I used to be against the habit of regularly spending money on coffee. My parents were against it too. They would forward articles to my sisters and I about saving $5 a day. They would shake their heads in disappointment whenever they spotted us with a Starbucks cup in our hands. Comments like, “Is that coffee really worth it?” and “You could’ve donated that money to charity!” were not uncommon. I understood their logic, so I only bought it when I really wanted to treat myself. My dad is a full-blown caffeine addict with an ensured headache if he doesn’t drink at least three cups a day. I knew it wasn’t smart to get into the habit anyway.
Despite my best efforts, I am now an avid coffee drinker. I’m almost ashamed to say I am slowly making a complete 180-degree turn on how I felt about spending money on coffee. The university has made the act of getting coffee into a social affair, and I hate to be excluded. It started with accompanying my friends when they went out for a cup and has escalated to needing coffee in my hands while I study. In Gainesville, shops like Bay Islands Coffee Company and Coffee Culture have stolen my heart. Starbucks is nearly inescapable, with a new store popping up every few blocks and in every library.
Coffee is a craving that can’t be satisfied for long, no matter how good the coffee is. Once you get into it, drinking coffee every day is a cycle that can only be broken with serious willpower. I reason with myself that I might as well enjoy the taste if I am going to drink it every morning. Spending a few dollars a few times a week seems harmless. I try not to think about the truth, which is that if I keep going at this rate, I am going to end up shelling out hundreds of dollars a year on coffee.
I feel a little guiltier with every dollar I drop on a latte, but cutting coffee out of my expenditures does not necessarily make me more financially mature. Managing your money properly is a skill that starts with being responsible. Sometimes it can be hard to tell how much you have to spend on the inessentials, especially if you have never had to keep track of your funds before college.
There are ways to budget and make room for a semi-frequent trip to the barista if you really want to. You could try going from purchasing three cups a week to two, or you could make a long-term investment in a nicer coffee machine that brews better coffee. Look for other places to save money or cut down on spending. Spend your money on coffee if that is a luxury you can afford and can’t live without.
I am coming to terms with coffee being a part of my routine some days. It feels more worth it now than it did before. I am OK with this habit as long as I never let buying coffee get in the way of using my money for things I really need. If you are going to choose to prioritize coffee over another indulgence, so be it. It might take longer to save up for those sunglasses or that pair of shoes you have been eyeing, but at least you’ll be awake and alert while you do it.
Molly Chepenik is a UF journalism sophomore. Her column appears on Wednesdays.
Emily Hart, a 20-year-old UF psychology student, scoops fresh coffee grounds from a bag on Sunday afternoon at Wyatt’s Coffee’s new downtown location at 202 SE Second Ave.
