If you're a coffee drinker, you may or may not notice how much this habit of yours costs you, but it can add up to be quite a lot, especially if you're picky about the quality of your coffee. Here are some ways to save money on your coffee while still enjoying a good drink.
Nothing beats the smell of coffee first thing in the morning. Coffee is a part of a lot of people’s morning routine. Every day Americans consume 400 million cups of coffee in the United States. An average American coffee user consumes three cups of coffee each day. These figures add up when you consider that around 150 million Americans are passionate coffee drinkers.
Whether you prefer a simple cup of black coffee or an iced latte with all the fancy stuff like whipped cream, coffee might feel like a cheap treat. That small pleasure and energy booster, however, is becoming expensive.
While you may not find spending an extra 30 or 50 cents on your cup of coffee a big deal, this may slowly add up and mess up your budget at some point. Fortunately, several methods exist to enjoy your morning cup of coffee and still maintain a frugal lifestyle. Continue reading for practical ways to save money on coffee.
Grind your coffee
Even though bags of pre-ground coffee and whole beans are the same price, grinding beans can be more cost-effective in the long term. Why? Pre-ground coffee is typically produced with lower-quality beans, fillers, and chemicals fillers and tends to get stale faster than whole beans.
Coffee that has lost its fragrance and flavor may need to be more utilized or thrown away, wasting money along with your brew.
Take your coffee black.
It may take some getting used to, but drinking black coffee will save you money on milk and creamer at the store and cafes. If you order coffee with dairy-free milk, such as almond, soy, oat or coconut, several major coffee companies charge up to 80 cents more.
Furthermore, keeping it basic and black allows you to enjoy the coffee's natural scent and flavor fully.
Avoid buying coffee
Making your morning coffee at home is a great method to save money on coffee. It will only take you a few minutes to fix your cup of coffee in the morning if you have a coffee maker.
You have enough space for a coffee maker if you have a kitchen counter. If you're the only person in your family who drinks coffee, you can buy a small pot coffee maker or consider purchasing a coffee maker that distributes by the cup. That does not have to be one of the high-priced machines with high-priced coffee.
Traditional coffee makers that distribute by the cup from a reservoir rather than a pot can also be found if you look around. If you work for a major corporation that provides incentive awards, you can even use those to purchase your coffee machine. If you like pricey lattes, this can save you up to $1000 yearly.
If you usually get coffee on your way to work, this will be a lot cheaper option - it will cost you approximately a quarter of what you would pay in a drive-through.
If you want another cup of coffee when you're out or at work, bring it with you. Carrying your own coffee or latte from home may save you several dollars daily, which adds up quickly.
Perfect your brewing method
One reason you might avoid preparing coffee at home is that it tastes different than one from a coffee shop. If this is the case, you need to step up your brewing game.
Begin by selecting the appropriate grind size for your coffee technique, such as coarse for a French press or medium for an automated drip. Also, figure out your favorite coffee strength for the coffee-to-water ratio and the optimal water temperature for your preferred brewing technique.
Buy your coffee in bulk.
If you currently make your coffee at home, chances are you're still overpaying for it. The store-brand coffee still makes a nice cup of coffee. You are not required to purchase a branded brand, which may be rather costly.
You may save even more money if you buy your coffee in bulk. Although some grocery shops sell huge canisters of coffee, the easiest option to buy in bulk is at Costco or Sam's Club. These warehouse stores are intended to sell to restaurants but also welcome the general public. If you buy their coffee in quantity, you will save a lot of money over a year.
Alternatively, you can also buy coffee roasts online using coffee subscriptions from Equator Coffees, where you buy in bulk at discounted prices and save some dollars while still maintaining quality.
Buy an affordable milk frother.
Instead of paying more for a latte or a cappuccino from your neighborhood barista, use a milk frother to prepare your own at home. Milk frothers operate by aerating milk and producing foam to be added to hot or cold coffee beverages.
There are several varieties of frothers ranging in price from portable to electric, but you can purchase one on Amazon for as little as $5.
Use what you need
The amount of grounds you use is another area where most people waste coffee. To prepare their "ideal pot" of coffee, various brands will prescribe a different amount of coffee grinds.
In reality, 1 level tablespoon of coffee is required for every measured cup of water. If you don't think your coffee is strong enough, grind your beans as fine as your grinder allows. The finer the coffee grind, the more water passes through it, resulting in better-brewed coffee.
Freeze leftover coffee
You have wasted money and coffee if you prepare a 10-cup pot of coffee and only drink two cups. Only make as much coffee as you require. If you prepare too much coffee for guests, try preserving the leftovers. You may store it in the refrigerator and reheat it in the morning.
Refrigerate it and drink it cold, or add it to a smoothie with additional ingredients like banana, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and your favorite milk. Leftover coffee may be used to make coffee popsicles or fill an ice tray with ice cubes for iced coffee.
Take your coffee black.
It may take some getting used to, but drinking black coffee will save you money on milk and creamer at the store and cafes. If you order coffee with dairy-free milk, such as almond, soy, oat or coconut, several major coffee companies charge up to 80 cents more.
Furthermore, keeping it basic and black allows you to enjoy the coffee's natural scent and flavor fully.
Avoid buying coffee
Making your morning coffee at home is a great method to save money on coffee. It will only take you a few minutes to fix your cup of coffee in the morning if you have a coffee maker.
You have enough space for a coffee maker if you have a kitchen counter. If you're the only person in your family who drinks coffee, you can buy a small pot coffee maker or consider purchasing a coffee maker that distributes by the cup. That does not have to be one of the high-priced machines with high-priced coffee.
Traditional coffee makers that distribute by the cup from a reservoir rather than a pot can also be found if you look around. If you work for a major corporation that provides incentive awards, you can even use those to purchase your coffee machine. If you like pricey lattes, this can save you up to $1000 yearly.
If you usually get coffee on your way to work, this will be a lot cheaper option - it will cost you approximately a quarter of what you would pay in a drive-through.
If you want another cup of coffee when you're out or at work, bring it with you. Carrying your own coffee or latte from home may save you several dollars daily, which adds up quickly.
Perfect your brewing method
One reason you might avoid preparing coffee at home is that it tastes different than one from a coffee shop. If this is the case, you need to step up your brewing game.
Begin by selecting the appropriate grind size for your coffee technique, such as coarse for a French press or medium for an automated drip. Also, figure out your favorite coffee strength for the coffee-to-water ratio and the optimal water temperature for your preferred brewing technique.
Buy your coffee in bulk.
If you currently make your coffee at home, chances are you're still overpaying for it. The store-brand coffee still makes a nice cup of coffee. You are not required to purchase a branded brand, which may be rather costly.
You may save even more money if you buy your coffee in bulk. Although some grocery shops sell huge canisters of coffee, the easiest option to buy in bulk is at Costco or Sam's Club. These warehouse stores are intended to sell to restaurants but also welcome the general public. If you buy their coffee in quantity, you will save a lot of money over a year.
Alternatively, you can also buy coffee roasts online using coffee subscriptions from Equator Coffees, where you buy in bulk at discounted prices and save some dollars while still maintaining quality.
Buy an affordable milk frother.
Instead of paying more for a latte or a cappuccino from your neighborhood barista, use a milk frother to prepare your own at home. Milk frothers operate by aerating milk and producing foam to be added to hot or cold coffee beverages.
There are several varieties of frothers ranging in price from portable to electric, but you can purchase one on Amazon for as little as $5.
Use what you need
The amount of grounds you use is another area where most people waste coffee. To prepare their "ideal pot" of coffee, various brands will prescribe a different amount of coffee grinds.
In reality, 1 level tablespoon of coffee is required for every measured cup of water. If you don't think your coffee is strong enough, grind your beans as fine as your grinder allows. The finer the coffee grind, the more water passes through it, resulting in better-brewed coffee.
Freeze leftover coffee
You have wasted money and coffee if you prepare a 10-cup pot of coffee and only drink two cups. Only make as much coffee as you require. If you prepare too much coffee for guests, try preserving the leftovers. You may store it in the refrigerator and reheat it in the morning.
Refrigerate it and drink it cold, or add it to a smoothie with additional ingredients like banana, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and your favorite milk. Leftover coffee may be used to make coffee popsicles or fill an ice tray with ice cubes for iced coffee.