When saving money...doesn't

I made a mistake while trying to save money the other day that ended up costing me more than if I'd just not tried in the first place.

I bought a bag of coffee from the grocery store. I had several coupons for different brands, and it was double coupon day. I finally figured out the best deal was on a bag of Starbucks coffee but I got so carried away with the math that I forgot to grind the beans before I left the store. I saved $2, just a bit below what it would have cost me to buy a bag of the kind of coffee I usually buy, which is already ground.

I realized it a few days later, but wasn't planning to go back to the grocery store for a while. I was planning to go to Target, which has a Starbucks inside it, so I took the bag with me. I waited in a long line and briefly explained the situation and the barista nicely agreed to grind it up for me. I felt bad, though, because she was the only one working and there were six people ahead of me and a long line forming behind me as well, so I bought a bottle of Tazo tea for $2.

So, my big coffee money-saving plan was basically a total wash. Except this morning I had a cup of the coffee and, guess what, I just don't like it as much as Seattle's Best. If I could go back in time, I'd just as soon buy a bag of that without a coupon and then I wouldn't have had to deal with any of this nonsense in the first place.

I know this isn't the only time I've done something like this. Have you ever accidentally spent more, or at least broke even, just by trying to save money?