Simple Savings

Over the past year, I’ve saved money and lowered my daily sugar intake by making a simple change to my morning beverage. Up until about ten months ago, I drank chai latte made from a powdered mix with my breakfast every day. It was delicious, but it was pricey, not to mention full of fat, calories, and sugar. I decided to save money—and improve my health—by replacing my latte with a cup of simple chai tea, sweetened to taste.

When I first started drinking plain brewed tea in place of lattes, I added about two teaspoons of sugar to my cup each morning. After a few weeks, I reduced that amount to one teaspoon. Once I had gotten used to drinking my tea that way, I once again halved the amount of sugar I added. Then, after about three months of drinking hot, slightly sweetened tea, I stopped adding sugar entirely.

Now I enjoy my fragrant chai tea without any added sugar. I don’t miss the sweetness at all; instead, I savor the beverage’s enticing aroma and naturally spicy flavor. Buying tea bags is significantly less expensive than constantly purchasing powdered chai latte mix, which saves Donnie and me a significant amount on our monthly grocery bill. Plus, I enjoy all the health benefits that come from drinking black tea, without filling up on empty calories and sugar.

Small, deliberate changes like this can make a big difference in your life. How have you tweaked your daily routine to save money, improve your health, or reap some other significant benefit? Share your inspiration with other readers in the comments!