It's amazing how clever I can be when justifying a little splurge. Do you have a small even harmless expense which helps you get through the day? In the old days, it was a 3:00pm trip to the vending machine at work. I can create almost any excuse to explain why I deserve to treat myself. It may be to get through a hard project, or to reward myself after a hard project.
This is not an article about deprivation. We need little boosts like this to get through the day.
However, I - and maybe you - don't think about the cummulative affects. We can do the math: a $4 cup of coffee is just under $1000 a year. Then over a working career - plus the returns you could have had in the market - well, we won't discuss that number. But it's disheartening. And lunch costs much more.
It doesn't mean you can't drink coffee.
Work is hard sometimes. Life is hard. But let's review some ways that small comfort purchases can add up over time. Most of these you don't have to say no to, but you do need to think about when and how you buy them. That same cup of coffee costs pennies if you make it at home.
Here are some suggestions:
1. Dining out. This is my weakest point. I don't want to share how much money has gone out of the bank month after month when I was stressed about work. And the price of a fast food meal is not what it was 10 years ago! But some days that sandwich or salad from home is just not appealing.
2. Subscriptions. Companies know that $10/month is not a big concern for most people, but those subscriptions can add up, especially if you aren't using them.
3. Snacks. Why do convenience stores not put the price tag on the candy bar? We know why.
And the list could go on and on. But practically speaking what can we do?
1. Try not to think about saying no to yourself all the time. We pay more for convenience. You can buy coffee or snacks at the grocery store in bulk. You just have to think ahead.
2. Try to add some zip to that brown bag you bring to the office for lunch. Buying better quality ingredients costs a little more, but it makes lunch more appealing and still costs much less than eating out.
3. Aim for moderation. Treat yourself sometimes, but not every day. One idea is to pick one day a week to eat out for lunch. Get the flavored coffee you like, but make it at home.
Aiming for a lifestyle of saying no to everyone you enjoy won't work, and you'll be glum if you do survive it. It's better to plan, buy in bulk, treat yourself from time to time, and see if the bank balance doesn't improve.
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