We’ve all heard it: making coffee at home saves money. The problem is, home coffee can be so boring. It lacks the excitement of savoring that perfectly brewed, flavored, measured, dripped, and decorated cup of joe served in a cute little to-go cup that’s the standard at our beloved coffee shops. In an attempt to wrangle a little more control over my budget without ruining my morning ritual, I sought out some basic, inexpensive ways to make my home-brewed coffee taste just as delicious-and look just as pretty-as coffee-shop java.

Study the Nearest Barista

As I sat, savoring my cup of Peet’s coffee (all in the name of research, of course), I felt almost hypnotized by the ease with which my barista flowed back and forth between measuring, pouring, stirring, foaming, and serving up cups with a smile.

“After you get the techniques down, it’s easy to make a great coffee,” says Melissa Lobos, a San Francisco Bay Area barista. “Practice is key.” This means that if I want my skills to be on par with a barista’s, I’ve got to practice until I get them right, and then practice some more.

Rule One: Look for Quality Beans

Did I mention that I spent a whole day on a recent Hawaiian vacation driving around the island to various coffee plantations? Other than realizing that the beach is more relaxing than getting lost and laughed at by locals, I learned something: quality beans are absolutely nothing like the preground, plastic-jugged stuff at the store. While regularly downing $20-a-pound Kona blends isn’t exactly sustainable, the experience left me spending a little more time in the coffee aisle. Lobos advises skipping generic brands altogether and looking for 100 percent Arabica beans, which require more careful growing and picking-meaning (you guessed it) better quality.

Rule Two: Grind Right

Never, ever, ever buy preground beans. Here’s why: once coffee is roasted, it starts deteriorating quickly, and when the beans are exposed to the air, flavor and aroma start going downhill fast. Ground beans break down much more quickly because they’re so much smaller, so grind only what you need before you use it. Not too keen on grinding every morning? I’ve begun grinding up a small amount every three or four days, keeping it in a plastic storage container, and scooping from that each morning.

Rule Three: Store in a Dark, Well-Sealed Place

What about the whole beans we aren’t ready to grind and consume? “Don’t store them in the freezer!” says Lobos. “This zaps the moisture and lowers quality.” She suggests storing beans in a dark, cool place inside an airtight container. This will keep them relatively fresh, flavorful, and ready to enjoy for about three weeks.

Drip Coffee: It’s All in the Measurement

You’ve pondered the mile-long coffee aisle at the store, compared prices, found the beans on sale, smelled them, examined the packaging, and finally brought them home. After grinding them, should we just toss some into the maker haphazardly, splash in some water, and hope for the best? That’s certainly not how a barista would do it. Once we have the water and beans, we need the right ratio between the two. Start by tossing in two tablespoons per six ounces of water, then adjust the amount of grounds the next few times, depending on the strength you like.

After Pushing “On”

Trash those grounds as soon as your coffee is done dripping into the jug. After brewing finishes, the grounds start to dissolve, dripping bitter juice into the pot. Tossing the grounds immediately will keep coffee tasting fresher while it’s sitting there.

Metal jugs are better at keeping coffee warm, even when the machine is off. This means it’ll stay warm without burning, which is what often happens when coffee machines are left on.

Into fancy flavors? Sprinkle in some spices along with the grounds, like vanilla powder, cinnamon, cocoa powder, or nutmeg. Voilà! Gourmet coffee.

Lattes, Mochas, and More

Just because you’re looking for a little more than a basic cup of java doesn’t mean you’re doomed to a lifetime of $4 fixes.

Milk-Foaming Tools:

“Perfectly steamed milk will be creamy and silky, with a thick layer of foam on top,” says Lobos. Milk foamers come atop many espresso machines or can otherwise be purchased separately. (The cheapest I found was on Amazon.com for fifteen bucks.) When steaming, begin by placing the head of the steamer on the surface of the milk, lowering it slowly as you go. Keep the wand whirling below the surface until it reaches the temperature you’re looking for.

How Hot?

The coffee we get at coffee shops is typically 150-160 degrees. Thermometers can help gauge this at home, or you can monitor with your hand on the side of the container. (Carefully!)

Pouring Tricks:

Not only do baristas pour the perfect foam, but they make it pretty before handing it across the counter. Is this out of the question for at-home foamers? “Absolutely not,” says Lobos, who says the key is pouring super slowly and steadily. Try making a heart: “Move the jug side to side on one side of the cup until you have a circle of cream, then move it slightly forward a bit, continuing to pour until you have another circle (the top of the heart). Then move it quickly straight down the middle of your heart to form the tip.”

Flavor Additions:

Besides flavored syrups, other ways to add flavor include sprinkling in some cinnamon or cocoa powder, stirring in hot-chocolate mix, or pouring in a little white chocolate.

One way to make fancy coffee at home is to shell out a small fortune for a fancy machine. But since, for most of us, the whole point of brewing at home is to save money, a few technique tweaks and reasonable purchases can leave us equally satiated-and with some cool party tricks under our belts the next time friends stop by.

Article by Allie Firestone for DivineCaroline. First published February 2010.

Related DivineCaroline posts:

• Not Just a Morning Fix: How Caffeine Keeps Us Healthy
• Too Beautiful to Drink: Coffee Art
• The Secret to Great Iced Coffee Without Great Expense

Image by: Wonderlane

Every time I go to the grocery store, I’m shocked to see how much the prices keep climbing. In a moment of penny-pinching madness, it’s tempting to live off 65-cent frozen burritos. That is, until you look at the nutrition information. So, I’ve done some research to find the healthiest foods that even the strictest recessionista budgets can afford – if you’ve got a dollar, you can get at least one serving (and often several) of the following foods.

Yogurt

Rich in calcium, this nourishing breakfast or snack costs next to nothing. To get the most for your money, stick with bulk containers and stay away from yogurt that’s packaged for single servings (and packed with sugar).

Oats

Oats are a great source of fiber and can even help lower your cholesterol. Although individual packets of instant oatmeal may shave some minutes off your morning routine, stretch your dollar by buying them in bulk.

Eggs

Whoever came up with the slogan “the incredible, edible egg” really hit the nail on the head. Whether poached, scrambled, sunny-side-up or hard-boiled, this protein packed food is as inexpensive, wholesome and tasty as they come.

Bananas

A great source of potassium and fiber, bananas are one of the most economical fruits around. Eat them plain or slice them up as a healthy topping for cereal and yogurt.

Beans

Whether you prefer garbanzo, pinto, black beans or other varieties, this filling food is high in protein, potassium fiber and zinc. Thrifty tip: go for dry beans instead of canned.

Broccoli

Folate, calcium, fiber, potassium, vitamins A and C: broccoli has it all. Not only is it good for your health, it’s easy on your wallet, as well. Plus, it contains phytonutrients that can help keep diabetes and heart disease at bay.

Tofu

Unfortunately, tofu gets a bad rap when it comes to taste. But, this protein-rich meat alternative can make your mouth water with appetizing recipes like Korean-inspired soft tofu soup with kimchi or Southeast Asian tofu lettuce wraps.

Spinach

Crammed with iron and vitamin C, this low-cost, low-calorie vegetable tastes delicious in omelets and salads. Plus, it’s the perfect topping for a vegetarian pizza.

Sweet Potatoes

High in potassium, fiber and beta carotene, sweet potatoes are a cheap and healthy way to garnish salads and enjoy a snack between meals. Just don’t waste your money on cubed packages; peeling and cutting them yourself will save you some cash.

Apples

An apple a day? Yeah, you’ve heard it before, and for good reason. This juicy fruit boasts loads of pectin and vitamin C, not to mention a low price tag.

Sardines

Like salmon,  the sardine is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. Unlike salmon, it’s relatively cheap and eco-friendly. For a healthier meal, substitute mayonnaise with a little oil and vinegar.

Nuts

Nuts are rich in protein, essential fatty acids and vitamin E. Just buy them raw, in the shell, for the best bargain and stay away from costly varieties like pecans and macadamia nuts.

Don’t miss Lower on the Food Chain, Lighter on the Wallet: 18 Easy Elements of a Sustainable Diet for more economical, eco-friendly diet tips!

Images: FotoosVanRobin, foodistablog, drewgstephens, cursedthing, clairity, colecamp, JACoulter, avlxyz, FotoosVanRobin, FotoosVanRobin, DeusXFlorida, stu_spivack, macinate

We’re halfway through 2009 – how are your greening efforts going? By now, you’ve switched to energy efficient lighting, kicked disposable water bottles to the curb, bought a reusable shopping tote and you’re hungry for more.

Here’s some extra eco wisdom to make this year your greenest (and most bank-account-friendly) yet:

Replace your chemical-ridden cleaners with natural alternatives.

Put up a clothes line and hang your clothes out to dry. This simple act saves energy, cuts the cost of utility bills and helps your clothes last longer. Plus, there’s something about the sweet scent of fresh air that an energy-sucking dryer and wasteful dryer sheets just can’t simulate.

Invest in a water conservation shower head to save approximately 3000 gallons of water each year.

Stock your fridge and pantry with organic food. Grown without toxic pesticides, herbicides and insecticides, organic food is a much healthier choice for both your body and the environment. But, going organic is not all you can do. Buying food that is locally grown will also reduce the amount of fuel used to get it to your table.

Regularly change air conditioning filters for a more efficient system that is more energy efficient.

Invest in biodegradable trash bags. Made from corn starch, these eco-friendly alternatives only take weeks to break down, while those that line your trash cans now will pollute the planet for decades to come.

Whenever you can, ride your bike or take public transportation instead of driving.

Keep your thermostat in check. Your home doesn’t need to feel like an ice box in the summer and a sauna in the winter. Also, if you upgrade to a digital model, you can cut down your energy use by a third.

Use fewer batteries with rechargeable or wind-up gadgets like radios and flashlights.

Start a compost bin. To make use of waste, just follow this comprehensive composting guide.

Image: Pink Sherbet Photography

In the land where I was born it’s hot and sunny and the middle of the summer holidays. I wish I were there right now. Meanwhile, it’s definitely still winter in the northern hemisphere – with much of Europe and North America blanketed with snow and blasted by Arctic winds.

Here’s a little ray of light if the cold is getting you down…it’s a brilliant time to plan your vacation for the year. Consider:

First, it’s fun. Whether you fancy frolicking in aquamarine waters by a white-sand beach or hiking through a forest of emerald green along the Appalachian trail, planning your summer vacation is a whole lot more enjoyable and productive than bemoaning the cold weather.

Second, winter’s also the best time to get good deals. Generally speaking, the farther in advance you book your flight, train, car hire, hotel, vacation home or whatever you need, the cheaper it will be. If you book through a travel agent, you may even be able to pay in installments to minimize the up-front pain.

Finally, with a little care and planning, you can minimize the travails of your travels on the environment.  With the benefit of time to research your options thoroughly and plenty of choice, you can take the time to do it green. You can also book the vacation now so work gets planned around it rather than the other way around.

One way to reduce the environmental impact of traveling is to take longer vacations but to take them less frequently. If you have two weeks’ vacation allowance and you want to go away, it’s better ecologically speaking to take your two weeks all in one go, rather than chop it up into lots of long weekends or shorter breaks.

It’s also better for you, since experts around the world believe it takes a full two weeks to actually refresh your body, mind and spirit and therefore benefit from the holiday physically and psychologically. The same principles apply if you are lucky enough to have more vacation time – the European habit of taking off the entire month of August and disappearing to a country bolthole is a perfect way to ensure maximum rest and relaxation with minimal eco-pain. (If you are American and feeling hard done by in terms of vacation time, then consider supporting this campaign for minimum paid vacation).

If you are booking a longer vacation than you normally take, here are a few tips to bear in mind.

If you are flying or (even better) taking the train, bear in mind that midweek off-peak departures are usually cheaper. If you can leave or return on a Tuesday or Wednesday that’s perfect – there is no rule that says you must take your vacation days Monday to Friday. This doesn’t work with long weekends but it works fine for longer trips.

Consider renting an apartment – it’s usually cheaper than a hotel and since you can cook your own meals, do your own laundry and won’t have a daily maid, it’s certainly greener, too. There are plenty of apartment rental websites around – Holiday Rentals is one or a quick search on Google will return results for your destination.

Another green – and cost effective – option is home swapping. Since I live in a rented property, I don’t have experience with this but I know people who do. Here’s a great guide on how to do it, and what to watch out for.

If possible, plan for an even longer trip – if not now, then one day. Follow the inspirational lead of families such as Soultravelers3 – a mom, dad and young girl on an open-ended, multi-year, round-the-world trip. You don’t need to be loaded – the parents took early retirement and the family lives on less than $25,000 a year. Here’s how.

Image: visualpanic