Suze Orman Says She’d Never Buy a Daily Coffee

Suze Orman, the veteran financial author and TV host worth tens of millions of dollars, says there’s one habit she refuses to pick up: buying coffee. Despite her wealth, the 75-year-old sticks to brewing her own cup at home rather than spending at a coffee shop.

Small Purchases, Big Consequences

Orman has long argued that everyday spending habits shape long-term wealth. She told The Wall Street Journal in 2024 that she makes her own coffee each morning and limits herself to a single cup a day, describing store-bought coffee as something she simply won’t buy. Her reasoning centers on opportunity cost: if someone spends around $100 on coffee each month and instead invested that money in a Roth IRA, it could grow to roughly $1 million after 40 years. She’s previously framed the habit as essentially throwing away future wealth.

Extending the Philosophy to Restaurants

Orman applies the same logic to eating out, which she and her wife largely avoid in favor of home-cooked meals. When they do dine out, it’s typically to socialize with friends, and Orman insists on covering the bill herself so others aren’t pressured to overspend. Her stance comes as restaurant prices climb faster than groceries: government data shows food-away-from-home costs rose 4.1% from December 2024 to December 2025, outpacing both grocery inflation and overall consumer prices during that stretch. Orman has pointed to fast-food prices as proof that even quick meals now carry a steep cost.

Her broader message remains consistent: cutting small, recurring expenses can free up significant money for long-term investing.