Maybe I Should Cut Costs On Soda…

By Parrothead Jeff, on 26 August 2009

So I was thinking again… No, no need to run to the fallout shelter – it’s not one of my “apocalyptic” thoughts

Seriously, I’ve got some money coming my way and I was thinking that I might have a way to use some of that cash to save money in the long run. One way I think I might be able to do that is with a home soda maker like this one:

Soda Stream home soda maker - Click to go to the Soda Stream website

It’s not all that cheap to get started, but it’ll pay for itself pretty quick. I’ll admit it, I go through a lot of soda. Really, it’s one of my major monetary expenditures and this looks like it has promise.

I figure it this way – carbonation is about $40 for 110 liters and a $5 bottle of syrup makes 12 liters, so it’s about $90 for 120 liters of soda. That works out to 75¢ per liter or 25¢ per can at full strength. If you cut the syrup in half, it’s only about $65 for 120 liters, 54¢ per liter or 18¢ per can. That’s a whole lot less than what I usually pay Of course, I could also use powdered drink mixes (like Gatorade™ or Crystal Light™) with the carbonated water, too.

You reuse the bottles, the carbonation cylinders, and use your own water, so it’s even better – no hauling soda up the stairs

Of course, this is still just a possible purchase – no decision made just yet

Kath

August 27th, 2009 at 0319 · Reply

See, it all starts when you start “thinking” again — then you want a new gadget! Skip the sodas entirely — or at least in half — and go for the Crystal Light and a Britta pitcher. Geesh.

Parrothead Jeff

August 28th, 2009 at 0008 · Reply

Yeah, I really should cut back, huh

Funny you should mention the powdered drink mix and pitcher – I just need to get a new filter and I’m set Thanks for a great idea there, Kath

Kerry

August 27th, 2009 at 1815 · Reply

My mother bought something similar to that in the early 80′s; the sodas tasted terrible! I do hope they’ve greatly improved the taste of the syrups!

I’m with Kath – cut out the sodas, save pennies! :oP

Parrothead Jeff

August 28th, 2009 at 0010 · Reply

YOU’RE HERE !!!

You’ve got a great point there – I don’t even know what the sodas would taste like

You’re both right there And once again I benefit from womenfolk’s wisdom

August 28th, 2009 at 1938 · Reply

Perhaps you can find it sold somewhere where you can test-sip the end fizzy product? That would be a gooood thing! And I’m sure they’ve improved the taste… it HAS been like 20 years. lol OMG, dating myself.

Parrothead Jeff

August 29th, 2009 at 0155 · Reply

I don’t know of any place to taste test it, but then again I also realized that I have much better uses for that money I’m going to stick with the filter pitcher and lo/no cal drink mix I’m going to get this sorry, overweight butt in shape once it starts to cool down and I know I’ll prefer a cold drink of water or Gatorade to soda much of the time.

About dating yourself – I don’t think you should worry about it and here’s why: You’re still around, you have a wonderful child, and you’re making your own way. Not all that many people are doing so well