To think budgeting culture has become joyless?

[ByNattyFinch]

Budgets are good.
Financial literacy is good.

But AIBU to think some people treat buying a hot drink like a moral failure? Life shouldn’t feel like a spreadsheet.

I am on a low income (UC) and even I get a coffee when out. You need to have some little pleasures in life. Sitting down with friends in a cafe and having a catch up means I have left the house and am interacting with people, so that is 2 wins for me... so I deserve that coffee.
This is about once a week so not a daily occurrence.

‘How many takeaway coffees do you buy a week?’ is usually the go-to question when people complain they don’t know where their disposable money is going and someone else is trying to be helpful. Buying coffee in coffee shops has become almost demonised these days. Yes I can make my own coffee at home for a fraction of the price, but that’s not the point. Same with eating out and having basic meals. We all have our priorities.

Where are people paying north of £4 for a coffee? £3.50 is the average in my city.

Budgeting isn’t necessarily fun but it is necessary for me. There’s space in there for a coffee if I want one, I don’t think every purchase needs to be justified and carefully thought through. There’s space are things I buy that I’m sure I’d be judged for, and I’m no stranger to being judgy either.

The reality is fundamentalism isn’t great, whether that’s in politics, religion or money management.

Well hot drinks are probably necessary sometimes, for instance if you get delayed somewhere and it’s cold, but, even if you do make a regular thing of it, they are probably less expensive and less harmful in various ways than smoking/vaping, alcohol or drugs which are also optional.

You didn't have a problem in the same way that alcoholics do, that's a ridiculous statement.

Starbucks, Costa, Nero - all over £4 for a standard latte.

I think a lot of people had gone far too much into 'treat yo sel'

Buying so much frivolous crap then being broke by pay day and blaming everyone but themselves.

A place I worked what we spent in the cafe came out of our wages every month. Mine was usually €20 to €30 per month. I had colleagues spending €400+ per month buying several daily coffees/ scones/ sausage rolls/ smoothies then complaining about the fact they couldn't save for a deposit. These same people often bought lunch daily from €7 - €12

Was about to say the same. They get more expensive when you start adding things like oat milk and syrups too.

I think this too - different people too have different priorities- whilst spending £4.20 a day on a coffee might seem frivolous but for others is an enjoyable start to the day, or end of days work, others might find £12,000 a year on holidays frivolous or needing to constantly change houses/decor or having their hair coloured every 8 weeks etc.

Absolutely! We should all reintroduce the comfort and joy into our lives by buying what we want, when we want it! We should splash out, treat ourselves, indulge to our hearts desire. Wack the heating on full blast and open the champagne! I genuinely can't think of a single reason why people don't do this. Just boring joyless fun sponges I expect.

Where's the joy in spending five quid on a cup of coffee? More like a mugging

Little treats that bring people some happiness are never “such a waste of money”.
I find that sort of attitude quite distasteful, actually, because you can bet there will be something that these people spend money on just for a little bit of enjoyment that’s not strictly required for basic survival. One persons “waste” is what gets another person through the day.
It’s only a waste if it genuine cannot be afforded without debt or endangering the payment of key bills, IMO. Other than that, life is for living.

Totally depend ternats on how much you care about what other people, particularly internet randoms, think of you. So long as I don't go into my overdraft before pay day, I don't give a monkeys!

I enjoy budgeting 😂

I have so many friends who hide their head in the sand about finances and then say I've got no money followed by do you like my new bag it was a bargain at £200!

Budgeting is about working out what your priorities are and just a bit of self awareness especially in a tap and spend culture. It doesn't mean you have to feel guilty for a hot drink but if your getting 2 a day 5 days a week out that's soon going to add up quickly.

This is the kind of attitude I was referring to. People in general just don’t understand the coffee thing.

Because a £4.50 hot beverage 5 days a week for 48 weeks a year would be £1080.

One hot drink because I was cold and thirsty would be a treat. £1080 would pay most of my council tax.

Was budgeting culture ever joyful?!

I'm not budgeting any more. I'm an old lady and have enough money to live relatively comfortably. However long ago when my three children were little and things were on a very tight budget, things were very different.
In really enjoyed that time. It was a huge challenge surviving through the week and a feeling of elation when I did. Jam tarts, pies with mince, carrots and onions in them, egg and chips, sausages and mash, veggies if possible from then garden etc, beans on toast, egg on toast, the possibilities are vast.
I loved the challenge. It made the week quite exciting to be honest (sad I know!)

This is why I love my co working centre - free coffees as many as you want including oat cappuccinos, flat whites etc, , frequently cereals , croissants and jam, plus fruit , Wednesday cake afternoon ( good stuff too) Friday drinks trolley and twixes etc ( all free) - feel like I’m getting a lot of treaty stuff for my £200 a month workspace

I would never ever pay £ plus in a coffee shop
It is not budgeting I just think it is ridiculous

But you’re talking about yourself, that you don’t want to spend that money on drinks. I don’t think you understand that different people have different priorities?

Be grateful for your privilege if this is new and joyless to you. I grew up and started early adulthood on a tight budget as well as having a period when my DH was out of work due to ill health. It wasn't actually joyless. I remember the joy as a child and the joy on my mums face when she could treat us to a biscuit from the bakery. I remember the joy when I could afford a takeaway for a treat. All things that I take for granted now that I have a decent disposable income.

It's because the basics for living are now far too high for the majority of people.if rent/mortgages/bills didnt take such a huge chunk out of most people's income, they wouldn't have to think so carefully and also the economy would be better because more people would be spending in it.

I think it’s a waste of time if you can’t be arsed to make your own and just do it for the convenience. Shop bought coffee is shit most of the time. Or whatever drink of choice. One coffee in town costs more than a packet of ground coffee (that last me two weeks, and I drink coffee every day).

But. If it’s a social thing, it’s justifiable, I don’t mind buying a coffee and having a chat. Would I buy two? Nope.

what are the other reasons?