DealTaker: Look to save some dough on a cup of joe

I have never been a huge coffee drinker, but everyone in my family is. Growing up, there wasn't a day that our single-cup coffee maker wasn't working overtime to keep up with the demand each morning.

My family wasn't alone. Of course, this was before the days of a Starbucks on every corner, when we all decided that it was OK to drop $3 (or $4, or $5) on every cup of coffee. There definitely are benefits to the convenience of Starbucks, but it's hard not to remember the old days as a simpler time.

When the economy started heading downhill, one of the first places people started tightening their belts was the amount they spend on their daily caffeine fix. If you've still been hesitant to pull back, here are some tips to help you get your buzz without emptying your wallet.

First, grind your own coffee. Buying whole beans and brewing at home is good for several reasons. One, the coffee is stronger when it comes from fresh ground beans than instant brew. Second, if you shop around, the beans can be cheaper in the long run. It isn't unheard of for a $4 can of beans to last a month or more because you use fewer scoops to brew your coffee.

Second, if you insist on buying your coffee every day, look for ways to order the same coffee for less. For instance, you can take advantage of the cream and milk that is free and just pay for the espresso shots. This can save you a dollar or more while achieving the same result.

It may sounds like a cheapskate's way to save a few bucks. But if it saves you $2 a day on coffee, I think it's worth feeling like a cheapskate from time to time to save $700 a year. (But that's just me — it takes a lot to make me self-conscious about my frugal ways!)

Third, explore using reusable coffee filters when you brew at home. While these are more expensive upfront, they last a long time and are much better for the environment than throwing a paper one in the trash everyday.

And for those of you with a green thumb, use your old coffee grounds to help save money on food. You can start a compost pile with your grounds (and other food you would normally throw out) and use it to grow vegetables. This way, you can take the money you save on coffee and expand it to save money on your grocery bill, too.

You don't have to stop being a java junkie to save a few dollars. These tips can help you keep your wallet full and your productivity high.

***** Starting next week, DealTaker.com President Kevin Strawbridge will take over this space. Happy bargain-hunting!

Dylan Biles is a moderator and bargain-hunter for DealTaker.com, an online shopping Web site owned by Media General. E-mail dylan@dealtaker.com or follow him on Twitter @dylanbiles.