Save Money at the Coffee Shop

Photo courtesy of Marco Arment via Flickr.com

Next time you go to your favorite coffee shop, try this tip to save money and calories.  Rather than ordering your usual latte, try a Misto instead.  (A latte is typically a shot of espresso topped off with steamed milk, while a misto is half brewed coffee, half milk.)  On average, you'll save about $0.50 a cup, and about 80 calories with a Grande size.

When you order with flavorings, rather than requesting a Pumpkin Spice Latte, simply ask for a Pumpkin Spice Misto, a White Chocolate Misto, or a Caramel Misto etc. There will only be a slight difference in taste.  (A former Starbucks employee told me you get a tad more caffeine in a Misto, too, because brewed coffee typically has more caffeine than espresso shots.  Yay for caffeine!)

And, if you want to go even further, order a Short (8 oz) drink, instead of a Tall (12 oz), Grande (16 oz) or Venti (20 oz).  A Short is not on the Starbucks menu, either - it's the kids' size.  You'll save a few pennies and calories with that size, too.  Of course you have to be in the mood for just a little coffee, but it usually does the trick for me!

FYI, cafe' misto is the Starbucks term (and is not on the menu), other coffee houses may refer to it as a cafe au lait.

So drink up, and let us know how it was!

Storing Clothes

Every year we start to dread changing out seasonal clothes in our home.  But it has to be done and it may as well be done with efficiency.

A friend of mine gave me the idea to no longer use bins to store clothes, but instead use Ziploc Big Bags.  They are a quarter of the price and don't take up as much space.  Plus, they're much lighter and easier to toss down from the attic.  :)