Free Coffee

[mickeyd]

Though DW and I have plenty of investments and monthly income streams that pretty-much pay all of the bills, I can not avoid getting involved with free offers.

A local store offers free coffee/soda every Monday to anyone with a military ID. We have plenty of coffee in the house. We have a coffee maker that takes 1 minute to brew a cup of Joe, yet each and every Monday AM I drive over to the store (a few blocks, I should walk) and get my free extra large coffee.

It must be a hard-wiring deal with me because all of the logical reasons to stop this weekly effort (reference above) seem to be irrelevant to me.

My logic: if it makes me a bit happy to get free coffee, why not?

 

[audreyh1]

Sure - if it's good, and yes, you should walk

 

[target2019]

If you walk, and get there Wednesday, I will buy you a cup...

 

[user5027]

Is it still free if you are using gas and and consider wear and tear on the car?

 

[Legally_dead]

I always have time for "free," and it sounds like you do too. We have racetrac gas stations where I live and they offer free items with a survey on every receipt. Lots of free coffees, sodas, and donuts. I think these are the types of behaviors that make millionaires next door.


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[FUEGO]

I'm the same way to a certain extent. I'd drive a minute or two to get some free coffee (or more likely walk the 5-7 minutes). We have a starbucks about that far away and I'll run down there occasionally if they are offering something free (or to redeem my free b-day rewards). Although I won't cross the 10 lane road to get free coffee from the McDonald's across from the starbucks.

 

[brett]

I am not big on free anything. Does not matter if it is free coffee at McDonalds or free samples at Costco. Does not do anything for me.

 

[robnplunder]

The main reason why I buy mostly from Ebay is to avoid driving to buy a single, small item. I have been saving gas money that way. I will not drive to get a free anything unless it's at least worth more than my time & gas.

 

[Legally_dead]

I once knocked my side mirror off my car backing out of the garage. I was in a hurry to get free donuts. Those were the most expensive donuts I've ever had.


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[Sunset]

Free is always good, but I would calculate out the cost as 30 cents per mile for your car and see if its still such a good thing. Considering home brewed coffee costs about 10 cents a cup.
Sometimes its still worth it.
Like when LL Bean gave me a $10 coupon and free shipping, I found a flashlight on their site that with tax cost about 65 cents to be delivered to my door.
Very definitely worth it.

 

[FUEGO]

Free is always good, but I would calculate out the cost as 30 cents per mile for your car and see if its still such a good thing. Considering home brewed coffee costs about 10 cents a cup.
Sometimes its still worth it.

That's why I won't drive 1.5 miles up the road to get free coffee or free soda at Sheetz. I figure it costs around $0.50 or $0.60 plus my time. Now I might spend an hour to walk up there and back if the weather is nice and enjoy the coffee on the way back (and make a pit stop at the rec center or library!).

 

[NW-Bound]

I would not drive a few blocks for free coffee. It would take more to entice me. However, the OP may just enjoy this chance to get out of the house, and it has become a habit. So, it costs more for gas than what the coffee is worth, but looking at it as a leisure activity then it is really cheap.

People all have different routines that they do. My mother would drive to the grocery stores to get just a few things, and she does it on a daily basis although she eats little. The cost of gas is not what I worry about, but it's her exposure to traffic and her deteriorating driving skills. Else, it's cheap leisure activity for her.

 

[sengsational]

My logic: if it makes me a bit happy to get free coffee, why not?

Your logic agrees with mine: It's all about happiness. Besides, you might meet like-minded people on your trek one day and start a lifetime friendship. If, otoh, seeking the free thing takes you away from something that makes you happy, well, the solution is obvious.

 

[mystang52]

Sure, staying home and brewing one's own coffee is no doubt cheaper. But I like to go out, especially for breakfast. So, if I'll be out anyway I may as well go for that free coffee.

 

[rodi]

Am I the only one who opened this thread hoping to find a link to get free coffee by mail (or at a national chain.)

Free is my favorite price. Cheap or on sale are my second favorite prices.

 

[Chuckanut]

A lot of people mock the $2 coffee. But, it can be one of the least expensive ways to get out of the house and socialize. Compared to other leisure activities, it's cheap

 

[robnplunder]

It's the hunt, not the meat.

 

[sengsational]

A lot of people mock the $2 coffee. But, it can be one of the least expensive ways to get out of the house and socialize. Compared to other leisure activities, it's cheap

When I was down in Garden City, SC, there was a group of guys that drank coffee at McDonalds every morning. Yeah, they were over there yucking it up. They invited me to join in, but alas, back then I was simply free-loading on wifi for w*rk. But yeah, if you can get out of the house and all it costs you is a cup of coffee, you're getting a deal!

 

[splitwdw]

Walk/drive it gets you out. There's already one Hermit on this forum; we don't need another. Do you get free cream and sugar too? You can be frugal and save the cup they give you to use at home!

 

[rodi]

Walk/drive it gets you out. There's already one Hermit on this forum; we don't need another. Do you get free cream and sugar too? You can be frugal and save the cup they give you to use at home!

You laugh... but DH actually rinses and reuses the cardboard *$'s cups that make it back to our house. That way he can take home-brewed coffee "to go" and not have to worry when he tosses the cup.

 

[Cheesehead]

I have a great situation which makes me feel like I'm saving since it's done once or twice a week. There's a cleaners I use that has free Starbucks, so it's a cup that would have been normally $1.90 at a Starbucks. Yet a dress shirt only costs me $1.40 to get washed and pressed. In effect I feel I am making .50¢ just by walking in and avoid the line at a Starbucks. It's not much money but makes me feel good to save in the morning since the rest of the day I will get ripped off at every turn.

 

[NW-Bound]

Walk/drive it gets you out. There's already one Hermit on this forum; we don't need another.

Eh, don't badmouth hermits. I play one from time to time.

Well, more often than not now. I do not have to work, hence only need to leave the house for supplies. Or I play "hermit on wheels" while RV'ing.

 

[Lakewood90712]

Free coffee, no problem, it's that elusive free lunch I've been in search of for well over 50 years. To date , the " Free " always ended costing more than the meal value. My Grandpa on Dad's side was a farmer and always told me there is no such thing as free.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

It's the hunt, not the meat.

Yes, it is the thrill of the hunt. What I do is keep a list of my little savings, free stuff and bargains each month and I also put in the one year and ten year savings. Then ten year line makes it easier to stay focused on the recurring expenses and income which have a bigger impact over time.

But the little day to day free stuff is always good for cheap thrills. I found a poorly marketed rewards program with low competition where I win $5 - $10 gift cards a few times a week. That has been a fun find.

It has been a slow month for me on freebies but I am still at around $350 in free merchandise, tickets and gift cards so far, not including credit card rewards and sign up bonuses.

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

When I was down in Garden City, SC, there was a group of guys that drank coffee at McDonalds every morning. Yeah, they were over there yucking it up. They invited me to join in, but alas, back then I was simply free-loading on wifi for w*rk. But yeah, if you can get out of the house and all it costs you is a cup of coffee, you're getting a deal!

We have a local restaurant here (Martin's) that does breakfast well and it's cheap. A few years ago, they sold the insulated coffee cups that you can bring in and have filled with coffee at a discount rate. On occasion, I'll meet a friend for breakfast and it looks like they have an AARP chapter meeting there every morning with about 30 members..all with their prized insulated mugs!

Sent from my mobile device so please excuse grammatical errors.