After I started earning more money, I decided to spend more at the small coffee shop that quietly supported me during my early grind as a freelancer. That cafe was Masa Kopi, Yogyakarta. Back then, I chose that cafe because it was only five minutes from my rental house by motorbike. Working from home wasn’t really an option; there were too many distractions, so I needed a place where I could focus.
At the same time, I had to save as much money as possible, so I always ordered the cheapest drink on the menu a long the week. Back then, an Hot Black Coffee cost only ¢82. At other cafes, the same drinks could be $1.47 per cup.
I’d sit there for three to five hours a day, grinding do anything like applying for freelance gigs, interviewing clients over video calls, or getting work done. As a self-taught developer and freelancer in the global market the competition is intense. There are many developers who are better, faster, or cheaper out there. So I’ve always felt I needed to put more effort and work harder.
There also aren’t many jobs in Indonesia, especially in Yogyakarta, the city I lived in. Even my freelance gigs often pay more than what many people earn here. As a comparison I could earn triple times what the local developer working onsite with range might be around $250–$500 per month depending on the industry.
In my opinion, the wisest way to spend money is on things that add value to our lives—things that help us improve. You don’t have to feel like you “owe” a cafe for letting you use their space. Spending a little more there can help keep their business running, letting them support their family, or even make the space available for someone else who’s just starting their own grind. We never really know.
That idea changed how I spent my money there. So now everytime I come to the cafe. If I’m with a friend, I’ll get a meal; if I stay there until evening I’ll buy some food; and sometimes I’ll bring home a cold drink for my wife.