The “majority of people spend $11–20 on Starbucks per week. The total cost of that ranges anywhere from $165 to $300” every five months, or “one semester” according to Caroline Shagnea, student at Catholic University of America. 

Every morning in the halls, someone can spot at least five drinks from either Starbucks, Dunkin’, 7Brew or similar places just by standing still and looking around. This is an issue. Typically, these guilty pleasures can cost $5 to $9, and by buying one to three of these drinks a week, a student can be spending upwards of $17. 

Junior Avery Neugebauer says that she “spend[s] about $20 on drinks from Starbucks and 7Brew a week.” 

But why are these drinks so popular? Maybe the marketing, the fun flavors or the wide variety. Although one things is certain, they can put a dent in a wallet. 

According to CNBC, “70 percent of college seniors with student debt say looming repayments will impact their future career plans.” 

Many students fall into this situation due to the consumerism associated with these ‘fun’ drinks. They feel that they need to have them in order to get through the day. Rather than spending up to $700 a year or more on these drinks, students can be saving this money for more important bigger purchases like cars and college. 

Adolescents need to be able to look past the morning coffee runs and see the amount of money they could lose in the long run through these addictive spending habits. 

Even though this sacrifice may seem impossible, someone will get out what they put into it. 

Junior Zyra Sulatre says that to lessen her spending, she “tell[s]… [herself] to wait until the end of the week, so it’s more of a reward.”

So start gradually, start weaning off by only purchasing a drink once or twice a week. Soon enough, the habit will be broken and it can become a once in a while treat, not a constant unhealthy spending habit.