I have a hard time resisting a cup of coffee at a coffee shop. It isn’t just the coffee itself, but it is the act of going to get a cup of coffee, the soft music, and the break away from it all. If I am having a hard day with the kids or I just long for a small treat for myself, the first place I think of is the coffee shop. In some ways I have replaced my desire to shop with a desire to just have some quiet time alone with a delicious cup of hot coffee and a book.
Running out to grab a cup of coffee on occasion isn’t a budget-buster, but running out daily to get a cup of coffee can cause some damage to the family finances. David Bach put it best when he coined the phrase, “latte factor” as a way to describe the little amounts of money that could be better spent on other things in our life. What seems like pocket change adds up and can easily become a $35 per week habit.
I hate to give up my coffee fix though so I have come up with my own strategies towards creating the perfect brew without the five dollars per cup price tag. These recipes and tips have become a way of life for me and have helped us save a lot of money each week.
- If you don’t have a coffeemaker, this will be a wise investment for yourself or for your family. A nice standard programmable coffeemaker will only cost you between $30-40 and will start saving you money with the first pot that you brew. I try to visit home stores like Linens ‘N Things or Bed, Bath, & Beyond for appliances like these. With a little luck and frequent visiting, you can usually find a model that has been reduced in price. These reduced prices usually happen on models that are returned to the store or on the floor models. Be sure to ask if you can apply your coupon towards the item to get additional money off. I was able to get my coffeemaker that was normally $100 for $40 after these discounts.
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