Raise your hand if you love Starbucks! I am a huge fan and can’t get enough of it. However, I love to save money and cannot always justify spending that amount of money on a drink. Over the course of many trips to Starbucks, I have found many ways to start saving. Some of them are really easy and some of these tips I cannot believe I didn’t try sooner.
Check out these 15 Starbucks Hacks & Secrets for Saving Money!
1.Order a Smaller Drink.
I know you love Starbucks, but you can really order a smaller drink. You can save at least a $1.00 to $1.50 by ordering a smaller drink. Plus, you’ll be consuming less calories. You can get a refill of Hot Coffee, Iced Coffee or Hot Tea for only $0.50 during the same visit.
Try This: Most People don’t know there’s a smaller size than a “Tall” called a “Short”, the Short Cappuccino has the same amount of Espresso (and caffeine) as the Tall but it is less expensive.
2. Earn FREE Gift Cards with Ibotta & Swagbucks.
Isn’t that amazing? You can actually earn free Starbucks gift cards with apps like Ibotta and Swagbucks. What are you waiting for? Sign up! This is by far one of my favorite ways to save at Starbucks.
3. Go without the Extra Shot of Espresso.
Man, that espresso cost can really add up. Try cutting back on the amount of espresso you put in your drink. This savings will really add up over time!
4. Buy Discounted Gift Cards on Raise.com.
If you’ve never heard of Raise.com, you simply buy gift cards at a discounted rate. Sometimes people just don’t use their gift cards, so they get rid of them at a discount.
TIP: You can get a FREE $5 Credit on Raise.com when you Sign Up Here and use the code PFS
5. Buy Starbuck’s Drinks Pre-Made from the Store.
Just like anything else in the world, you can save money on your favorite Starbucks drinks by making them at home. Buy the premade coffees and mixes from your local store!
We often post Awesome Starbucks Coupons and deals for around the same price as a cup of coffee! Or if you want to make your own Starbucks Type Coffees check out these Copycat Starbucks Recipes.
6. Try a cheaper drink.
Everyone has a “fancy” Starbucks drink that they love, but what about trying something a little more inexpensive. You can get a basic hot coffee, iced coffee, or even iced tea for a small price. Rewards Members get Free In Store Refills on Hot or Iced Brewed Coffee and Tea (Details Here)
Try This: As for “No Water” in your tea, Starbucks Teas are watered down in the final recipe but if you request No Water it will be stronger at first but once the Ice Melts it’s perfect!
7. Download the Starbucks App.
If you haven’t downloaded the Starbucks App, then you are totally missing out. Earn My Starbucks Rewards® and even pay for your purchases with the app! You will also get Excusive My Starbucks Rewards Coupons in the app which you can redeem in stores.
8. Share the Starbucks App.
Don’t hoard the savings! If you share the app with your friends and family and they sign up, you get a reward too! Woohoo, sharing with someone can also save you money too. How can you beat that?
9. Order a Food Item or the Largest Size on your Birthday
Love Starbucks with a passion? You’ll really love My Starbucks Rewards®. Basically, you are eligible for free drinks, rewards, and much more! All you have to do is connect a Starbucks Gift Card to your account, then you’ll automatically earn “Stars” when you make a purchase using your gift card. You can even reload it or load it into the app so you can pay with your phone.
Try This: Each Year Starbucks Rewards Members get a Free Food or Drink Item of their choice during their Birthday Month, Order a Food Item which are typically more expensive or the Largest Size Drink and splurge because it doesn’t matter which size you order they are all free!
10. Wait for their “Happy Hour.”
From time to time, Starbucks will have different promotions where you can get drinks literally half off. If you can’t justify spending the money any other time of the year, then this is your time to shine. They are always having special promotions, just keep an eye out at your locations.
Also, make sure you Join the Passion For Savings Facebook Group, we always post these Happy Hour Specials so you never miss out!
11. Buy the discounted Starbucks Coffee from their racks.
If you love visiting your local Starbucks, take a look at what they have marked down. Thanks to the changing of the seasons, they often mark down coffee mugs and other specialty coffees.
You can also get great discounts and deals by shopping Starbucks.com! Sign Up for Emails and get 10% off your First Purchase!
12. Use a reusable cup at your local Starbucks and save 10 cents.
I know what you’re thinking, what’s 10 cents? Well, it really adds up whenever you are trying to count pennies.
13. Ask for an extra cup. Yes, you can do this.
If you like cream in your coffee, like me, you may want to actually ask for the next size up cup. You can still get the same amount of coffee, but you won’t be pouring any out to make room for cream.
Try this: Order a Triple Espresso over Ice in a Venti Cup and then head to the Condiment Area to fill up your cup with milk, This is much cheaper than ordering an Iced Latte and it tastes the same!
14. Make up your own *cheap* drink.
Remember this is Starbucks, you are the consumer. If you think you can make up your own cheap drink combination, roll with it!
Check out the Mystery Menu for Under $3 Here. For Example you can order Caffe Misto instead of a Latte and it’s cheaper and has fewer calories.
15. Sample it up.
If you have been wanting to try something new at Starbucks, but don’t want to waste a hard-earned $5 bill, then you can easily try a sample. The barista is typically always offering samples of some sort. If you have something in particular that you want to try, ask her to whip up a sample of that. The worse thing she can say is NO.
Saving money has probably never tasted so good. What are your tips for saving money at Starbucks? Come on, go ahead and spill the coffee beans to help others save money too!
READ NEXT: 20 Starbucks Copcat Recipes You can Make at Home!