Many financial experts recommend cutting back on your Starbucks runs to save more money each year. But, we know how hard it can be to give up your favorite coffee fix. So, here are a few clever ways to enjoy your favorite Starbucks drinks while keeping some extra money in your pocket.
SAVE ON CHAI TEA LATTE
A grande Chai Tea Latte at Starbucks costs $3.65. To get a similar taste for less, order a grande chai tea and ask for a bit of steamed milk on top. If it’s just a splash, baristas often won’t charge you extra. You can also add cold milk, half and half, or sugar from the counter to make your drink just as tasty. By using this trick once a week for a year, you could save $78.
SHARE A VENTI DRINK
A venti Frappuccino is 24 ounces, the same as two tall drinks. While Starbucks won’t split the drink for a lower price, you can always share it with a friend to save money. Sharing a venti caramel Frappuccino with a friend once a week for a year could save you $143.
OPT FOR A SHORT SIZE
Ever heard of the “short” size at Starbucks? It’s smaller than the tall and holds eight ounces. It’s cheaper and helps you keep track of calories. Plus, any hot drink can be ordered in this size. With a registered Starbucks card, you might even get a free refill on a short coffee. Swapping your tall latte for a short once a week for a year could save you $24.96.
TRY ICED LATTES WITH ICED COFFEE
If you love iced lattes, try switching to iced coffee. It’s brewed extra strong and tastes great with a dash of cream, giving it a sweet latte-like flavor. Plus, iced coffee comes with a free syrup. You can add flavors like caramel, mocha, or white mocha for an extra 60 cents. A favorite is the venti-sized, upside-down iced caramel macchiato. To mimic it with iced coffee, order a venti with cream or milk, vanilla, and caramel drizzle. Making this switch once a week for a year could save you $57.20.
Keep in mind that prices can vary based on location and drink size. Still, using these Starbucks saving tips can make a big difference to your wallet, especially if you have a daily Starbucks habit.