Cutting the Cost: Coffee

That picture above? Yeah, you might as well have taped my picture over her face.

It's the story of my life.

I don't just want coffee, it's necessary for my functionality!

For the past four-ish years, I have worked as a barista.

Which means four-ish million times I have heard people complain about the cost.

It's true. Buying a latte from a coffee house everyday REALLY adds up.

The Math:

Average Vanilla Latte Cost: roughly $3.50

x

Days in a year: 365

=

Holy. Cow. You would be spending about $1277 per YEAR on the morning caffeine dose!

That's a down payment on a car!!

Dave Ramsey would have a fit with that one!

I'm all for the occasional Grande non-fat Tuxedo Mocha....

But only on special occasions.

So, stepping off my soap box, how do we stop this money drainer?

Well, over the past few years I have (close to) perfected a system.

Drip Coffee:

Before we start, let me introduce you to my buddy, Trader Joe's House Blend...

At my local TJ's, he retails for about $5/pound.

And he is GOOD quality.

He is also the same cost of a lower grade blend from the grocery store.

Anyways, TJHB as he will be referred to, will be the basis cost for my calculations.

One container will last me about 2 weeks.

And that is with normal consumption of 2 mugs per day, totaling out to $2.50 a week.

That's not too bad.

However, if you don't drink your coffee black, your creamer costs can raise your price per cup.

How do I fix that?

Get on pinterest and search "homemade coffee creamer".

I use the one that doesn't use sweetened condensed milk.

In about 20 minutes I can make a batch of 1 1/2 quarts that I freeze in smaller containers and use when needed.

My calculation says that it adds about 30 cents per cup to the cost, as well as a lot fewer preservatives!

So that gives our daily coffee habit a 66 cent cost.

MUCH better.

Now, what about those who like their coffee iced?

I use a SUPER simple recipe from the Imbibe website.

The same amount of TJHB coffee is used weekly, just brewed under a cold brew method, so the cost equals out to the one above.

Some days when I am really hurting for that coffeehosue taste, I pull out my Keurig Hazelnut "brew over ice" and make one. 

At about 75 cents a cup, it is worth it for that real latte taste!

(And still better than the local Starbucks' cost.)

Flavored Coffees:

For a flavored coffee, I do one of two things:

1. Dollar Tree has bottles of flavored syrup for $1. Not bad at all.

2. I make my own. (Holla.)

Simple Syrup goes like this:

- Equal parts sugar and water are boiled until the sugar dissolves.

- Add extracts such as vanilla, caramel, or hazelnut for the flavor.

And that's ALL! Easy Peasy.

Just add a splash and some milk and you're on your way!

Chai Lattes:

In the fall, there's not much I love more than cuddling up with my hubs and a warm chai latte and watching college football.

Here's advice for chai on the cheap:

Oregon Chai is a good bet. It is sold at Walmart, many grocery stores, and TJ's.

There is a powdered version or a liquid.

As well as a sugar-free or regular choice.

Heat your milk, pour it in, and go.

Bonus points if you brew a strong cup of Chai tea and add honey and milk.

It isn't quite the same taste to me, but maybe I just need to experiment more.

Obviously, I could talk and talk about coffee savings.

I forsee a part two coming soon!

Here's a quick table I found from Seattle Coffee Gear on home-brew vs. shop-purchased prices:

What about you? Any tips or tricks?

Love and Savings,

MFP