Every now and again, a basic Web site hammers home a major personal financial tip. 

Have you ever wondered what your coffee habit is costing you?

Courtesy of software developer Hugh Chou, the Coffee Calculator calculates what you pay for your store-bought coffee each year, and how much money you forgo in life savings because of it.

Did you know:  If you buy a plain $1.87 grande drip coffee from Starbucks every working day versus drinking free coffee in your office, you'll forfeit more than $6,000 over 10 years' time?

But you don't take your coffee "plain", right!  You're of the grande, sugar-free vanilla, non-fat latte ilk!  Well, in that case, you'd best check out the savings for yourself.

The next time you're struggling to pay your bills, or to build a 12-month asset reserve, or to fund your 401(k) plan at work, review the dollar you spend on non-essential items in your life.

Starting with specialty coffee.

Dan Green is an active loan officer. Email or call 513-443-2020. Dan is on Twitter at @mortgagereports.