Can we talk about the 'just skip coffee' advice I keep hearing?

I was listening to a podcast yesterday where the host said cutting out a $5 daily coffee habit would save you $1,825 a year, which sounds huge, but it completely ignores how that small treat can be the only thing that gets you through a tough Wednesday.

4 comments

4 Comments

cora5182mo agoMost Upvoted

Yeah, that "just skip coffee" advice always misses the point. I used to feel guilty about my afternoon energy drink until I realized it was my only break. I switched to making a big thermos of iced tea at home for pennies and still get that little boost without the guilt trip.

phoenixw112mo ago

Wait, you were buying an energy drink every single afternoon? That's wild, I can't even imagine the cost adding up over a month. Smart move with the iced tea thermos, it's basically the same little ritual for way less money. Cole_baker is totally right about the break being the main thing.

cole_baker2mo ago

Exactly, @cora518... it's never about the drink itself. That ritual is the whole point of the break. You found a smarter way to keep it.

wood.eric25d ago

That little ritual is the whole point" is exactly what my friend learned the hard way... She used to grab a fancy latte every afternoon, not even because she loved the taste, but because it was her one moment of quiet before picking up her kids. She tried quitting coffee cold turkey and just sat at her desk staring at the wall for ten minutes... felt miserable and went right back to buying drinks. Finally she figured out it was the act of stepping away, not the caffeine, that she needed. So she just pours herself a cup of tap water in the break room and scrolls her phone for a bit. Works way better for her wallet and her sanity.

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