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Starbucks problem

Hey everyone! I Love this forum! So helpful and so many wonderful people here!

I don't think I have a habit per se, but (even though this may seem a little sad for some!) when I feel like I want to treat myself, or have had a lowsy day/week/month/whatever - I go to a Starbucks Coffee located within a Bookstore and I treat myself to a Frappachinno and some magazines/books (mostly about how to leave the UK!). This is my treat and a way to make myself happy. This happens 1-2 per week. Sometimes about 3-4 times per week. Or none at all. I do this to save myself the money in buying books (I read them in the coffee shop and then put back), and also to treat myself. I dont do anything else, like alcohol and I hardly go shopping to treat myself as I simply do not have the money. Any money I have goes on 'essentials', food, bills, shampoo, deodorant etc. At the end, I have near to nothing left. I cannot even remember the last time I went clothes shopping, I just treat my clothes well and look after things to make them last longer, as I am on Income Support. However, I am now starting to think that the Starbucks 'habit' is getting too expensive. Are there any cheaper ways to whale away my time and treat myself?

I cannot afford to travel much these days and when I do, its only 1-2 times per year and they are not really a 'holiday' - just visiting family overseas. So, I make myself happy by jumping onto a bus route that I never use and travel to another part of London. For me, thats as far as a holiday goes! :p Any tips would be good. I am starting to work my way around London quite a bit.... !
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Comments

  • Ames
    Ames Posts: 18,459 Forumite
    I'm the same, it's one of my luxuries. I've cut down to less than one a week though. Have you got a rewards card? That makes it cheaper. Maybe you could put x amount on the card at the beginning of the month, and when you've spent it that's it? That's what I've started doing. I'm not going to cut it out altogether, because I feel I need to get out occasionally and have some 'me' luxury time. I know how bad I get when I'm stuck in the house all the time, £3 for a bit of mental health time seems worth it to me.
    Unless I say otherwise 'you' means the general you not you specifically.
  • Horace
    Horace Posts: 14,426 Forumite
    Look out for links to register for p i n e cone surveys (we are not allowed to type out their name as they don't like it) - they have two payment options they will either pay into a payplan account or send you books of luncheon vouchers, currently £3 for every survey - I use mine for an occasional treat in Starbucks although they can be used in lots of other places too. I know that in Starbucks inside Selfridges in Birmingham I can have a medium caramel macchiato, some toasted fruit bread and a sandwich and it comes to £6.70 so I had over two books of LVs and 70p:D

    The occasional treat in Starbucks is fine but perhaps your money would be better spent on food so that you can make some nice lunches and coffee at home?:confused:
  • iwanttosave_2
    iwanttosave_2 Posts: 34,292 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I think everyone needs their little thing to keep for themselves, be it a cup of coffee or whatever.

    How about just have one day a week that you do this and stick to it? You allow yourself £5 a week for your little treat and thats it, then you have something to look forward to just to keep you going?

    There is a thread on this site somewhere actually from a starbucks manager telling you how to use their loyalty card to get your drinks dirt cheap.
    Work like you don't need money,
    Love like you've never been hurt,
    And dance like no one's watching
    Save the cheerleader, save the world!
  • Tixy
    Tixy Posts: 31,455 Forumite
    Hi, I think its fine to treat yourself but how about you try to limit to just once per week. Then you will get to enjoy it without feeling guilty.

    The rest of the time have you considered using your local library? It seems many of us never even consider visiting the valuable local resource. Many now are much nicer than I remember from years ago.

    If you read a lot of books you could also consider doing book loans with friends/colleagues/ family. I'm currently reading through 4 books from a friend and she has 4 of mine. As Horace says that survey company is good. The vouchers can be used in Starbucks, Coffee Republic or Pret or it can also be used at all the main supermarkets to knock money off your grocery bill.
    A smile enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give
    or "It costs nowt to be nice"
  • Katie-Kat-Kins
    Katie-Kat-Kins Posts: 1,741 Forumite
    Go to your library, borrow some books, buy a box of nescafe cappuccino sachets or posh hot chocolate or whatever, take the books home, make the luxurious hot drink, sit back and enjoy......

    Costs a fraction of the cost of starbucks and you will get to actually finish the books rather than read an hours worth and put them back!

    Seriously libraries are getting better and better, ours does DVD rentals, music, books and toys! A library card is free and the basic services are free too, most of the top up fees are really cheap too though, 70p to request a book, £1 for a DVD I think last time i went in!

    You could vary the treat too, an hour at home with your feet up and a nice drink, or in the bath with some scented candles (reading in the bath is such a treat!), or on a warm day in the garden or the park with a cold drink or ice-cream (from your fridge/freezer of course!), or a cheaper cafe, as you don't need to use the one attached to the book shop you can go to one near the library or work or home, you might discover a gem! (muffin break does great cappuccino about half the price of starbuck and if you get their loyalty card every sixth is free)
  • davetrousers
    davetrousers Posts: 5,862 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    A Frappuccino isn't really a coffee anyway. A once in a while treat is fine, it's when it becomes a regular thing that it really starts to cost lots.

    Can you not have Starbucks Filter Coffee, you get 1 free refill with that?
    .....

  • Yes, it is important to give yourself little treats from time to time. However, I am sure that you could get a lot more for the money that you give to Starbucks. Do you really want a company like that to have your money? Waitrose sells Lyons coffee bags that are delicious, and one bag can make 2 cups.

    Getting library books is an excellent suggestion, and a one-day bus pass can be a wonderful way to see London: have you tried sitting upstairs on the no 11 bus? You can get a set of free bus maps from big bus stations and some underground stations e.g. Piccadilly Circus so you can make plans in advance. You can have 'themed' days e.g. one day find the main museums and perhaps go in just for a quick look, or visit the main department stores and see if they have free health & beauty samples. If you take a packed lunch, it will not cost very much. You can sit beside the water in Battersea, Regent and Hyde parks.
    Who having known the diamond will concern himself with glass?

    Rudyard Kipling


  • Katie-Kat-Kins
    Katie-Kat-Kins Posts: 1,741 Forumite
    A Frappuccino isn't really a coffee anyway. A once in a while treat is fine, it's when it becomes a regular thing that it really starts to cost lots.

    Can you not have Starbucks Filter Coffee, you get 1 free refill with that?

    No and it is very high calorie too!
  • walshj77
    walshj77 Posts: 40 Forumite
    I was completely the same with the Starbucks until about three months ago and I totaled how much I was spending in Starbucks per month and it came to about £30 - £40 p/m!! NOT GOOD.

    Now I buy Starbucks make at home coffee in Tescos for lots less and it lasts me more than a month. Its just as nice to sit at home with a magazine as it is to sit in Starbuck!:D
  • Ames
    Ames Posts: 18,459 Forumite
    I think it's cheaper to buy starbucks bags of coffee from a starbucks store than a supermarket, from when I looked at prices the other week.
    Unless I say otherwise 'you' means the general you not you specifically.
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