Currently yes, but the cost of beans is going to continue to increase as climate change worsens. We’ve already seen disruptions in harvests and price hikes due to this. We’ll see how it shakes out in the long run for total cost increase.

Also, if we’re comparing buying an energy drink on the go vs a cup of coffee on the go, energy drinks are already much cheaper. The convenience aspect shouldn’t be ignored. Generally though, I agree, buying a coffee every day is for suckers.

Conspiracy theory brain goes: This meme trend has to be an attempt at manufacturing consent to reduce caffeine consumption due to rising coffee prices due to climate change. That way when coffee is phased out, it doesn’t cause a huge outrage and is just seen as a thing only addicts use and it falls into the same “moral failing” BS as any other addiction because we all need to be “healthier”.

I don’t think that’s it though because there are plenty of energy drink companies trying to pick up former coffee drinkers who are looking for lower cost alternatives.