Managing costs necessary for coffee drinkers
Amie Troutt
Mesa Legend
As the aroma of Arabica beans permeates the air about a dozen students stand in line waiting to get their first caffeine fix of the day. Grounds for Thought is one of two coffee shops on the Mesa Community College campus. The line of customers wraps around the tables and chairs and extends as far back as the entrance doors. “I never really liked the taste of coffee until I knew it would give me that last bit of energy I need to push through my homework,” says MCC student Jacque Quesada. “Now it’s a habit I can’t seem to shake, nor want to shake. I love coffee,” she added. MCC is home to over 20,000 people taking collegiate level classes without paying university tuition. Attending a community college saves money, but students may be trading off their savings. An average cup of joe starting price is about $2.25 – and it increases from there if milk, special creamers, flavors or sweeteners are added.
Then there’s the alternative for those who can’t stomach the tartness of plain coffee. They have the option to indulge in the sugary, caffeinated, and highly expensive energy beverages. Down the street from Southern and Dobson campus is Starbucks. The coffee shop has multiple drinks that are as pricey as $13, the equivalent of about 150 packs of ramen. “I am not even aware how much money I drop on coffee,” adds Quesada. “It’s become such a habitual part of my day that payment never crosses my mind.” “I start my day with a cup of coffee from home and then on my way to school I’ll usually drive through Dutch Brothers [Coffee] or Starbucks to grab something to sip on in class,” said Felicia Jones, Arizona State University senior. “Later in the night I usually venture over to my favorite low-key coffee shop to read, study and of course sip on some coffee,” she added.
Jones works two jobs and classifies herself as a poor college student. When asked how much money she dishes out on coffee a week, she estimated her spending to be around the $40 to $50. That’s an average of more than five dollars a day. “I wouldn’t say that I am addicted to coffee. I really enjoy the community of coffee lovers in the Valley and I think hanging out at coffee shops are a great location to get work done while also being a convenient place to meet people,” Jones said. Stony Brook University reported that the ‘average coffee consumer’ spends $102.80 on coffee a month. SBU says that if one is spending that much a month, it is wise to take simple steps to cut back on spending, such as buying a coffee pot for the home or dorm room.
