Last week I was having a conversation with several Fort Wayne Twitter friends about coffee shops which inspired me to write today’s Monday Money article.

Caffeine is our topic today.

It was a dozen years ago that my soon-to-be-wife introduced me to the local coffee shop scene. Starbucks had not arrived in Fort Wayne yet and there were several thriving local coffee shops including Higher Grounds, the Firefly and the Mill.

The Mill was a combo coffee/bakery shop and you could get a cup of coffee for $1 along with a free sample slice of fresh bread with butter & honey.

Good stuff at a great price.

The Mill eventually sold their stores and prices went up as they changed their name to the Espresso Gallery.  The location my wife and I would visit has cut their hours significantly over the years too.

I am a regular at the Firefly.  I know the owners along with the owners of Higher Grounds, Mocha Lounge, and Old Crown.  I have had marketing conversations with each of them along with other coffee shops that are now out of business.

You can’t sell a cup of coffee for a buck anymore if that is your main product. Firefly sells their drip coffee for $2 for a small (tall). Starbucks is around $1.50.

Different coffee shops have similar prices and each shop has a different taste to their drip coffees and espresso drinks, which was the topic of conversation with my friends.

But let’s focus on Money.

If you are a coffee drinker, the best deal is to make it yourself, at home.  Folgers, Maxwell House or even store brands are going to be less expensive than any coffee shop.

If you really want someone else to brew it, my wife and I like McDonalds which has any size for a buck.

I actually contribute $1.50 a paycheck to the office coffee fund.  That’s 75 cents for all I can drink.

But for all the time I spend in coffee shops, I can live without it.  Really.

My favorite form of caffeine is Diet Mt. Dew.

The Arby’s near my house sells it, but fountain drinks are expensive.

I buy the 12 or 24 pack when they are on sale and keep a can or two cold in the frig at all times.

This brings the price down to between 25 and 40 cents a can.

That’s how I start my morning 6 days a week.

In the evening, when I am home, I drink water.  No caffeine after 5pm means a better nights sleep.

How much do you spend on caffeine each week?

Multiply that by 50 or 52 and you may be shocked at how much you are spending to stay awake and perky.