(Hello, Gienna!)
I used to stop by Starbucks once a week or so for a latte or a cappuccino. It was a little treat, an occasional distraction on a slow day, or pick-me-up on a busy one. I don't remember when I started going more frequently than that, nor do I remember when I made the leap to daily Starbucks consumption. It just kind of snuck up on me, as addictions do.
The math is horrifying: $4 a day, $20 a (work) week, $1,040 a year. And that doesn't even include the occasional low-fat cinnamon coffee cake or cookie.
Holy coffee grounds, Batman.
Meanwhile, because I am totally addicted not only to the caffeine, but also to the ritual of these daily trips, I decided I would take the first step on the path to recovery by cutting back to one plain coffee each day. That cuts the cost roughly in half. And no more low-fat coffee cake, which we all know full well is not that low-fat.
So yesterday I walk into the local Starbucks, full of resolve. And as I walk up the counter two baristas say to me, in unison, "Venti non-fat cappuccino extra foam?"
That's, right. IN UNISON. You know you've been spending too much money at Starbucks when the employees know your usual drink order by heart.
It was the first time this had happened to me, and I was so thrown off that I told them that I was ordering a regular coffee because I am going broke buying cappuccinos every day. They thought that was hilarious.
Anyway, part of the reason I'm trying to cut down on expenses is that I'm going to San Francisco for a little vacation soon and I would like not to have to sleep at the local YMCA. I'm really excited about the trip, especially since I don't have to worry about there being a Starbucks on every corner there.
(Photo by Thomas Hawk. Click on the photo to find out what's going on in this funny picture.)
3 comments:
Hi G,
Pre-latest baby, I had a terrible, expensive coffee (decaf) habit going. At least I was patronizing--more like subsidizing--a LOCAL coffee chain, but it wasn't any cheaper. It was the ritual of going that I liked, and the cheery greeting, being waited on. Sometimes I hung out in the high-ceilinged space, pretending it was my club (and I did often meet writers there, too). Dude, can you send me e-mail? I'm sooo lonely, alone with baby on maternity leave.
rcas
I usually split my business with a local cafe, too. I hate to say it, but their cappucinos aren't quite as good--not foamy enough although they do make those cool designs in the foam--flowers, hearts, etc. And the people there are so nice--I actually ran into the owner at the grocery store and we stood there chatting for a few minutes. No one from Sstarbucks would ever recognize me outside of their store.
I'm working on a nice, long, real letter, because I know you like to get them! Though I have to say none of my news even comes close to topping yours!
xoxo
G
...in unison, "Venti non-fat cappuccino extra foam?"
To which you should have replied:
- Shaken, not stirred
Thank you, that has put up a smile on my face!
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