Most of us are pretty careful about large purchases. We shop around and compare prices when we want a new TV, or a car, or a home. If you are smart, you may save a hundred (or even thousand) dollars here and there on these big ticket items.
But how often do you actually buy big ticket items? So maybe once or twice a year you may have the chance to be careful on a large purchase. However you have the chance to save pennies every day-and those pennies add up. I once read “there are only a few ways to save thousands of dollars-but there are thousands of ways to save a few dollars”. That really struck a chord with me.
Before I became a SAHM, I had a short commute to work each day. Almost daily I would stop and pick up a cup of coffee on my way to work at the local gas station. It was one of those newer coffee set ups where you could add a squirt of coffee flavoring, and sprinkle nutmeg on top etc etc etc. I think I paid about $1.89 for a medium sized cup. It was hot, it was fast, and it was one less thing for me to do in the morning. And after all, $1.89 isn’t much money.
Now, there are 52 weeks in a year, lets assume you take 2 weeks vacation a year, and throw in another 14 days that you don’t buy coffee because you are sick, in a rush, out of town, have a snow day etc. So to be conservative lets say I bought coffee 48 weeks a year, 5 days a week.
To do the math: 48 x 5 x $1.89 = $453.60
$453.60!! On coffee! And that’s not even good coffee-it’s cheapo gas station coffee. If you “splurge” for something that costs just $2.50 a cup, the annual price goes up to$625!
You can buy a coffee pot with a timer (so you can set it up the night before and have it ready to go in the morning when it is time to leave-no excuses about “not having time”) for about $30, an insulated coffee mug for a few bucks and probably buy enough good coffee and flavored creamer for a years worth of coffee for less than $100
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that it is somehow evil or irresponsible to buy your coffee on the way to work. It’s fine if that is the conscious decision you make. Only you can decided what is worthwhile and what you WANT to spend your money on. But in my case I was spending over $450 a year on coffee- and I didn’t even know it.
Be aware of where you are spending your money-you worked hard for that money, you should only spend it on the things your really want or need.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Jenn,
You are so correct on this.!
Another way I look at buying things, I stop and look at the price and think how many hrs. would Dh have to work to make the cost for this item?Is it really worth it? Do we really need it? Thinking this way can really change your buying ways!
Have a great wk. end !
Blessins’,Lib
This is a great point – I used to work in a chain coffee shop. People spend ridiculous amounts of money on their coffee! We had several “regulars” who paid almost $5 a day for their latte/capp/mocha. Assuming your 48 week number that’s $1200 a year! That’ll buy you one incredible coffee maker!
However, I think it bears considering that these little extras can do a lot to improve our days. While it may be a ridiculous expense, going into YOUR coffee shop every day and having YOUR barista make YOUR drink can give your spirits a boost.
My husband laughs because I enjoy these admittedly small things – which he argues bring no lasting enjoyment… and maybe for him they don’t, but these simple pleasures can change my outlook on potentially bad days. I really enjoy having someone make me a great cup of coffee just the way I want it.
It is, however, completely possible to “splurge” or spoil yourself without spending $1200 a year! All it requires is a little experimentation… For instance, if you love the frothiness of a latte, try coffee w/steamed milk… if it’s the hazelnut flavor you love, have them add hazelnut to your coffee. If you’re just after the caffeine, add a shot of espresso to your coffee. If it’s cold drinks you love, iced lattes/mochas, etc. try iced coffee or an iced americano with added flavors/mocha. Hot apple cider is a yummy and frugal fall option.
Also, take notice of how much of your drink you normally drink. Most people order a medium automatically, but may not actually drink it all. If you’re consistently not finishing your coffee, consider a smaller size – it may be as much as 50 cents cheaper!
My husband used to work at starbucks part-time (for the aawesometastic health insurance) and as a perk we got a free pound of coffee a week.
Once he moved on to a full-time position we kept buying that pound of coffee a week for, like, $12.99 a week.
Recently we switched to Folgers Black Silk (or something like that I’m not sure what the name is exactly) and it tastes just like starbucks but three pounds costs $6. It lasts two weeks instead of one (I don’t know why the math doesn’t work out LOL) and spend $156 on coffee that gives me the same pick-me-up as starbucks used to!
I so know what you mean. Once I became a SAHM I really changed my thoughts about money. Now even if I won the lottery I don’t think much would change now that I know what I can get for my money. Also it’s cool to be frugal now. Who knew that would happen? Before people just kind of looked at you. Now they want to know where you find the good deals! We ARE the new cool.
I blogged about my great candy find in the clearance aisle of Walgreens. Why pay more when you can get it for less!
You have a great looking blog!
http://www.savingspotpourri.blogspot.com/
This is how YOU made ME a convert
A very effective argument!
Boy that article hits it well!! I have been laughed at by my husband for taking my reusable big red 32 oz water bottle to work. They have a soda fountain that costs, yet I get plenty of ice and water for free. It is filtered, tastes good, and I can add true lemon or any other powdered flavor if I want to for alot less. Alot of times you can take a refillable coffee cup and get coffee for less if you want convience. I actually keep instant in my desk instead of paying 52 cents for a refill at starbuck’s in my workplace. Still alot better than regular price yet it adds up. Alot of the blender drinks you can even make at home for alot less and really customize your drink. I had my husband read the article and he was blown away. I believe frugal upstate has mentioned before on the little steps to take on the journeyof one becoming frugal, this is an painless easy step….
There is a lot to be said for being conscious of our actions. you said “Only you can decided what is worthwhile and what you WANT to spend your money on.”
I have the same debate with myself on environmental things. E.g. ATM receipts, and receipts from my library. Many environmental websites say “save paper! Don’t take a receipt of you can help it!” And I tried for a while, but I need the tactile reminder that I took $$ out, or when my books are due.
Coffee isn’t that for me, I happily make mine at home, but I could see it as an essential for some people. Maybe not so much for the drink as the experience, the break in your commute, the variety of choices rather than the limitation of your cupboards.
For the sake of comparison, I tallied up my at home coffee brewing. Each month, I go through one pound of shade grown organic coffee ($9) and a gallon of milk ($4). Over a year I buy 2 bottles of flavored syrup ($5 ea at Marshalls) and a big box of Splenda ($12 for 500 packets) plus enough coffee filters ($4) = 13×12 + 26 = $182, or 50 cents a day for 2 steaming mugs of pick-me-up.
Yes! Another great article–and so true.
Although I like a cup of coffee now and then, I’m a sugar-free gal and prefer hot drinks such as chai lattes. Instead of paying over $2 each at the shop, I learned how to make my own. Frothing milk at home is easier than you think–a little blender or electric whisk action on milk you nuke for 60 or 90 seconds and voila! Froth at home. Add that to your own coffee (add some ground cinnamon or nutmeg for customized flavor) or make strong tea from chai or other tea bags. Sweeten as desired, add a shot of flavored syrup (which you can get at discount stores on the cheap) and suddenly you’ve become a home barista.
(Hint: the key to good chai at home is honey or agave nectar for sweetener.)