Can we really kick our Starbuck's (SBUX) addiction?

Starbuck's has really been beaten down over the past year as investors have become weary that the economic slowdown might impact coffee drinkers. Really? Do you think that many people will just stop buying their coffee from Starbuck's and choose to buy their coffee from somewhere else just to save $25 - $50 bucks a week, $200 bucks a month?

I'm all for frugality and saving money. I certainly don't consider myself to be a BIG SPENDER by any stretch of the imagination. Especially now that I've found myself unemployed and my wife's part-time salary is our sole source of family income.

If I'm looking to really buckle down and reduce my expenses, I'm not sure that my Starbuck's coffee is the first place that I'd start. I REALLY, REALLY LIKE my coffee. Maybe I would switch from some of the fancy lattes or espresso to just regular dark roast, but I'm certainly not going to forgo my Starbucks all together.

My family will likely stay home at not dine out for a while, we will go out to fewer movies, we will do more of the work around the house ourselves rather than hiring out, but I AM NOT GOING TO FORGO MY STARBUCKS COFFEE!

Starbuck's stock price is 60% lower than the highs set back in November of 2006. The company is trying to transform themselves by closing some under performing stores and introducing new products such as their line-up of cold coffee beverages that will be available this summer.

I think Starbuck's provides a great investment opportunity at current levels.