With the start of the semester come early mornings, late nights, and long drives (well…at least for me as I hit the road between University Park and Carlisle on a regular basis).  This can only mean one thing:  COFFEE!!!!

I’m a big fan of this miracle elixir.  But I’m not a big fan of paying more than necessary for it.  The best way to save money on coffee is to make your own at home.  Every morning I brew a pot of Trader Joe’s Dark and leave for work with my favorite travel mug full and a backup Thermos to refill it from.  Sadly, sometimes this isn’t enough.  I keep a box of K-cups in my office just in case I need a little extra to get me through the day.  While K-cups aren’t as cheap as brewing at home, it’s a lot cheaper than buying a ready-made cup of Joe.

But there are definitely times when I need to buy a cup of coffee, all ready to go.  I’m not a fan of the fancy coffees with the flavors and espresso shots and whipped cream.  I like my coffee black, with a bit of sweetener.  That definitely helps to keep the costs down.  But I’m always looking for a way to shave a bit of money off the cost of my java.  One of the easiest ways to do this is to bring my own travel mug.  The Sheetz store I always stop at on my way to Carlisle charges only $0.95 to refill my own mug, but at least a quarter more for a small in a cup they provide.  Plus with my My Sheetz Card I get a free cup after purchasing ten.  Kind of a frequent coffee drinker discount.  And for students at University Park, you won’t want to miss this special offer from Au Bon Pain.

Enjoy the start of the semester.  And keep your coffee on the cheap!