Coffee Isn’t the Problem — It’s How You’re Paying for It
Let’s be honest — takeaway coffee has somehow become the scapegoat of modern life. Right alongside avocado toast, it’s been blamed for why millennials can’t buy houses and why Gen X can’t boost their pensions.
But come on — it’s not really about the latte, is it?
Sure, £5 for a cup sounds steep, and over time it adds up. According to a study from McDonald’s, the average coffee lover spends about £29,000 on caffeine over a lifetime. But that’s not just caffeine — it’s comfort, reward, and a tiny daily ritual that makes life better.
As Sarah Coles from Hargreaves Lansdown puts it:
“Coffee is more than a hot beverage. It’s a treat, a reward, or consolation after a rough day.”
So yeah, quitting isn’t the solution. But getting free or discounted coffee? That’s the smarter move.
Monday: Free Coffee from Caffè Nero or Greggs (Octopus App)
If you’re an Octopus Energy customer with a smart meter, congrats — you get a free drink every week at Caffè Nero or Greggs.
Just log into the Octopus app, grab your barcode, and scan it at the counter before it expires. Simple, smart, and delicious.
Tuesday: Waitrose Free Takeaway Coffee
The MyWaitrose loyalty scheme gives you a free coffee or tea when you bring your own reusable cup.
Sign up for free, scan your barcode, and choose between americano, latte, or cappuccino from their self-serve machines.
It’s classy caffeine — and it’s free.
Wednesday: Greggs Treats via Monzo
Monzo’s Perks or Max account holders can claim a weekly freebie from Greggs — coffee or sausage roll, your pick.
Just activate the Greggs reward in the app and show your code.
The premium accounts do cost a bit (£7–£17/month), but the perks can easily pay for themselves if you play it right.
Thursday: M&S Club Rewards
Got an M&S credit card? You can access 32 free hot drinks a year through the M&S Club Rewards program (£10/month).
You’ll also get discounts, vouchers, and loyalty stamps via the Sparks scheme — plus save 50p every time you bring your own cup.
Eight months of coffee on the house? Not bad at all.
Friday: Free Filter Coffee with Ikea Family
Join Ikea Family (free to sign up) and get unlimited free filter coffee or tea Monday through Friday at Ikea cafés.
Pair it with their famous Swedish meatballs and you’ve got the most affordable lunch break ever.
Saturday: £1 Coffee with Three+
If you’re on the Three mobile network, you can grab any hot drink for just £1 every week at over 1,400 cafés.
The offer includes independents and big names like Paul and Wenzel’s — just use the Three+ app to find nearby spots and claim your code.
Oh, and don’t wait too long — once you claim it, the code expires in 30 minutes.
Sunday: 25% Off at Caffè Nero via Meerkat Rewards
If you’ve burned through your free coffee deals and still need your Sunday fix, Compare the Market’s Meerkat Rewards gives you 25% off at Caffè Nero all year long.
Buy any qualifying product (like car insurance or travel cover), and you’ll unlock the discount for 12 months.
The best part? You can use it twice a day — on coffee and pastries.
Don’t Sleep on Independent Coffee Shops
Your local café might not have a fancy app, but most still run loyalty stamp cards — buy a few, get one free.
And if you bring your own cup, you’ll often get a discount too. Supporting small businesses while sipping good coffee? That’s a win-win.
The Takeaway (Pun Intended)
You don’t have to ditch your daily caffeine fix to save money — you just need to hack the system.
With these deals, you can sip smarter, spend less, and still enjoy that sacred morning ritual that keeps you human.
