20+ Starbucks Hacks to Save You Money
Starbucks is a nice way to treat yourself, but those little splurges really add up. Shawn Carter tracked his coffee habit in 2018 and found he spent $2,313.48 at Starbucks in 365 days [source].
Keep in mind that he tracked his Starbucks spending in 2018 when prices were significantly cheaper than they are now.
I don’t even want to think of what his total would be in 2022!
If you are a Starbucks fiend, take advantage of these 20+ Starbucks hacks to help you save money.
1. Download the Starbucks App
The fastest and easiest way to save money at Starbucks is to use the Starbucks app and become a Starbucks Rewards member.
With the app, you can earn rewards and enjoy perks like free drinks on your birthday and free refills on coffee and tea.
Download the Starbucks App Now
2. Earn Rewards
At Starbucks, you want to earn Stars. Stars mean free stuff.
If you want to earn the most stars, use the Starbucks app.
At checkout, have the cashier scan your SB app.
You’ll earn a Star for every dollar spent.
Connect your credit card to the SB app.
One additional Star is earned if you use your app to pay.
Complete Star Reward Challenges to earn bonus stars. (e.g. try a cold brew, a shaken espresso and a latte to earn 100 bonus stars!)
Once you earn 25 Stars, you start earning freebies (like free espresso shots, free drinks, free sandwiches, and free merch)
Earn Cash Back When You Link the Right Credit Card to Your Starbucks App
While you are gaining rewards through the Starbucks app, did you know you could be earning cash back at the same time?
You can, with a cash-back rewards card.
Credit Land makes it easy to find the right rewards card for you.
Credit Land does all the research for you so you can compare rewards cards.
Do you want a cash-back rewards card? A gas rewards card? A travel rewards card? One with a good sign-up bonus?
No matter what kind of rewards card you are looking for, Credit Land’s ratings will help your decision.
Check out Credit Land to find a rewards credit card that will earn you cash back.
- Related: 5 Things Rich People Never Buy
3. Go During Happy Hour
Starbucks offers BOGO pricing during Happy Hour.
On select Thursdays each month, Starbucks schedules Happy Hour from 2 pm to 7 pm.
The best way to find out if Happy Hour is happening this week is to turn on happy Hour notifications on the Starbucks app.
As long as you are going, might as well save on gas
Had enough of high gas prices? Do something about it with a free app that pays you cash back when you fill your tank at the pump.
Upside, formerly GetUpside, is a cash-back app that focuses on local businesses.
You will start earning rewards with just a few taps at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.
Choose how to get paid: PayPal, bank account, or gift card. Start earning cash back at nearby stores when you install the Upside app.
Use the promo code AFF20 to grab a 20 cents-per-gallon sign-up bonus.
Best of all, Upside is a free app. Get some free cash-back today.
4. Get a Second Tea Bag To Go
If you order a hot tea at Starbucks, ask the barista for the second tea bag to go.
It’s free! You’ll be able to enjoy a second cup of tea later.
5. Ask for Steamed Milk
You can save quite a bit if you know how to order your Starbucks drinks.
For example, instead of ordering a Caffe Misto (café au lait), simply ask for a drip coffee with steamed milk.
You can get four ounces of steamed milk with any drink for free – but you have to ask for it.
6. Share a Venti
A Venti Starbucks is 20 ounces. A Tall is 12 ounces.
You can order a Venti and ask the barista to split it between two Tall cups.
You and a friend can enjoy a 10-ounce drink each.
You will lose 2 ounces each, but you will save a couple of dollars!
Free Workshop – Join our free Simplify Money Workshop
The *only* way to save money is to spend less than you earn. That means you need to decrease your expenses or increase your income.
We want to help you do both.
Join our FREE Simplify Money Workshop to learn the fundamentals of growing wealth. Because when you can spend less than you earn, your money has no choice but to grow. You will build your savings and pay down debt.
What’s more? We’ve got a bunch of free money-hacks to share with you:
- Hacks to lower your monthly bills
- Hacks to spend less on debt
- Hacks to start investing
- Hacks to increase your income by $20/month (with no extra effort)
This workshop has everything you need to accomplish the cardinal rule of personal finance: keep your income over your expenses.
Join our free 5-day Simplify Money Workshop, and start growing your wealth today.
7. Bring Your Own Cup
Save 10 cents on your order by bringing your own cup.
Every little bit adds up, and it’s better for the environment.
8. Add Cards to the App
To maximize your savings, you need to pay with the app.
It is easy to link credit, debit, and gift cards to the Starbucks app, making it a breeze to pay with the app and earn those extra Stars.
9. Order Drinks with Light Ice
Get more coffee for your money by requesting light ice.
This will prevent you from drinking watered-down drinks and ensure you get your money’s worth.
10. Text Grocery Receipts to Starbucks
Earn Starbucks Reward Stars when you purchase Starbucks coffee at the grocery store.
Simply text “Rewards” to 811811 or email [email protected] and be ready to send a pic of your receipt when requested.
Those Starbucks Receipts are Worth Something
Make sure you keep your Starbucks receipts because you can convert them into cash.
CoinOut is a simple app that rewards you for shopping.
Download and install the app, and after you shop at retailers like Starbucks, snap a pic of your receipt.
CoinOut will give you a random reward for every receipt captured by your camera and uploaded.
You can also earn cashback by shopping at online merchants through the CoinOut app or signing up with CoinOut partners.
Start your purchase from the CoinOut app by clicking on the merchant logo and you will get CoinOut cash back automatically after completing the purchase.
Click here to download the free CoinOut App!
11. Utilize the Free Condiment Station
Order a double or triple shot of espresso in a Venti cup, and then add your own milk at the condiment bar.
Now you’ve got a much cheaper iced latte than if you’d ordered one.
- Related: 11 Habits of Debt-Free Families
12. Don’t Buy Water
Sometimes you need water after all that coffee, but don’t pay for it!
Bottled water is not cheap. Starbucks’ Tap water is free!
And their water is filtered because they use it for making drinks.
They may make you pay for the plastic cup, but it only costs a few cents.
13. Get a Holiday Mug
During the holiday season, Starbucks runs a promotion offering a reusable holiday mug to customers for free.
If customers bring this mug in for coffee, they’ll save money.
In the past, they also offered freebies when you brought the cup in during January.
No news has been released for the 2022 Starbucks holiday cups but be on the lookout.
- Related: 7 Ways to Save Money for Christmas
14. Add Whipped Cream
Ask for whipped cream if you want to sweeten up your Starbucks beverage.
It’s free!
15. Order Your Regular Size in a Larger Cup
When placing your Starbucks order, always ask for it in the cup the next size up.
This allows you to add milk or cream without having to pour any of your drink out.
16. Scale Back Your Orders
You can save a lot by ordering an iced espresso and adding syrups or milk splashes to your drink.
This is significantly cheaper than ordering pre-made lattes or macchiatos (such as caramel macchiato).
17. Try Free Flavors
The more popular flavored syrups, such as mocha, cost extra money.
However, classic clear syrups, such as hazelnut, caramel, and vanilla, are free.
Scale back your drink and go crazy with free flavors.
18. Check Groupon
Groupon occasionally runs a Starbucks promotion where users can get $10 Starbucks eGift cards for $5.
Sign up for Groupon so you can get an alert when this promotion happens.
19. Use Ibotta
Ibotta is a savings app that gives you cash back on grocery store purchases by paying through the app, using the browser extension, or submitting a receipt.
You can choose to receive your cash back in a Starbucks gift card.
You Can Save Even More with Ibotta Beyond Starbucks
Ibotta is the No. 1 grocery app.
Download the Ibotta app, snap a pic of your receipt, and watch free money get deposited into your Ibotta account.
Or if you don’t want to grab a photo of the receipt? No worries.
Just link your grocery store’s loyalty card, and money will automatically flow into your account.
Ibotta is an ideal way to save money at the grocery store.
Set up your free Ibotta account here so that you’re ready to earn cash back at the grocery store.
Ibotta will even pay you a $20 Welcome Bonus just for using the app.
Want to hear even more ways Ibotta can save you money? Check out our Ibotta explainer video, here!
So, if you like free money… Download the Ibotta App here and grab a free $20 gift card just for trying it out!
20. Work at Starbucks
If you really love Starbucks, consider working there to save on your coffee habit.
You’ll earn money with this side hustle, and you’ll get to enjoy your favorite beverages while you are on the clock.
Plus, you’ll enjoy 30% off food and drinks on your days off.
That’s not all. You can also save money on college by working at Starbucks.
Starbucks employees receive free tuition at Arizona State University online.
Your reimbursement for your tuition will show up on your Starbucks paycheck.
21. Play Games and Take Surveys
Purchasing drinks on the app is not the only way you can earn Stars.
The app often offers games or surveys to Starbucks Rewards members.
When you do, you earn additional Stars, which can eventually be redeemed for free goodies.
If you like playing games and taking surveys, earn even more with SwagBucks
What if you could make money right now from home JUST by searching the internet (like you already do)? Or by completing easy surveys?
Combine both of those with tons of other money-making opportunities like watching online videos, playing games, and shopping online, and you get SwagBucks!!
SwagBucks is a site that PAYS YOU to goof around on the internet.
While this side hustle idea isn’t going to turn into a full-time job, it is an effortless and fast way to make some extra cash in the form of “SwagBucks” (100SB = $1).
Then redeem those SB for Free gift cards to your favorite stores (like Amazon and Starbucks) OR get them directly deposited right into your PayPal account!
Psst. Get our 10+ Swagbucks Hacks (and what to avoid) in our full Swagbucks review: Is Swagbucks Worth It?
22. Look for Employee Training Hours
Speaking of working at Starbucks, find out when your local Starbucks trains new employees.
During training sessions, they often give away free Starbucks drinks. This may be a good time to take your “coffee break.”
23. Get a Free Puppuccino
Don’t forget to get a special treat for your four-legged friend!
The Puppuccino is a small cup of whipped cream (remember, whipped cream is free).
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About the author Michelle Salater
Michelle Salater is a freelance finance writer with a passion for personal finance education. When she’s not in front of her computer, she’s reading biographies and exploring remote areas of the world. She also freelances for Wooster Media Group LLC.
