Kmcvicker's Weblog

Brew your own coffee and save

Seattle residents are known for their addiction to coffee. It’s almost impossible to walk on campus without seeing Huskies greedily sucking down Starbucks lattes. But while a coffee drink’s caffeine content may help us stay awake during class, its price could seriously hurt our budgets.

A 16-ounce drink from Starbucks cost about $3.50 without tax. If you buy a drink each morning, after two weeks you’ll have spent $49. University District resident Gary Meyers thinks that amount is excessive.

“I make my own hazelnut lattes,” said Meyers. “Buying coffee ingredients from a grocery store is the way to go. I like the Safeway on 50th street. It’s close.”

After browsing on Safeway.com, I have to agree with Meyers. I could buy enough milk, coffee, hazelnut syrup and creamer to last me for two weeks and spend less than $16.

Hazelnut syrup $5.99

Hazelnut creamer $4.69

“You have to buy a microwave or a coffeemaker,” said Meyers, “but the savings in the long run are definitely worth it.”

Meyers said when he moved to Seattle from Idaho Falls, he had to cut back on unnecessary expenses.

“The cost of living is much higher over here. I can’t afford to spend $100 bucks on coffee each month anymore. That’s like a third of my rent.”

Dawg-priced hair dye

Huskies are used to making sacrifices. I know a girl who showered using dish soap for a week. In order to save a couple bucks, sometimes our routine hygiene and maintenance practices get neglected. Thankfully, monthly hair appointments don’t have to be one of them.

Last Friday, UW sophomore Katy Legge shared her money-saving tip with me. She gets her hair done at a beauty school.

Legge prefers Gene Juarez Academy located behind Northgate Mall. Appointments can be made by phone, but walk-ins are welcome.

“My best friend Alyssa Hoskins recommended it,” said Legge. “We used to get our hair done there for dances. It’s really cheap. To get my hair completely dyed was only $40. At other salons it’s anywhere from $80 to $100.”

Legge's dyed hair

The young beauticians offer a variety of cut and coloring services, but they don’t work with pastels like purple or blue, Legge reported.

She promotes the school because it’s cost-effective and helps the beauticians excel in their program.

“They get better markings in their classes if they get more customer requests,” Legge explained.

It’s important to remember, however, that the beauticians there aren’t licensed and are still learning.

“You have to be willing to take a risk,” Legge said, “but I always get what I want.”