It's more than a cup of joe.

Whenever our team welcomes new recruits for a visit, we each take turns sharing a fun fact to help them get to know the team a little bit better. I’ve sometimes chosen to be creative and think of something that makes me truly unique, but lately have chosen to simply say, “I LOVE coffee.” Yes, it’s not the craziest fun fact, but it’s true. I predict my autopsy finds more coffee concentration in my blood than water.

Certainly, my love for coffee has a lot to do with the taste, energy, and other scientifically PROVEN benefits of the incredible bean. Yet, I have come to appreciate coffee for more than the taste and physical appeal. The conversations I’ve shared, people I’ve met, and moments I’ve created over a cup of coffee have extended its value far beyond its original intent.

Starbucks gets a lot of heat for its high price tag and arguably low-quality coffee. I would be remiss to say that this isn’t true, but I don’t think we give Starbucks enough credit for the culture it created around coffee. Before the global chain emerged, coffee shops looked quite different from how they look today. Starbucks was the first to introduce the idea of coffee “camping” culture, that a coffee shop is a place to sit, talk, and work. Starbucks developed its brand around being the essential “third place” in a person’s life: home, work, and… STARBUCKS.

Now, my rocket money subscription highlights how much I have fallen into this ideology. At first glance, an outsider really might assume Starbucks is my second home… but I’m truly not ashamed. Many of my coffee shop stops are not merely for the satisfaction of a tasty beverage to lift my spirits. Coffee shops have provided me a place to meet with career professionals and grow my network, catch up with old friends, meet with new friends, and even share a first date. I can’t think of a more versatile environment.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not naive to the fact that coffee at home is much, MUCH cheaper than the $7 latte at the corner cafe. I’m actually quite aware, painstakingly so. Still, I find that I’m much more likely to cut down in other areas of my life than restrict my Starbucks runs. If I’m really feeling financially responsible, I might try to cut back on alternative milk to avoid the unnecessary upcharge. If only all coffee shops could adopt the progressive free alt-milk ideology… a girl can dream.

So, in my personal opinion, I think it’s time we stop making such a big deal about our coffee costs. I’m not encouraging anyone to go bankrupt by means of a mocha, but I think we can give ourselves a little more leeway to experience all that coffee culture offers. OH, and if for some reason you don’t like coffee, we can always grab some hot chocolate too :)