On an average day most people venture out of their beds and partake in a cup of coffee before they take on the challenges of each day. Not too long ago the K-Cup trend entered the lives of many frequent coffee drinkers. This trend allows coffee loves to make an entirely fresh cup of coffee that taste as fresh as a cup bought from a cafe. The only draw back is the K-Cups tend to raise the price of our daily cup of coffee and can leave buyers feeling remorseful for the amount of money they lose each day. There are many alternative ways to make your K-Cup habit worthwhile though. With a few simple cut backs and a little extra shopping you won’t have to give up your convenient fresh cup of coffee each morning.

1. Use a Filter
After shopping for expensive K-Cups you might be delighted to know there is actually a filter for the single serve coffee machines. You can typically pick these filters up at department stores or online without having to spend more than $20 on the amazing filter. These filters don’t offer you the same convenience of the K-Cups because you will have to clean them out after each use. Of course, cleaning them doesn’t take a lot of effort and can always be put to the side if you’re running later for work. The beauty of the single serve filter is it doesn’t limit you to the brands that the K-Cups do. In fact, you can take coffee bought anywhere to make the perfect brew each morning. The filters are also great for households that like different roasts, as everyone can brew their own bag of coffee if need be.

2. Generic Cups
Originally, the magic of the K-Cup was given to only a few big brand companies, which made purchasing them a lot more expensive. However, recently the intellectual property of the K-Cup expired which has allowed a number of different companies to get in on the single serve brewing technology. This has brought around a lot of generic companies that sell their coffee for a whole lot less than the big name brands. With generics on the market you should be able to spend quite a bit less on the same quality of goods. In fact, if you check out the lower aisles of the coffee section in your chosen grocery store you may find that each of the generic brands can price their cups at $1 or $2 less than the more popular brands. With these savings you should be able to keep your love for coffee satisfied without worrying about the price weighing down your budget.

3. Reuse
If you don’t always make the biggest cup of coffee possible then you might want to consider reusing your k-cup. Generally these pods are designed for a one time use, but you should be able to get a great taste out of two of three brews on the same cup. This is especially true if you enjoy drinking the darker roasts that tend to be a bit more bitter than medium or breakfast blends. One way to make the brewing easier is for two people in the same household to use the cup together. This will allow the freshness of the cup to stay intact while giving both parties a great tasting cup of coffee. Of course, if you’re the only one in the house that enjoys a specific blend then you might want to wrap the cup up in tin foil and save it for the next day. You should always remember to shake the cup up between each use though as it will help the brewer get more flavor out of the cup.

4. Buy Bulk
Let’s face it, some people just need a little more caffeine to get through the day. If this is the case, or even if it isn’t, you might want to consider buying your coffee in bulk. There’s a lot of stores online dedicated to helping you get more out of your coffee purchase. Many online coffee stores specialize in K-Cups and have a selection you would have never thought possible. Bulk buying your coffee pods will help you get a lot more coffee for the money, which is never a bad thing. Of course, if you don’t like shopping online then you might want to look around for coffee distributors locally. Sometimes you might be able to get factory prices on bulk buys. You may also want to check out your local bulk buy department store to see the deals they have on coffee. Usually these stores don’t have as wide of a selection as an online store would, but if you enjoy the basic brands you should be able to get some amazing bulk deals.

5. Off-Brand Machines
Keurig was certainly the big name that started the K-Cup trend, but these machines can really be pricy for the budgeting coffee lover. Luckily, there has been a huge expansion in the single serve brewing industry. This expansion allowed a lot of different companies to make their very only brewing systems. Now, when you shop around for a coffee maker you should be able to find one that fits your individual needs. In fact, there are some systems that won’t cost you more than $15 which is a great way to start off your single serve brewing habit. Make sure you shop around before making a commitment to one brand though, as you might be able to find a generic version for a lot less than you’d expect. You should make sure to shop local stores like Big Lots to see if you can find anything at a low price before you settle on one of the pricier models. If your cheaper model doesn’t meet with your criteria then upgrade until you find just what you need out of a brewer.

6. Use Filtered Water
One common problem with single serve brewing machines is they are often clogged up by calcium and other impurities. This can really render your machine useless if you can’t find a way to keep it clean. There is one very simply way to avoid the problem altogether though. If you use filtered water in your water canister then the machine will work more efficiently for a lot longer. Most tap water has a large collection of impurities in it that largely depend on your area. These impurities don’t always flow through the machine easily and can make it harder for your machine to dispense water. Not to mention, you might not want to have all these impurities working in your own body. So, instead of filling up the water from the tap try filling it up with your favored water filtering device. This will ensure you won’t be shopping for a new machine any time soon and will give you tastier coffee.

7. Shop Online
When it comes to becoming a coffee guru you may want to start looking for a preferred shop online. Sure, this take a bit of the magic out of coffee shopping, but when you’re buying K-Cups you can’t exactly smell the roast anyway. Try researching some reliable online stores or ask your friends if they shop anywhere online. You may be surprised as to how many amazing finds you’ll come across while shopping. Online stores have the ability to offer you a wide variety of roasts while keeping the price tag smaller than your retail store would. Of course, you’ll have to consider shipping into the price, but a lot of the stores will offer a flat fee so you can order as much as you want. You should always be able to locate coupons for inline stores and you may even find a deal that will help you get free shipping. The best thing is you’ll never be disappointed that your favorite roast isn’t in stock.

8. Alternative Beverages
One of the best ways to get more out of your K-Cup experience is to look at alternative beverages too. Your single serve brewing machine might take quite a bit longer to pay for itself if you’re only have a cup of coffee a day. These machines can be used for anything from tea, hot cocoa or even an iced latte. If you’re a big fan of tea throughout the day then you can easily brew a fresh cup whenever you’re thirsty. Simply add a tea bag into the filter and you’ll be ready for one of the best brewed cups you’ve had in awhile. You can even brew into ice for a cold beverage on a summer’s day. Instead of waiting for your water to heat up for hot cocoa, you can have the kids warming up with a sweet treat in only seconds. You can even make your coffee creative by creating cappuccinos, lattes or espressos. So, don’t let the brewing system limit you when it comes to your drinking experience. You should be able to enjoy an assortment of products if you keep an open mind.

9. Buy a Thermos
One wait to cut down your coffee bill substantially is to buy a thermos. This simple trip will allow you to take your favorite brewed cup off coffee with you on the go. Sure, its nice to wake up to a fresh cup of coffee, but a lot of people crave a little extra caffeine throughout the day. If you feel like a nap at work then you may be more apt to seek out a cafe in order to ease your body’s want for some caffeine. With your thermos you’ll always have a hot cup of coffee at hand so you can step away from the temptation that cafe’s create. A good thermos should keep your brewed cup hot for hours and with the fresh taste of your K-Cup system you won’t need to go out and spend a small fortune on another cup. Most systems even have a special feature that will allow you to brew straight into your thermos so you won’t have to worry about making a special cup in the morning.

10. Coupons
When it comes to saving big K-Cups offer a lot of help to consumers in the form of coupons. You can look in just about any local ad and find a coupon for one bran of K-Cups or another. There are also plenty of online sites that help cut the cost of these expensive coffee pods. One easier way to save is to look in the K-Cup box you already own. Many of the boxes come with printed out coupons inside the box that will encourage you to purchase the same type of coffee. Each time you go out to replenish your coffee supply you should have a coupon with you. This can cut down on quite a bit of the expense without forcing you to feel guilty about buying pods. You may even be able to find coupons in the store itself, as these delicious pods are such a hot item on the market right now.

Everyone loves a tasty cup of coffee to help make the day seem brighter. With these K-Cup tips you should be able to get that fresh brew every time you crave a cup of coffee. Now, you can forget the buyers remorse and rejoice in the convenience and taste that your single serve brewing system provides you. You may even be a bit more likely to share you delicious coffee pods with guests, but no promises!