My name is Holly and i'm a mocha latte addict - Page 4

[Maddy123]

I know what you mean about the lure of the Starbucks drink! Good luck with your 12-step program!

I really LOVE my mochas, so I am not interested in going cold turkey and cutting them out. For me, it's about the whole process of someone else making the drink, etc. I ask for Starbucks cards for my bday, Mother's Day, etc. (I will have to check out the coinstar option--thanks for the idea!) I also use them as motivators for myself--I will have a mocha if I _insert unpleasant task here_. I think it's a great reward, and actually pretty cheap...considering some of the other rewards I could give myself!

Using my cards very carefully, I dole out my mochas to myself. I only order the smallest size and don't go as often as I used to. But I still enjoy them from time to time. I agree that they are expensive, but it's something I enjoy a great deal, so I am ok with my addiction, in moderation.

[Jadzia]

Not sure if this will help (or hurt!) anyone's budget, but I just read in my Costco magazine that Costco warehouse are going to sell a package of FIVE $20 Starbucks gift cards for $79.99!

I am going to buy a package and have that be our "Starbucks budget" for the year.

Plus, I think when you use the Starbucks cards you get free soy milk and flavor shots that will save us even more money.

[LisainCalifornia]

I think one reason the mocha lattes and other flavored coffees at Starbucks are so popular is that they are uber sweet--but the drinker does not have to add the sugar/corn syrup themselves to make it that way.

It is like crossing this psychological line--it would be too strange for someone to make a latte at home and realize they have to put two or three big tablespoons of sugar or a huge dose of flavored corn syrup in there, so they go to Starbucks where it is done for them, so they don't have to think about it.

People who don't normally like coffee often like these kinds of drinks because with normal cup of coffee you are not putting three tablespoons of sugar and flavoring in there to sweeten it up, you just pay and start drinking in the sweet nectar!

If you can just get over that psychological barrier of adding your own sweetener and realize you like your coffee to be REALLY sweet--you would probably start liking regular coffee more. The steamed milk is a whole other thing, I realize--but I swear it is the sweetener and people not wanting to own up to it that makes people love these drinks so much. It is easier not to think about the calories and fat you are consuming when someone else is doing the making of it.

[kangaroomum25]

I think you're probably right.

[jocelyndale]

Originally Posted by WeasleyMum

OMG OMG you think you're kidding about petting my dog but I live in Charlottesville too!!! We go to La Taza every morning (in the Belmont area), she's the blackish-greyish medium-sized hound/mutt tied to the stair railing!

Nah, I know you're local. I was entirely serious, though I won't really stalk you (nor pet a dog without direct permission).

We don't get to La Taza often, but we do go there from time to time. I like Fox Park over on the Corner (I live on the edge of Fifeville).

One thing I have to give Starbucks props for: their plastic travel mugs/cups. They have a great screw-on lid and a *tight* silicone rubber seal on both the lid and the sippy part. This is the only 16oz tumbler fitting my sensibilities (ahem. skellies. bats. pumpkins.) that fits in my stroller cup holder and doesn't spill (when closed). The only downside is that these plastic tumblers have an inner sleeve that can snap away from the outer side. On the design-your-own tumblers this is intentional. On the seasonal, decorated tumblers, it's a design flaw that easily succumbs to a forgetful woman with a powerful trunk latch. *sigh*

I keep eyeing those gorgeous porcelain travel cups at WFM but I don't think they'd fare any better when launched from atop my car's trunk to the asphalt.

Ah, well, Halloween will be here soon. And the sale merchandise will be available in November.

[WeasleyMum]

Originally Posted by jocelyndale

Nah, I know you're local. I was entirely serious, though I won't really stalk you (nor pet a dog without direct permission).

We don't get to La Taza often, but we do go there from time to time. I like Fox Park over on the Corner (I live on the edge of Fifeville).

One thing I have to give Starbucks props for: their plastic travel mugs/cups. They have a great screw-on lid and a *tight* silicone rubber seal on both the lid and the sippy part. This is the only 16oz tumbler fitting my sensibilities (ahem. skellies. bats. pumpkins.) that fits in my stroller cup holder and doesn't spill (when closed). The only downside is that these plastic tumblers have an inner sleeve that can snap away from the outer side. On the design-your-own tumblers this is intentional. On the seasonal, decorated tumblers, it's a design flaw that easily succumbs to a forgetful woman with a powerful trunk latch. *sigh*

I keep eyeing those gorgeous porcelain travel cups at WFM but I don't think they'd fare any better when launched from atop my car's trunk to the asphalt.

Ah, well, Halloween will be here soon. And the sale merchandise will be available in November.

Oh I see-- I thought it was a coincidence b/c I changed my location so it's not so obvious anymore that I'm in C-ville. Did you know there's a brand-new coffee place on the Corner? It's called Para Coffee, and it's at the very end of Elliewood Ave (gutsy location given that the SBux is right on the corner of that street!). It just opened about two weeks ago. I like it so far.

I know what you mean about the Starbucks travel mugs, though. My sister has worked for them for several years, and I have obtained a mug through her. (Can't remember now whether it was a gift, or if she just left it at my apartment. ) But yeah it works really well. I just miss living in the same city as she does, because she used to gift us with free pounds of beans-- they each get a pound a week free, which is more than she drinks alone-- as well as free drinks when we visited her, etc. Sigh.

[DiannaK]

Originally Posted by WaitingForKiddos

My name is Cindy and I'm an Iced Chai Tea Latte addict.

I was able to make my drink at home. The concentrate is still another 5 bucks...and more milk used up. But it's much better than 3-4.50 a pop!

mmmmm! Do you do it up frappacino style, or just over ice? Have a recipe??

[DiannaK]

Mommas ....
I have a PDF file of Starbucks recipes .... how to make your favorite drinks at home. I downloaded it somewhere ..... can't recall--- never mind -- coffeefair.com

It has recipes for Frappacinos, Frozen Frappacinos, Gingerbread Lattes, Peppermint Mocha, etc.

I seriously considered buying a latte machine off Ebay for this.

[CharlieBrown]

My name is CB and I am a medium half decaf latte addict at $3.35 per trip to the local coffee shop.

[LookMommy!]

My current job requires interviewing people for a research project. I meet them at their home, place of work, or local coffee shop. I actually have a cafe budget from work, since I can't sit in a cafe without ordering something. So my chai lattes and iced coffees are all paid for! (I have a few a week). If only I could write off the calories to the boss as well...

[vm9799]

Originally Posted by DiannaK

Mommas ....
I have a PDF file of Starbucks recipes .... how to make your favorite drinks at home. I downloaded it somewhere ..... can't recall--- never mind -- coffeefair.com

It has recipes for Frappacinos, Frozen Frappacinos, Gingerbread Lattes, Peppermint Mocha, etc.

I seriously considered buying a latte machine off Ebay for this.

wow...thank you for sharing that!

[holidaymama]

I agree with the poster that said they are a good reward...and they are cheaper than buying say a new shirt of shoes...I guess we can justify anything right

My hubby and I are REALLY lucky as we are both teachers in pretty well to do schools. I think that last year between the two of us, mostly my hubby since he is elementary and I am middle, we got at least $200-300 worth of starbucks gift cards...however, we gave a bunch a way as stocking stuffers...but still had PLENTY to enjoy...and my hubby lets me use them all! He likes to buy a case of beer once or twice a month, so he figures, giving these to me is only fair...isn't he sweet! I don't drink, so Starbucks is my alcohol

I had to try their new pumpkin spice latte...only 1/2 the syrup...yummo

not trying to tempt our 12 steppers!

[*stargazer*]

The only time I ever go to Starbucks is if I'm traveling out-of-town, because even if it is overpriced and over-roasted to the point of being burnt, I still know what I'm getting when I order when I'm at home, there are just too many mom-and-pop coffehouses to justify lining Howard Schultz' pockets That, and as an ex-barista, that thing about supervisors skimming off the tips still galls me.

At home, I drink Medaglia D'oro- it's this amazing instant espresso with the most complex flavors and no bitterness. A 2oz jar is less then $6 at my local grocer and lasts at least a month at 2-3 beverages a day. I heat a mug of milk, add my coffee, stir in some chocolate syrup (Hershey has a lower-sugar formula of their regular syrup, Target carries it), and voila! A better mocha then I could have gotten at almost any coffee shop, with less sugar, and for a fraction of the price!

: Once I ran out of Medaglia and used Nescafe instead- it tasted just like Starbucks, super bitter! So if that's the flavor you prefer, skip the instant espresso and get the cheapest instant coffee you can find instead

[jocelyndale]

Originally Posted by WeasleyMum

Did you know there's a brand-new coffee place on the Corner? It's called Para Coffee, and it's at the very end of Elliewood Ave (gutsy location given that the SBux is right on the corner of that street!). It just opened about two weeks ago. I like it so far.

I saw that it was open, but I haven't been there. I'm too loyal to Fox Park, which is also on the Corner (up by Baja Bean and Just Curry). Is Para stroller-friendly? Elliewood's sidewalks aren't always stroller-friendly, so I generally don't take the urchin through there.

[Virginia884]

Originally Posted by DiannaK

mmmmm! Do you do it up frappacino style, or just over ice? Have a recipe??

You can buy chai concentrate. We do all the time. I prefer the 'Oregan Chai' brand. Our local super Target carries it, world market, too. I love it because you can get it in sugar free so that cuts calories big time. The recipe is simple; half milk and half chai, adjust to your liking. This summer I drank these all the time instead of making lattes. In the winter I use our espresso machine to steam it up hot.

Enjoy!

[hollytheteacher]

Originally Posted by Jadzia

Not sure if this will help (or hurt!) anyone's budget, but I just read in my Costco magazine that Costco warehouse are going to sell a package of FIVE $20 Starbucks gift cards for $79.99!

I am going to buy a package and have that be our "Starbucks budget" for the year.

Plus, I think when you use the Starbucks cards you get free soy milk and flavor shots that will save us even more money.

omg you are pure evil and i LOVE you! hahah, i can totally justify my spending now I am saving money that way

And i am coming to terms with it. I already sacrifice A LOT. Literally there is nothing else left to "cut out" of my budget so a latte a day is an okay thing for me! I deserve it! haha

[lucyem]

I am resurrecting this because we were starbucks addicts until today. Between the drinks, the treats, the kids treat and the gas I am not even going to admit what one trip would cost us. Then add in my DH's trips to dunkin donuts almost daily. We did a bunch of research on espresso machines and bought a mid range super automatic. I plugged it in, pressed a button and about 2 minutes later was handing my DH one of the best cappuccinos we have ever had. Wow, it was so smooth and yummy and no burnt taste. I was so surprised at how much better it tastes. I cannot wait to try a mocha. I expect we will break even on the machine in about 2-3 months. Then we will be saving money. Not to mention calories on all those treats and gas to get them. Buying a good machine is so worth it.

[emilys_mom1]

I buy this great mocha mix at costco for like $7 a container. It last me a few months. You can make hot drinks or cold. It is wonderful and I can't live without it. It saves me tons of money making them at home.

[Kavita]

DH and I were just talking about this whole "saving money on coffee" issue. He sometimes likes to stop at Whole Foods on the way into work and buy a coffee there. It's just a brewed coffee and it's cheaper than a latte or mocha at Starbucks but it's still more expensive than making it at home. He sometimes will also pick up some protein bars for later, or a pastry to go with the coffee. I also sometimes stop through the coffee place (Starbucks or a local place) drivethrough, or sometimes go sit in a coffeehouse when my DD is at preschool or in the evenings when I need a break.

What we've realized is that sometimes you are just paying for the beverage, and sometimes you are paying for the experience--either of relaxing in a cafe or just feeling pampered or having a break or a little ritual that you do for yourself. If we just want the coffee or chai, we make it at home. If we really just want the part of the experience that can't be replicated as easily as a mocha can, then we consider that as an entertainment expenditure.

On a theoretical note, one of the things that I've always thought about Starbucks in particular is that if you view celebrity gossip magazines or look at those types of photos online, (like People, US, etc.) they always have photos of celebrities photographed walking down the street with their Starbucks cups and distinctively green straws. I think that part of the appeal of Starbucks for many people, if even only on a sort of subliminal level, is that even if we don't necessarily look up to celebrities themselves, many of us probably at least might like to have some of their affluence and some of the lifestyle perks that it affords. When you see a pic of Jennifer Aniston or the Olsen twins or Britney Spears or so on, if you are a lower or middle class person you know that you can't afford or even aspire to the designer clothes they're wearing, or the $5000 handbag they are carrying, or the multi-million-dollar mansion that they live in, or the car they drive--but you can afford to spend five bucks and drink the exact same Frappuccino that the rich and famous do!! I think I've read that part of the reason that Starbucks doesn't offer coupons is that they know that this would sort of cheapen their brand image and make their coffee a bit more "down-market" whereas now it's sort of something that people can treat as a bit of an indulgence and a luxury that they can afford.

[kijip]

Originally Posted by llamalluv

The trick I used was to teach my husband how to use the coffee maker and make me a cup of coffee first thing in the morning. And also switch jobs to one that has a commute that goes NOWHERE NEAR a starbucks.

Since I live where I do, I actually drive by I think FIVE Starbucks in my less than 10 minute drive to work. Insane.

We have a very nice machine at home. It was quite expensive but it paid for itself quickly.

For those of you that want to syrups and flavoring...you can actually buy Starbucks and other brands of coffee syrups to use at home. It is more expensive than plain sugar but you can get cinnamon dulce, pumpkin spice etc.

And frappachino peeps are good to go with a blender and a can of whipped cream.

All of the $3-5 drinks can be made at home, and often made to suit you better than the chains. Really, I swear.