I've wanted one of those reusable cold cups (designed for iced drinks at coffeehouses) for a while now. I looked longingly at them last summer, when my research group made weekly forays to Starbucks, but never bought one. They're made of plastic, and I wasn't sure I wanted that. This summer, I kept my eye out at yard sales but didn't see any. I mentioned it to my family, who questioned why I wouldn't just buy one new since they were so inexpensive and available.
So a few weeks ago, we were at the grocery store, and there were the cups, with stickers proclaiming "eco-cup". My Mom and sister went "look, here they are, just get one." And I did. So did my sister. I felt vaguely guilty for picking up a new piece of plastic, but I ignored it. Surely, it had to be better than getting a new plastic cup every time I wanted an iced drink?
Tonight I went to Starbucks to meet a friend, toting my reusable plastic cup. As I walked over to the counter, guess what I saw. Reusable metal cold cups, complete with metal straws. I could have cried. If I had waited a few more weeks, and not given in to the pressure, I wouldn't have bought a new piece of plastic. Clearly, Starbucks pays at least some attention to the recent anti-plastic trends, and has come out with an alternative. It was just too late for impatient me. I could buy a metal one, and I still might, but it doesn't change the fact that money has already been spent on the blue plastic cup sitting on my counter right now.
Procrastination is a virtue when it comes to being frugal. Sorry about your impatience. I have that problem lots of times too. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteI'm learning that lesson, slowly but surely :) Thanks for the encouragement, and for dropping by the blog!
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