Is it realistic to buy a cool coffee machine if you stop buying coffee with you?
Our author Alena Bezmenova told her story of torments, breakdowns and tricks.
Hello, I am Alena and I am a coffee maniac. I even remember my first cup of coffee. I was eight years old, and my grandmother decided to pamper me with an unusual drink. From a glass jar of Indian instant coffee, she took a few grains, I think there were about seven or eight of them. Stirred in a mug of water and added two tablespoons of sugar. How delicious it was! Although, it would seem, what could be delicious there? There was only a very light aroma from the coffee.
Further – more: coffee with milk at school and St. Petersburg’s famous pyshechnaya on Konyushennaya (once Zhelyabova). By the way, for the nostalgia for my childhood, I go to that very magnificent one. The recipe for coffee has not changed over the decades. They even pour into the same mugs.
It’s time for the institute. On the way to it, there was a wonderful coffee shop near the metro. Coffee to go – and fifteen minutes walk to the educational building seemed the sweetest time. I also bought coffee in the institute cafeteria. But it was better to replace it with a 3-in-1 bag. Much nicer to the taste.
As time went on, coffee shops multiplied. Latte, cappuccino, glace, with or without syrup, with ice, coconut and other toppings. Until I drink my huge glass in the morning – I’m not a human being. And you can’t make such delicious coffee at home, no Turk will brew it like that. Yes, and laziness. It is much easier to slow down at the coffee shop, where you will be poured pure bliss into a cardboard glass.
At least that’s what I thought until I saw Her. Awesome coffee machine. She grinds the grains herself, you can choose the degree of grinding, she makes cappuccino herself, spreading a wonderful aroma around. Everything is fine, except for the price – 41 thousand rubles.
Of course, the dream could be borrowed. But loans are evil. The second option is to save money from your salary and after a few months still buy a coffee fairy for personal use. I chose to postpone, not just postpone, but refuse coffee on the way.
So, I spent an average of 200 rubles a day for coffee – a glass with me before and after work and a muffin. Sometimes more, sometimes less – on weekends. It turns out that I spend six thousand rubles a month on coffee with me. Six thousand, Karl!
Hiccuping from surprise, I realized that the coveted coffee machine will be with me in 205 days. That is, not a year will pass. It will take about seven months. But this is only in theory.
So, the first day without a glass with coffee in hand. The flight is normal. On the way to work, I was proud of myself. I didn’t go – I flew. Especially quickly past the usual coffee shop. Unless the barista showed her tongue. The second day – the flight is normal. The third. Fourth. Then the weekend. The first thousand saved pleasantly rustled in the treasured piggy bank.
And on Monday I lost it. I was late, did not have time to make coffee at home, slowed down at the cafe … I bought an XL size glass, took a sip … Yes, my homemade coffee next to this happiness is a muddy indistinct slurry. Even in a beautiful thermo mug. And there is still half a year of hardships ahead. Lord, give me strength.
I had to compromise with my conscience. We agreed this way: I buy, but only once a day and a regular espresso. Some 50 rubles, I won’t get poorer. And at work it was possible to have fun. If I was not there, everyone was busy – I was somewhere near the local coffee machine. The secretary to the general, who was in charge of the coffee maker, looked askance at me. Another couple of weeks of such a pilgrimage, and my share of coffee beans would be deducted from my salary.
After three months of torture, in the morning I said to myself: that’s it! And she decided not to drink another cup of coffee until her dream came true. Only tea and water. As soon as the withdrawal began, I drank green tea. And on the way to work, I occupied my hands with a bottle of water (I bought a beautiful bottle and filled it at home every day). There are many advantages – it is good for health and saved money.
And here – a gift of fate. The store got a discount on my coffee machine, and I managed to meet the target seven months. And now I brew coffee with me, but more often not for myself, but for my husband. Because I suddenly got used to drinking water during these six months. But a cup of cappuccino on the day off is my beautiful ritual, which I enjoy from the bottom of my heart.