July 17, 2008

• The high cost of living and what $4 can buy.

  400 pennies. It seems like a lot, and it surely is if you actually do have 400 pennies lying around. Depending on where you go, it can buy you some pretty cool stuff. For instance, you could buy a couple items from a fast food dollar menu. You could buy an EP on iTunes or a number of books off of half.com. You could go to your local Starbucks and buy a tall Frappuccino for $3.74 (with tax, that’s what it costs at my store), but Frappuccinos are probably one of the most expensive drinks — though when you add syrup, breve, and 4 extra shots, it’s going to be expensive no matter what you order.

  I am actually employed by Safeway, not Starbucks, so I don’t get free drinks or even a discount! Of course, being around coffee all day makes me want to have a drink of my own, but how do I choose a tasty drink without immediately handing over my paycheck?

  First off, I never buy drip coffee. It’s just a waste, instead, buy yourself a home brewer and your own beans. Second, no Frappuccinos ever. Not only are they high on the price scale but high on the caloric intake scale as well. Side note, don’t kid yourself into ordering a Frappuccino Light. Most of the calories saved come from not getting the whipped cream. Thirdly, I stay away from the syrups. I don’t really enjoy my coffee when it’s really sweet, I prefer it with milk. That brings me to my last point, if you get a cold drink, you can add milk to your liking for free — we always have milk out with the sugar. Say for instance, I wanted an iced latte. I would order an iced Americano, whatever size in the next larger cup (i.e. the grande in a venti) and add the milk myself. That trick alone saves you over a dollar.

  You’re probably thinking, “umm, doesn’t an Americano have water added to it?” If you order it hot, yes the espresso is combined with hot water. Now, as far as the iced version is concerned, there is some controversy. Some say the ice acts as the water, and others will still add cold water to the ice and espresso. As for me, only ice please.

  So basically, while I am at work, I think up ways to order something cheap while still getting a deliciously refreshing drink. Actually, we have a promotion going on right now where if you come in the morning, we give you a special receipt that will give you a dollar off any cold beverage if you come back after 1 PM. So, instead of spending $10 a day, you’ll only spend $9. Isn’t that nifty? If you ask me, if Starbucks were to lower the price of their coffees and pastries just a small amount, people might come back in the same day.

  I bet you thought I was going to talk about gas prices or groceries. Admittedly, I was going to. But I thought, what good is it to gripe about the high cost of food considering I am going to pay that amount no matter what I do. But see, coffee is a luxury. No one needs to get their caffeine jolt everyday, but they WANT it. And so do I, so why not find a way to buy my coffee and drink it too.

  • 5:04 pm
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