3 Ways to Spend Less On Your Coffee Dependency

Is caffeine pretty much the only thing that gets you though the day? Are you permanently clutching a hot cup of coffee in your slightly shaky hand? Is “Coffeeeeee” the first thing you think in the morning? It sounds like you’re nursing something of a caffeine dependency. Before you get stuck into your next game of online bingo with no deposit, here are 3 cures to common coffee addictions…

1. For the coffee shop addict

If the warm and slightly bitter scent of chain coffee shops is like catnip to you, you’re probably spending more on caffeinated beverages than most of the coffee addicts on our list. Whether you’re a Nero’s girl or firmly on Team Starbucks, you’re probably spending at least £3.50 per coffee. If you have a daily habit, that’s going to get very expensive, very fast.

The cure: Treat yourself to a coffee machine and a good Thermos. The initial expense may be eye-watering but, we assure you, swap chain café coffee for a coffee machine at home and you’ll be saving money within a year.

The alternative: Check out the rewards apps available from Starbucks and Costa. You’ll still be paying an arm and a leg for your frappucinos and americanos, but you’ll be getting a little bit more back.

2. For the home brewing junkie

Can’t get enough of your Nespresso machine? Did you know that a 3 cup a day habit works out at around £330 a year? And that’s on top of what you paid for your machine.

The cure: As luck would have it, Nespresso have just lost a legal battle which means that their competitors can now start making coffee pods that fit into Nespresso equipment. Competition is about to hot up amongst the brands and even supermarket own brands are likely to get in on the act.

Commentators believe that this could slash the cost of making your own coffee with a coffee machine by up to 70%. Look out for cheaper (but just as good) off-brand pods to cut your coffee costs.

3. For the instant coffee devotee

If you get through a helluva lot of instant coffee, you’ll know that there’s a huge variation in quality. More often than not, you get what you pay for. The cheap stuff usually tastes like weird earth. That means shelling out for the fancy brands to get the best coffee kick.

The cure: Although most low cost instant coffees taste like horrible mud, supermarket own brand “finest” ranges are surprisingly good. Bite the bullet and try a selection, they can be hit and miss but, hit upon a cheaper, tasty option and you could cut your coffee budget in half! We’re pretty keen on the Co-op’s Fairtrade Gold Roast.

How do you keep your coffee costs down? How many cups do you get through in a day? Share your coffee confessions and cost-cutting tips with our readers below or with our team via Twitter @TwoLittleFleas.