I spent 2 years working from cafes in Bali before a local friend pointed out the real cost

I was always so proud of my $3 a day coffee shop routine, thinking I was saving money on an office. My friend Wayan in Ubud sat me down and showed me how much I was actually spending on transport, extra food, and the time lost finding a spot with good wifi. Now I'm debating if a proper co-working space for $150 a month is smarter, or if the cafe vibe is worth the hidden price. What's your take on budgeting for a workspace?

3 comments

3 Comments

lisaf2023d ago

Wait, you were spending $3 a day just on coffee? That's wild... @grant.kevin is right, the little costs really do sneak up on you.

grant.kevin23d ago

My month in Chiang Mai was the same... I was so happy with my $1.50 iced coffees until I added up the three motorbike taxis a day and the overpriced lunch I always ended up buying. The math was brutal. That cafe vibe is a real trap. I switched to a co-working spot and the reliable power and wifi alone saved my sanity. The fixed cost actually made me more careful with my other spending too.

tyler8221d ago

You're right about the cafe vibe being a trap, and @grant.kevin hit the nail on the head about the fixed cost making you more careful. I did the same math in Mexico and found the co-working space saved money and stress in the long run. The reliable desk and internet just made work easier.