Yesterday, OnMilwaukee.com's Bobby Tanzilo, Jeff Sherman and I coincidentally cashed in our full coffee punch cards. Personally, this was only the second time I held onto a punch card long enough to fill it up, but I'm a die-hard believer in them now because a free fancy coffee is a great way to start a day.

Needless to say, in the current economy, even an occasional free cup of joe makes a difference.

Some people like to carry their punch card around until they are short on funds, and then it feels particularly satisfying to splurge on a coffee drink. Remember, the beauty of the punch card free drink is that you can order whatever you want, so go for the extra shot of espresso.

If you're going to be a dedicated coffee card puncher, it's important to know which days are "double punch" days. Starbucks doesn't issue punch cards, but here are a few local joints that do:

Alterra (all locations): Get your double punch for cups or bags of coffee on Tuesdays. Twelve punches earns a free drink.
Fuel Café (818 E. Center St.): Mondays are double punch card days at Fuel, and 10 punches get you a free cup.
Stone Creek (all locations): Stone Creek doesn't have a set double-punch weekday, but they do give "double punches" every day in February.