Reducing the Cost of My Starbucks Addiction
In an effort to reduce my total monthly expenditures, I’ve decided to switch to Starbuck’s VIA instant coffee a few days a week. Instead of paying $2.62 a day for my iced Americano, I am only spending $.75 plus about $.20 once I add the vanilla syrup. That’s a $1.67 daily savings on the days I drink VIA. If I can stick to the VIA 4 days a week, I’ll save approximately $26 a month. In a year, I can save $312!
Too much caffeine
The only downside, is that the VIA doesn’t quite taste like my iced vanilla Americano. I’ve purchased vanilla syrup from World Market, to add the sugary flavor I’ve grown to like, but the instant coffee just doesn’t quite have the same flavor, or strength as 4 shots of espresso. Yes, you read that correctly. My Americano has 4 shots of espresso over ice with 8 pumps of vanilla syrup. Zing!
On top of the reduction of caffeine, the taste of the VIA compared to the espresso just isn’t the same. I’m sure I’ll adapt to the weakened flavor, I’ll just have to add more syrup or double up the packs of VIA (but, then I don’t think I end up saving quite as much money this way.) The reduced caffeine may give me a head ache for a few days, but this is something I can live with. If I can alternate my regular Americano with the VIA, I think I can adjust quickly and painlessly to the caffeine reduction.
The draw back to this plan is that the VIA over ice doesn’t last as long as my traditional Americano. For instance, on a regular Americano day, I sip my iced drink over a total of 4 hours. Usually finishing the drink around my recess time, it complements my oatmeal breakfast/brunch meal. With the alternative VIA drink, it already is somewhat watered down to begin with, or at least that’s what the flavor resembles according to my palate. Four hours later, it begins to taste a bit like burnt coffee that has chilled to room temperature, not a favorite taste of mine. VIA is a great hot coffee alternative, but most days, something like 360 out of the 365, I prefer iced coffee. The iced coffee holds up better to that 4-hour span than hot coffee. It is also easier for me to transport a cold drink on my bike than a hot one. My water bottle doubles as a reusable coffee mug and can’t take the heat!
As I adjust to this frugal shortcut, I’m sure I’ll make adjustments or additions to my second favorite drink.
Here’s an idea. How about taking your $2.62 daily savings and investing in a home expresso machine like this one http://www.wholelattelove.com/Saeco/aroma_stainless.cfm
and make your americanos at home just the way you like?
This is something I’ll look into. The VIA is okay for now, it’s just a little watered down when I add ice to make it cold. I looked that the link you sent me, I think this could work if I completely gave up Starbucks. It’s cheaper in the long run. Thanks for the info!
This makes me glad I don’t drink coffee that often! But seriously, great job cutting the expense. I’m sure you’ll be able to get it the way you want it soon. My indulgence is my French vanilla-flavored Bigelow tea, but that’s $2.50-$3.00 for a box of 20 tea bags, so costs me under $5 a month.