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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Spending £2 a day on coffee?

28 replies

SpunkyPombear · 09/08/2025 17:40

Asda do a really nice machine coffee for £2.

Aibu for getting it? I eanr £32k and single parent.

OP posts:
BondAway25 · 09/08/2025 17:43

Do you want to be put off?

i don't buy anything from any machine like that as you have no idea if/how they are cleaned. I could tell you some horror stories.

As for financially, no one can answer that for you.

cupfinalchaos · 09/08/2025 17:43

What’s life for if you can’t enjoy a simple
pleasure like a coffee?

FreyjaOfTheNorth · 09/08/2025 17:45

Do our opinions really matter? It’s your money. Spend it on whatever you want. Do you need the approval of strangers to do very simple daily things?

Edenmum2 · 09/08/2025 17:45

who are you answering to apart from yourself? I’m assuming you’re an adult so can make your own decisions about money.

DelphiniumBlue · 09/08/2025 17:47

£40 pm ( excluding weekends) £480 Pa. Only you know if it’s worth it.

SpunkyPombear · 09/08/2025 17:51

BondAway25 · 09/08/2025 17:43

Do you want to be put off?

i don't buy anything from any machine like that as you have no idea if/how they are cleaned. I could tell you some horror stories.

As for financially, no one can answer that for you.

Edited

Oh God I never thought about that.,.... The one at work is gross and cleAned daily

OP posts:
Notquitegrownup2 · 09/08/2025 17:55

Do you make your own lunch to take in, or do you spend a fiver a day on lunch? That would probably be my trade off - lunch in a Tupperware box from home - treat from Asda . . .

But, as a pp has said, it depends on whether that is really how you want to spend £480 a year - so I might take my own coffee on a mug, but look forward to a special holiday or outfit instead.

Horses for courses.

CoastalCalm · 09/08/2025 17:58

If you smoked that would be three a day habit , it’s the cost of a tiny glass of wine and same as a redbull - honestly I think it’s fine unless you’re getting into debt

DiscoBob · 09/08/2025 18:05

If you like it then why not.
Unless it's stopping you feeding your family or paying the bills/mortgage/rent.

I get coffee when I go to the pharmacy as a treat, the coffee shop near there is really good. I don't drink it at home so it's very enjoyable.

Go ahead! X

Shellyash · 09/08/2025 18:07

£2 per day, absolutely fine. From a machine, of course it's no problem. Just keep doing it and enjoy.
Costa would be double that nearly.

NoCommentingFromNowOn · 09/08/2025 18:09

@BondAway25 you have no idea if/how they are cleaned. I could tell you some horror stories.

Ohhhh I never even thought about this. Do I need to know more? Do you mean coffee shops too, or just the machines where you sort it yourself?

SomeOfTheTrouble · 09/08/2025 18:11

If you want a coffee and can afford a coffee then buy a coffee.

Tutorpuzzle · 09/08/2025 18:11

When it was really cold earlier this year I had a craving for an oat milk cappuccino (I’m normally a double espresso person). It cost me £4.50 in Costa, which infuriated me to such an extent I went and bought a nespresso machine.

I still mostly use my little stove top espresso maker, but the nespresso does a not bad coffee, makes all the right noises, and is pretty much coffee on demand.

I haven’t bought a coffee out since (except at the end of a - rare - lunch out) so I’m pretty sure it’s saved me money.

The point of this long winded ramble is that two quid, yeah, not a problem, but next week it’ll be £2.20, and next month £2.50, until suddenly you’re paying £4.50 and having to hold back the tears!

BusWankers · 09/08/2025 18:12

Do whatever you like, as long as your child isn't going hungry or cold.

XenoBitch · 09/08/2025 18:14

If your kid is fed and happy, and your bills and essentials are paid, then go enjoy that coffee.

Lafufufu · 09/08/2025 18:15

According to MSE

You spend £500.00 a year on Coffee and work 1.21 weeks a year to pay for it. Over a working life that’s £22,500.00
Think what else you could do with that!

Agree i dont trust those machines...
I'd just buy a drip filter, a grinder and some neighbour coffee... it'll cost about £5 pm

Absentmindedsmile · 09/08/2025 18:21

If it gives you a 5mins of joy, do it. Life is to enjoy sometimes, so much of it is shit.

Life’s too short. You might die tomorrow. Get your coffee and enjoy, guilt free, a little treat every day / week.

ThirdStorm · 09/08/2025 18:26

I’ll add to the putting off. I’m far too tight to buy coffee out. Unless I’m meeting friends. But I enjoy a posh one so use tassimo. Buying kenco pods in bulk as well as getting some coffee syrups. Love it! I have a thermos cup and flask too.

BondAway25 · 10/08/2025 14:20

NoCommentingFromNowOn · 09/08/2025 18:09

@BondAway25 you have no idea if/how they are cleaned. I could tell you some horror stories.

Ohhhh I never even thought about this. Do I need to know more? Do you mean coffee shops too, or just the machines where you sort it yourself?

Coffee shops aren't always as 'fussy' as I am re keeping cloths separate. Using different clothes for wiping surfaces than are used for the steamer etc but I was just referring to the machines that are 'do your own' in service stations (mostly), leisure centres & what I assumed the OP was using in ASDA.

Spoonie1996 · 10/08/2025 14:25

I like the Emmi iced coffees, they are £1.85 each and I drink 2 a day… despite having a coffee machine at home. I don’t drink or smoke, if you don’t have little treats in life then what’s the point 🤷‍♀️

Faineante · 10/08/2025 14:34

@Lafufufu what is this £5 per month neighbour coffee?

I use a drip filter and a coffee grinder and spend about £12 per week on coffee beans from a local roastery.

x2boys · 10/08/2025 14:35

SpunkyPombear · 09/08/2025 17:40

Asda do a really nice machine coffee for £2.

Aibu for getting it? I eanr £32k and single parent.

Can you afford it?
If so everyone deserves a a little treat.

BondAway25 · 10/08/2025 14:38

Lafufufu · 09/08/2025 18:15

According to MSE

You spend £500.00 a year on Coffee and work 1.21 weeks a year to pay for it. Over a working life that’s £22,500.00
Think what else you could do with that!

Agree i dont trust those machines...
I'd just buy a drip filter, a grinder and some neighbour coffee... it'll cost about £5 pm

Edited

What is neighbour coffee?

I have had this debate with a friend. He was adding up the amount I was spending in bought coffees & at the time it was about £550 Pa. He was going in about how I could buy this that or the other with it or have a few days away etc, but as I said to him, what difference does it make? I could spend the money on a few days away which I'd enjoy in one block. Or I can buy coffee frequently which I enjoy & that's spread out through the year... neither is better or more worthy than the other!

working it out over a 'working lifetime' is pointless as things change all the time.

years ago I worked at one of the big four (accounting) and we were given morning tea (good spread of cheese (several types)& crackers, fruit, & I can't remember what else & afternoon tea of posh biscuits/bakes with plenty of good quality coffee. Should I deduct the cost of coffee (and breakfast/lunch that I didn't need) for those years? Or the months I was drinking coffee mostly at home (plumbed in fancy coffee machine) ....

whatcanthematterbe81 · 10/08/2025 14:40

Your money is there to be spent on things you like. What’s the point otherwise??

CurlewKate · 10/08/2025 14:42

I assume someone is telling you that you are being unreasonable?