How It Works: Be Your Own Barista, With a Programmable Helper - [Free registration required]

One of my favorite electronic devices at home is my Capresso C2000, which my wife purchased for me several years ago from Whole Latte Love. Capresso was discontinuing the C2000 model, so Whole Latte Love had a closeout sale on it. Though $750 may seem like a lot for a coffee machine, it was originally priced closer to $1,500. I’ve used it to make on average two strong, absolutely delicious cups of coffee nearly every day since it showed up on my doorstep in a box the size of a typical San Francisco apartment.

I still buy an occasional cappuccino or cafe latte from Peet’s or from a small coffee house when I’m far from home and in need of a fix, but I’ve cut way back on my coffee drink budget. Of course, the Fair Trade certified, organic, Sumatran coffee beans I buy aren’t exactly cheap, so I have no idea if I have saved any money. But having access to great coffee in roughly a minute after rolling out of bed is totally worth it.