☕️ Lattes Didn’t Break the Housing Market (So Stop Blaming Them)

You’ve heard it before:“Can’t afford a house? Just stop buying lattes!”

This catchy one-liner has haunted millennials for over 20 years. It started with David Bach, a financial guru who claimed your daily $5 latte habit was the reason you couldn’t buy a home. He even trademarked "The Latte Factor®."

But here's the thing: it’s not about the coffee.

So... where did this idea come from?

In the '90s, Bach noticed people spending on little luxuries—like lattes—and pitched the idea that cutting them out could turn you into a millionaire. He did the math (kind of), went on Oprah, and boom—latte-shaming went mainstream.

The problem?Even with some pretty optimistic investment returns, skipping coffee won’t magically land you a house in today’s market.

Let’s talk real reasons homes feel out of reach:

🐷 RSL Piggy Points

• Home prices have far outpaced wages (we’re talking 6x income vs 2x back in the '50s).

• Pensions disappeared, replaced by DIY retirement accounts like 401(k)s.

• Student debt, rising rent, inflation, and big life stuff—like job loss or health bills—have a much bigger impact than lattes ever will.

So why do people cling to the latte myth?

Because it's easy. It feels like control. But it distracts from the bigger, harder truth: the system changed, and we’re all just trying to keep up.

“People know how to save. They just have a hard time doing it.” – Helaine Olen, author of Pound Foolish

The RSL Perspective

At ReadySetLoan, we believe financial advice should empower you—not shame you. Yes, budgeting matters. But owning a home takes more than skipping your cappuccino.

We're here to help you understand real strategies to build wealth and navigate the housing market—without giving up the little joys that make life sweet.

🏁 Ready to stop latte-shaming yourself and start planning for real homeownership?Let ReadySetLoan be your guide.

www.ReadySetLoan.com