Favorite Starbucks in Hawai'i: Waimalu Shopping Center

This location did not charge me for the "splash of soy" in my Americano (which I am pretty sure is the right way to do things because it's the same as adding free creamer) and they also put the right amount of soy--not too much. I'm wondering if these two things are related--like the people who put too much soy charge me because they think I want a lot.

Toasted Marshmallow Mocha

Has anyone tried the Toasted Marshmallow Mocha from Starbucks? Part of me thinks it will be too sweet and I will hate it, but it just sounds so good! (Flavored drinks are usually too sweet for me, although I think the Caramel Lattes at Seattle's Best are made with the perfect amount of syrup.)

Coffee issues

I didn't really drink coffee before I started my doctoral program. I mean, I used to drink it once in awhile, and so splurging on mochas and lattes was no big deal. Now, I drink coffee almost everyday though and I keep trying to figure out how to save money.

During the week, I mostly get free coffee in the office. And I've also developed a taste for Americanos and brewed coffee so I don't mind paying for a cup or two every now and then.

I also bought a coffee maker last year though. My current problem is that we don't make coffee fast enough. The grounds always lose their taste when I'm not even halfway through the bag. I Googled and tried different ways of storing--in the freezer, in the fridge, at room temperature, in an air-tight container... it's not working. I guess I don't brew coffee often enough to keep my own grounds. Even on the weekends, most of the time we are restless and looking for an excuse to go out to the coffee shop so it's sort of rare that we actually use the machine. Still, I like the idea of making my own to save money!

So, what should I do--give up on making my own coffee or invest in a bean grinder, buy whole beans, and grind my own? Does anyone do this? Will it do the trick? Or is it actually a better financial decision for me to pay others to make my coffee? Do you think Ryan could make a formula for me to figure this out?