Is it normal to buy a coffee every day?

[MatchingStraws]

DD is 14 and loves watching 'a day in my life' Tiktoks and Youtubers.

We have a regular debate over how aspirational their lives are. DD seems genuinely convinced that it is totally normally to buy an iced latte every day. Whereas I am huffing and puffing about how much that costs over a month

I hate coffee so have never bought one but I don't buy any other drink daily.
How much is a coffee?

I go for coffee every day and there are lots of regular faces I recognise.

It’s normal, especially for teens because the social aspect is so important. Would be good if they bought a small coffee in a medium cup though, (cheapskates trick to get coffee, because the barista tends to put more in).

I used to buy a couple every day when I worked in the office, now I’m wfh so make my own and save a small fortune!

I can understand why people do, but I don't - I have a coffee machine.

I stopped for coffee on my way to work every morning pre-children. Mornings are too manic now, and I probably spend the money on breakfast clubs instead.

Junior doctor in big city here. No nor do any colleagues I know. Waste of money everyday!

When I had low outgoings and decent income it was often but these days it's hardly ever. If you add up the money spent it's a lot!

When I was working I did, it was that little boost before I went to the office. Now it’s maybe weekly or every 10 days

My colleagues thought nothing of spending £10/day on lunch and coffee.

That’s £50 per week. Or £2,600 per year. Or £5,200 if they and their partner both spend that amount every day.

And then young people wonder why they can’t afford to save a deposit on their first flat....

Not normal for a teenager

Normal for a professional adult working in the City on a good wage

No, not normal. I’ve never bought takeaway coffee. I find it hard to see why anyone would, unless you have no coffee making facilities at home or work. I have a stovetop moka pot at home.

I used to do it. I wasn’t even on that high of a salary and it really didn’t stress my budget that much.

I eventually replaced the habit by buying a super-automatic espresso machine that cost in the low 4 figures. That has saved me a lot of money over the years.

It just wasn’t worth it to me to have to spend the time it took to operate and clean a cheaper machine every day. Especially if you want multiple espresso shots. I tried it and went back to the coffee house because it was such a hassle.

I worked in the City for 20 years and I did not buy a coffee every day.

The majority of coffee shop coffee is disgusting. Starbucks, for example, is horrible. Costa and Pret are also awful. The only place which had decent coffee that I found was Cafe Nero though I’m sure there are indies dotted around which are good.

I find this need that people have to be holding a takeaway coffee everywhere a bit weird.

No.

Of I could afford it I'd buy a nice hot drink every day. At the moment it's more like a monthly treat.

I think I used to do this when I had my first job and was still living at home with no bills to pay.
I buy one maybe once a week now and make the rest at home.

I worked near Waitrose and used to go in for the free one each day

Yes it's normal, a lot of people in my office do multiple times a day!

It's one of my concerns that this kind of thing has become the norm amongst teens and young adults - along with eating out/takeaway/uber eats ordering. DH and I could barely afford supermarket shopping when we moved in together and even now, nearly 30 years on I know I could cope if I had to cut back to the bare bones because whilst we have more disposable income, my attitude to money hasn't really changed over the years. I don't think the same can be said for many younger people and in many cases is the difference between affording a mortgage and not.

That’s £90 a month at least. Or, my water bill & electricity bills.

Pre COVID I was spending around £40 a week at Costa, one or the other of my younger DC had clubs straight from school four days a week and it was pretty much the only thing to do to kill the 45 mins until they finished, particularly in bad weather.

Currently I'm still going a couple of times a week to use up all the points I gained.

I used to buy one everyday. Either from Costa at work. Or Nero's on my days off. Until lockdown when I got my own machine. It's saved me a fortune.

I'm in the US and its very normal here, even for teens and preteens. I work in a Middle School (ages 11-14) and you would be shocked how many kids show up every morning with a coffee.

I still live in Nero's though!