A few of my coworkers go on a quick coffee run every morning. It's definitely a social outing, and a nice break from the office. I always bring my coffee to work (saves money and tastes much better), so I'm never invited on these outings. Sure, I could just go along, but it seems silly to go on a coffee run if I'm not actually going to get anything. I think it would be different if they sat and chatted at the coffee shop before coming back, but this is a quick out and back trip.
I have to admit, I feel a little bit left out.
But not left out enough to stop bringing coffee and starting to buy the coffee. Plus I know my weaknesses. While I'm perfectly fine with good black coffee made in my coffee maker at home, if I end up at Starbucks or the like, I'm going to get a latte or some other drink. Even sugar free and skim, it's still got calories (I suppose you could argue that a latte does have some nutritional value, but that's not the point). I definitely don't need the added calories. In fact, after trying on some clothes in my closet, I could stand to do without any added calories.
I'm usually good about not letting my frugal ways affect my social life. I still go out to lunch on occasion. I go to happy hour. I go out to dinner with friends. But it's easier to control your spending in those settings, plus those are typically expenses that I enjoy. And more importantly, they're infrequent. But this daily coffee thing is starting to rub me the wrong way.
Let's be honest. I'm not actually missing out on anything. I still chat with those same people in the office. But I do feel a slight pang of regret when I see them walk out in the morning.
And then I take a sip of my coffee from my travel mug and go back to my work.