I love visiting Starbucks for my daily coffee fix, but I quickly realized that my frequent trips were draining my wallet. Like many others, I enjoy the occasional latte, but the price tag can add up fast. Over time, I’ve discovered some simple, effective strategies to help cut down on my Starbucks spending without sacrificing my caffeine cravings. In this article, I’ll share 10 practical ways you can save money at Starbucks. These are tried-and-true methods that I personally use to stretch my coffee budget.
Table of Contents
1. Sign Up for Starbucks Rewards
If you haven’t already signed up for Starbucks Rewards, I highly recommend it. It’s free, and you can start earning points (or stars) with every purchase. For every 150 stars, you can redeem a free drink or food item. You also get a free birthday reward, which I always look forward to.
The benefits don’t stop there. As a member, you’ll get access to special offers, and you can earn extra stars with promotions. Here’s a quick breakdown of the rewards system:
| Stars Needed | Reward |
|---|---|
| 25 stars | Free birthday treat |
| 50 stars | Free drink customization |
| 150 stars | Free drink or food item |
| 200 stars | Custom drink or sandwich |
Even if you’re not someone who frequents Starbucks every day, you’d be surprised how quickly you can rack up stars with regular purchases.
2. Get a Reusable Cup
I know it might seem like a small gesture, but using a reusable cup is one of the easiest ways to save money. Starbucks offers a discount for bringing your own cup, usually around 10 cents off your order. While this might not seem like much at first, over time, that 10 cents adds up. Plus, it’s a sustainable option, and I feel good knowing I’m helping reduce waste.
If you visit Starbucks regularly, switching to a reusable cup can save you a lot over a year. Let’s say you go to Starbucks 5 times a week. That’s 260 visits a year, and at 10 cents off per visit, you’d save $26 annually.
3. Skip the Bottled Water
I’ve often found myself ordering bottled water at Starbucks when I didn’t really need it, just to quench my thirst. But bottled water is priced much higher than it should be. Instead, I now ask for a cup of water (free of charge), and it’s just as refreshing.
Bottled water can cost anywhere from $2 to $3 at Starbucks, so choosing a free water cup can save you at least $100 a year if you make this change every time you go.
4. Order a Tall, Not a Grande
Many people tend to order the Grande size by default, but I’ve learned that the Tall size is often plenty to satisfy my coffee cravings. The difference in price can range from 50 cents to $1. If you’re trying to save money, switching from a Grande to a Tall can make a noticeable difference in your spending.
For example, a Grande Latte costs about $4.45, whereas a Tall costs about $3.95. If I order a Tall every day for a month, that’s a savings of about $15.50. While it may not seem like much on a single day, these small savings really add up over time.
5. Go for a Brewed Coffee Instead of Specialty Drinks
Starbucks is known for its specialty drinks, but I’ve realized that a regular brewed coffee is often just as satisfying and much cheaper. Specialty drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, or macchiatos can cost anywhere from $4 to $6, depending on your location and customizations. A brewed coffee, on the other hand, usually costs around $2.50 to $3.50.
Let’s do a quick comparison:
| Item | Price | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Grande Latte | $4.45 | – |
| Brewed Coffee (Tall) | $2.95 | Saves $1.50 |
If I switch from ordering a specialty drink to brewed coffee, I save about $1.50 per visit. That’s around $45 per month or $540 annually. Over time, that’s a significant reduction in spending.
6. Avoid Extra Add-ins
It’s easy to get carried away with adding syrups, whipped cream, and other extras to your coffee, but these can quickly make your drink more expensive. For example, an additional syrup shot can cost 50 cents, and whipped cream might cost an extra 30 cents. While these add-ins may enhance the flavor, I’ve found that my coffee tastes great without them.
Here’s an example of how costs add up with add-ins:
| Item | Base Price | Add-Ins Cost | Total Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tall Latte (Basic) | $3.95 | $0 | $3.95 |
| Tall Latte (With Add-Ins) | $3.95 | $1.30 | $5.25 |
If I opt for a basic drink without the add-ins, I save about $1.30. This may seem small, but it adds up to around $35 a month or $420 annually.
7. Customize Your Drink to Save
While I’ve learned to skip unnecessary add-ins, there are other ways to customize my drink without increasing the cost. For instance, asking for fewer pumps of syrup or switching to a less expensive milk (like whole milk instead of oat milk) can reduce the price of my drink. Many people don’t realize that customizations can add up to a significant increase in the final bill.
Here’s a breakdown of how customizing can change the price:
| Customization | Change in Price |
|---|---|
| Swap oat milk for whole milk | -$0.60 |
| Fewer pumps of syrup | -$0.30 |
| Skip whipped cream | -$0.30 |
By adjusting my drink, I save anywhere from 30 cents to over a dollar each time. If I make these small adjustments regularly, I can save a noticeable amount over the course of a month.
8. Order in Bulk for the Office
One of the biggest expenses at Starbucks is ordering drinks for groups of people. If you’re in charge of an office order, consider buying a larger quantity of coffee or tea in bulk. Starbucks offers catering options, where you can purchase coffee in larger containers for a group. While the price per cup may not be as low as brewing your own coffee at home, it’s still significantly cheaper than buying individual drinks for everyone.
For instance, Starbucks’ “Box O’ Coffee” includes 96 ounces of brewed coffee, which serves about 12 cups. The cost is typically around $20, which breaks down to about $1.67 per cup. Compare that to the cost of buying individual Tall Lattes, and you’ll see how much you can save with bulk ordering.
9. Take Advantage of Happy Hour
Starbucks occasionally runs “Happy Hour” promotions where they offer discounts on specific drinks. During these promotions, I can score a half-price Frappuccino or iced drink. This is an excellent opportunity to treat myself to something more indulgent without paying full price.
Happy Hour events typically happen between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., but the specifics can vary by location. By checking the Starbucks app or signing up for email alerts, I can stay in the loop about these limited-time offers.
10. Brew at Home with Starbucks Coffee Beans
While I love visiting Starbucks for the occasional treat, I’ve realized that brewing my own coffee at home with Starbucks beans is a far more economical option. I buy their coffee beans in bulk, which costs around $10 for a 12-ounce bag. Depending on the brew strength, I can make about 10 to 12 cups of coffee from one bag, meaning I pay roughly $1 per cup.
If I make coffee at home three days a week, I save around $9 per week. That’s about $36 a month or $432 annually. For someone who visits Starbucks daily, brewing coffee at home can save a significant amount over time.
In conclusion, there are numerous ways to save money at Starbucks without sacrificing the experience. From signing up for Starbucks Rewards to switching to brewed coffee and customizing your drinks, small changes can lead to big savings. By adopting a few of these strategies, I’ve managed to reduce my Starbucks spending without feeling deprived. The key is to be mindful of your choices and find what works best for you. Saving money at Starbucks doesn’t mean cutting out the things you love; it just means being smarter with your spending.
