I buy a Grande Ice Coffee with 2% milk (oh and can't forget the sweetner) at Starbucks pretty much everyday, unless I deviate and go to Starbucks competitor: CoffeeBean and TeaLeaf for a Reg. Hazelnut Ice Blended (with 1/2scoop of the powder).
Lately, I have been thinking how I can save money and calories, and its like the words COFFEE were flashing in my head like it was a sign on the Vegas strip. So here is the breakdown.
Grande Ice Coffee with 2% milk and sweetner=120cals and $2.50
Weekly Calorie Budget=840calories
Monthly Calorie Budger=3,360 (that is almost 1pound!!!)
WOAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Perhaps I should buy stock in Starbucks???
Today I made my own coffee at home. I will be the first to admit, it doesn't taste the same (probably because my coffee grounds are old, haha). But I am going to try and see this through (with a new package of coffee grounds, haha).
My goal is to decrease my Starbucks intake (literally and caloric) and to save some money (today I put $2.50 in my savings account).
Good idea!!! I actually avoid Starbucks except for once or twice a month (lol, I was a slave and I didn't have one favorite, I had several and always with their old fashioned doughnut...that was 500 calories a pop) and you know if you want to make an investment, I bougbht a Keurig on Black Friday for like $40 (they can get pretty high any other time!) so with Memorial day right around the corner, there are bound to be a few on sale, just a thought.
I realized a few years ago that I was spending $125-$150 per month on Starbucks, wasn't even thinking about calories at the time. A year or so later I realized the calorie hit for each of my drinks and it stopped me cold! I also have a Keurig, and make my own tasty coffee beverages every day now. About $0.55 per cup (I buy large quantities cheap) with a little cream and sugar and only 55 cals per cup.
I just bought myself a little Mr. Coffee espresso machine so I can do the steam milk at home and have my lattes without paying so much at Starbucks. Of course, it hasn't arrived yet from Amazon, so I can't tell you how successful this will be, but I'm pretty hopeful.
I used to drink 2 -3 medium teas a day, extra light and sweet, from Dunkin Donuts. At $2 a pop, that's sometimes $6 a DAY on tea. I've recently started making it at home, with splenda and a quarter cup of fat free milk, and bringing it with me. Only 20 calories, and I actually like it more because there are a ton of different tea flavors you can mix up. I'm in love with Vanilla Caramel right now. Also better for the environment, using a reusable mug.
I used to go to DD 2-3 times a day at one point. I always ordered decadent coffee beverages with a lot of cream and sugar, of course. I now go to DD 3-4 times a week and I order drinks under 150 cals.
It's funny when we start looking at where our budget goes. I remember one time I spent 100 dollars just on corner store stuff like chocolate bars, pop, chips whatever including the extra .25 cent charge because it was under 5.00$ and so on. I think thats a great idea though about the 2.50 into savings. Maybe I should start doing that. LOL.
I have a keurig and its been great! Makes is sooo easy to make the 1 cup i need in the morning. If you get the fancy machine you can get 5 cup sizes. I also get flavored creamers, which can vary in calorie content. I use a full sugar once and just need a little to make it creamy and just sweet enough. I would go to either starbucks, dunkins or mcd's daily for my coffee. Now I make a smoothie and a coffee at home, save a bunch of money and often calories as well.
Also... making coffee at home save SO many disposable cups (unless you always bring your own mug to 'Bucks).
I had to do some serious budgeting recently...
when i realized how much money i was spending on starbucks and sonic drinks... I had to change
and let me tell you drinking water all the time has definately helped me a TON!!!!
I'm a little out of my 20s, but this topic interested me and I thought I'd chime in (or butt in, if you ladies say so, LOL). I used to get a Starbucks Frappucino, but maybe only once a week. Even then, when you're looking at $5 a pop, it adds up. I started looking for better options and, on occasion, will get a skinny sugar free white chocolate mocha coffee BUT every day I make my own coffee at the house. I have a fancy machine that grinds the beans fresh and then shoots it into the filter...makes THE BEST coffee EVER!!! Then I add my low-fat creamer and Splenda. I get a huge bag of coffee beans that lasts me for about 2 months at Sams for about $12 which is just over what I used to spend on 2 Frappucinos!!! Plus I know what is and isn't going into my coffee. It's win-win!!!
Oh god... as a Seattle girl I hate to admit it, but I have completely kicked the Starbucks habit. I realized I just don't need the calories, caffeine, hormone-filled milk, empty bank account, etc. But man, it was hard. There are 2 different stores within walking distance from my house so it's hard to stay away. Sometimes I make coffee at home and I have come to prefer the taste. I like that I can use non-dairy/non-soy milk and agave nectar to sweeten it. But I'm a control freak like that .
Money, Calories, and Starbucks
