Go to Starbucks EVERY Day

I live in the coffee capital of the world:  Seattle, Washington.  This is the birthplace of Starbucks.  Pictured is the first Starbucks located across from Pike’s Market.  There are a LOT of coffee shops here and if you have ever been to Seattle, you can understand how a caffeine buzz can substitute for the sunshine cortisol boost that we rarely get in these parts.  This is all well and good but this article is less about caffeine addiction and more about the addiction to happy time.

Have you seen one of the many financial articles with tips on banishing hidden-money-sucks from you life?  They always include ditching your Starbucks habit in order to save money (DO ditch coffee if you have a duodenal ulcer or zero money).  I personally know many people who gain so much joy out of their daily trip to see the emerald siren, including me.  Here are some things I have noted from them:

1. “I hate my job and the only thing that gets me out of bed in the morning is knowing that I have the commute to enjoy my Starbucks without anyone bothering me.”

2. “A trip to Starbucks is sometimes the only reason to get my baby and I dressed and out of the house.  It is our happy time.”

3. “It’s my post-work out treat!  It actually get’s me to play tennis.  The bonus is that I get to hang out in my tennis outfit for a while off the court.”

My first real job was Starbuck’s Barista.  I was sixteen and living in Potomac, Maryland.  As an employee, you get to have as many drinks as you want when you’re at work.  Honestly, I barely touched the stuff back then.  As I grew up, I started a bit of a caffeine habit.  Like any new junkie, I would try whichever coffee shop was most convenient for my buzz.  Luckily, I could count on a Starbucks pretty much wherever I was.

Top 5 Reasons to “Choose Starbucks” and do it Often:

1. Consistency: The drinks are made to the same recipes wherever you go.  The latte I’ve had in Japan is identical to the ones I drink in Seattle.

2. Guarantee: You can count on loving your drink and if you don’t they’ll remake it for you or make you something else…and they’re nice about it.

3. Food:  There is always some kind of healthy and/or gluten free option whether it be a KIND granola bar or the cut veggie pack.  The calories counts are provided and there are many goodies that come in respectable portions if you so desire.

4. Third Place:  When I worked there about 18 years ago (YIKES!), we were taught that Starbucks was trying to be the “Third Place.”  Third place is not work and not home but the third place.  It has succeeded.  It is a great place to meet people for dates, business meetings, catching up (no need to clean the house for guests), reading, writing etc.

5. I FEEL FANCY when I go to Starbucks.  I don’t shop at Neiman Marcus (yet) but people who shop at Neiman Marcus drink Starbucks because it is good, slightly overpriced and symbolic (altitude and attitude).  When you feel fancy, you ARE fancy.  You are more productive, your self esteem goes up and you are happier.  “Oh, Susan looks so good today, it must be that Starbucks Blonde Roast she’s drinking.”  It probably is.

There are many different ways to  “Choose Starbucks.”  It could be another habit like a magazine subscription, maid service or buying organic.  Have you heard of the saying, “it takes money to make money?” Just as mutual fund investments grow your money, doing things to make yourself happy aid in growing your wealth.  It’s contagious.

P.S. Our coffee was free this morning b/c the wait at Starbucks was long.  What great customer service!!