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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to go to Costa four times a week?

136 replies

user1471556443 · 28/01/2018 22:29

Reading all the threads about wasting money on coffees / mobile phones, I am wondering if most people would consider having a coffee in Costa four times a week an extravagance? I can afford it but am interested in hearing whether most people would consider this an unnecessary extravagance as my Dm and Mil are horrified at the wasting of money??

OP posts:

TheHappyRedDragon · 28/01/2018 23:29

I don’t see the issue or why you seem to feel the need to justify your actions.

Lots of people buy lunch every day. You buy coffee four times per week at a coffee shop. So what?

Akire · 28/01/2018 23:32

Cost me £1.95 at Costa it’s good to get out the house for an hour. And there’s not many shops you can just wonder around and never buy anything. Yes I could make it at home but then I be staring at the 4 walls every day.

BigbreastsBiggerbeard · 28/01/2018 23:35

Not BU at all. If it's something you enjoy and that sets you up for the rest of the day, why not? And as Tapandgo said, it's cheaper than therapy .

I go several times a week too, and take my laptop. I love people watching too.

HerFemaleness · 28/01/2018 23:39

YABU, go to a nice independent place instead. The coffee is almost always better.

JaneEyre70 · 28/01/2018 23:41

When I find a clean one to go into, I will try their coffee again. With the ones by us, I'm not holding out much hope. So I use my Dolce Gusto at home, and have a clean mug on a clean seat with a clean floor. Heaven .

I just think you're very brave OP.

hopsalong · 28/01/2018 23:44

No. If you like it and aren’t massively strapped for cash, I don’t think it’s very indulgent. Lots of people go to the pub or restaurants a few times a week and spend far more.

Having said that, if you’re drinking coffee there you should Google for the caffeine content — insanely high, even when compared to Starbucks, Nero etc. I used to go a lot myself, even though my local one is very noisy and cramped, and then realised that I was just knackered all the time and enjoying the equivalent of having four Nespressos in one little cup...

LML83 · 28/01/2018 23:44

If you grabbed a coffee 4 times a week I would think that was a waste of money as could make one at home or work. You are taking time away from your work to have time to yourself during the day, excellent idea! I am sure you work better because of this. The coffee gets you the time/space.

More importantly it's your money and you can afford it so why not.

shazkiwi · 28/01/2018 23:46

I used to buy a takeaway Costa cappuccino everyday before work. It was a luxury I could and wanted to fund. When my children were babies I upgraded to a sit in cappuccino & still considered it worthwhile. You find it enjoyable, you can afford it & it doesn't harm anyone else so tell the busy wigs to join in or butt out.

beingsunny · 28/01/2018 23:52

It at all, I get a coffee every morning on my way to the office, do t see it as a luxury at all.

BuzzKillington · 28/01/2018 23:59

I'm not a coffee drinker, but my colleagues do a coffee run to Costa or Nero at least twice a day. Seen as a necessity and far from an extravagance.

JustHereForThePooStories · 29/01/2018 00:01

I walk to work every morning and stop at my local (independent) coffee shop for a coffee and a scone to have at my desk.

I love it. I have a little chat with the lovely barista, then get to settle myself into my (loooong) day’s work with a nice coffee.

I can easily afford it, it makes my morning easier, and I like it.
Plus, I use a reusable cup so don’t feel bad about adding to landfill.

Twofurrycats · 29/01/2018 00:02

When I worked full time I used to stop at Costa twice a week on the way home on my own. Yes I could have gone home and made coffee but then I'd have been able to see my piles of marking/washing up/hoovering etc. I treated it as decompression time.

EfficiencyDificiency · 29/01/2018 00:04

If you can afford it then sod what anyone else thinks op :)

Beansonapost · 29/01/2018 00:36

Yes... because the coffee is awful! IMO that is.

But if you can afford it... why not?

halfwitpicker · 29/01/2018 00:48

I don't see a problem with it.

I love coffee and can't think of fewer nicer things than chilling with a nice coffee in a nice coffee shop.

Some people would deem it a waste of money, but they would be the people who would spend money on what I consider to be a waste I. E Store bought soups.

KenAdams · 29/01/2018 00:58

Get a bean to cup machine then you'll discover how disgusting chain coffee is. I can taste the film of uncleaned coffee machine on Costa and Starbucks coffee now.

AnnieAnoniMouse · 29/01/2018 01:02

My friend always yatters on at me about what I could do with the money if I saved it instead and never sees my point that I’d rather have a little bit of happiness each day than whatever I’d ‘save’ It for and it’s not an either or anyway. I don’t ‘go without’ anything to do it.

It’s all very well saying you ca have it at home/work...yep, if you’re anywhere near home or an office all day, I’m not, and ‘from a kettle at work’ is not the same anyway!

In your situation, I’d say it’s a pretty cheap way to look after your mental health!

MrsDoubtfire2 · 29/01/2018 03:19

I'm wondering if your mum and MIL do things for you that saves you money such as childcare or maybe sub you sometimes or pay for kids shoes etc. If so, then maybe they feel they are making sacrifices for you and seeing you spend £40/50pm on coffee is bringing up a bit of resentment. If you are financially independent then it's your shout and I wouldn't even discuss how I spend my money with them. Are they both 'comfortable', if they struggle financially it might be difficult for them to see you spend on something that to them would be a luxury item. I'd probably be a bit more discreet about sharing my spending habits with them, do they really need to know?

ClaryFray · 29/01/2018 06:43

Yes.

Buy a reusable cup from there and take that instead.

NeverTwerkNaked · 29/01/2018 06:52

Of course it’s fine if you can afford it. A break from the office is essential at lunchtime.

Why don’t you eat lunch though? Not sure that’s a healthy habit?

I go once a week with DD (4) to treat her to a hot chocolate. It’s something she looks forward to, and we always have a lovely chat while her face gets more and more chocolatey

mewkins · 29/01/2018 06:55

I am a bit of a coffee addict so I do what you do. I am all for money saving but I don't want to cut all pleasure out of my life.

OwlinaTree · 29/01/2018 07:12

Some real snobs on here. 'oh it's so disgusting, independents are so much better'. Yes some are round your way I expect, but that's hardly the point.

formerbabe · 29/01/2018 07:18

When I was working I'd go to pret most days and spend a fiver on my lunch. I look back in horror now I'm a skint sahm!

Queeniebed · 29/01/2018 11:45

I will have a hot chocolate in there 4/5 times a week but then I can well afford it, I never drink hot chocolate otherwise and only drink water anywhere else (even at home)

heron98 · 29/01/2018 12:08

I think if you can afford it, so what? Isn't that what working is for? My extravagance is books. Yes, I know I could join a library but I have no time to get there for the half an hour a week it's open and I love buying things on Amazon straight to my door.

I can put food on the table, pay the bills and buy books. So I buy them.

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