Many Americans make their morning trudge over to Starbucks for that first cup of coffee in the morning.  It is almost a ritual for some; blindly driving, half asleep to the most popular coffee shop in the world.  While there is certainly nothing wrong with having a cup of coffee each morning, there are many who take the Starbucks thing way too far.  “Venti Mocha, extra whip.” “Grande Egg Nog Latte”.  “Triple Expresso with a glazed donut.”  These high calorie, fat filled drinks and snacks will not only clog your arteries, but they will put a serious dent in your finances as well. 

Whipped cream, milk and chocolate may seem like a great idea – for a holiday, but drinking this in large quantities every day will explode your waistline and diminish your health.  The wake up effects of coffee are offset by the massive sugar rush – and crash once the effects wear off.  

The average man needs 2,500 calories per day; for a woman, 2,000.  Several Starbucks drinks are over a third of your daily calorie allowance.  Throw in a pastry and you’re up to half your daily calorie allowance before 8:00 AM.

In addition to the potential health disadvantages, the daily Starbucks run can put a serious dent in your finances.  Many of the Venti drinks are $4.75.  Add a pastry for $2.25 and you’re at $7.00.  Do this Monday through Friday, for a year and you will be out a whopping $1,750! 

A tall mocha each workday at $3.75 will end up costing you over $900 per year.  Throw in a pastry and that’s another $500 more.

Anything in moderation is fine and I personally am a loyal Starbucks customer.  We just have to remember that all drinks and snacks are not created equal and overindulgence in fatty drinks and snacks can make your stomach and the hole in your wallet balloon out of control.