Why You Should Start Making Coffee at Home: A Look at the Numbers

Coffee is a daily ritual for many people, whether it’s the boost you need to kick-start your morning or a mid-day pick-me-up. However, for most of us, that ritual involves spending money at coffee shops, which can quickly add up over time. While grabbing a latte on the way to work might seem convenient, brewing coffee at home can save you a significant amount of money without sacrificing quality. Let's dive into the numbers and break down why making coffee at home is a smart financial decision.

The Cost of Buying Coffee Outside

On average, a regular cup of coffee from your favorite café costs between $4 to $6. For specialty drinks like lattes or cappuccinos, the price can go up to $7 or more. Here’s a simple breakdown:

One cup per day: If you buy one $5 cup of coffee every day, you’re spending $35 per week, or about $150 per month.
Five cups per week: For those who grab coffee on workdays, that’s $25 per week, or about $100 per month.
Yearly total: Buying one coffee a day at $5 adds up to $1,825 per year! Even if you're buying only on workdays, that’s still $1,300 per year.

The Initial Cost of Making Coffee at Home

Making coffee at home requires some upfront investment, but these costs quickly pay for themselves. Here’s what you’d typically spend to set up a solid home coffee station:

Flair Neo Manual Espresso Maker: $200.
Manual Coffee Grinder: $80.
Coffee Beans: A high-quality bag of coffee beans (250g) typically costs around $20, which gives you about 25 servings.

So, your initial setup would cost $280 for the espresso maker and grinder. Then, you’ll spend about $20 per bag of beans moving forward.

The Cost of Making Coffee at Home Over Time

After setting up your home coffee gear, the ongoing costs are much lower than buying from a café:

Initial cost: $200 (espresso maker) + $80 (grinder) = $280.
Ongoing cost: A $20 bag of coffee beans gives you 25 servings, making the cost per cup $0.80.
Monthly cost: If you drink one cup of coffee a day, that’s $24 per month on beans, compared to $150 buying from a café.
Yearly cost (after setup): Including the initial setup, your first-year total is $280 (setup) + $288 (beans), or $568. That’s a significant reduction compared to café spending.

In the second year, with no need to buy new equipment, the yearly cost drops to just $288—a fraction of what you’d spend at a café.

The Long-Term Savings

First-year savings: Assuming you spend $1,825 per year on café coffee, but only $568 making it at home, you’d save $1,257 in your first year alone.
Ongoing savings: After the initial setup, making coffee at home costs just $288 per year, compared to $1,825 spent at cafés. That’s a yearly savings of $1,537!

Additional Benefits of Brewing at Home

Aside from the financial savings, making coffee at home offers several other perks:

Customization: Control every element of your brew, from the type of beans to the grind size and brewing method, for the perfect cup every time.
Convenience: No more rushing to the café or waiting in line—brew your coffee whenever you want, in the comfort of your home.
Sustainability: Making coffee at home cuts down on waste from disposable cups and plastic lids, making it a more eco-friendly option.
Quality: With the right equipment and fresh beans, you can brew café-quality coffee that often tastes better than what you buy outside.

Conclusion

The numbers don’t lie: making coffee at home can save you thousands of dollars in the long run. While there’s an initial investment, the cost per cup of home-brewed coffee is drastically lower than buying from a café. Plus, you gain full control over your brew, convenience, and the satisfaction of knowing you’re saving money without sacrificing quality.

Ready to start brewing at home? Check out our selection of coffee equipment and beans at Kōfē to begin your journey to better, more affordable coffee.