Save Money On Beverages
Here are some easy tips that will help you simplify and save money on your beverages.
Kids don’t need and usually can’t drink an entire can of cola by themselves.
Pour the cola into a glass so two kids can split one can so you don’t waste an entire can of cola.
Latte
Mix 1/2 cup strong coffee with 1/2-3/4 cup of warm milk. Save $2 by doing this instead of buying a latte on the way to work every day.
Drink water
1/4-1/3 of most Americans’ grocery bill is spent on drinks, drink mixes and sugar for the mixes. Cut down on the amount of coffee, tea, juice, milk and soda your family drinks. Kids don’t need pop or excessive amounts of milk and juice. They can drink water.
One serving of orange juice is ONLY 1/2 cup. That juice counts as one serving of fruit. Most kids drink way more than 1/2 cup for a serving. Excessive juice is no better than a melted down popsicle.
Stir coffee or cocoa with a peppermint candy cane. It adds a nice peppermint flavor. Crushed peppermint candies may also be added.
Save extra coffee in a thermos instead of making a new batch or buy a smaller coffee maker.
For more money saving tips like these along with hundreds of delicious quick and easy recipes, check out our Dining On A Dime Cookbook now!
Photo By: larryvincent
ClutterCat
How about making your own flavored coffee? I add cinnamon, nutmeg, cocoa powder, or whatever I feel like to our coffee, either as it’s brewing or when I put it in the cup/mug/thermos. I can buy store-brand coffee and transform it into the gourmet coffee of the day!
Michele
To save money on flavored coffee creamer I only “treat” myself on the weekends when by boyfriend is home. During the week I use a mix of powder creamer a few drops of flavor extract (mint/raspberry or almond) and a some choc soy-milk. It makes a flavorful and delicious gourmet coffee I can have everyday w/o the high cost of creamer every week not to mention the expansion of my waist line:-)
Bea
Here is a recipe I thought you might like.
Super Coffee Float
1 package vanilla instant pudding
1/4 cup instant coffee
5 cups milk
Cool Whip, ice cream, or sweetened whipped creacm
Combine pudding mix and coffee in a large bowl. Gradually add milk, blending well. Beat with whisk. Chill. Serve in tall glasses with cool whip, ice cream, or sweetened whipped cream.
Blaro
My wife and I love sun tea and tea bags are pretty cheap. We sometimes buy giant bags of Jolly Rancher candies after halloween or christam and melt a handful of our favorite flavors into the tea while it’s hot. Pour over ice and have your own fruit flavored teas
vinny
if you can find CHERRY filled Hershey Kisses, they are AMAZING melted in a cup of coffee! YUMMMMMMMMMMM!
azgal44
didn’t know they made such a thing as cherry filled hershey kisses. can’t wait to find some. love cherries and chocolate, also love my cup or two of coffee in the mornings. i don’t usually buy many candies, but will look for this one. tks.
Karin
I have a full size coffee maker and am the only one who drinks it. No worries though, after my coffee the rest goes in a pitcher in the fridge for iced coffee. Instant coffee is great for fast iced coffee as well and a jar lasts FOREVER. I also buy the unsweetned Koolaid or knock off versions. I make it unsweetned (which is actually kind of refreshing, much like lemon in water) or I can add a packet of sweetener (or a tsp or two of sugar for my daughter) for a sweet treat.
If you like Kombucha (a fermented tea) it is SO MUCH CHEAPER to make it yourself instead of buying it at $4 a bottle.
Pat
wow …kombucha is $2.99 here not on sale…2 for $4. on sale…
Heidi
Flavored or herbal teas are usually more expensive than plain tea. Make a gallon of sweet tea (as we call it down here in Alabama =) by using 6 reg bags and 2 flavored bags. Gives a nice flavor without using too many expensive tea bags.
Love the advice about drinking more water. We decided to only drink lemon water with dinner. It saves money and helps us to enjoy the flavors of our meal.
I usually water down my juice, it is more refreshing and stretches the expensive juice. Start young with your kids and they’ll never know the difference!
Ann
I make a gallon of tea as follows:
1 gallon size tea bag
4 Celestial Seasonings Lemon Zinger tea bags
3/4 cup sugar
Pour 4 cups boiling water over the tea bags and allow to steep for 6 minutes. Remove and squeeze the tea bags. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Pour into a gallon pitcher and add cold water and ice to fill. This gives you a very refreshing tea without spending a fortune on using just the herbal tea.
jo
Try adding a drop or 2 of peppermint favoring to your hot coffee in the morning for a wake up cup.
Marla
We drink water I don’t do soda but for special treats for grandkids we buy the box of individual kool aid flavor drink at $ store you get 8 pks mix 1big glass then split for two cheap and fun they like drinking it with straws