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Updated: 2:22 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012 | Posted: 5:44 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012
By Clark Howard
There are big changes going on if you drink soda that could represent a real money-saving opportunity for you.
Technological breakthroughs are making it easier and cheaper for you to drink soft drinks that you make at home. The first mover in this market has been Soda Stream, and they’re booming. The New York Post reports they sell 10,000 machines a day.
Having a Soda Stream is like having your own soft drink bottling plant at home for a street price of $80 to $120. Instead of lugging soda home from the store, you put water in to your home unit and add the syrup in to make the flavor you want. The carbonation comes courtesy of these canisters made of lightweight aluminum.
I’ve tasted a variety of the Soda Stream flavors. Some are not ready for prime time. But others are really good. So it is all about personal taste.
Meanwhile, have you ever seen Coke’s FreeStyle machines? They are the greatest. It’s this red box that is basically a computer. It takes highly concentrated syrup units and you can blend any flavors you want to make your own soft drink.
My current FreeStyle favorite is Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper.
Soda Stream uses a similar idea with the tiny highly concentrated syrup things, carbonation, water and bam! You make the drink at home. Your kids will think it’s fun, too.
ABOUT CLARK HOWARD
Find more answers to your consumer questions, plus Clark’sbook “Living Large in Lean Times,” at ClarkHoward.com.
Listen to Clark Howard weeknights from 6 to 9 p.m. on AM1290/95.7FM News Talk WHIO.
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