One of the first money saving tips that most financial experts recommend is cutting down on the number of expensive coffee drinks we consume each day. To many who have become accustomed to a daily mocha or frozen caffeine jolt, this advice is hard to take. However, it is possible to make these specialty coffee drinks at home with minimum effort and little expense. Most of these drinks can be replicated without investing in additional equipment by simply upgrading the quality of coffee that you brew and adding a bit of foam or a flavored syrup.
The real key to great coffee is in the beans. A good, dark roast will give every cup of coffee that rich flavor for which your favorite cafe is known. These beans may cost slightly more than you are accustomed to spending, but will still average out to only a few cents per cup. To maximize savings, search for coffee deals online. Online shoppers will often find coupons or sale priced coffee that is a few dollars less per pound than the cost of purchasing through a local coffee shop.
Flavored coffee syrups are another great way to spice up a regular cup of coffee. Sold in flavors ranging from caramel to mocha, bottles are sold in most large or boutique grocery stores. When adding to your coffee, keep in mind that a little bit will go a long way. These syrups are simply poured into each cup after it has finished brewing and will can instantly transform a normal cup into the caramel mocha drink that you crave.
To finish your drink, consider upgrading your low fat milk to a cream or foam. One of the real reasons that coffee shop drinks taste so good is their high fat content. When making them at home, using whole milk for foam or a cream with a high fat content will give the same results. However, if you are hoping to cut some calories along with the price, a low fat flavored cream will often mask the fact that you are using a fat free substitute.
Making these drinks at home can save the average coffee drinker hundreds of dollars a year, without feeling like they are making any sacrifices.
