Save on coffee. Enjoy it just as much.

While there is always the option of NOT drinking coffee, I wanted a more inexpensive way to continue. :)

This was it: buy an Espresso machine.
Price: $99 (or buy a used one off craigslist.org)
Model: Krups XP1500 Coffee/Espresso Maker (it makes coffee, espresso and steams milk!)
Time Until Break Even: 40 visits to a coffee shop

Do you or your husband stop by Starbucks each day to pick up a fresh cup on your way to work? If you invest in a decent cappuccino / espresso maker, those visits can go right out the door; you can make it at home and it tastes better than most of the shops. Plus, once you get used to using it, you can experiment a lot with different beans and grindings and make some truly sublime homemade coffees.

Once you figure out how the machine works, it will not take you any more time to make your own than it does waiting in line at the coffee shop, and you get it just the way you like it!

We are in a co-op with 5 other families to get Organic coffee beans from Cafe Mam, an online company that roasts the beans the day that you order. Bulk is cheaper (about $6 per pound, it comes in 5 pound bags) which is why we do the co-op. You can also buy the syrups from there for making your different lattes.

It works for me! Check out Tammy's blog for more kitchen tips!