Ways To Save -

Oct 19

I am launching a new weekly series here on Centsible In Seattle, called “Ways To Save”. Sounds a little obvious doesn’t it, after all this blog is centered around tips on ways to save money. The idea behind this series is to provide you all a consistent feature that provides more then just a post on current deals available, but savings tips for all areas of life. If there is a topic you would like to learn better ways to save more, please submit it via the Centsible In Seattle Facebook page, or comments section below. We can learn together how we can save more on little things as well as big things.

Lets start off with one of my favorite topics – Coffee!

Confession time. I am drinking a mocha this morning that I made with my espresso maker. However, did you know that you do not need an (insert “expensive”) espresso machine to make a great latte or americano? Its true, there is not a big up front investment requirement to enjoy a good espresso.

Minus the cost of the espresso machine, I find that drinking espresso beverages does not cost us any more. We use less coffee when making espresso shots so have extra to spend on other items required (milk, syrups, etc). If you buy your espresso at Starbucks, or another stand, then you should see significant savings if you end up making your own.

First things first. How do you make a latte without an automated espresso machine?

Ingredients Needed

Espresso – I recommend Tully’s Espresso Blend, pre-ground. The reason is that its ground finely, and so provides great ease (and its affordable if you combine sales and coupons).
Milk of choice or water for americano
Extra ingredients (syrups) – will talk more about these below.

You have a few options here on how to make the espresso:

A) With a French Press- You can get a French Press for as low as $8.74 (eligible for Super Saver free shipping) on Amazon.

Find step by step directions on this brewing method on wikihow here.

B) Stove Top Espresso Maker (often called a Moka Pot or poor mans espresso)- These start at $14.26 on Amazon (qualify for free super saver shipping).

Gimme Coffee has a great tutorial, complete with pictures, on this method here.

C) With a Coffee Maker (this is my least favorite way, I would use this last, but its a good alternative if you are a regular coffee drinker and just want an occasional latte).

For this method you will want to get an espresso blend, it needs to be ground very finely. Double the amount of coffee you would put into your pot, to make a really strong coffee. Use right after finished brewing for best results. When coffee is finished fill your cup with 1/4 of the espresso mixture and 3/4 milk for latte (or 3/4 water for american). Be sure to heat your milk in the microwave, with hand frother or over the stove first, so its hot.

Frothing Your Milk:

You can purchase a hand Milk Frother on Amazon (from Ikea) for as little as $1.99. I have not tried this one, but for $1.99 I don’t think you can go too wrong. You can find milk frothing instructions on Wikihow here.

You can also just warm your milk over the stove or in the microwave if you are not a fan of foam on top of your latte, and if you want iced drinks no frothing neccessary!

Tips for the milk:

160 degrees is what you will get at most coffee shops. You can get a cheap Milk Thermometer to check your temp if you want.
Kids drinks are usually 130-140 degrees.
I like mine extra hot around 170-180 degrees (I believe you will start scalding at 180 so be careful).
Want a really rich drink, use half and half to make a ‘Breve”
You can make non fat milk taste creamier by making a nice dense foam on the top (vs one with lots of air bubbles).
I get great deals on milk prices by shopping QFC. They often mark their milk down a full week ahead of time. Check with your local stores dairy manager to find out when they mark their products down. I go through milk for lattes so quickly its usually gone before I ever hit that expiration date.
Want a cheap flavored latte. Grab some flavored creamer and add a tablespoon to your milk before frothing.

Tips for making cheap flavored lattes:

Torani syrups can be pricey, but they are not the only way to flavor up a latte. If you are going to buy them I find the best prices at shop and carry. If you do not want to make this splurge, here are some other great tips:

Buy your chocolate syrup at Fred Meyer or Winco. I buy 24 oz of chocolate syrup for $1.65 regular price at Fred Meyer.
Use caramel sauce rather then caramel syrup. I actually prefer carmel sauce (I think it provides a mellower taste and less sweet). You will usually be able to find this for around $2.50 vs. close to $7 for the syrup.
Use condensed milk with a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg for a Spanish flavored coffee. I love these, reminds me of drinking coffee in Puerto Rican restaurants in NY (where I stole this trick from). Add anywhere from 1 tsp to 1 tbsp depending on how sweet you like your coffee.
Make Mexican mochas. Every couponer knows Hot Chocolate often goes on sale around this time of the year. Stock up on it, and use it as an alternative to expensive chocolate powder in a Mexican Mocha recipe. You can make up the mixture and then just scoop a couple of tsp. into your latte, and stir until dissolved. Use all of the packets of hot chocolate from one box, 1 tsp cinnamon and 1 tsp nutmeg. If you want to give it a kick you can add a 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper. If you have vanilla powder, thats the best to add (1 tbs), but if not I substitute 1/4 tsp of vanilla extract (add it directly to your coffee cup, not to the powder mixture if you want to store it).
Buy flavored coffee creamers and use them in your Americano, or steam some with your milk.
Use chocolate milk to make your mochas (then you wont need a syrup, just steam the chocolate milk like you would regular milk).
Use eggnog cut with a little regular milk to make an eggnog latte (you can add a splash of rum extract to really make it great.
Add a splash of peppermint extract to your mocha for a mocha mint without any expensive syrups.

I hope you have picked up lots of ways to save on coffee! Stay tuned for more ways to save while shopping online next week.