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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- The bad budget might have people cutting back on expenses, but the average worker isn't cutting out their coffee craving.

According to a survey by Accounting Principals, 50 percent of the American workforce spends an average of $1,000 a year on java.

The phone survey polled 1,000 employed Americans 18 years and older about their coffee spending habits, which breaks down to more than $20 a week.

"It's money well-spent in my opinion for what I'm getting done," Jeremy Macsen, Pikes Perk customer, said

Macsen is a grad student and spends anywhere from 20-30 hours a week with his nose in a book.

Coffee shops give him the pick-me-up he needs, not to mention it's a guilty pleasure he can afford.

"People are spending their money a little more judiciously, and they're picking where to spend it. And if you're going to get good service and product then you're going to come down here and spend some time," Don Heaberlin, the Pikes Perk Downtown owner, said.

Despite the slowing economy Heaberlin's regulars are still regular.

Mary Beth Massey comes to Pikes Perk Downtown to get her work done.

Massey like several of the customers we talked to said they leave their homes to minimize their distractions.

So, with customers willing to splurge on their coffee addictions the only battle Pikes Perk Downtown has are the franchises.

The local coffee shop is constantly trying to remind people to shop local and support the Colorado Springs economy.