The true cost of a cup
A few years ago we were looking at how to save money and where our real expenses were. Let me explain why we bought the Breville BES870XL in 2020 and discovered our espresso machine life hack.
Today, we brew with the blue bag of Lavazza Super Crema every day and usually two shots of espresso per person. I like my coffee either as straight espresso or as an americano, which just means add water until it looks like drip coffee. My wife mixes a shot of espresso with her homemade coffee creamer.
Most of us can’t quit coffee, no matter how you like your cup, you want that fix every morning. Picture this: you wake up every morning, groggy and craving that perfect cup of espresso to kickstart your day. You rush to the nearest coffee shop or your kitchen Keurig, willing to spend a few bucks for that much-needed caffeine fix. But what if I told you there’s a money-saving life hack brewing right in your own home with your very own espresso machine?
Some may be persuaded by the environmental cost of millions of disposable single serve pods and single use cups at your coffee shop, but consider the time spent going to the shop and the shipping of individual servings to your home or supermarket. Also consider the pride of effort making your own custom coffee drink in the morning.
The Coffee Shop Dilemma
Let’s do the math. A daily stop at a coffee shop for your favorite espresso could set you back around $3-4 per cup or more depending on your drink of choice. Multiply that by 365 days, and you’re looking at a significant dent in your wallet. Now, what if I told you that you could enjoy that same rich, velvety espresso at home for a fraction of the cost?
The K-Cup Conundrum
Sure, K-Cups are convenient, but the cost per ounce is astonishingly high. We used to own a Keurig machine and had a cup of coffee (not espresso) every day. Let’s break it down: a typical K-Cup contains around 0.4 ounces of coffee, costing roughly $0.50 each. With a shot of espresso requiring about 0.5 ounces, you’re already spending more than a dollar per cup! Imagine the savings by making your espresso at home with a Breville machine.
Nespresso Not-So-Savings
Nespresso pods offer another seemingly easy solution, but the price per pod is on the steeper side. At an average cost of $0.85 per pod, you’re paying a premium for that quick caffeine fix. Our second machine after Keurig was a Nespresso Inissia machine, and I while I loved the taste now of espresso over coffee, the cost of each pod was shocking over the course of a year or more. The Breville espresso machine, on the other hand, empowers you to choose your coffee beans, giving you control over both quality and cost.
Espresso Machine: A Savvy Investment
Crunching the Numbers
Yes, an espresso machine requires an upfront investment, but think of it as a long-term money-saving ally. Suppose you’re spending $4 on a daily espresso fix. Over the course of a year, that’s $1,460 down the drain.
Quality espresso beans can be purchased for around $10-15 per pound. With each shot requiring about 0.5 ounces, you’re looking at a cost of approximately $0.20 per shot. That’s a fraction of what you’d spend at a coffee shop or with single-use pods.
If you were to make one shot per day, your annual cost would be around $73. That’s a whopping $1,387 in savings compared to your daily coffee shop expense.
The Payback Period
Now, let’s talk about recouping your investment. “Buy Once, Cry Once” they say. Suppose you splurge on an espresso machine for $500 or $600. With yearly savings of $1,387, you’d recoup your investment in less than six months. Yes, you read that right — six months! After that, every shot of espresso is not just a caffeinated delight; it’s money back in your pocket. When we purchased our espresso machine we used credit card points to help bring down the cost, knowing that the machine would still pay for itself in short order.
Beyond Savings: Perks & Customization
Many times an espresso maker is also an appliance. Consider that many machines come with a hot water tap and a steam frother. Do you need instant hot water for tea, hot chocolate? Do you need hot water for instant noodles, soup, matcha latte? You can use the hot water instantly and it’s near boiling temperature. Froth some fun drinks for the kids in the winter, no problem.
Owning an espresso machine doesn’t just pay for itself; it opens up a world of coffee customization. Experiment with different beans, adjust the grind, and perfect your own signature shot. You’re not just saving money; you’re elevating your coffee experience.
Conclusion: Sip, Save, and Splurge Smart
In the world of financial life hacks, an espresso machine is a game-changer. It’s an investment that pays dividends daily. So, why settle for the daily expense when you can own your espresso experience and watch it pay for itself in no time? Sip, save, and splurge smart — your wallet will thank you.
So, here’s the bottom line. Find a machine that will do what you love, for us it was a mid-range Breville BES870XL; consider what features you want or need, analog or digital, etc. I highly recommend you get a machine with the hopper and grinder integrated into the machine.
You’re not just brewing coffee; you’re brewing savings. Say goodbye to the daily Starbucks expense and the costly convenience of K-Cups and Nespresso pods. Invest wisely, enjoy your perfect shot of espresso every morning, and watch your savings per ounce pile up. It’s a financial life hack that pays off sip by sip. We have owned ours since 2020 and still love it. Espresso tastes better than coffee anyway. Cheers to a caffeinated and cost-effective lifestyle! Now go make an affogato to celebrate!
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