Have you stopped picking up a cappuccino or latte on your way to work in a bid to save money? When you consider the cost of a daily cappuccino can total £500 throughout the year, it makes perfect financial sense to minimize such lavish spending on coffee consumption. After all, there are far better ways to spend £500!

While avoiding the temptation of the coffee house is great for cash flow, a girl still needs her caffeine high, or at least this girl does, but the question is, what constitutes a suitable replacement? There is of course the trusty cafetière. Handy in the home and office, especially if you’re making coffee for a crowd, although I find the cleaning involved can be a little tiresome…

For those times when you don’t want to mess about with the whole brewing business, then these sachets of instant, yes, I did say instant, coffee from Starbucks may be just what you’re looking for. Available in Colombian and Italian Roast flavours, the coffee has a full-bodied taste, and is a great alternative to ground coffee.

A pack of 12 Starbucks VIA coffee costs £3.95 – just a fraction of the coffee house price.

But what if you really miss the froth?! There are a number of ways to recreate the frothy sensation, from handheld battery operated whisks, like this one by Salter, or if you’re looking for an authentic coffee house experience, then I’m reliably informed LavAzza machines are the way to go. One of the best cappuccino/latte makers I’ve found at an affordable price is the Mukka from Prezzybox.com at £39.99.

This cute stove-top maker with funky cow-print design makes two frothy coffees in a flash, and is so simple to use, it just sits on the hob. One to enjoy on a lazy Sunday morning.

A creamy cappuccino in minutes

So, from now on it’s Starbucks sachets for me during the week, and the Mukka at weekends…

Typical cost of coffee house coffee per year £500

My cost per year: Mukka £39.95
Ground coffee/milk £40
Starbucks sachets £80
Total saved: £340.05