Why Your Morning Coffee Isn’t the Problem (But This Habit Is)

For years, personal finance experts have pushed the idea that small daily expenses—like your morning coffee—are the reason you’re not wealthy. The advice goes something like this: Skip your $5 latte, and you’ll save nearly $2,000 a year! Over time, this could supposedly add up to a fortune.

At first glance, the logic seems sound. Cutting back on unnecessary spending is a good habit. But here’s the reality: Your coffee habit isn’t the reason you’re struggling financially. In fact, hyper-focusing on small expenses can distract you from the real financial mistakes that are draining your bank account.

There’s a much bigger culprit at play—one that’s keeping even high-income earners from building wealth. It’s sneaky, gradual, and happens to almost everyone: lifestyle creep.

If you’re serious about improving your finances, it’s time to stop sweating the small stuff and start paying attention to the habits that actually matter.

The Latte Lie: Why Small Expenses Aren’t the Real Issue

The idea that skipping a coffee will make you rich ignores a simple truth—small savings don’t mean much if your big expenses are out of control.

Yes, saving money where you can is important. But fixating on tiny costs, like a daily coffee or a lunch out with friends, won’t magically transform your financial future if you’re ignoring the real money drains.

Think about it this way: If you’re spending hundreds (or thousands) more than you need to on rent, car payments, or shopping, is saving a few bucks on coffee really going to make a difference? Probably not.

More importantly, cutting out every small luxury makes budgeting feel like deprivation. When you associate financial responsibility with sacrificing everything fun, it becomes a miserable experience—and that’s when people quit budgeting altogether. A budget you resent is a budget you won’t stick to.

Instead of micromanaging every purchase, the better approach is to identify and fix the big financial habits that actually determine whether you’ll succeed or struggle.

The Real Habit That’s Holding You Back: Lifestyle Creep

If you’ve ever received a raise or started making more money, only to find yourself still living paycheck to paycheck, you’ve experienced lifestyle creep.

What Is Lifestyle Creep?

Lifestyle creep happens when your spending increases as your income increases. You make more money, so you upgrade your lifestyle—without even realizing it.

It starts small. You get a raise, so you upgrade your apartment, buy a nicer car, or start shopping at more expensive stores. Since you can afford it, it doesn’t feel like a bad decision. Over time, these small upgrades become your new normal, and soon, you’re making twice as much as you did a few years ago but still struggling financially.

Why Lifestyle Creep Is Dangerous

Unlike a daily coffee or an occasional splurge, lifestyle creep increases your fixed expenses—things like rent, car payments, and monthly subscriptions. These aren’t one-time purchases; they’re ongoing costs that lock you into higher spending permanently.

The worst part? Since lifestyle creep happens gradually, it’s easy to justify. You don’t feel like you’re making reckless spending choices—after all, you’re just rewarding yourself for working hard. But before you know it, your expenses have grown so much that even a solid income doesn’t feel like enough.

A survey by Bankrate found that 34% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, including many high-income earners. The issue isn’t always low earnings—it’s how money is managed.

How to Prevent Lifestyle Creep

Instead of automatically increasing your spending every time your income goes up, try this approach:

1. Save first. The next time you get a raise, put a percentage of it directly into savings or investments before adjusting your lifestyle.
2. Upgrade intentionally. Ask yourself: Do I actually need this upgrade, or am I just spending more because I can?
3. Avoid unnecessary fixed costs. The biggest financial traps come from monthly payments that seem small individually but add up over time.

Lifestyle creep is one of the biggest threats to financial growth—far more than your morning coffee will ever be.

The Hidden Budget Killer: Subscription Fatigue

Another silent money drain? Subscriptions you forgot about—or don’t actually use.

From streaming services and gym memberships to monthly subscription boxes and premium apps, most people underestimate how much they’re spending on subscriptions.

A study by West Monroe found that the average person spends $273 per month on subscriptions—many of which they don’t actively use.

Why Subscriptions Are Dangerous

1. They’re easy to forget. Since they auto-renew, you might not even realize how much you’re paying each month.
2. They add up quickly. A $10 streaming service here, a $15 fitness app there—it doesn’t seem like much, but over time, these small charges can total thousands of dollars per year.
3. They make quitting difficult. Companies deliberately design cancellation processes to be frustrating, hoping you’ll give up and keep paying.

How to Fix It

1. Audit your subscriptions. Go through your bank statements and look for anything you’re still paying for but no longer use.
2. Use a subscription tracker. Apps like Rocket Money or Truebill help identify and cancel forgotten subscriptions.
3. Switch to pay-as-you-go. Instead of paying for services you use occasionally, look for one-time payment options or free alternatives.

By cutting unnecessary subscriptions, you can free up money without sacrificing anything you actually enjoy.

When Spending Becomes Emotional

One of the most overlooked financial habits is emotional spending. Many people use shopping as a way to cope with stress, boredom, or even happiness.

• Have a bad day? You buy something to cheer yourself up.
• Have a good day? You “reward” yourself with a splurge.
• Feeling bored? A little online shopping sounds fun.

Why Emotional Spending Hurts Your Finances

1. It’s impulsive. Unlike planned purchases, emotional spending isn’t budgeted for—so it often leads to overspending.
2. It doesn’t bring lasting happiness. That initial dopamine rush fades quickly, leaving you with buyer’s remorse and a higher credit card balance.
3. It creates a cycle. The more you rely on spending to feel good, the harder it is to break the habit.

How to Control Emotional Spending

1. Use the 48-hour rule. If you see something you want, wait two days before buying it. If you still want it after 48 hours, it’s probably a real desire—not just an impulse.
2. Find non-spending ways to boost your mood. Exercise, hobbies, and spending time with friends can be just as rewarding as shopping—without the financial regret.
3. Set a fun budget. Giving yourself a set amount for guilt-free spending can help you enjoy shopping without going overboard.

Emotional spending isn’t about what you buy—it’s about why you buy. Identifying your triggers can help you make better financial decisions.

The Small Things Aren’t the Problem—The Big Habits Are

Skipping your morning coffee isn’t going to make you rich. The real financial pitfalls come from habits that quietly drain your money without you noticing.

Lifestyle creep, unused subscriptions, and emotional spending are far bigger obstacles to financial success than a $5 latte. By focusing on the real money leaks, you can improve your finances without sacrificing the little things that bring joy.

So go ahead—enjoy your coffee. Just make sure the rest of your spending habits are working for you, not against you.

MJ Brioso, Writer, The Urban Explorer

MJ is our go-to guru for all things city life. With a love for shopping and a passion for cultural exploration, she's constantly diving into the heart of big cities, finding hidden gems that most tourists miss.