Throwing out there that 16$ a week in coffee isn’t that much, make it two a day so you can be in the cool group, 16 goes to 40. Then chuck in a toastie because you deserve it twice a week now you’re at 60. A take away or two call it 100. I don’t think it’s far out to say it’s easy to squander 100 a week even when poor. 5k a year. Not enough to save for a house, but
1. the start of being responsible even if it’s squirrelling away pennies.
2. Having some savings means you don’t get wiped out by every unexpected bill.
3. Working hard to put away 50$ -100$ a week is a tough and long slog that might give you motivation to try for a better life (or give up but others have covered that).
But going by what I would call your low ball number, every 20$ a week you save works out a grand a year. 80 years for 20$, 40 40, 20 80, 10 160, 5 320.??? So, get on the treadmill or don’t but it’s weird how many people buck against the idea that when you’re very poor then every 10’s of dollars a week does add up. Not that 10 dollars matters, but can you make that 20 a week? Can you squeeze more for 40? 80? Some people have made those sacrifices, they don’t rate the pleasure of latte and iPhone higher than financial security. So please if you could manage, don’t throw out phrases like do that maths sarcastically.