Here’s a fact about me: I hate coffee. Like really, passionately hate coffee. There is nothing about coffee that I find enticing or desirable. It smells bad, it tastes bad, it gives you disgusting breath. It is a vile, awful drink.
My hatred of coffee is not arbitrary. There’s a real reason behind it. The reason? Is my 11th grade math teacher. He had the worst coffee breath of anyone ever. And he always had putrid coffee sitting in a mug that never looked quite clean enough. And I had the good fortune to sit right in front of his desk, during first period, at 7:30 in the morning when the smell was nice and fresh. Every day. For an entire school year. Needless to say, it traumatized me. Traumatized me to the point that I never, ever drink coffee. Ever. (I also have a severe hatred of anything orange smelling/flavored but that is another story for another time). In fact, no form of coffee is acceptable. Unless it’s a Coffee Crisp. Those are totally acceptable.
My aversion to coffee got me thinking. When someone is trying to cut expenses, what is one of the first suggestions? Make coffee at home. I understand the suggestion. Typically, when you make something at home, you spend a lot less money than if you get it somewhere else (clarification: this applies mainly to food. Usually. There are circumstances where food in a restaurant is cheaper than making the same food at home). I would assume that this applies to coffee as well. Or does it? Let’s examine (admin note: these numbers come from my mother. I love her but she is not the most reliable source for prices. And, as always, prices fluctuate based on brand, location, amounts, preferences, etc. The prices used are Long Island prices).
Scenario #1: Purchasing coffee from Dunkin Donuts. From my understanding (read: information from my mother), a medium coffee from DD costs approximately $3. Assuming one coffee per day, 7 days per week, someone would spend $21 per week. Average monthly cost: $84
Scenario #2: Making coffee at home. Again from my understanding (again, information from my mother), a pound of coffee costs around $10, filters are $2 for 100, a standard coffee maker is around $35. A reusable coffee mug (’cause if we’re saving money, we’re going to save the environment, too) costs around $10. That’s a total of $57 just to get started. Based on my scientific research (Google search), a pound of coffee lasts roughly 2 weeks, so that’s 2 pounds of coffee every month. Then let’s assume that you need one of those fancy flavor things (because I can’t imagine even wanting to taste coffee without some enhancement). So that’s what? An extra $4 per week, or $20 per month. I won’t factor in milk or sugar since you’d probably buy those anyway and the amount is nominal. Average monthly cost after start-up costs: $42
The monthly savings is around $42 for making coffee at home. That’s a pretty hefty difference for someone trying to make ends meet or trying to meet a savings goal. $42 can go a long way and represent a big surplus in a budget.
Obviously, there are a ton of variables at play: how much a person drinks, how big of a size coffee is purchased from DD, if the coffee is bought from somewhere other than DD, the brand of store bought coffee that is used. These will all affect the net savings. But the point that making coffee at home is, overall, cheaper than purchasing coffee from DD or Wawa or Starbucks is not lost. Mathematically, it makes sense. And if you’re struggling or need to free up extra money, this is a good place to start.
Of course, I advocate that everyone gives up coffee altogether. Because when I rule the world? That will happen.
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If that is the case, can you hold off ruling the world until my last child is grown or a few more kids leave the house!? I didn’t start drinking coffee until we added our FOURTH child. At that point it became necessary! Up until this year I only drank regular brewed coffee but after one of my races a friend bought me a Caramel something something Frappuccino and I was in trouble. Because my funds are limited I drink coffee at home and only get a specialty drink as a reward (few and far between these days!).
anotherhousewife recently posted…Hello November
So funny. I hate coffee too, but it became a necessity after my third child. If only I could figure out how to make the fancy drinks at home. 😉
Melissa recently posted…What Is Your Price?
I actually just found a recipe for making their blended vanilla cremes at home. I’m looking forward to trying it. The Starbucks coffeeless drinks are delicious!
I will hold off on my world domination for the next 14 years. Just for you.
I think I’m going to send you a Starbucks gift card for Christmas. Cause you’re awesome and you deserve it.
We can no longer be friends……
LOL I’m just joking but I do love me some coffee! But I understand your aversion to it. I prefer to make my coffee at home (or instant at work) than to purchase at DD or Starbucks or wherever. I’m just picky like that.
Carrie – Careful Cents recently posted…A Very Spicy Thanksgiving Giveaway
I usually prefer making things at home. I’m very distrustful by nature and if I make things myself, I know exactly what’s going into it!
I used to hate coffee, too. Then finals hit in college, and I never looked back. Now I love coffee and can barely function without it 🙂
Christa recently posted…Misconceptions: My House is Too Small
I figure that I made it through college, grad school and a newborn all without coffee. My aversion is that bad.
Do you need ceffein of any variety. I generally drink way more diet coke than coffee. Need my caffeinated buzz!
Hunter @ Financially Consumed recently posted…Energy Smart Car Buying
Hunter, I typically stay away from caffeine. I even drink caffeine free soda! I had a Red Bull once and I was a wreck. Caffeine + me = not good
The world’s productivity is going to take a drastic decline when you come into power. You’re so funny, Jana. 🙂
Jen @ Master the Art of Saving recently posted…Net Worth Update~ November 2011
Thanks, Jen. But while productivity may decrease, the smell of fresh breath will drastically increase 🙂 I think it’s a fair trade.
I am with you on the coffee thing. My parents didn’t drink it, so I didn’t grow up in a home with it. I hate the smell so much, I refuse to taste it. For around 4 years, I had to commute past a Tully’s coffee bean refinery every day- it made me gag.
Of course, just because I don’t drink coffee doesn’t mean I didn’t have to cut back on running to the coffee stand- I love me some chai. But now I bring my own herbal tea into work- a box of 20 teabags costs the same as one medium chai, so it’s a rather significant savings, too
shanendoah@the dog ate my wallet recently posted…Sometimes It’s Worth It to Pay More
Or you could do like I do and drink coffee from work, where it’s freeee!
PS: I am deeply saddened that one of our members was irresponsible in his coffee drinking so as to turn an innocent 11th grader off from the lifeblood that is the coffee bean. Shame on him. 😛
Too funny. I just read a post comparing the price of coffee at home to out on thesimpledollar.
I wouldn’t die without coffee. But until you take over the world I’ll continue with at least one cup per weekday. Free at work.