I am a Starbucks addict. I will openly admit it. Starbucks is an indulgence for me, on days when I am having difficulties at work, a relationship crisis, or when I just feel like procrastinating. If you are like me, and you are attempting to stick to a budget every month and trying to be diligent about paying down your debt, then Starbucks does not fit into that equation very well. Especially, when your habit turns into a twice a week or every other day experience!
So, I decided there had to be a way for me to enjoy a gratifying, extra sugary coffee treat without paying $4.65 for it. I always get the Grande and pretty much have the prices memorized. The medium cup sizes work well if you’re under stress. The Venti is for those days when you feel like you are going to have a nervous breakdown, and the Tall is for those days when you fall for the temptation of the impulse buy: when your subconscious mind makes you head for a Starbucks in the middle of a busy day. In my efforts to curb my $15 a week habit (let’s be honest here) as my money management software encourages me to do, I’ve decided to search the web for coffee recipes. I am not a barista and have never played one on TV, but I can sure come close: how? Well let me tell you that Google is a wonderful thing!
So how can you have your cake and eat it too? You don’t have to spend money on that $4 latte if you’re fine with the DIY approach. I realized that I wanted to save money but still continue to enjoy my Starbucks fix. So here’s what I did.
Try Gourmet Coffee Recipes: Make Your Own Starbucks Coffee Drink!
I did a search on Google.com and typed in my favorite Starbucks coffee drink, Cinnamon Dolce Latte. To my delight, I found recipe after recipe of my favorite drink. There are even baristas that work for Starbucks that are posting recipes. I found one that I liked (from bfeedme):
Make a Cinnamon Dolce Latte!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup strong coffee
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 1/3 cups 1% low-fat milk
What’s Next:
- In a large pan, mix the cinnamon and sugar with a bit of milk.
- Add the rest of the milk and bring to a boil.
- Just as the mixture comes to a boil, take it off the heat.
- Pour your coffee into your favorite mug.
- Pour in the milk and serve immediately.
Earnestly, I ran to my kitchen and began heating milk on the stove and brewing an EXTRA strong, half cup of coffee. After the milk heated, I added in the cinnamon and sugar amounts that were suggested on my recipe. Then, I mixed the milk with the half cup of brewed coffee. Wow! It tastes just like Starbucks minus the cute cup and the smiling barista that hands it to me.
So, why am I paying $4.65 for a cup of this, when I can make 20 cups or more for $10? I don’t know! However, since I have made this discovery, I can tell you that when my subconscious mind prompts me to go to Starbucks, I stop myself. I look at my food budget envelope (working on a cash system here using an envelope budgeting system), and say, I think I can make this here today. I brew my cup of coffee and enjoy it just as I would at Starbucks.
The point I am making is that often, in order to get out of debt, we have to find ways to appease our impulses and control the desire to get instant gratification. We need to prioritize our finances and maintain control of our money. In many ways, this can be achieved by doing the simple things ourselves rather than seeking the convenience of buying those things we want elsewhere, for a premium price. Remember that service has a cost! I have determined that if I do my own gourmet coffee drinks, I will save $4.65 a pop and I can potentially save $725 in the coming year — quite a good amount to add to my high interest savings account.
Do you have a habit that costs money and that isn’t something you need but rather, something you want — which is triggered by an impulse? Why not try to find a suitable substitute that costs substantially less? I encourage you to evaluate where you are spending your money. Weigh the rewards and the consequences of your spending. Is this cup of coffee worth staying in debt for a while longer? No, certainly not for me, and I would think your answer would be the same. Now, I did not completely cut out my Starbucks visits. I still like to meet friends there for a cup of coffee. However, my new strategy now allows me to save a substantial amount of money (over time) and to maintain the pleasure of the experience as well.
Contributing Writer: Selena
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{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
I used to be a serious Starbucks addict. Paying $4-5 every day for a cup of coffee is crazy and certainly adds up quickly. I now brew my own coffee at home and use several flavored creamers from “International Delight”. My favorite flavor is the Southern Butter Pecan.
I still go to the ‘Bucks every now and then for an occasional treat.
Poor Starbucks! It’s always the example of what not to do for the frugal. My children are in college and I recently had a frugal talk with my daughter. For when you want to sit and talk to friends for hours–Starbucks is fine. Ditto when you want to sit and study for several hours.
But when you need a bit of caffeine to finish a paper–make a cup in your room. And add some good hot chocolate if you want.
Moral of the story: separate the experience from the product. Then decide.
My post today is about Starbucks’ new rewards program so your article definitely caught my eye. Cinnamon Dolce latte is my favorite as well so I appreciate the recipe and can’t wait to try it.
Another way to save on Starbucks coffee is to buy the beans at Costco that are roasted by Starbucks under the Kirkland brand name. This is what we brew the six days a week I don’t visit a barista!
I too am a Starbucks addict. I drink lots of their coffee types. I also drink the Chai Tea Latte’s sometimes and I recently noticed that Starbucks sells there Chai Tea concentrate which allows you to make them at home. Much cheaper!
I calculated how much money I spent on Starbucks over the course of 3 years. It added up to about 5,000 dollars. That’s disgusting when you think about it. Brewing your coffee at Home, even if it is Starbucks, will save you a small fortune.
My wife would love this article! I’m going to forward it to her. She’s been amazing at only using gifted Starbucks gift cards to buy drinks, and I’m sure she’ll now enjoy the recipe above. Great money saving tactic!
Where did you get the receipe? I’d love one for a mocha or java chip frappachino !!!
I did last December what Mr Rao did. Was keeping a food diary last 2009 and the money I spent at Starbucks blew me away! Yikes! That would have been a substantial amount.
That is a great idea. I think I’ll have to do some searching for coffee recipes.
Prepare to have your mind blown. I hope you’re sitting down. Ready? Here we go:
1. Purchase a 3 c Bialetti Moka pot. Cost: $25.00
2. Purchase a tin of Illy Medium Roast coffee, pre-ground for the Moka. Cost: $14
3. Purchase gallon of skim milk (or whatever you prefer). Cost: $5
Result: Two weeks worth of triple grande lattes.
Seriously, the Bialetti Moka will blow your mind. It is SO easy to use, costs almost nothing and pays for itself in a month. The tin of Illy will last you a month, and you’ll likely through about two gallons of milk of a month, so for $24, you’re making 30+ lattes.
If you don’t have a stove or a hot plate, you can splurge on a Moka with a built-in heating element. It will take you a little longer to make back your investment, but you’ll still be ahead in no time.
You’re welcome!
@Harriet. Thanks for the money saving idea! That’s something I’m raring to try out. We usually buy the beans from Peets and Starbucks, but would like to try something beyond the regular stuff.
A latte for under a dollar is sweet!
Thanks for the money saving idea! That’s something I’m raring to try out. We usually buy the beans from Peets and Starbucks, but would like to try something beyond the regular stuff.
I love Starbucks coffee but find it a bit overpriced.
OK, I tried this recipe last night, It was OK, I have to say next time I try it I will use full milk not 1%, it tasted a bit bland to me. Otherwise, good idea and easy to make.
Mmmm, Starbucks!!! We’ve been brewing our own regular Starbucks coffee at home to save money but still get sucked into the specialty drinks when we’re out. I think our next step is to try making the specialty drinks at home. Thanks for the recipe (and motivation)!
Thanks for sharing this recipe. I really feel hungry!
Cheers,
Carsten
Honestly, I didn’t know it would be this simple – I’ve made lots of Indian chai so naturally thought the Starbucks offering would be more comples – I’ll be trying this out right now! Many thanks for the recipe.
Wow! I too am a Starbucks addict and I am certainly using up a part of my budget to be able to have coffee at Starbucks. I admit it but, without Starbucks coffee, most of my day becomes sluggish. Thanks for sharing your coffee recipe; now I can have gourmet coffee in the comfort of my own home.
I’ve been to Starbucks twice today, seriously, and as you can probably tell I’m a big coffee fan. I’ve also never played a barista on TV or anywhere else, but have been exploring making coffee at home lately.
I’ll try the cinnamon dolce latte soon, although I may like it with cinnamon better – we’ll see!
I’ll still be going to Starbucks though when I want somewhere to hang out and get some work done while relaxing, regardless of how good your recipe may be:)
As a huge Starbucks fan and even bigger coffee fan, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your discovery of how to save money while still finding a delicious coffee drink. I was intrigued why you said you still found your subconscious mind telling you to go to Starbucks. While I agree that it can become a little much, especially if on a budget, to pay $5 for a drink, I do believe that much of what I pay for is the experience. Not only does Starbucks put a smile on my face with it’s drinks, but it also puts a smile on my face with the service and atmosphere. Great post!
Wow, I think I need a cup right now. (-:
I only go to Starbucks just to hang out with my friends and de-stress. I guess we can do that at home with the recipe you got here. I’m excited to share it with my friends. Few bucks save is really worth a try.
The panda image is really cute..^^