AIBU to spend £84 on takeaway coffees in three weeks?

[CheeseMongrel]

So I’ve checked my online banking today to add up how much I’ve spent on takeaway coffee since I last got paid.

84 bloody pound

What on earth?

I have been going more due to not having much else to do but Christ that is a serious waste of money.

I was planning to go tomorrow but now I can’t justify it.

Not sure what other things I can treat myself to (that isn’t a massive waste) to keep me going .. any suggestions?

Has anyone else had a bigger waste of money than that lately?

@Love51

Are you WFH? Sometimes it is good to get out of the house, so a coffee machine wouldn't cut it.

Yep. I go for a soft drink most days to get myself out of the house at lunchtime. If I was at the office, I'd be buying my whole lunch out so it's less expensive really. Buying a multi pack wouldn't do it for me.

Whereas I 'get' how unreasonable it is, or not, depends on how much disposable income you have, and what impact that has on other family members, or other things you might like to buy, I am fascinated as to how you have spent so much.
Do you go for a takeaway coffee every day ?
Are you just buying one ? Does it really cost £4 ? Or are you treating someone else as well ?

I stopped going to pret at the beginning of this year for this same reason. I’d rather save it and put it towards a big holiday.

If you can afford it why not. You can't take it with you ! (When you pop off that is)

I probably used to spend that. I usually have 3 drinks a day in Nero's on my days off. Buying a nesspresso has saved me a fortunes in lockdown and I take one to work rather than go to costa.

Can you afford it? Do you enjoy it? If the answer to both of those questions is yes then crack on. I really miss my morning coffee and croissant in Pret reading my book and just chilling before work. I have a nespresso, a cafetière and a stovetop espresso maker. It's the ritual of my regular barista shouting 'strong skinny capp?' and having a chat before sitting with my book that I really miss.

I used to do about £15 a day between Eat. and Pret.

£75 a week on breakfast and lunch 😲

And Pret have pigs in blankets too.

If you enjoy takeaway coffee and £1400 a year is a trivial amount of money to you carry on. Lucky you!

If, however, £1400 a year is a significant amount of money to you, and money which could be better spent on other things, then you might want to cut back a bit.

To me, that £1400 is a holiday. Each to her own.

I think it is fine if you enjoy it and you can afford it ☺️.

The pret subscription scheme has made my coffee addicted trainee very happy.(and gave them more money to spend on other stuff) though so if you have a pret near you that might be worth a look

One of the things I really, really miss about being in a takeaway-only lockdown is a cosy sit-down in a cosy cafe (preferably one of the local indie ones) with my book or phone and nobody can find me for 40 minutes. I started treating myself to this a couple of times a week when my second child started at preschool - he's autistic and it was bliss to be able to find a me-space without him or anyone else.

Some months I do it more than others and I know it's a major outgoing that I find hard to justify but I can (just about) afford it 3 or 4 times a week.

Takeaway isn't the same unless the weather's really nice and I take it to a park. You can't get hygge in a park in November!

Glad to see a lot of 'if you can afford it and you like it' facilitation here. Funny little things keep us sane.

If its supporting an independent business and you can afford it and enjoy it, it's money well spent! Even if it's not an independent it's still helping jobs and the economy. What's life without a bit of frivolity and enjoyment (as long as you can afford it of course!)

I don't think its a waste if you enjoyed it. Alot of people spend way more on regular bottles of wine or beer. I don't drink alchol so coffee is my preferred treat. It was over 3 weeks, I know people who would spend double that on nights out/in in that time frame on other drinks or cigarettes

I'm the same op. Coffee shop is my daily outing to stop me going stir crazy plus I can't resist all the Xmas toasties now.

You could put that away every month and buy something nice at the end of the year or save it for Christmas.
I couldn't justify spending that much on coffee. X

OP, if you can afford it, and your job is safe, and you really enjoy it, then keep doing what you’re doing. Have some cake while you’re there every once in a while 😁

It depends on what your budget for coffee is?

We have a weekly budget that would include treats..

The money is all ring fenced so if I did spend it, I'm not robbing anything else.

Why not if you can afford it? Enjoy your coffee treats!

@PontiacBandit with you on the bean-to-cup but mine’s a double espresso.

OP why not buy a filter cone and papers and have cheap real coffee that way?

I get a takeaway coffee from a local independent cafe about 5 times a week. It’s really good coffee and a treat I really look forward to. So don’t feel too guilty OP!!

yeah OP I had the same horrible realisation a couple of years back and bought 2 flasks-one for tea, one for coffee..now i can have my decaff almond milk tea& coffee no bother, exactly as i like it& used the spare cash to treat myself to a kayak...far more satisfying than a takeaway coffee.

If you have the money and you love your coffee then I don’t see the issue. However, that is over a grand a year...maybe save the money and take yourself on holiday? Idk I love having a coffee out. I probably do it twice a week.

So just come to bed to read any replies and honestly I’m surprised as I was expecting to get flamed for such a waste!

@GlummyMcGlummerson please tell me how much you spent in Greggs

To answer a few questions and to give a bit of context:

Mainly buying the coffees for myself but occasionally buy for DP or DM if I’m seeing them straight afterwards

I’m WFH so it’s giving me a reason to actually leave the house that’s why I’m not sure having a coffee machine would help. I’d still want to be able to go out somewhere.

I can afford it but I’m going without other (non-essential) things. There’s loads more I could be spending the money on that I’m always complaining I can’t afford - I wonder why?!

I’ll be honest, it’s Costa that I’m going to (medium skinny latte ) although I do think it’s a franchise. I would 100% use an independent if there was one near me.

That Pret offer is amazing! I have one semi-locally but it’s inside a shopping centre that’s currently closed due to lockdown. If not that would be the perfect answer.

I am going to look into all the coffee machine/equipment recommendations though so thank you. And thanks for the ‘treat yourself’ encouragement - I’m going to have my last one tomorrow and then purchase a flask

I love my coffee. I was tempted to buy a machine but instead bought a stainless steel cafetière and some really good coffee, also we got a Krups milk frother last Christmas. All together the best coffee I've ever had, space saving and more eco friendly than lots of pods or takeaway coffee cups.

I do this too. Still have a coffee out occasionally, but I hate the waste with pods or throwaway cups and no one seems to be taking reusables these days