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Original poster

Is it normal to buy a coffee every day?

240 replies

MatchingStraws · 30/06/2021 21:55

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 Grin

OP posts:
HeronLanyon · 30/06/2021 22:27

Very very few people I know do this but I am surrounded by coffee shops and (ore Covid) people clutching them as walking along.

I have (slightly bizarrely) never bought a take away coffee. Only drink coffee/tea in the am. have my home coffee just perfect to my taste. Don’t have sweet tooth and hate cream etc. Boycotted Starbucks (as if I had ever gone in) for some reason years ago.

GrandmasCat · 30/06/2021 22:28

Well, that if you only get one coffee a day…

Chihuahuacat · 30/06/2021 22:28

I know quite a few people who do it - but it’s a colossal waste of money.

I earn well, have no kids, lots of savings and still couldn’t justify it - there’s so much I’d rather spend the money on, like holidays or clothes.

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General food
SleepingStandingUp · 30/06/2021 22:28

@Mrbob

For me and most of my friends yes. In Australia tho which may have a slightly different coffee ethos
I've watched Neighbours and Home and Away, those guys don't seem to own a way of making their own coffee!!
wheresmymojo · 30/06/2021 22:28

When I worked in the City I used to buy three large Starbucks a day and lunch from Pret!

osbertthesyrianhamster · 30/06/2021 22:28

For some people, sure. Can get good ones in Maccie D's for a quid and they have loyalty cards.

BackforGood · 30/06/2021 22:28

It isn't 'normal' for me or anyone I can think of, but coffee shops have been flourishing so somebody must be buying them.

It sounds like an unaffordable expensive habit to me.

I 'get' the idea of spending on a coffee when you go an sit for an hour's peace or to meet a friend for a catch up, but I don't see the appeal of walking around with one nor do I see the sense of taking one into work, where you are likely to have a kettle.

SleepingStandingUp · 30/06/2021 22:29

I would if I could afford it

Redruby2020 · 30/06/2021 22:29

Ohh ho ho 😆 now there is a question and a subject!
For me it wasn't until the coffee shop madness started years ago, and when I add that on to all the other extras etc, it all adds more cost and calories to daily life.
Now, for my ex partner especially because of where he is from, coffee is life for many from there, especially the males, not all are the same, but a majority, it could be 3/4 times a day, because it is something to do, time for them to chat, a lot of business gets done during coffee time abs god knows what else!
A place to gather, a drink made and served at home, more than tea, and I think some of it comes from, being from places in that country, where in a village you may of only had a coffee shop etc.

Mixitupalot · 30/06/2021 22:31

Yep, normal enough for me and some of my colleagues. I walk to work & order click & collect on the way, it’s £3.05 per day and I can afford it and I like it so why not?!

AnotherDayAnotherCake · 30/06/2021 22:32

I do Monday to Friday and appreciate it adds up but i justify it in a million ways:
I make my own lunch
I don’t smoke
I no longer go to the pub (young DC)
I don’t have gym membership
Etc etc

I’m on first name terms with the ladies in my local costa.

allfurcoatnoknickers · 30/06/2021 22:34

I used to buy a coffee almost every day pre-Covid. I'm down to a couple of times a week now though. It's my preferred little treat to myself.

See also, Sallie Krawchek's article "Just buy the Fucking Latte".

headintheproverbial · 30/06/2021 22:34

When I commuted I'd buy at least one per day.

Cam2020 · 30/06/2021 22:35

Yes, when I was working in an office. We had a coffee shop opposite, so I'd order from the app, go to pick it and be back within five minutes.

Since WFH no, and I'm planning on reining in my coffee expenditure when I'm back at the office!

Coffeemakesmehappy · 30/06/2021 22:35

When I worked near Pret A Manger, I paid £20 per month for a subscription which allowed up to 5 drinks per day - incredibly good value! They still offer it:

www.pret.co.uk/en-GB/pretcoffeesub

ProcrastinationIsMySuperPower · 30/06/2021 22:36

We started giving DD16 extra cash for takeaway coffee as her college is an hour away by bus with no communal areas open during the pandemic (they are literally only allowed on site for classes, she needed somewhere to go and in the winter, something to keep her warm). Trouble is, she's got a bit used to it now!!

Original poster
MatchingStraws · 30/06/2021 22:36

I used to buy three large Starbucks a day

Lordy, you must have been high as a kite with that much caffeine!

OP posts:
Perfectlystill · 30/06/2021 22:38

Depends if you live and work in a big city or not.

BobbidyBob · 30/06/2021 22:38

Yes, I buy a coffee and either a sandwich/salad/cakey thing every day (I’m also a young person that has got a good footing on the property ladder - not thanks to family money - in response to the previous poster). There are other sacrifices I make to afford this because I enjoy it. There are tonnes of indies around me that I like to support, their food is great and coffee very good. I like not having to sort my own lunch and I like the walk away from my desk to go get it. I like saying hi to the people working there and chatting to other regulars.

If your daughter can’t afford it, OP, then obviously it can’t happen. But if she’s willing to sacrifice some of the money that she would be spending on clothes, makeup, social activities, etc. then I think it’s a good exercise in budgeting and learning to allocate what money you have in a way that brings you most joy.

cupsofcoffee · 30/06/2021 22:39

When I worked directly opposite a Costa it was very normal 🤣

Now I'm self employed and make my own at home - occasionally I get an iced coffee (made with homemade vanilla ice cream) from the local ice cream parlour if it's been a hot day of walking. (I'm a dog walker so outside all weathers)

RubyGoat · 30/06/2021 22:42

Tell him he can have iced coffee every day. Aeropress & an ice cube tray, sorted.

HeyLala · 30/06/2021 22:42

@wheresmymojo

Same.

Work in the city, so coffee and pastry for breakfast. Then lunch, and probably pop out the office for coffee in the afternoon.

Now wfh and I'm saving loads but I bet Pret is missing me!

RubyGoat · 30/06/2021 22:42

Sorry, tell her not him. Must proof read.

Summerfun54321 · 30/06/2021 22:46

If it’s an iced coffee in one of those big plastic cups then that’s a huge amount of single use plastic every day. I had a coffee in London every day when I worked there but took my own cup. The waste rather than the money would be the biggest issue.

cupsofcoffee · 30/06/2021 22:48

@Summerfun54321

If it’s an iced coffee in one of those big plastic cups then that’s a huge amount of single use plastic every day. I had a coffee in London every day when I worked there but took my own cup. The waste rather than the money would be the biggest issue.
Not all iced coffee comes in single use plastic.

The place I go (a small independent) used a biodegradable material made from plants.