What I don't see mentioned in the article or comments is the fact that the latte isn't the only $5 decision we make every day. We can choose not to buy the latt

What I don't see mentioned in the article or comments is the fact that the latte isn't the only $5 decision we make every day. We can choose not to buy the latte, and to pack our own lunch, and to choose cheaper veg instead of meats at the grocery store, and on and on. Frequently it's multiple smaller choices that add up to noticeable benefit, even when a single latte or lunch out won't break the bank. (of course there are frequently good reasons to buy things, particularly when there's a social component -- e.g. as a byproduct of spending time with people, as an informal break with coworkers)