Many Canadians start the year thinking about similar things: paying down debt, building savings, preparing for unexpected expenses and figuring out how to feel more confident about their finances.
Starbucks Canada is a leader in retail for monetary benefits, offering full benefits for all eligible Canadian store partners (employees) who work an average of 20 hours a week or more. One financial benefit in particular has helped make those goals feel more achievable.
Starbucks Bean Stock is a program that gives eligible full-time and part-time employees a chance to own a small piece of the company—it's one of the reasons Starbucks calls its employees "partners." Instead of just earning a paycheque, partners also receive shares over time — allowing them to participate in Starbucks success while learning more about long-term financial planning along the way.
Over the past 30 years, Bean Stock has supported more than 1.5 million partners in over 20 countries, helping them build financial knowledge that extends far beyond the workplace. And while these lessons come from Starbucks partners, the takeaways can be surprisingly relatable for anyone.
Here are five practical financial habits they learned — and how you can use them too.
1. Paying down debt can unlock long-term financial confidence
If student loans have ever felt like a constant background presence, you're not alone.
For Sarah, a coffeehouse leader in Bedford, Nova Scotia, that was exactly the case.
Using her Bean Stock to reduce her student debt helped her realize that debt reduction isn't only about lowering balances — it's about creating breathing room. Once that pressure eased, she could stop reacting to expenses and start planning with intention.
Prioritizing reducing debt can unlock flexibility and make future goals feel more achievable. For many young workers, that's the difference between surviving month to month and actually moving forward.
2. Big goals are possible through small, consistent habits
Courtesy of Sarah
Like many Canadians, Sarah once thought saving for a home was a pipedream.
Instead, Bean Stock helped reinforce the idea that steady, realistic contributions mattered more than waiting for a major windfall. She applied the same disciplined approach to reduce her student loans to saving for a first home.
By treating savings as an extension of her existing habits, progress felt manageable. Long-term goals grow faster when they’re built into everyday routines.
3. Plan ahead to take advantage of life's big moments
Courtesy of Candid Chaser Photography
Meaningful experiences are exciting, but they can often come with financial stress.
For Morgan, a coffeehouse leader in Ottawa, thoughtful planning and smart money habits helped her stay on track while preparing for major personal milestones, including eloping in Australia and surprising her father with a trip to Germany for a long-awaited family reunion.
She realized that special moments and financial responsibility don't have to compete. Thoughtful financial planning allows room for both.
4. Saving for emergency bills is non-negotiable
Courtesy of Morgan
Life has a habit of throwing expenses at you when you least expect them, but you shouldn't have to put your money goals on hold to tackle those stressful situations.
When Morgan faced emergency vet bills, Bean Stock gave her a way to manage the cost without sacrificing her longer-term goals.
Building financial buffers help protect both peace of mind and long-term progress when unexpected expenses arise.
5. When it comes to investing, start small
Overwhelmed by the thought of investing?
Before Bean Stock, investing felt intimidating to Morgan too. Over time, the program helped her understand what ownership really means and sparked a genuine interest in financial planning and investing. This helped set her on a more proactive path for her financial future.
You don't need to become an expert overnight. Getting familiar with the basics can help you build confidence and change how you approach money.
For the past 30 years, Starbucks Bean Stock has helped partners connect everyday work with this kind of long-term financial thinking. But the lessons extend beyond Starbucks.
At a time when many Canadians are focused on building stability, managing debt, and preparing for what's ahead, these habits reflect goals many people share: more confidence, clarity and momentum in their financial planning.
For those considering a job at Starbucks, Bean Stock is one example of how meaningful benefits can support both present needs and future goals. This industry-leading program helps turn today's hard work into tomorrow's financial wins, making Starbucks one of the best jobs in retail.
To learn more about all of the benefits Starbucks offers, visit Starbucks Partner Benefits. And be sure to take a closer look at the benefits offered by your current employer to make sure you're taking advantage of all the financial options available to you!
This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, tax or accounting advice.