I often hear some clients say: “I can’t afford that.” But when we take a closer look at their expenses, we find that they have many non-essential expenses which, if redirected in line with their goals, would make it affordable. It’s simply a matter of priorities. There can be many examples: subscriptions to various platforms, beer, cigarettes, or coffee.

Since almost everyone drinks coffee, let’s translate that into numbers.

Coffee: A Small Luxury We Love

A fragrant espresso, a cappuccino with fluffy foam, or a hipster-style filter brew in a ceramic mug. Today’s coffee isn’t just caffeine. It’s a lifestyle, a ritual, a way to survive meetings, Mondays, and existential crises.

But this moment of peace often costs €4–€4.80. And if you indulge in coffee five times a week, you’ll spend over €100 a month.

Annual cost of coffee at a café:

5× per week × €4.80 = €24 per week
€96–€104 per month (depending on the number of days in the month)
That’s over €1,200 a year!

Now imagine you didn’t drink away that money, but invested it instead.

Retirement: A Vague Threat of the Future

For people in their 30s and some in their 40s, retirement feels like science fiction. But one thing is certain: the state won’t perform miracles for us, nor will it take care of us. The earlier you start investing and taking care of your future, the greater your chance of a comfortable old age.

How Much Retirement Is Your Coffee Worth?

Let’s say that instead of spending €1,200 a year on coffee, you start investing this amount with an average annual return of 6%. What happens after 30 years?

Result: over €80,000.

Yes, you read that right — €80,000 just by not buying coffee at a café for 30 years.

That no longer sounds like “a harmless little indulgence”, does it?

But What If I Want to Live Now?

You’re absolutely right. I’m not trying to tell you to stop drinking coffee and put everything aside for the future. I love coffee too.

Life can’t be postponed until later. No one can guarantee that you’ll live to retirement age, let alone enjoy it. That coffee might be exactly what’s keeping you going today. But it’s better to be prepared than to later wonder if you can afford a cup.

It’s not about banning everything. It’s about making conscious choices.

How to Get Out of This Trap?

Don’t stop drinking coffee, but consider moderation. Do you really need to buy coffee at a café five times a week?

Try home versions. You can make great espresso, latte, or cappuccino at home today.

Invest regularly. If you keep putting off investing, it might be too late. Don’t let your money slip through your fingers.

Coffee gives you joy now. Savings will give you peace later. Don’t choose “coffee OR retirement.” Instead, aim for coffee AND retirement — but wisely.

Want to calculate your own “coffee retirement”? Feel free to contact us.

Currency Conversion Note:
All amounts converted from CZK at the fixed rate of 25 CZK = 1 EUR.