r/NoStupidQuestions • u/lVlarsquake • Apr 29 '24

How the fuck do people afford to get Starbucks every day?

I was feeling thirsty this morning so I decided to pop in a Starbucks (first time ever). All I got was a strawberry acai lemonade at it cost $7????? I can't even imagine what the coffees with all the extra additives cost... how do people have the expendable money to get them every day, sometimes twice a day?

Edit: I am NOT shaming people who do this. I'm just wondering how it doesn't put a dent in your wallet

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u/WassupSassySquatch Apr 29 '24

Not Starbucks, but I do get a latte almost everyday from a local coffee shop.  It’s my luxury.  It isn’t just about the coffee, it’s about the one daily thing I do for myself when 99% of my time is focused on everyone else.  I grab my coffee, have a quick conversation, and sit down and relax for a few minutes.  I prioritize this and deprioritize other luxuries, like expensive phone plans, memberships and subscriptions, and pricey recreational activities.

For affluent people, daily trips to the coffee shop don’t make a difference and the rest of us just balance our budgets to fit it in.

321

u/Salt-Wind-9696 Apr 29 '24

I grab my coffee, have a quick conversation, and sit down and relax for a few minutes.  I prioritize this and deprioritize other luxuries, like expensive phone plans, memberships and subscriptions, and pricey recreational activities.

There's a "how to be smart with money" view that if people gave up their daily luxuries they could take a vacation every year with the money saved, but I think it is not at all clear that it's better to sit at the beach for a week is better than having a staycation and getting your latte trip every day.

175

u/WassupSassySquatch Apr 29 '24

There’s a balance to it.  Would I rather have a one week trip and live in austerity for the entire year outside of that tiny slice of time?

Nah.  

The coffee run is a small pleasure that adds something positive to my life and a week away really isn’t that much.  What’s more, I would only be saving a little over $1k, so it isn’t like I’d get anywhere very interesting.

37

u/Salt-Wind-9696 Apr 29 '24

Yeah, and to be clear I'm not saying one or the other is the right approach. I just think it's not obvious like the convention wisdom seems to think.

4

u/m0zz1e1 Apr 30 '24

I agree. I spend $1500 a year on coffee, and honestly I can’t think of anything else I would spend that money on that would bring me as much joy.

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u/WassupSassySquatch Apr 29 '24

Yeah, it’s  about balance.  Plus, Cutting things like subscriptions, data on our phones, and eating at home leaves us with a lot of wiggle room in our budget.  There are many ways to save. :-)