My "Latte Factor"

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-18-2004
My "Latte Factor"
6
Mon, 08-08-2005 - 4:38pm

Just had to share about my realization. As I was drinking my fourth diet coke of the day on Friday (or was it Thursday) I realized that DH and I go through a 24 pack of diet coke in two days. Now where we buy them, we pay $6 for 24. I thought to myself that that is $90/month just on diet coke. So, DH and I have resolved to cut back to 6 a day between us. I have started drinking only two a day and substituting tea for diet coke. No, I can't drink water--it has to have some flavor to it. What is tea anyway but flavored water with a little caffine? So, I figured this will save us $45/month. That will go to credit cards to get the balances down.

I once read a book where the author mentioned "the latte factor." He used the example of people who buy a cup of gourmet coffee on their way to work, on break whatever. I thought at the time it didn't apply to me because I don't go to work and I don't drink coffee. But, his challange was to come up with your own "latte factor."

Well, diet coke is mine. What's yours?

Kellie

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2004
Mon, 08-08-2005 - 4:55pm

I have read that David Back book too and mine use to be stopping at Starbucks every morning, so my latte was my latte factor! Ha! But now I only have a latte maybe once or twice a month and I must say, I enjoy them so much more than I use to when I had them everyday.

~leanne

~leanne

deciding to be happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect, but that you had decided to look beyond the imp

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-30-2003
Mon, 08-08-2005 - 5:07pm

Mine's Diet Coke too! I try to only pay $4.99 for a 24-pack, but it does add up. I drink between 3-4 cans a day on average, so the 24 pack will last me almost 1 week. I don't know that I'm that willing (yet) to give it up and send the money to bills, lol. I could probably cut down and send at least the cost of 1 case, though.

Lisa

Avatar for cl_beckymk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 08-08-2005 - 5:11pm

Actually - Mine *IS* tea but that's cheap!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-21-2003
Tue, 08-09-2005 - 4:06am

My latte factor is - don't laugh at me, please - newspapers and magazines.

I try to take the one we get delivered home on the bus to work, but sometimes I am through with it already on the way there, so I buy another (my second favorite newspaper) in the evening when I take the bus and subway back. I just have to have something to read at the train and bus, since I don't want to spend half and hour with staring at other poeple who are at their way to the office or back home, too.

... yes, I have tried to switch to books, and it partly works ;-)

Greetings, Jordis

ivy_jordis

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2005
Tue, 08-09-2005 - 3:38pm
Mine is Mountain Dew. I swear I am addicted. DH has been ragging on me to cut down, but it's like my coffee. I can't function with out it. I go through a 12 pack in about 3 days. I will go to which ever store has it on sale, though, so sometimes I can get it really cheap by shopping around. DH drinks Pepsi, but he only has 2 or 3 a day, so even if I have some of that, it will last a long time. I can't even imagine how skinny I would be or how much money I would have if I could just start drinking water all of the time!!! I can't drink diet, I tried. It gives me headaches. I also smoke about 1/2 pk a day, so if I could quit that too, I am probably looking at well over $100/month. Hmmmm.....maybe I should give all of this a try. You have started me thinking now that I have actually put it in writing.......
thanks
abby
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-02-2004
Tue, 08-09-2005 - 4:26pm

At least you are filling your mind...try to get books from the library. Years ago, I had a neighbor who was also a big reader and a SAHM--she and I swapped magazines. We'd each subscribe to a couple and trade them off each month. Saved a little and got us socializing. Utilize the library--my favorite frugal source for reading material, books, music and books on tape. I read/listen to books on my commute--gotta drive 30 minutes one way to work and listen to novels to "multi-task". Do you have a walkman thing? You could do the same and have hands free to do needlework if that's one of your hobbies. I kinda envy you--I loathe driving, but there's no public trans. available. You probably spend less on bus/subway than I do on gas/car expenses.

Not laughing at all,
Cupcake