One of my biggest goals in 2020 is ditching a habit that I’ve had for a while: grabbing a coffee at Starbucks whenever I feel like it. Sure, Starbucks and other on-the-go coffee is delicious, and there is nothing wrong with treating yourself every once in a while. But I want to start 2020 making the best decisions for myself, and this is one area I feel could use a major reset. Keep reading below to learn why I’m ditching my Starbucks addiction and how you can too.

WHY I’M DITCHING MY STARBUCKS ADDICTION

For one thing, having that daily coffee can start to burn a hole in your wallet, and if you add on breakfast the costs add up fast. One small coffee alone can be upwards of $4 or $5. Add on a muffin or yogurt and you’re looking at $9 a trip. On a micro scale, it’s not that much of an expense. But you might be surprised if you look at those costs over a long term period to see how much money you’re really spending for a little caffeine with a green straw.  Next thing you know, you’re spending $1,500 a year on a little coffee habit! That’s a designer handbag you could invest in or–let’s be real–rent or a mortgage payment!

I hate to admit this–but I just looked up how much I spent at Starbucks in 2019 and it was a whopping $3,285.  WTF?!  I had to check my math…

Yes, that’s a lot and embarrassing to share.  In some defense, this was shared between Kevin and I where we grabbed coffee and breakfast on our way to The Tahoe A-Frame but it’s still way too much to be “just a coffee”.  So I wonder, HOW did I rack up this big of a coffee bill? One of my big reasons is my work-from-home working situation.

One of my biggest challenges working from home is trying not to get too stir crazy. Running out for a Starbucks coffee is the perfect treat when I need to get some fresh air and take my mind off of work, and just get out of the house to do something. It seems like a treat to get up and out of the house, or celebrate a great conference call or meeting with a coffee to sweeten the day.  It doesn’t always seem like a bad option because the energy boost can be a necessary part of my work day. But all of these reward systems are creating bad habits. Rewards and relief should come in the form of something that really gives something back to me. And much more than just a few hours of extra activity, at the very least. 

Another reason I want to kick my to-go coffee habit–and this one is really important to me–single use plastic products need to be a thing of the past! The guilt can be overwhelming when you think about how much waste you’re adding to the environment just by using plastic cups, plastic straws, and using up gas just to drive to a Starbucks drive-thru. 

I know there’s a better solution to keeping me caffeinated, so I’ve decided to take action in the new year by creating my own coffee bar at home and saying goodbye to my Starbucks habit for good. 

AT HOME COFFEE AND ESPRESSO MACHINES

Guess what? Starbucks isn’t the only place to get coffee! Shocking, I know. You can actually have a latte from the comfort of your own home thanks to products like the Nespresso by De’Longhi VertuoPlus Coffee Espresso Single-Serve Machine. This beautiful espresso machine can make you a warm cup that will rival any in-store coffee out there. It’s incredibly easy to use and designed to fit easily on your kitchen counter top. 

The fun doesn’t stop here. There are a ton of Nespresso machines out there so you can find the machine that works best for you. The single serve products come in a variety of colors like this beautiful white shade that you can get on HSN. This more compact version from Target comes in black and includes a bundle pack with machine add-ons. You can release your inner barista by serving yourself a single shot in the Nespresso CitiZ Single by Breville available at Bloomingdale’s as well. 

If you’re looking for a more substantial serving, the Nespresso CitiZ Espresso Machine by DeLonghi in Chrome is a great fit. Available at Williams & Sonoma, it features a super sleek design that will have you saying, “Starbucks, who?” There are two other espresso machines that offer bigger servings; the Lattissima Touch Espresso Machine by De’Longhi and the Breville Creatista (this is the one I got!), both available at Bloomingdale’s and worth every single penny. 

COFFEE AND ESPRESSO PODS FOR YOUR AT HOME COFFEE SHOP

Of course, exclusive espresso machines require exclusive espresso pods. A quick search on Amazon will show you that the possibilities are endless when it comes to pods available for purchase. A delicious option comes from the original Nespresso line offering a variety of flavors in a pack of 50.

What about the Nespresso pods and contributing to waste? I thought the same thing until I learned about their recycling program (and found COMPOSTABLE PODS!)

If you need a bigger value, there’s a 100 pack of pods that are Nespresso compatible. Woken, with a ton of flavors available, is a popular espresso brand that offers COMPOSTABLE Nespresso pods–their variety pack is only $34.99.  We love these and keep them stocked at our Tahoe A-Frame Airbnb and I just placed an order for some at home.

REUSABLE COFFEE ACCESSORIES YOU WANT TO USE OVER AND OVER

I LOVE drinking with a straw, it’s always my preference.  It’s part of why I love getting iced coffee out too.  There must be something innate about now that I think about it and am currently breastfeeding my newborn son…  Since I love a good to-go coffee cup and straw, I needed to invest in a few supplies to set me up for success for my at-home coffee shop situation.

There are very creative people out there on Etsy who make reusable Starbucks tumblers so you can still be about that to-go cup life without the single-use waste. You can get yours personalized or gift them to your loved ones to give them the hint they should ditch their Starbucks habit too.  I wish I found these before the holidays, they would have been great stocking stuffers!

While acrylic is still considered plastic, this reusable 4-pack of tumblers will heavily cut down on waste, making their chemical makeup a non-issue. If you’re worried about using any type of plastic, you can always opt for a glass tumbler, like this one from Amazon, which features a silicone cup holder and a bamboo lid. 

If you’re a traditionalist and don’t need a to-go option, the classic mug is a perfect at-home accessory. For some chic and girly designs, check out shops like Anthropologie and Crate & Barrel.  

Reusable straws are also a huge trend right now. With options ranging from stainless steel to silicone, there’s something for every need and budget. Consider these an investment in the environment and take that sip of coffee proudly. 

All of these espresso options will make it all the more easy to ditch that Starbucks habit in 2020. Of course, it could also make it easier to consume more coffee, but that’s a different topic for a different day. I can’t wait to set up my at-home coffee bar and to see all of you take advantage of these incredible espresso products available on the market. Shop the post below and show me your new coffee bars and let me know if you have/had a Starbucks addiction too, in the comments below!