Save Money at Starbucks: 15 Hacks to Cut Your Coffee Costs

Do you love Starbucks coffee? Who doesn’t, right? But what if we told you that there were ways to save money at Starbucks without compromising on taste or quality? Believe it or not, it’s possible!

In this blog post, we ask Starbucks lovers and baristas how they do to save money when buying Starbucks coffee, and we collected the absolute best insider money-saving Starbucks secrets!

So here are 10 money-saving hacks for Starbucks that will help you get your caffeine fix without breaking the bank.

Let’s get started!

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1. Take advantage of promos and the stars.

One great way to save money at Starbucks is to take advantage of the various promos and offers that they have from time to time.

“…The only time I go to Starbucks is when there’s a promotion or if I’m cashing in stars.

If your drink has any add-ins that reach the 25-star tier, you can save up to $1 before tax. If it exceeds that amount, though, then you’ll have to pay the difference out of pocket…”

Said a Starbucks lover.

So if you want to save money, be on the lookout for these promos and make use of them when you can! You can also sign up for Starbucks Rewards to start earning stars that can be redeemed for free drinks and other goodies.

2. Stick to the basics.

Another way to save money at Starbucks is to avoid getting fancy and sticking to the basics.

“I get a tall black coffee almost every day. It’s only $1.95 plus tax, which is a lot cheaper than most of the other drinks on the menu…”

Said another Starbucks fan.

So if you’re looking to save some money, go for a simple drink like black coffee, tea, or even just plain hot water. You can always add your own flavoring or creamer at home to save even more money.

3. Bring your own cup.

Did you know that Starbucks will give you a 10-cent discount if you bring in your own reusable cup? It’s not that much money to save right there, but it also contributes to producing less waste.

So it’s a win win.

“I always bring my own mug from home and I get the 10-cent discount. It adds up over time, plus it’s better for the environment.”

said a barista.

If you don’t have a reusable cup at home, you can also purchase one from Starbucks. They have a variety of seasonal and non-seasonal cups that you can choose from.

4. Skip the frappuccinos.

While frappuccinos may be delicious, they are also one of the most expensive drinks on the Starbucks menu. If you’re looking to save money, it’s best to avoid them altogether.

“I love frapps but they’re just so expensive. If I’m looking to save money, I’ll order something else off the menu.”

Said a frappuccino lover.

Instead of getting a frappuccino, try one of Starbucks’ many other delicious drinks like an iced or hot coffee, tea, or even just water with lemon.

5. Skip the flavored syrups.

Flavored syrups are one of the things that make Starbucks drinks so delicious. But did you know that they also add a significant amount to the price of your drink? If you’re looking to save money, skip the flavored syrups and stick to plain coffee or tea.

Another Starbucks fan told us that they buy their flavored syrups to customize and add that great taste to their drinks and save money!

“I buy my own syrups so I can make fancy Starbucks drinks at home without spending as much money.”

So if you’re a fan of flavored coffees and teas, consider buying your own syrups to save money in the long run.

6. Load your card with a set limit

If you tend to overspend when you have money in your Starbucks card, then one hack to save money is to load your card with a set limit. That way, you’ll only be able to spend what’s on the card and nothing more.

“I used to always overspend when I had money on my Starbucks card. So now, I only load it with $20 at a time and that’s all I can spend for a week or so, sometimes I add more if my budget allows it.”

Another starbucks fan said: To save money, I load my card with a set limit each payday and only get the basics when it comes to customization. Doing this allows me to earn 2x stars.

I always load my card with a set limit each payday and earn 2x stars that way.

7. Set days to get Starbucks

If you find yourself going to Starbucks every day, then it’s time to cut back and only go on certain days. This will help you save money by not spending money on Starbucks every single day.

“I used to go to Starbucks every day but then I realized that I was spending a lot of money doing that. I only allow myself to go to Starbucks a few times a week. I set certain days where I’ll treat myself and get my favorite drink. The rest of the week, I’ll stick to getting coffee at home.

Making coffee at home is not only cheaper, but it ‘s often more delicious too!

“…I also only get Starbucks when I’m working. So it’s only 3 days a week…”

Another starbucks lover said: “…I used to get Starbucks every day but I realized that was A) really unhealthy and B) a huge money sink. So now, I set days where I’ll get Starbucks as part of my treat-yo-self plan…”

8. Opt for cold brews & simple iced coffees.

If you’re looking for a summer-friendly way to save money at Starbucks, opt for cold brews and simple iced coffees instead of blended frappuccinos. Cold brews and iced coffees are generally cheaper than blended frappuccinos, and they’re just as refreshing.

A cold brew coffee lover said: “I love cold brews! They’re so refreshing and they save me money because they’re cheaper than frappuccinos.”

Blended drinks tend to be more expensive, so by sticking to cold brews or iced coffees, you’ll save some money.

9. Work at Starbucks

This one is a bit of an obvious hack, but if you want to save money and get free Starbucks, then consider working at Starbucks. Not only will you get a discount on your drinks, but you’ll also get free drinks during your shift.

“Working at Starbucks has its perks – like a free drink on your break! If you’re looking to save money and get free drinks, then working at Starbucks might be a good option for you.

Of course, there are other money-saving hacks at Starbucks like taking advantage of promotions and signing up for their rewards program. Check them below if working there is not really on your plans lol.

10. The Dark roast trick

This money-saving hack is for iced coffee lovers.

When you order an iced coffee, ask for a double shot of dark roast instead of the regular iced coffee.

The dark roast has more caffeine and costs less, so you’ll save money and get a more caffeinated drink.

If you order a dark roast at Starbucks, you’ll actually get a slightly larger cup of coffee than if you ordered a lighter roast. This is because the darker roasts have less water content, so they weigh less and take up less space in the cup.

And here’s the hack:

“…To save the most money, get a reusable Venti cup and fill it with Dark Roast coffee (no room). You’ll get a lot of coffee for a little money…”

This should be enough to make 2 full-sized Venti Iced coffees at the cost of $3.36 with tax. You’ll also save by using your own ice, milk/cream, and syrup from home.

You will earn at least 25 stars every time you use your cup, so the next one is typically free.

Even though you’re making Starbucks coffee at home, the quality is still premium.

11. Espresso shots hack

Espresso shots are a great way to save money at Starbucks.

They’re cheaper than regular coffee, and they’re more concentrated, so you’ll get more caffeine for your money.

Plus, espresso shots are easy to make at home, so you can save even more money by making them yourself.

Just get espresso shots.

…” I order espresso shots, which are cheaper than other coffee drinks, and with my own Dunking Donuts brand sweet cream or oat milk and syrup, I can turn an $8 drink into a $4 cup”

Also, the cream lasts for several cups.

12. Set a budget

Figure out how much money you’re willing to spend on Starbucks each week, and then stick to that number.

This will help you stay within your budget and avoid overspending.

I set a budget for myself each month and only allow myself to spend a certain amount on Starbucks. This helps me to save money and not overspend.

“When I want to save money, I set a monthly budget for myself and load that amount of cash into an app. If I use it all up in one week, then tough luck–I won’t reload it until the month is over. It’s tough to break the habit of spending on drinks every day when you have easy access to funds…”

Another fan said: Load your card so you get double the points plus it’s faster than “scan this but I’m gonna pay with this “ it takes it off right then and there and just more convenient.

13. Collect 150 stars for FREE drinks

It’s 150 for a free drink.

If you use a personal cup for 5 days in a row, at 6 bucks per drink, you’ll get a free drink on the 6th time.

It may sound complicated but take advantage of the rewards! You can get any drink you want.

You don’t even have to use it all at once. You can save them up for a venti iced caramel macchiato with soy milk or whatever your heart desires

14. Use the Starbucks app to get free drinks

So if you are not a member of the reward program, you should open your account now! You can also get a free drink on your birthday if you are a member.

Download the app and register to become a member. It’s quick, easy, and free. Then, you can start earning rewards toward free drinks.

In addition, you’ll get exclusive offers and coupons that you can use to save money at Starbucks.

The Starbucks app is a great way to get free drinks.

You can earn stars for each purchase that you make, and once you reach a certain number of stars, you can redeem them for free drinks.

You can also use the app to pay for your purchases, which can save you time in the long run.

15. Buy Starbucks gift cards at a discount

If you want to save money on Starbucks purchases, one hack is to buy Starbucks gift cards at a discount.

You can often find gift cards for sale on sites like eBay and Craigslist, and you can also check out discount gift card sites.

We haven’t tasted this hack by ourselves, but we think it was worth to share!

BONUS 16. Make your own Starbucks drinks at home

If you’re really looking to save money, one of the best ways is to make your own Starbucks drinks at home.

There are plenty of recipes online that can help you recreate your favorite Starbucks drinks, and you’ll likely save a lot of money in the process.

Just type in google: “Starbucks copycat (and the name of your favorite drink) recipe” and you’ll find what you’re looking for! Who knows, it might be that is less complicated to do at home and of course, less expensive.

You should also know that there are some Starbucks drinks that are actually pretty easy to make at home. For example, the Iced Passion Tango Tea is just a mix of tea, sugar, and water.

Conclusion on How to save money at Starbucks

Starbucks lovers everywhere are always looking for ways to save money on their favorite coffee drinks.

In this article, we’ve shared 15 money-saving hacks that you can use at Starbucks.

Some of these tips include getting espresso shots instead of other coffee drinks, using a reusable cup, and collecting stars to get free drinks.

So whatever your method of choice is, there’s sure to be a hack here that will help you save money when you visit Starbucks.

These are some of the best money-saving hacks that Starbucks lovers use. Do you have any to add? Share in the comments below!

By using some of these money-saving hacks, you can still enjoy your Starbucks fix without breaking the bank and stay tight to your budget.

Save Money at Starbucks: 15 Hacks to Cut Your Coffee Costs