Fancy on a Budget: Coffee Edition

A poem and my favorite coffee gadgets

Jun 20, 2025

I’m what some consider “extra”, but I keep a tight budget. So, if you’d like some tips for adding fancy touches to your life that can save you money, this series is for you.

Underlined words and product images are Amazon links, but I recommend using local stores, and especially thrift stores when possible.

But first, a poem

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published

I feel alive 
when the coffee kicks in
and I swear 
I forget all the sadness
like an old lackluster lover 
buried beneath 
the more lively ones

All I know now and 
every yesterday is 
love felt good on my lips
It was all worth it
time and its 
worthless condolences
made room for joy for a change and 
you can't take that away from me
they can't take that away from me

The way the hat tips
the way Ella sang about it
vibrato and cigarettes spritz 
like perfume
her voice
that's what coffee is
her voice
her songs
squeezing pain back into its coffin
back where it belongs

When the coffee kicks in
making my stride lighter
more decisive
you can't take that away from me
No 
They can't take that away from me

I wrote this poem while listening to Ella Fitzgerald sing They Can’t Take That Away from Me. Coffee, like Ella’s voice, makes me come alive.

The rest of this post will be dedicated to recommendations for anyone who’d like coffee shop perks at home. Bonus points for having a friend over to enjoy a drink with you <3

My friend, Nichole, enjoying my coffee at a princess party my daughter threw.

Jumping right innnn

There are three brewing methods I will focus on here that you may not have tried before. I am not at the level of some who grind thier own beans and weigh their grounds on a scale, so these methods should only be minimally intimidating.

Cold brew
Pour overs
Espresso

I’m ordering them from cheapest to priciest. At the very end, I’ll add some of my favorite extras for making my drinks too legit to quit.

Speaking of too legit to quit. . .

1. Cold Brew

Estimated upfront cost (coffee not included): $21

Supplies: Cold brew kit (there are many options out there)

Glass Cold Brew Kit with Stainless Steel Filter $22

PROCESS

Place filter in jar. Add grounds to filter (look up ratios depending on how many ounces your brewer holds.) Pour room temp water through the grounds until the jar is filled. Set it on your counter for 12-24 hours, shaking it up a few times throughout those hours. The longer you let it sit, the more concentrated it will be. Then, remove the filter and place the jar of cold brew in the fridge. Now you’ve got coffee for days. I love this option for work mornings because you just pour it, add your creamer, and go. If your cold brew turns out too concentrated, just add water.

BONUS

Cold brew is great for packing. I often bring cold brew with me on road trips. I’ll also pack some in a small mason jar in my lunch box when I’m out for the day.

2. The Pour Over Method

Estimated upfront cost (coffee not included): $15-$45

Supplies: kettle, coffee filters, pour over contraption (I’m not sure what else to call it)

KETTLES

POUR OVER CONTRAPTIONS

Plastic, but practical. You fill the top basket with the number of ounces you’d like (it has markings on it). Then, it slowly releases the water over the grounds. No need to return to pour a few ounces at a time. OXO Pour Over $18

FILTERS: cone-shaped $4

PROCESS

Place filter and desired amount of coffee grounds into your pour over contraption. Place contraption on top of your choice of mug. Boil water. Pour water over the grounds a few ounces at a time. A benefit of using the OXO pour over, is that you can add all of the water at one time. The container will then let the water slowly drip into your cup. Add any milk, creamer and/or sweetener desired.

3. Espresso at the touch of a button

Estimated upfront cost (coffee not included): $90-$160

Supplies: Nespresso original line machine and Nespresso capsules

Things to consider: Compatible capsules are required for these machines. Nespresso has two lines of machines: the Original line and the Virtuo line. I have chosen the original line because I am able to find the capsules at almost half the price of the Virtuo line capsules. Original line capsules range from 40-90 cents per shot. For reference, a grande or medium sized latte at your favorite coffee shop has 2 shots of espresso. Making your at-home latte will cost you 80 cents to $1.80 per drink, not including your milk and sweetener. Capsules are sold at most grocery stores and on Amazon.

MACHINES (Original Line)

The one below is similar to the one I own and have used for years. I love it. Getting to treat my friends to thier favorite lattes that would normally require a trip to a coffee shop brings me joy. My home is the coffee shop <3

If I were to buy a new one, I would choose this Lor machine (below) because it has the option of using capsules that make a regular cup of coffee as well as the option to use espresso capsules. I’m also surprised by the price and positive reviews from actual owners of the machine.

Extras

We can get really fancy here. To spruce up my drinks, I add a pinch of something to the bottom of the cup, pour in my coffee, then sprinkle/drizzle some more on top.