Warning: I spent 8 months working from cafes before figuring out this one thing

I thought I was being smart saving money by working from coffee shops instead of renting a coworking spot. Every day I'd buy a $4 latte and feel like a real digital nomad. But after 8 months of this in Chiang Mai I noticed my productivity was tanking. The constant background noise drained my focus way more than I realized. Then I tried a proper coworking space for one week and got more done in 3 days than I usually did in 5. Turns out paying $150 a month for a quiet desk beat spending $80 on coffee all month and getting nothing done. Anyone else cling to the cafe lifestyle way too long before switching?

2 comments

2 Comments

lunakim1mo ago

Same here, I was doing the cafe thing in Bali and thought I was saving money until I realized I was buying two coffees and a pastry just to justify sitting there for hours. Switching to a coworking desk for $100 a month was the best move I made for my focus and wallet.

finleyw9928d ago

lunakim you said "switching to a coworking desk for $100 a month" and I kinda gotta push back on that a little. Coworking in Bali is definitely cheaper than in like, the US or Australia, but $100 is actually on the high end for a basic hot desk. I was there last year and you can find solid places in Canggu or Ubud for like 50-70 bucks a month if you don't need a reserved spot. But yeah the cafe trap is real, I was buying iced lattes and smoothie bowls just to stay warm in the AC and my monthly spend was easily 200. So even at $100 you're still saving a ton compared to buying food and drinks everyday. The main thing is you get actual internet that doesn't cut out during calls and a chair that doesn't wreck your back after two hours.