I love coffee. It's part of my morning routine. I start looking forward to that first cup before I even go to bed at night. The whole process brings me pleasure: The aroma while it's brewing, the sound of the drip into the decanter, seeing the perfect color when I stir a few drops of milk into the cup, holding both my hands around the mug allowing them to warm. Perfection!
On my recent visit to my parents' house my mom and I laughed because we had the same reaction to that first sip.....Ahhhh! Very much like an addict getting the hit.
One of the most important areas of transformation I'm undergoing is a financial makeover. Things are bad right now. Really bad. The mortgage and car payments are being made; some other bills are in limbo while I wait on the court to implement spousal support. My credit as a single is a mess. So I'm questioning all of my purchases and choices. I'm berating myself for stupid decisions I've made that only time can reconcile. I absolutely must become a better financial steward or face disaster.
I'm happy to say that my coffee routine passes a thorough examination.
I brew at home and have been doing so for many years. On average I spend about $7 for a pound of coffee or beans (I have my own grinder, but often buy ground coffee when it's on sale). There are approximately 75 tablespoons in one pound of coffee. Each tablespoon brews one 6 ounce cup. That means two tablespoons = 12 ounces, or about the size of a cup of fresh brew from Starbucks or Panera.
The math facts:
1 pound = 75 Tablespoons
1 pound = $7 (on average)
2 Tblsp = $0.18 = 12 oz. cup
That's right. The cost of a delicious 12 oz. cup of coffee at home costs me only 18 cents. I generally brew 36 ounces every morning and use a take-along cup with me if I have a subbing assignment.
I could buy the most expensive ground coffee on the market and still be considered frugal compared to buying a cup elsewhere. Even the fast food places that are trying to compete with Starbucks, Panera, Barney's and other coffee stores can't compare to my cheap habit.
There's a lot of things that are not in my control right now and I've had to give up quite a bit. I'm thrilled that one of my greatest simple morning rituals makes economic sense as well.
Faithfully yours,
Linda
3 comments:
I feel the same way in the morning when I pop open my first diet coke. See I'm not a coffee or tea drinker so I love to hear that first pssssssst when I open the first can. It's soothing and it's something that I am in control of since there isn't much else that I'm in control of. So I know how you feel. I too go to sleep thinking of that first sound and that first sip. It's the little things in life.
I have recently started drinking a Spiced Chai tea in the morning (no whipped cream though). Through Amazon I found the same brand used at our local "Potter Shed Cafe'"--Fixing it with skim milk gives me the same boost other have from their coffee. Sometimes we need to pamper ourselves. We are worth it--after all look what Christ did for us!
Holding you in prayer!
Hi Linda,
I have also started a new blog focusing on my walk with Christ-victories and challenges. It is at http://lindasfaithandfriends.blogspot.com.
God Bless,
Linda
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