coffee2.jpgHow much do you spend on lattes? Perhaps your poison is it’s cheaper cousin; plain old coffee. Or maybe you think nothing of your frappuccino fix. You deserve it, right? I mean, after all – you’re going to work. You woke up early (like you always do), it’s Friday (just like it is every week), you have a meeting this morning (that’s so unusual). You get the idea. You always have an excuse. I’m not here to tell you to pinch every last dime, live like a Spartan and deny yourself those occasional sixteen ounces of joy – but let’s be realistic.

I understand when you’re walking around with a friend and you don’t want to tote around your reusable mug all day (though that’s not really so hard, is it?). But when you’re on your way to work to park yourself for the next few hours in front of a computer bringing an extra cup isn’t so much of a hassle. I realize we’re not all cubicle desk jockeys and corporate corner-office suits, and that some of you may have jobs that keep you running around. But if you can run around with a disposable cup, surely you can substitute the container in your hand for one from home. Just like I said about riding a bike, bringing your own coffee will save money, help you stay healthy, and be green all at once – the health, green, money trifecta. You think you can’t make your own beverage at home? You can’t concoct an iced latte yourself? I’m calling your bluff – here’s how to do it.

It’s summer and I like my beverages iced. Iced coffee is simple, brew it at home on double strength (same amount of water, double the grinds) and after it’s all in the pot, add enough ice to dilute the coffee back to regular strength. This should cool it down a bit as the ice melts. Fill your to-go mug with ice and pour the coffee on top, it’s that simple. You like it sweet? Add sugar while it’s hot. You like vanilla? Buy it by the bottle at your coffee shop or at the grocery store. You like an iced latte – add milk. See how easy that is. Our mother’s all made iced tea at home and iced coffee is no complicated beast in comparison. Even better – use those grounds for your plants!

If you’re a sucker for frappuccinos here are some links to recipes. My recommendation, however is to get that frappuccino only once a week and wean yourself off the sugar and fat an mystery ingredients towards an iced latte on the other days. If you can cut down to once a week on your blended concoction, it will be more of a rare treat. Plus at almost $4 for one grande mocha frappuccino (or it’s cousin at your local shop), you’re spending sixteen dollars a month instead of twenty dollars a week if you’re buying once every day. On those days when you do stop in for your fancy-schmancy beverage, bring your own mug anyway as most places will give you at least a ten cent discount.

If the dollars don’t get you (and if you’re on queercents, I think they might), do it for your health, or do it for the landfills.