Exactly as it should be. 
advice please DGS requires speech therapy
When I was young my Mum was always going into coffee shops and cafes for a coffee and I used to think she was wasting money when you could easily make one at home ( we didn’t have instant, it was ‘proper’coffee) . Guess what ? Now I have a coffee out at least 4 or 5 times a week and now I understand where she was coming from ! It has to be a good one, I am a coffee snob as are most Melburnians. It is getting very expensive, however and is now usually $5 for a small cup so I might have to cut back - still it’s better than cigs or booze I suppose.
Exactly as it should be. 
MissAdventure
Of course it is.
There isn't a price that can be put on getting out and about in the world of the living.
I can't be doing with this competitive going without, for the sake of £3 or so.
I don't read "competitive going without" - rather some people have limits to what they will spend in "the world of the living".
I have spending limits and spending frivolities.
Of course it is.
There isn't a price that can be put on getting out and about in the world of the living.
I can't be doing with this competitive going without, for the sake of £3 or so.
The price of coffee also includes the
Luxury of being served and the non washing up, the surroundings you sit in, the atmosphere, the break from your own 4walls and as Hebburnsent said a reason to dress and do your make up , it's good value for me
jocork I volunteer at the local food bank and was made aware of one of the families who get help being regular customers in the local Costa!. That does seem a bit much if they are so hard up they need donations of food. I have to watch my tendency to be judgmental though!
I understand. I avoid unnecessary spending any way possible, but have been told to watch my judgmental attitudes.
I doubt my thoughts were even a tendency, more likely my usual everyday attitudes toward any waste.
I have recently boycotted my favourite coffee from one of the huge coffee shops.
At first I felt it was just too expensive when I was charged £4.20 for a medium latte. But then…
They sent me a special offer on the app for two gingerbread or hazelnut lattes for £4. This sounded like a better deal, and I could have one straight away and put the other in my flask for later in the day (I’m a lorry driver, so limited as to where I can park to get coffee!). But… they didn’t have the hazelnut syrup, so I said “that’s okay, I’ll have them without” nope - they would either sell them to me with the syrup that they hadn’t got, or I had to pay £8.40 for them without! ?
My friend thought it was just a one-off and went to her local one to be told exactly the same.
They’ve lost a couple of customers, not that I suspect they’ll notice ?
I only go out for a coffee once a week. I go for an hour's walk with a 'simply walk' group and we go for a coffee afterwards. The coffee is quite good value and the loyalty card they use gives a free coffee after buying 9 so it doesn't seem too extravagant. Other than that I only visit coffee shops when I'm travelling or on holiday as I make rea coffee at home so it does seem an unnecessary cost.
I volunteer at the local food bank and was made aware of one of the families who get help being regular customers in the local Costa!. That does seem a bit much if they are so hard up they need donations of food. I have to watch my tendency to be judgemental though! I'm sure most food bank users are in genuine need but it has reduced my willingness to donate thinking that some recipients may be taking advantage. I still volunteer though. The need for foodbanks is increasing with the cost of living crisis so I guess the criteria for help may tighten up.
Have never drunk tea as the smell makes me nauseous. Can’t take the weird taste of instant coffees…no actual aroma or taste of coffee?
What I love is freshly made stronger cappuccinos or lattes accompanied by a small delicious cake or pastry. I adore cafes and am willing to pay what it takes to keep them in business!
We have some lovely coffee shops nearby and even our Cafe Nero branch produce some delicious drinks and sweet treats.
I'd rather have my lunch than a coffee and cake and prices are similar. There are coffee huts where I walk the dog with a couple of outside tables and they are cheaper than the cafes, but it's getting too cold to sit there now. I love to watch the dogs standing in the queue waiting for their Pupachinos.
tbh it makes me do my hair, put a bit of makeup on and get dressed. If I stay home I don't bother as much. My husband and I go for coffee every day. Sometimes just a Costa and toast for breakfast- sometimes for a drive in the country
It's getting a little too cool for me to sit outside so prefer to see friends at home where I know the coffee is good. Still cautious about close contact and being out and about too much. I have had Covid and am trying to avoid getting it again. Roll on summer.
My fresh coffee is very important to me and whatever else I have to give up the coffee will be the last thing. I have champagne taste and beer money. So my way is that I have a box in my boot, and have bone china mugs, cutlery in a little lunch box , take 2 thermos flasks with hot but NOT boiling water. my cafetiere, fresh milk and often take some fruit or a couple of biscuits in a bag. I do occasionally go into a coffee shop but friends and I prefer to meet at a local park, or near a little wood and have a little walk if I am able to, then can sit in the car with lovely coffee and chat. If the weather is good have fold up little chairs with backs so can get them out and sit and enjoy the peace and lovely views. Do the same if I go to the coast, then can sit away from a town but up on the cliffs with great views and stop where we want to . Hurray for coffee for me.My sister hates coffee and only has 3/4 diffierent kinds of tea. I only get tea if she visits , enjoy my choice of coffees . Have a good day
I love visiting a cafe but oh doesn't. When I visit GC I'm always popping into a cafe for coffee but not cake. Quite partial to a Danish pastry tho. I'm a Cafe Nero fan but do try independent cafes. Anyone got any recommendations for cafes in Cambridge?
A treat when I was a small child, was my glamorous smartly dressed grandmother taking me out to an Italian cafe for coffee. She had a day off midweek as she worked at weekends. My local town still has several Italian cafes. They are buzzing every lunchtime except on a Sunday.
I meet up with a friend for a walk once a month. We have lunch first and coffee and cake after. It costs more for the coffee and cake than it does for lunch....
I can remember going into a cafe with my mum 60 odd years ago. She would order a 'frothy coffee' and we kids would be allowed to spoon off the froth as a well-remembered treat.
Meet up once a week with brother for a coffee otherwise very rarely visit coffee shops. Prices have gone up considerably. Have always wondered how so many young folk can afford daily take-away coffees yet complain about not affording to save for a house.
@ Joseanne
The only annoying thing is that they don’t open until 10 am which to me seems very late
Plenty early enough for Rosie and me!
Anything earlier constitutes breakfast! 
We don't deliberately go out just for a coffee/cake but if we are out and about and fancy a cuppa we do try to frequent the smaller, independent cafes over the likes of Costa(plenty) and Star(cost a lot of)Bucks.
My thinking entirely Norah ! 
I have an insulated bottle, make my coffee at home, take it in the car if I must go out. I'm a happy hermit, content at home - with coffee.
I'm not content paying for something I can cook myself.

I had to cut down on the number. When I was working I used to get heart palpitations caused by too much caffeine. Mind you, I’m talking 6 or 7 cups during a working day. Now I have a max of 2 .Funny because tea doesn’t affect me like that, I guess there is less caffeine in tea ?
Sadly, I discovered, after years of drinking coffee, that I was having a miserable reaction to it. So, for the last 50+ years, it's been tea ( black, but not too black!) for me. I enjoy a hot chocolate, though the quality can, all too often, turn out to be disappointing. Nowadays, I usually meet friends by arrangement, rather than go by myself.
I do like going out for a coffee (and a piece of cake) but wonder at all those people who think it is trendy to carry a disposable cuppa from Starbucks or Costa wherever they go. The influence of US sitcoms of the 80’s and 90’s perhaps?
I used to buy a coffee to have on the train when I visiting DH in hospital or indeed going anywhere and then I realised how it was mounting up so now I have an insulated drinks bottle and make myself a coffee in my Nespresso machine before I leave the house , it also comes in handy in traffic jams!
Sometimes as children we would be treated to cake and soft drink with our mum down town in a department store. I only like the occasional Gold coffee at home I never drink tea elsewhere I only like my tea.
I never go out for cake and coffee if I eat cake it’s only at the weekend and made by myself or my family as we have the same taste.
If I go out for a drink it’s a walk to the pub a train to the rugby club or a restaurant. That is pleasure to me just chilling with a drink no time table just relaxing.
Registering is free, easy, and means you can join the discussion, watch threads and lots more.
Register now »Already registered? Log in with:
Gransnet »Get our top conversations, latest advice, fantastic competitions, and more, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter here.