11 Secret Tips For Saving at Starbucks

POPSUGAR Smart Living

Don't Tell Anyone: 11 Secret Tips For Saving at Starbucks

Jul 23 2014 - 2:01pm

Don't despair if store-bought coffee is your biggest spending vice. Help is on its way, in the form of these smart saving tips that will work at your local Starbucks. Don't thank us — just drink up!

— Additional reporting by Whitney Bania

Source: Flickr user rekre89 [1]

Get Creative

Don't limit yourself to the standard drinks. There are plenty of options that are well under $4, such as iced coffee. If you think that spending less means boring drinks, think again. Check out some the most creative Starbucks mystery menu [2] concoctions under $3.
And if you must go the latte route, try the caffe misto, which is made of of half coffee and half milk. It is not only cheaper, but also has less calories!

Source: Flickr user StephenCarlile [3]

Refills For 50 Cents

Sometimes one cup just doesn't cut it. Any time throughout the day and on any size, you can refill your cup with brewed coffee for just 50 cents during the same visit. Not a bad price for an extra pick-me-up.

Bring Your Own Cup

You'll save 10 cents on the price of your drink when you bring in your own reusable cup, mug, or travel tumbler.

Source: Etsy User TheMasonBarCompany [4]

The Water Secret

You don't have to reach for bottled water in Starbucks, as the water at Starbucks may even be cleaner. The ice and water used in Starbucks is triple-filtered!

Order in Bulk Via Coffee Press

Another way to save money is to order a coffee press pot of coffee, which serves a few cups of coffee. It will be cheaper than ordering the drinks individually. Share with friends or hoard it if you plan on staying at Starbucks for a while, and enjoy the caffeine buzz.

Ask For "No Water" With Your Tea

According to one barista on Quora [5], "Iced Teas are double-strength in pitcher and watered down for your final recipe."
To get more a bang for a buck, request "no water" with your tea, and it won't be watered down.

Source: Flickr user Justin Capolongo [6]

Take Advantage of the Birthday Treat

If you sign up for the Starbucks reward program [7] (registration is free), you're entitled to a free drink when your birthday comes around. Keep in mind that you'll have to redeem it in the 30 days after your birthday.

Source: Instagram user realgrumpycat [8]

Get a Starbucks Card

If you're a frequent Starbucks customer, there's no reason not to get a Starbucks Card. At no cost to you, a registered card will get you lots of freebies. Here's what you can expect:
Welcome level (which you attain after using your card once)

• Free drink or food on your birthday

Green level (which you attain after using your card five times)

• Free refills in store
• Welcome level rewards
• Specialized email offers

Gold level (which you attain after using your card 30 times in 12 months)

• Free drink or food reward after every 12 purchases
• Welcome and green level rewards
• Personalized offers and coupons
• Personalized gold card

Source: Instagram user starbucks.card_collector [9]

Order a Short

There's an even smaller size than "tall," and it's called "short." It's smaller than a "tall," but it's also less expensive. The "short" cappuccino, will have the same amount of espresso as the as its "tall" version, says Slate [10].

Source: Instagram user olovelychloe [11]

Brew It at Home

Be your own barista at home by buying beans at Starbucks stores — they'll even grind the beans for you. Or, you can pick a bag up at the grocery store.
There are even recipes you find online that show you how to make more of its complicated drinks like this frappuccino recipe [12].

Fido's Freebie

Don't forget, your furry pal gets his own freebie, too. Order a puppy latte or puppycino, and your best friend will get a sample cup full of whipped cream.
Want to save even more at your favorite stores? Here's how to save money in Target [13] and shopping online at Amazon [14].

Source: Instagram user jessmorgan9 [15]

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Source URL
http://www.savvysugar.com/Tips-Saving-Money-Starbucks-3751741

Links:
[1] https://www.flickr.com/photos/missturner/5352136126/in/photolist-99X6B5-2si9V-kHNy9y-4KKjod-bDHnTT-7PDxkN-8NgUYg-49xgrM-dhXNcy-nsfdd4-fhyJnm-jJhV8Q-npQvBe-2tfozY-cuSLdG-dH9VPr-fhjtWi-fhjvBx-8g5acX-4KF4kD-c3i5ny-zwGmL-kUba5H-6tYxQJ-9dKYe5-bYyS5L-fWi7vj-faVvNE-o7oCof-wGfBK-4SP3hH-pju8M-2vECuZ-c3hXkY-nsfc1e-erDyk-MaAHM-4sWK41-fmuH3c-iuB4zB-65iCQv-nk7YsB-nWgVK-9Lc5XD-dNti6N-7UNR8y-eYLPvM-bNr73H-a2D5kg-7qh7wb
[2] http://www.savvysugar.com/Cheap-Starbucks-Drinks-23133466
[3] http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephencarlile/487297942/sizes/z/in/photolist-K4wGE-K4FTa-K6dGr-3bd92j-4m4PLR-4m8Uew-4PXaig-59iTsS-5sAZ5m-5A7sBv-c9J3TA-8fCnsV-foLBeM-9KzqGT-7Fo75q-9fc6W8-bmJK9z-d1mAr1-99ViPn-8rUKaQ-bSs18K/
[4] https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheMasonBarCompany?section_id=12009165
[5] http://www.quora.com/Starbucks/What-are-some-favorite-Starbucks-hacks
[6] http://www.flickr.com/photos/jcmedia93/6787291501/in/photostream/
[7] http://www.starbucks.com/card/rewards
[8] http://instagram.com/p/XsJWWXE1CC/
[9] http://instagram.com/p/qzd2RPCwT5/
[10] http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/everyday_economics/2006/01/starbucks_economics.html
[11] http://instagram.com/p/byBg8JondY/
[12] http://www.squawkfox.com/2011/06/16/frappuccino-recipe/
[13] http://www.savvysugar.com/How-Save-Target-24326117
[14] http://www.savvysugar.com/How-Save-Amazon-24910582
[15] http://instagram.com/p/YnmJ8nlI_K/

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