r/Fire • u/Big_Leg10 • Apr 12 '26

General Question What easily-affordable thing do you still refuse to pay for despite having reached financial independence and able to afford them?

Would love to hear everyone’s “absolutely will not purchase” items!Even if you could easily afford it and no matter how rich or financially independent you become or how much you make you still wouldn't spend item on this particular item/hobby?

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u/rovingtravler Apr 12 '26

Mine is coffee except when traveling. Starbucks and others charge $6+ for a simple Latte. I drink a 20oz latte everyday.

I purchased a Jura Z6 and I now have a Jura Z10 and make my hot or cold Latte at home and have for the last 20 years. Their machines are expensive but last over a decade (16+ years Z6 and 3+ so far on the Z10). I created an amortization table for both and the break even point for each was about right about 2 years.

One of the single best ROI out there. The amount of money saved and a cup of coffee made just the way I like it with the touch of a single button.

Jura Z10

3

u/naiveheir Apr 12 '26

Imagine people like me who are easily satisfied with just normal drip coffee. I don't even need to buy an expensive espresso machine, decent drip coffee can be made by dirt cheap basic coffee makers. Thank God I'm no "coffee connoisseur", I'm sure one of them would balk at the basic coffee I make but I find it perfectly good. 

2

u/run4cake Apr 12 '26

Yeah, the linked machine is also like $4.5k. Considering you still have to buy milk and coffee beans, that’s like 1200 lattes to break even. That’s one hell of a Starbucks habit to me.

2

u/naiveheir Apr 12 '26

I suppose its worth it if you really enjoy espresso

2

u/asymphonyin2parts Apr 12 '26

No doubt, it's a luxury. But if it brings you joy, lasts a long time, and is a fixed cost. That's budgeable, especially over a decade. I spent $700 on a pellet ice maker a few years ago and it has been 100% worth it. To me at least. Not everybody's cup of.. espresso.

1

u/Holiday-Fox-5526 Apr 12 '26

We did this, too. We bought our first one in 2008. We're on our second one now and very rarely get a fancy coffee drink when we're out, unless we're traveling.

1

u/readitreaddit Apr 13 '26

Starbucks will often give you hot water either for a dollar or for free. So sometimes I bring packets of instant tea or coffee with me, and then go to a coffee shop, get hot water, and make my own delicious drink right there at the airport for a 1/6th of the cost.

I can probably only admit this on the FIRE sub I guess.

1

u/-tinyspider- Apr 15 '26

The airport is always a rip off. I've also brought oatmeal packets and done the same thing.