Enjoying Your Coffee Addiction Without Spending Big Bucks

I admit that I am addicted to coffee, I am useless in the morning without my daily cup (or two or three...). However I have found how not to break the bank when it comes to my favorite addiction!

We all do it, you are running around in the morning trying to make it to work or school and you stop by a local coffee shop to get your much needed caffeine buzz. While you are there you realize you haven't had breakfast so you pick up a pastry and hurry on with your day.

Coffee Coffee Coffee 

That little pit stop really hurts your wallet. You could be spending around $25a week, or $100 a month just on coffee and the occasional pastry. Even if you just get a small coffee every day for $1.50 a day, multiplied by 20 work days a week that is $30 a month.

However if you buy a basic coffee maker around $20 at Target and a pound of coffee at Trdaer Joes (Dark Roast $4 a pound) you could save a substantial amount of money.

One pound of coffee is equal to aprox 20 servings of 12 ounce coffee (which is the same size as a small). Which would only cost you $25 for the start up month and substantially less for every month afterward.

Most people claim that they stop by the coffee shop of the way to work because it's so convenient. Really? Is it any more convenient then pressing a button on your way into the bathroom in the morning? And you don't have to wait in line for 10 minutes.

All you need to do is place the ground coffee and water into your coffee machine the night before then either press the on button when you wake up in the morning or program you automatic timer to start the coffee. Place it in a travel mug or buy inexpensive disposable hot cups with lids if you don't want to carry around a travel mug all day.

Kicking the Latte Habit

Another reason people give for stopping by their local coffee shop every morning is that they get fancy drinks that they can't make at home. That is not true!

You can buy espresso ($10 a pound) and brew your own espresso in a coffee maker (just make sure you buy the right filters). You can have your favorite moca latte at home instead of shelling out $4 a drink.

If you are willing to forgo the steamed milk simply take a mug and heat your favorite milk in the microwave and add the coffee or espresso of your choice.

If you would like to add something sweet, go to your favorite coffee shop and get your desired powder or syrup or even better order it online.

There are other ways too, if you are a fan of mocas get some high quality hot chocolate mix (Ghrardelli is good), and add it to your milk once it's been heated, add coffee or espresso and stir and ta da delicious moca for a fraction of the price.

Another idea is to just add chocolate or caramel syrup to your coffee to give it that chocolate taste.

Kicking the Milkshake Disguised as Coffee Habit (aka Frappuccinos)

That's right, I said it, really most Frappuccinos are essentially milkshakes without the ice cream and do not contain a lot of caffinee unless you get shots of espresso added to them. However, they are delicious and it can be hard to break the habit of getting one every morning or afternoon.

First identify when you buy your drink, oftentimes it is as an afternoon pick me up instead of a morning jolt. If you get it in the afternoon for a sugar rush maybe it could be replaced by some juice or an oatmeal cookie you bring from home.

If you get it in the morning you could attempt to make your own at home using a blender, ice, cold coffee (that you have made the previous day), milk and the chocolate/caramel powder/syrup of your choice. If you are feeling bold you could try switching to a home made latte.

If you are unwilling to part with the taste of that special Starbucks combination try getting the bottled Frappuccinos at the grocery store or warehouse store (Costco) you can get them for under $2 on sale and it will save you a trip to the coffee shop, which will prevent impulse buying. Also they are smaller and therefore have fewer calories then the ones you buy at the coffee shop.