I think you can rationalize making it at home if you actually do it. My favorite Starbucks drink is nearly $9 and I just quit my job so I can’t get this more than once a week or so. I figured out how to make it at home and keep all the ingredients on hand/prepped in the fridge. My kid likes it too, so sometimes I make it for both of us and we sit and hang out for a bit. So it’s *almost* like going to Starbucks, right? It feels like a decent replacement. (And truth be told I like my version better lately.)

@Roons – yes, it’s lovely to sit and have a coffee! (or a tea, but I’m less of a tea drinker). It can be a great ritual for sure.

@Hayley – everyone loves ice cream! Sounds like a great way to win them over. Life doesn’t have to all be hard.

@Elisabeth – how have you completely avoided Starbucks??? But yes, finding ways to connect within any budget matters. There is more to life than pure financial optimization.

@Anna – yes, these things are not either/or. And sometimes little extravagances are quite worth it.