OG version: “The best time to start was last year. The second best time to start is right now.” — Seth Godin
Edited version: “The best time to quit was last year. The second best time to quit is right now.”
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Why I’m Cutting Back at Tim Hortons
Okay, so picture this 🙌 You’re in Calgary, AB, it’s freezing outside, and you just want that little bit of comfort to start your day. For me, that comfort has always been a large or XL steeped tea from Tim Hortons.
It’s kind of a Canadian classic, right? This brand used to be a huge part of our national vibe a few years back #nostalgia. But now, every time I hit the drive-thru or walk up to the counter, I feel a little pinch in my wallet. The prices are getting out of hand, even with the Tim’s app which I use on a regular basis, and honestly, I’m [about] done. Seriously, enough is enough. 🙄
It seems like that so-called Canadian brand (which isn’t even Canadian, and you can totally tell) is losing its no-nonsense vibe that made it great. Now it’s all about pushing data, jacking up prices, and getting you to download their app. Honestly, I’m just a regular person; I don’t want a million notifications or fancy offers. I just want my tea at a decent price, for crying out loud. I sound like a cranky old person, haha. 😝
My Gameplan for 2026
As we venture into the new year, I’m switching things up. Yet again! I’m not totally ditching my love for steeped tea (there’s no way I can make it as good at home), but I’m definitely cutting way back. It’s a hard choice, but with all these price hikes and inflation, it’s getting too real to ignore, just like everything else inflation has sucked the fun out of.
Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever said this out loud, but I’ve gotta keep it real—Tim Hortons coffee? I’m not a fan at all 🙅♀️ There, I said it. I get that it’s still kind of a big deal in Canada, but hey, that’s how I feel. I’ve never really enjoyed their coffee. Now, McDonald’s coffee is a bit better, but still not my go-to beverage of choice.
My whole thing has always been steeped tea. It’s got this specific, comforting flavor and strength that I just cannot replicate at home in order to save money, no matter how hard I’ve tried. I’ve bought different brands, tried various steeping times, the works. Nothing hits the same. That unique, elusive taste is the only reason I’ve remained a loyal customer all these years. It was my one little luxury that felt justified.
But even my steeped tea addition and dependency has its limits when the cost keeps climbing. 📈
The Annoying Two-Tiered Pricing System
The thing that really gets me isn’t just inflation (that’s a whole other can of worms for another time). They’ve made this annoying two-tier system where the real deals and discounts are just tucked away in the Tims mobile app. But honestly, even that feels like a rip-off now. You’re not saving much money, and I’m pretty picky about what’s considered “a good deal” on the app. Sure, it’s better than not using it at all, but the points system is a total joke. Spend $40 (400 points) and you score a free tea or coffee. It used to be way better—buy 7 drinks, get one free! ☕💔
Why the Value Just Isn’t There Anymore
The global cost of things like coffee beans and packaging has definitely doubled in the last few years too, and I get that businesses need to find a way to survive. Prices inevitably have to go up so businesses can stay open. But for the average person standing at the counter in Calgary or any city in Canada really, seeing that total tick up higher and higher every few months is super frustrating.
When the price of my daily steeped tea starts creeping into the territory of a fancy, high-end, locally roasted latte from a modern, independent café down the street, I can no longer justify the cost of buying it anymore. I refuse to spend money at local coffee shops because of the same issue: cost. It’s too expensive for the average consumer.
(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ FINAL THOUGHTS ♥
My current cutback is a reflection of how bad things have gotten. I know the issue of inflation and corporate greed is complex—it’s not a simple fix. But until things change, I’m going to have to get serious about perfecting an alternative DIY steeped tea recipe for most days I’m home. As of right now, the best tea alternative I’ve found is Yorkshire Tea, imported from the UK. It’s not remotely close to steeped tea from Tim Hortons, but at least I can live with it.
Your best bet would be to check your local Walmart or London Drugs, both of which sometimes carry the classic blend and even limited-time flavors. I know using a tea bag doesn’t quite replace a proper steeped tea, but it’s a step in the right direction. I’m a bit nervous about what 2026 will bring, but let’s hope for a prosperous new year. I also hope I am able to escape the tight grip that my steeped tea habit has on me!
✨ Wιʂԋ Mҽ Lυƈƙ! ✨
(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ P.S. Enjoyed this post? ♥ If you want to support my quest to find the perfect, affordable steeped tea, consider fueling my motivation with a small donation on Ko-fi. Your support helps keep content like this coming!
What are your thoughts on rising prices and corporate greed where you live? Are you cutting back on any daily luxuries? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation! ↓
Thanks for stopping by! ♥
I hear you! I actually gave up getting any drink while out a few years ago for the same reason. The prices got to be outrageous. My solution was a tea kettle where you can set the temperature, a steeping container (like this one: https://www.hugotea.com/products/tea-pot-boli-400-ml), and “good” tea (not sure if they’re available where you are, but I like Numi Rooibos Chai, Hugo Rainier Tisane, and Rishi Hibiscus Berry best). Good luck! You’ve got this!!
I like the takeout cups, idk why but that brings me comfort too. Drinking from the mug or tumbler doesn’t hit the same way. Oh boy, I really do sound like an addict. 🙈
That’s a cool tea steeper! I have a similar one but mine’s from IKEA. Maybe that’s why I never use mine! 😅 I’ve got a hot water dispenser that I use everyday for preparing tea using tea bags, where I steep the tea in a pot or mug. It’s the flavor of steeped tea that I love so much, and it’s orange pekoe out of all things. I’ve even tried brewing tea via a coffee filter like they do at Tim’s, but mine ended up having the remnants of coffee flavor. Yuck.
Those are all good tea flavors. I’m a fan of Rooibos Chai and Rishi green teas. I haven’t tried Hugo Rainer Tisane or Hibiscus Berry but I’m intrigued. 🍵🌺
Corporate greed , ugh! Greed in general ugh. The world is messed up.
All the best with your tea plans for 2026. I love the humour in which you wrote this.
Thank you! 🙂 Yeah, the greed out there is next-level uncomfortable. I appreciate your kind words and the fact that you get my sense of humor. All the best with your future plans in 2026! 🫖✨
Most welcome. Same to you, all the best for your 2026 plans
Amazon sells TH steeped tea. I also read the trick is to make the tea like you make drip coffee.
I’ve tried the TH steeped tea pods back when we had a Keurig. The pods tasted like paint to me, so I ended up giving them away. Maybe it’s me, but for some reason they tasted horrible. I got other ppl to try them and they said the TH pods tasted fine. I have also tired TH orange pekoe tea bags but the tea bags are very weak compared to steeping the leaves. Flavor is there but the strength and boldness is lacking.
I think you’re right about making it similar to drip coffee. At Tim’s they use a coffee machine just for making steeped tea. That might be the way to do it; meaning I could maybe buy a new coffee maker just for steeping tea. 🤔
Such a shame, all this corporate greed is destroying the world. Prices keep increasing while their quality decreases.
Yeah, unfortunately quality’s tanked hard this year. Companies are cutting every corner, charging more for cheap crap. It’s everywhere now—groceries, clothes, everything. ☹️
Corporate greed is nothing new to us here in the “land of the free”. Our felon president has seen to it to punish us with the tariffs.
I bought refillable cups to help with my visits to Starbucks, but they only give you 10 cents off. I’m much like you about not pilling on the apps onto my phone. I get tracked by enough people. Lol
Dunkin is a bit cheaper than Starbucks, but it’s not as convenient as my go to Starbucks as the Starbucks is in my grocery store.
Donate to you so you can get your drinks? Lol. Then that would just make my drinks even more costly. Lol
Nice try. But I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck! Lol. 😉😉😉. Jk jk JK
Nowhere in my original post did I bring politics into this conversation. I was speaking purely on shady corporate policies. This tendency to immediately point fingers at politicians and name blame is exactly why society continues to be in this mess.
I fundamentally disagree with you, as I believe all political systems are corrupt, regardless of the party in power. I live in Canada, which is a very liberal country, and I can assure you it is extremely corrupt. If you genuinely believe the Democrats or any single party is so great, perhaps you should move up here and get a taste of what that kind of governance is actually like firsthand. It’s not the paradise you might think it is.