I remember reading a study from a few years ago that found the average American spends more than $1,000 a year — which is about $20 a week — just on coffee.
But do you know the difference between an expensive cup and a cheap one? Don’t be so sure!
Cheap vs. Expensive Coffee
In a blind taste test involving dozens of people, NBC News found that 67% of coffee drinkers preferred a $1 cup of coffee over the fancy stuff, which sold for $3.25.
In the past, we’ve explained how you can save $500 a year by making your coffee at home instead of buying it at a coffee shop.
Coffee Cost Comparison
Bought at Restaurant
- Medium Dunkin’ Donuts hot coffee
- $1.89 before tax
- 14 fluid ounces
- 13.5 cents per fluid ounce
Brewed at Home
- 12-ounce bag Dunkin’ Donuts ground coffee
- $7.99 before tax
- Makes up to 40 cups, 6 fluid ounces each
- 3.3 cents per fluid ounce
| RESTAURANT | HOME | DIFFERENCE | |
| ONE DAY | $1.89 | $0.46 | $1.43 |
| 30 DAYS | $56.70 | $13.80 | $42.90 |
| 180 DAYS | $340.20 | $82.80 | $257.40 |
| 365 DAYS | $689.85 | $167.90 | $521.95 |
| (Editor’s note: Data based on 14-ounce cup of coffee) |
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Can You Save Even More?
On Reddit, dozens of people shared their favorite cheap brands of ground coffee that you can buy to brew at home, including Café Bustelo, Kirkland Signature and Community Coffee.
We asked Clark.com’s Facebook fans to name their go-to brand of inexpensive coffee and got these responses:
1. Costco (Kirkland Signature)
Cindy Richards: Costco COLOMBIAN SUPREMO or KONA
2. Eight O’Clock Coffee
Pamela Broecking: 8 O’Clock is the stuff.
3. Community Coffee
Robert Hamilton: If it ain’t Community it ain’t coffee. Dark roast for me.
4. Aldi
Joan Lawson: Aldi has great coffee. The Barissimo is more than $3.99 at the Aldi store that I shop at but not much over that. They also have another brand, can’t think of the name but 17 oz for about $5 and it’s good too.
5. Trader Joe’s
Brad Thurau: Trader Joe’s Bay Blend
6. Luzianne
Penny Pace: Luzianne Coffee & Chicory – $4.49 for a 13 oz. bag at my local grocery store
7. Kroger
Shirley Hewitt: Kroger French Roast is very good.
8. Folgers
Vivian J Howell: Just give me my Folgers Black Silk and I’m a happy camper.
9. McCafé
Lisa Mielke: McCafé light. Super cheap and really good!
10. Café Bustelo
Denise White: Café Bustelo is amazing with creamer. Aldi has it for two dollars and some cents.
11. Chock full o’Nuts
Marla Trout: Chock full o’Nuts is the smoothest medium roast anywhere. Cost a bit more but totally worth it.
12. Gevalia
David Stoltz: Gevalia French Roast.
A 3-pound can of Kirkland Signature 100% Colombian Coffee costs about $10 at Costco. But if you don’t buy in bulk, many of the other brands are available at the supermarket — just stock up when there’s a sale!
What’s your favorite inexpensive brand of coffee? Share it with us in the comments below!
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