Milktea drinks taste so good. Just thinking about the creamy milk, the refreshing tea flavor and the chewy Bobas might have already made you want to grab a cup. Or, perhaps it’s the aroma of coffee that tempts you!

However, have you ever thought about how much the daily store-bought drink costs you? Let’s do the math quickly. Let’s say one drink costs $4.50, and you buy it five times a week. Then the total adds up to $90 per month and $1080 a year. I mean $1080 a year! That gives you more than enough money to purchase a great smartphone!

What if you don’t drink milktea or coffee? Well, these drinks are just an example that shows you how small amounts add up. The most important thing is to identify what the small expenses are that suck your money when you are not paying attention. Similar things can be sweets, late night meals, water from vending machines, etc. Once you identify the small amounts that you spend, add up their total costs for the year. Is it worth it?

For more examples of how small amounts add up, view our Small Changes Add Up worksheet.

Written by Linxi Liu, Financial Wellness for College Students Peer Educator, University of Illinois Extension, Fall 2017. Reviewed by Kathy Sweedler, University of Illinois Extension.