Question

Do y’all feel weird about going to Starbucks, for meetings or to study and not buying anything? I study frequently at Starbucks to be out of the house and help me focus. I want to bring my own coffee bc I don’t even like their coffee. Lol but I always end up getting something bc I feel like I have to “pay” for using their space. Just to clarify I do always buy something  I usually get a refresher bc I don’t like their coffee and I don’t want to buy a $5 coffee. I used to buy the expensive coffees all the time until I realized how much money was going toward them and now budgeting to get out of debt.  

Answer 1

Don’t feel bad! It’s not like they’re servers. you order and you either stay or leave. You’re not making a mess  you’re just studying.  

Comments

@peel girl more than half of the Starbs I’ve been to are empty! You’re not taking up anyone’s “space”  the comments are ridiculous. Get a plastic $3 cup and brew your own coffee. No one will know

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@repp1 I didn’t know you were in this group! Heyyyy! ‍♀️ Do you use her workbook?  

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@repp1  true. I just felt weird about it and was wondering what other people did.  

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@peel I download her free tools but I’m doing more of the Ramsey approach since we did FPU!  We’re also in our frugal season!  

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Haltom high reunion over here

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The Haltom Budgeting Club  

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@repp1 I did the Ramsey method first too! He was I little intense for me lol but It works! Girl same I’m back in school and not taking out loans so all my money has been going toward it. It’s so expensive lol

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@peel He’s like he says “gazelle” intense  You just have to find what works for you and your finances! I want to go back to school but not until I can pay for it in cash. We can do it though  

Answer 2

I think it’s fair to buy something. The space is for customers.  

Comments

@bergeman well said! Totally agree

Answer 3

Same here.  

Answer 4

Buy a reusable Starbucks cup and who would know!  

Answer 5

I’d have to buy something.  

Answer 6

I go to local libraries if I don’t feel like buying coffee or I get one of their protein boxes or snacks.  

Answer 7

My son orders ice water with 10 pumps of raspberry flavoring. its about fifty cents.  

Comments

@singlefoot omg what an amazing idea. I need to try this!  

Answer 8

It’s not a public space, it’s a business so you have to buy something. I have brought my own and buy a pastry or breakfast sandwich.  

Answer 9

I do this and I get reusable or get an ice water and add mio to make it look like I bought something when i was super struggling in college ! No one said anything and I became good friends with the baristas !  

Answer 10

I find the reusable cups comes in handy. You don’t necessarily have to buy, maybe. getting a water ‍♀️.  

Comments

@featherbrain they are also Cheap to buy

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I’ve bought two of them before. I’m sad I can’t find them smh

Answer 11

Buy a tea. Love their flavored ice teas.  

Answer 12

You definitely should pay for coffee if you intend on using the space. I often go to work and there's no room, i would be so irked if people that weren't customers were taking up that space

Answer 13

You shouldn’t be sitting there without purchasing something! I am not sure why people think it’s ok to sit there for hours when other paying customers can’t find a seat to sit for 10 minutes to drink a coffee

Answer 14

Sorry dude, you should buy something.  

Answer 15

The library is free

Answer 16

I struggle with this a lot. Unless I’m with a group I won’t buy anything since everyone else does. I’m a student so getting out of my house helps me focus. But what I usually do is bring my own water and buy a sweet! Something small is still something!  

Answer 17

I get either a or a cheese stick if I’m broke.  

Answer 18

Some places have Internet cafes which is for that sole purpose

Answer 19

Just to clarify I do always buy something  I usually get a refresher bc I don’t like their coffee and I don’t want to buy a $5 coffee. I used to buy the expensive coffees all the time until I realized how much money was going toward them!  

Answer 20

In Olympia the homeless come in and chill bring their own food and drink in and aren’t kicked out. They don’t buy anything and they stay for hours

Answer 21

I would relocate to a school or local library. So you dont feel you need to buy something every time.  

Answer 22

You can get a drip coffee? I would buy something.  

Answer 23

I used to get a venti iced water (free) and just study there if I didn’t want coffee and never had any issues

Answer 24

I can never concentrate on anything at Starbucks. Too much distraction and oh look, a squirrel  Kudos to anyone who can actually get anything done at Starbucks with or without coffee. I’m a library person! Lol

Comments

@fourinhand8 Rachelle Soendker OMG! Your squirrel comment has me rolling. We use this at work all of the time.  

Answer 25

I drink their filtered water or refreshers but that's if it's in my budget.  

Answer 26

You should buy something in fact you should buy several somethings if you will be there long- you are taking up seats from other people

Answer 27

I’ve gone before to study or work and not bought anything. don’t feel bad lol

Answer 28

Just buy a Starbucks cup and show up with it. Sit outside. nobody has to know you didnt buy it there

Answer 29

McDonalds has wifi and a dollar menu. and usually lots more seats so you wouldn't be talking up prime real estate.  

Answer 30

Yes. I’m the same way I don’t like their coffee but I get anything cheap to sit there. I usually go to Panera to study and get an ice tea

Answer 31

Yes, if you’d using their space there is an overhead. You should purchase something.  

Answer 32

Do you remember what the inside of a library looks like ? Pro tip:: you can take your coffee in there as long as it’s covered !  

Answer 33

I used to work at Starbucks and they literally do not care if you buy anything as long as you’re not being crazy and causing problems, hang out as long as you want.  

Answer 34

You can buy a small tea and refills are free. This may work for some coffees too, but I get green tea

Answer 35

While it's probably ok for Starbucks to not buy anything, I wouldn't be comfortable staying there for periods of time and not purchasing. I'd go to the library, I guess.  

Answer 36

I work for Starbucks. It may sound bad but I wouldn’t even notice. You can order a large cup of water. Study away!  

Answer 37

I drink a trenta black tea when I go.  

Answer 38

I don't like to not buy something. I've actually switched locations for my local crafting group. Because while *I* could buy (budgeted for it ;) ), not EVERYONE could. Now we do Mall food courts because people CAN buy but less obligation to do so. We did libraries as well, but it was hard to schedule every month

Answer 39

Find a different spot you like the drink or food. We have a local coffee place I like. I’ll go there to do some work and I always buy a drink.