a coworking space was a waste when I could just work from a cafe. Then I spent a whole month last year tracking my coffee shop receipts. Turns out I dropped over $300 just on drinks and snacks to 'earn' my seat at various places in Austin. That's not even counting the gas or the days I'd buy a second coffee I didn't really want just to stay longer. I'd get there at 10, buy a latte, then feel pressured to buy lunch, then an afternoon tea. The worst part? Half the time the wifi would cut out right when I needed to join a call. Now I budget for a real workspace two days a week and my cafe days are just for a change of scenery. How do you guys keep your cafe work days from turning into a money pit?

3 comments

3 Comments

reese_singh872mo ago

Yeah, I had to make a rule that my laptop battery is my timer. Once it hits 10%, I'm done, no buying a third coffee just to keep the table. My willpower is basically zero when I'm in the smell of fresh pastries. I tried the whole "just get a water" thing but then I feel like a criminal taking up space for three hours. Now I only go to the library if I actually need to focus, it's free and nobody gives you the side-eye.

noahbaker20d ago

Friend of mine @reese_singh87 tried that trick and still ended up buying two croissants.

faithb782mo ago

That battery rule is actually genius lol. My old laptop would die so fast I could only get like 45 minutes of work in at a cafe, which was probably for the best. The library is a total game changer though, especially the ones with those little private study rooms. You can spread all your stuff out and no one cares.