I Spend $120 a Month on My Latte Habit: Why the Cost Is Worth It
Written by
Angela Mae
Edited by
Levi Leidy
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If you’re trying to save money, one of the first bits of advice you’ll probably get is this: cut out your daily coffee run. On a purely financial level, this makes sense when you think about it.
Imagine you spend around $5 a day at Starbucks — or your cafe of choice. If you go five days a week, that’s a little over $100 a month or $1,300 a year. That’s assuming you never get any drink upgrades or extras like a bagel or muffin.
If you’re only thinking about the potential savings, cutting out your daily latte is an easy decision. But you can only give up so much before you’re cutting into your quality of life. Along with this, saving $1,300 or so a year might seem great right now but it’s not likely to change your entire financial situation or your life.
That’s why for some people, the extra expense is worth it. GOBankingRates spoke to two avid cafe goers — Kayden Roberts of CamGo and Mimi Nguyen of Cafely — about how much they spend on their daily latte habit and why it’s worth the cost.
How Much They Each Spend on Their Daily Latte Habit
“I totally understand the joy and ritual of a daily latte run. For me, it’s an affordable luxury that brings me so much pleasure,” said Nguyen. “Each month, I probably spend around $120 on my daily latte habit. I know that may sound like a lot to some, but I truly savor every sip.”
Roberts pulled the same number. “Diving into the frothy economics of it, I’d say I spend around $120 a month on my daily latte runs,” she said.
The Connection Is What Matters
Those who advocate saving money by cutting out cafe runs often overlook the true value they bring to someone’s life. For people like Roberts, the cost is worth the myriad of benefits it brings.
“While the ledger might show a monthly sum dedicated to lattes, it doesn’t capture the richness this habit adds to my life,” she said. “It’s a blend of joy, inspiration and community that no homemade brew could replicate. My daily latte is less about the caffeine and more about the connection — to myself, to the moment and to the wider world of coffee lovers.”
It’s Also About the Ambiance, Taste and Comfort
That’s not to say the caffeine and flavor aren’t important — they are. But for Roberts, another thing that makes those daily latte runs worth it are the comfort and ambiance she gets from going to her favorite cafe.
It’s also in those quiet moments before the day gets started that she often enjoys a spark of creativity.
“This space, with its blend of aromas, soft music and the gentle murmur of fellow coffee aficionados, is where my most creative moments have been brewed,” said Roberts.
With Routine Comes a Sense of Mindfulness
For Roberts, like many other coffee drinkers, those daily runs are a ritual that helps set the tone for the rest of the day. And while it’s nice to shake things up once in a while, there’s also something comforting about having a daily routine.
“Beyond the sensory delights, my latte run is a linchpin of routine and reflection,” Roberts said. “It’s a pause button in a fast-forward world, a daily investment in mindfulness.”
“It’s an exercise in mindfulness,” agreed Nguyen. “In our hectic, digital world, my latte run forces me to be present.”
Going further, Nguyen added that those daily cafe runs are key to getting her day on track.
“It’s my morning ‘me time,'” she said. “Those 15-20 minutes I spend walking to the cafe, waiting in line and sipping my latte are a cherished ritual. It grounds me before I dive into the hectic day and allows me to ease into things mindfully.”
Those Runs Support the Local Community
On a bigger scale, Roberts noted that her daily latte habit is another way to support the locals — and to keep the coffee culture going strong.
“It’s like a token of support for my local baristas and café.” she said. “A small but steady contribution to the community fabric that sustains the culture of coffee craftsmanship.”
The Caffeine Definitely Helps
Of course, as Nguyen pointed out, those daily lattes are much-needed fuel for the workday, too.
“As an entrepreneur, my days are inevitably packed. That latte gives me the focused energy I need to tackle meetings, projects and responsibilities. It’s an investment in my productivity,” she said.
It’s the Simple Things That Matter
While saving money is an important goal to have, it’s not the only thing that matters. In the day-to-day, it’s those little things that can make the difference in someone’s quality of life.
“It sparks joy,” Nguyen said about her daily latte habit. “From the aroma of freshly pulled espresso to the latte art on top, my daily latte is truly a multisensory delight. It’s an indulgence that brings me simple pleasures.”
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