This, my Why Did I Spend $7 on a Coffee? post, is the intriguing sequel to my previous Why Did I Spend $8 on a Watermelon? post. I bet you wonder what’s next in this series. (Spoiler: Why Did I Take a Nap?)
I did not, in fact, take a nap. That is why I needed coffee. Mmm-hmm.
Why Did I Spend $7 on a Coffee?
I’m here today to make some observations after recently buying an $8 watermelon and a coffee from Starbucks. But first, let’s talk about gas. That sounds fun, doesn’t it?
People are freaking out about the price of gas, basically making Facebook not fun anymore. I want to see pictures of your kids, not a picture of how much it cost to fill your tank this morning. By the way, ever filled the tank of a Ford Transit? That’s what we drive now to accommodate our entire tribe. I could take a picture next time I fill up, but wouldn’t you rather see this?
That’s four of our six littles walking into church one Sunday morning. It was the sweetest so I grabbed a picture. Five minutes later, our two-year-old melted down in the foyer and took off her shirt, refusing to let me put it back on. But this picture is sweet, isn’t it?
Back to the coffee.
Online and in-person, I’m hearing all the woes about the price of a gallon of gas, a gallon of milk, and a bag full of groceries. Indeed, inflation is real and we are all feeling the sting right now.
Meanwhile, for the past several years, people have been – without question – lining up at coffee shop drive-thrus as if paying $4 or $5 or more for one cup of coffee wasn’t strange, scary, or painful. Some do it daily, and now it’s an unquestionable part of their normal routine. I’m not criticizing as we are all allowed to enjoy our fun and our splurges!
But why aren’t people complaining about the cost of a coffee? Isn’t its cost outrageous too?
Recently I had a glorious day to myself in which I left all the littles in the care of friends, my husband, and our older sons. I ate a meal at a restaurant (all by myself), shopped at fun stores (all by myself), and went to a coffee shop (all by myself). It was quiet and wonderful and needed. I had been blessed with a gift card for the coffee shop (thanks, Mara!) so I walked up and ordered a large blended iced coffee with cream. I think the gal might have misunderstood some of my request (because most people add syrups and such so me asking for just cream always throws workers off a bit). “That’ll be $7.04 please.”
I didn’t argue and my gift card covered it, and I was super thankful for the amazing treat. But $7 for coffee with ice and cream? As I sipped its deliciousness, I mentally made a list of everything else I could buy with $7 because I’m so fun and practical like that.
A package of chicken. Two bags of apples. Three pounds of strawberries. Many pounds of rice. Three loaves of bread. I’ll stop (except for in my head – five pounds of mandarins, two pounds of hamburger, a big bag of frozen fruit…).
I think we are a funny people
I have inconsistencies too – some things I feel passionate about that completely contradict something else that I don’t even give a thought to. But it might be worth us all recognizing that there are things we spend too much money on while we complain about the cost of necessities like gas and groceries. Just something to think about.
Why did I write this post? I have no idea. My coffee cost seven bucks. It blew my mind because I can make an entire pot of high-quality coffee at home for about $1.00. :) I couldn’t let it go. And now here we are.
Thanks for listening. I’m sorry I’m weird.
Coffee at home
Enjoy your coffee however you like it!!
Maybe you have the special coffee-shop coffees that you enjoy on the regular. Perhaps you have another non-guilty pleasure. I most certainly enjoy an occasional coffee from a shop as a splurge and treat every once in a while.
Here’s how we make our coffee at home, in all kinds of delicious ways. I calculate that each big mugful costs about $0.35, and that’s a price I can get behind! :)
Which of these cost me $7.00?? Ok, Laura. You can stop now.
Yes! Thank you for this. You are a breath of fresh air!!
I stand firmly behind this post. *CHEERING*
Love this! You are so completely right, and that is such a refreshing perspective–thank you!!!
(And, btw, I feel like you are in my head–I thought I was the only who went around cost-analyzing the everyday things in my head. You go, girl!)
We have a Ford transit .
Totally understand
This was soooooo me. We started drinking coffee more regularly almost
30 years (!) ago. We were firm tea drinkers but the beginning of the
coffee hype was starting. When finances get tight (regularly in my world)
we talk about dropping coffee. It helps to see someone else run the numbers,
hehehe! I still cringe at overpriced coffee. Thanks, Laura!
My sister sent me this link so I haven’t read anything else. Yes and yes about the overpriced coffee! I buy a bag full of grounds for seven dollars and that lasts a lot of brewing!
For me, spending that money on coffee is because I don’t have much else to do or anyone to hang with. I use cafes a mean to hang around and mingle. I rather be broke then lose my mind at home. I can’t sit still, so spending some money for the sake going out of my comfort zone is nice. I’ll do it at other places but cafes or bars seem to click for social places. Go to a park all the time, but im lucky to talk to a stranger.