Nothing wrong with buying coffees regularly

[RunnerAddict]

I like to buy a coffee out and about 3/4 times a week - my friends say it’s a waste of money but it’s a small pleasure for me and I enjoy it!

Does anyone else do this or is everyone on the it’s a waste of money train?!

You can spend your own money on whatever you want, obviously.

But, when it comes to my money, I prefer to do the maths. One daily coffee @£3.80 = £26.60 per week, or £114 per month, or £1,368 per year. I can think of better uses for that money than spending it on coffee.

I haven't voted, as I agree with the principle that we should spend our 'spare money' on what makes us happy, and that is different for different people.
But I have to agree with your friend that seems an extravagant way to be spending money.

It I had £500 - £600 spending money, I'd rather spend it on a holiday, but some people might think that a waste.
Some people might spend it on a flashy handbag, or a piece of jewellery, or the latest phone, or a season ticket to their local sports club or theatre. We're all different.

If you have enough money in your budget, and it makes you happy, then YANBU.
But nor is your friend BU for thinking it is a waste of money.

What does how much a jar of instant coffee have to do with anything??

instant Coffee is horrible stuff.

i have a Sage coffee machine (so it makes 'proper' coffee, including grinding fresh beans.) I still buy coffee out because, I'm out. I enjoy sitting with a coffee, watching the world go by.

Yes, I could save all the money from coffee and buy something you consider 'better' But I don't want to 🤷🏻‍♀️

I have a friend that bangs on about me 'wasting' money, buying coffee out.

it's not a waste if I enjoy it!!

🙄🙄

Me three!!

I'm exactly the same OP and it makes me so happy. ❤️

My favourite thing is going for country walks and getting a nice coffee.

If I'm going out in the morning I usually take a coffee from home. I'm particular about what I like and I resent spending money on takeaway drinks!

Invest in a decent coffee machine at home

I need a sit down at some point when I'm out shopping in the town centre now,and a coffee and cake is an ideal chance to do that, get a bit of energy back and give my knees a rest! I've found a lovely little cafe which serves up a delicious Cappuccino and each time I go I get a stamp on my loyalty card,so I get a free cuppa after every 10 stamps .It's a nice place to sit, away from the hustle and bustle outside

I never used to buy coffees while out and I've never visited the likes of Costa,Nero,etc., but I don't mind spending out on one now on average once a week.

I’ll always get a coffee and a pastry when I’m getting a train somewhere - which happens a lot less now than it used to. It gives a little sense of occasion to an otherwise dull journey.

No thanks. I want to get out and enjoy the cafe experience, not just the drink.

Good coffee doesn’t come from a jar though!!

Your post could have been written by me OP! I buy a coffee about 4 days a week, and I have a friend who says to me on a regular basis 'How much do you pay for your coffee?' then when I tell her, without fail,pulls a face and says ''Ooh that's a lot. I'd NEVER pay that much just for a cup of coffee '. This is the friend who spends about £15 on a packet of tobacco 3 times a week.

Different strokes for different folks. I can’t stand when people (that you don’t share finances with) stick their beak in like that.

If you’re not the one paying for it, keep your opinions to yourself!

Good. Those coffee shops aren’t gonna support themselves

For her it is a waste of money, for you it isn't. I'm sure there are things that your friend spends on money that could be considered a "waste".

I love my daily coffee. Spending money on an extra hot oat latte and supporting my wonderful local coffee shop is worth it to me.

Agree with PP, money enjoyed is never wasted.

I don't smoke, I'm divorced, I don't drink because I am on Warfarin so the few small pleasures I have left, one of which is a coffee when I'm in the office,are staying!

Yanbu life can be pretty crappy and I think everyone deserves that one thing that makes them happy and there day a little brighter. Anyone saying yabu i guarantee they also have that one thing it's just its different to yours. Someone i know was slagging of a friend for this until I reminded them that they buy a pack of cigarettes everyday as that's something they enjoy.

I've always said that I'm not buying the coffee, I'm buying the experience. So, if I can sit in a really nice cafe for an hour and get some time to myself and maybe do some work on my laptop, that coffee more than pays for itself.

Personally, I don't get that pleasure out of a takeaway coffee, so I never get them. Each to their own.

In my circumstance I don't currently. I have lots of bills with small kids and I'd rather spend the money on things like the house. But, if you're financially secure and not scrimping in other ways, go for it. You've got to enjoy your life and, if you need a few coffees as a pick-me-up, that's not a bad thing. Plenty of worse habits. I think it's just about keeping the cost of a habit in the back of your mind.

I saw a TED talk which talked about life longevity and there was a study done about what factors increase your chances of a long healthy life. Second on the list was how often you had incidental encounters like talking to people when you walk your dog or get coffee. Going to get coffee means you are engaging in an activity where someone is doing something for you. I don’t get that very often and it’s worth it for £4 in the morning before work at my local Starbucks. The staff there are so nice.

I’m not a coffee drinker, but it seems to me that everyone who isn’t on a tight budget has some little luxury. Even people on tight budgets try to have something even if it’s only an occasional bar of chocolate.

it doesn’t really matter what your little pleasure is as long as it fits in your budget. There’s a dozen things I don’t care to spend money on. But once a week I get myself a pastry from the really good French bakery. My indulgence is yarn.