Facepunch me please (overpriced coffee)

[Physicsteacher]

I tutor a friend's daughter in math, and we meet at a Starbucks near my house because we generally get together on Sundays when the local library is closed. Usually, the girl gets something to eat or drink, and I don't feel bad about taking up a table for an hour or two during non-peak hours. Today she was running late, I felt awkward hanging around waiting without buying anything, and thus I wasted five bucks on a frou-frou drink and tip. If I do this every week, I'd need to add $6,500 to my stash to maintain the habit in retirement, and I'm doing the tutoring for free. Could someone please yell at me so I become sufficiently motivated to either find another place to meet or get over the awkwardness of not buying something?

[rockstache]

If it happens again and you have to get something, get a small plain coffee or hot tea. They're still too expensive for something you could make at home but if you consider it rent for the table it's not too bad.

ETA: I personally wouldn't feel right sitting there if no one was buying anything. YMMV

[Physicsteacher]

Hmm, given that when I started tutoring my friend wanted to pay me, I offered to do this for free, and friend recently joked about my earning a raise after kiddo earned a 100% on her most recent quiz, perhaps I should raise my rates from $0 to one mug of Earl Grey per tutoring session.

[Cranky]

Are there any libraries open?

When a colleague of my dh's tutored my dd in chemistry and wouldn't take money I felt bad about it, but we've tried to pass that on.

I'm a fan of the "sharing economy" that means actually sharing stuff.

[Physicsteacher]

The library is closed on Sunday, which seems to be the only day that consistently fits both of our schedules. If it weren't, that would be my first choice.

[pbkmaine]

I would just tell your friend that you will accept pay in the form of Starbucks cards. I bet she will be more than happy to buy you a few.

[alsoknownasDean]

I would actually say that if you're spending an hour or two there, buying a drink is fine, you're using their space and facilities, not buying something would probably cross the 'frugal or cheap' line. :)

But yeah, if your friend will pay for your Starbucks drink, all the better. That or you don't get some mega expensive venti mocha double-soy pumpkin spiced frappucino. Surely a simple latte/flat white/cappuccino or similar isn't all that expensive.

[KennesawNemo]

Are you planning to keep tutoring once a week after you retire?

$6,500 at $5/wk is 25 years of tutoring.

[Retired To Win]

...Could someone please yell at me so I become sufficiently motivated to either find another place to meet or get over the awkwardness of not buying something?

Consider yourself YELLED at.  ;)

[BTDretire]

I got facepuched by Starbucks in 1999, I was waiting for a plane at LAX. I wanted a coffee so I went in Starbucks.
A regular black coffee was $5.00!!! I haven't been back. Although, I do suspect the Starbucks in LAX is more expensive than other franchise stores.
                                                               Mikek

[honeybbq]

A regular coffee at Sbucks is under 2 bucks.

More expensive than at home, but still not as insane as a frou frou.

[steviesterno]

if you have to go and want to have coffee or something and consider it rent, you can always buy one of their cups. Typically, refills are under a buck for regular coffee or tea here on campus.

Oh that's an idea, too. You could go to a local community college or university and typically use their shared space or library. They almost always have weekend hours and most will let locals use it for free.

[Dee18]

Get the little vanilla scone (I think it's 1.25) and a cup of ice water.  Keep your plastic Starbucks cup.  Fill it with your beverage of choice to take with you next time. 

I have done the first, and then reused the cup for iced coffee....but I've never actually gone back to SB with it.  Maybe next time.

[jengod]

IF YOU WANT TO COFFEE AT STARBUCKS:

* Bring a reusable mug. You get a $0.10 discount for providing your own mug. Their $1.00 plastic Starbucks cup is well-designed and it eliminates any complications from having a "weird" different type of reusable cup. As mentioned above, you can just bring the Starbucks mug with you and LOOK like you bought a coffee. Nobody gonna care.

* If you want to buy a coffee to pay your moral table rent ;), ask for a "tall Pike" or "grande Pike" to indicate you just want plain drip coffee. It should be $2 or less, especially if you bring your own mug.

[sstants]

Idk, I wouldn't overthink this one! It's not like you're swinging by the 'bucks every day on your way to work. Doesn't seem like a bad habit situation.

I say buy a hot drip or tea whenever you feel awkward (and enjoy it!). I think it's lovely that you're doing a favor for a friend, and being a frugal person means that you can afford a few bucks on good deeds here and there.

[2ndTimer]

(Sometimes) when I am meeting someone at Starbucks I take my homemade tea along in the fancy insulated cup that says Starbucks that I bought at Goodwill.  I feel much less conspicuous with something in my hand and since I already have my favorite tea there is no temptation to buy something.  Since the other people at the table are buying things it feels O.K. to me.

[stlbrah]

I probably go to starbucks once or twice per year for a latte with extra shot of expresso. I look at it as a treat rather than a necessity.

People on here talk about drinking budgets sometimes that sound absurd to me, but I am not really a big alcohol drinker.

[JoJo]

(Sometimes) when I am meeting someone at Starbucks I take my homemade tea along in the fancy insulated cup that says Starbucks that I bought at Goodwill.  I feel much less conspicuous with something in my hand and since I already have my favorite tea there is no temptation to buy something.  Since the other people at the table are buying things it feels O.K. to me.

I think this is a step too far.  I can see going without drinking anything if I was with someone who was but this is like bringing your own alcohol into a bar or your own food into a restaurant.

[Physicsteacher]

I will check out the price of a little scone or a hot tea the next time I tutor. Those seem like reasonable options that won't break the bank. Also, my friend informed me that she's been tracking how many hours I have been working with her daughter and will eventually insist on paying me for my time. She's hoping I'll not only stick with the algebra II tutoring for the remainder of the school year but will be available for chemistry next year as well. I'm not going to ask for any particular hourly rate, but I bet it'll more than cover a cup of tea.

[chasesfish]

A regular coffee at Sbucks is under 2 bucks.

More expensive than at home, but still not as insane as a frou frou.

+1.  Sometimes I need coffee and I indulge at $1.89 for a tall black coffee

[HPstache]

I don't ever go to Starbucks unless I am traveling for work and therefore they pay for it.  I have once heard that the "tip jar" at Starbucks doesn't work like a normal tip jar... either Starbucks takes all, some, or there is some tip sharing system.  I have heard multiple version of that...

[zoltani]

I don't ever go to Starbucks unless I am traveling for work and therefore they pay for it.  I have once heard that the "tip jar" at Starbucks doesn't work like a normal tip jar... either Starbucks takes all, some, or there is some tip sharing system.  I have heard multiple version of that...

A "normal" tip jar is usually shared. Waitresses/bartenders have to tip out bus boys, hostesses, dishwashers, etc. If starbucks actually keeps it then that is horrible, and I doubt they would be able to keep employees.

[darkadams00]

My DS works at a restaurant with a tip jar (not Sbux). His nightly split of the jar pays for most of his weekly expenditures, and he's able to save his entire paycheck. He estimates it's about $2.00-2.50/hour additional pay per week, so he would be completely ticked and probably quit if the jar labeled "Tips" on the counter was dumped into the company till by the manager. I wouldn't blame him in the least.

Regarding "table/booth rent," it's not frugal to bring food/drinks to a business that is selling food/drinks. It's cheap. If you choose a place of business as a meeting place, then be willing to pay for the service rendered. Otherwise, go to a public (i.e. free) location as others have mentioned. As a parent, frugality is a good behavior to model for my kids, but I don't want to seem like I'm always looking for the free ride or how to take advantage of a person/business. Err on the people-friendly side of that fine line, and your kids will have a better role model. This is similar to drawing the line on honesty--e.g. extreme couponing that takes advantage of register/UPC loopholes, cashier mistakes "in your favor," free birthday voucher that you reuse if the cashier doesn't collect it from you. All of these save you money, but they cross a line that I don't want to model for my kids. If my kids watch me live by the "if nobody sees you, it's okay as long as it falls in your favor" creed, then they're almost certain to meet or surpass that line in their adulthood.
 

[Exprezchef]

We rarely go to "Fourbucks" but my wife told me about this little hack that she learned from a Facebook post. She met a friend for a Girl scout leader meeting there a few days ago and tried it out. It worked with no problems.

She ordered two espresso shots served over ice in a plastic Venti cup. She then walked over to the cart where the cream and sugars are placed and she added her own cream and sugar to her liking- at no charge.      Total cost was $1.97 for a Venti Iced Coffee   

I'm not sure how how ethical this is or if it would work at all the Starbucks.

[Ceridwen]

I would buy a tea.  I think it's a bit rude that the girl you are tutoring for free doesn't offer to buy you a drink every time.  If my child were getting free tutoring, that's the least we would do to show our thanks!

[Tetsuya Hondo]

If you can't find a free place to meet, then at least go to a good independent coffee shop where you can at least enjoy what your purchase. Coffee and espresso shouldn't make your stomach churn the way Starbucks acidic brews do.

[boognish]

I didn't see it mentioned, but Starbucks has a "short" size which is even smaller than a tall. A short coffee is $1.60 in my neck of the woods. That's my go to.

[Bruinguy]

I vote for find another place.  How's the weather?  Can you go to a park?  How about the food court at a mall? 

edited to add:  Alternatively, if she is running late, just wait outside where you can do so guilt-free!