How to Save Money At Starbucks

Americans love drinking coffee but love drinking Starbucks even more. Americans have even become addicted to Starbucks. Americans who never drank coffee now go to Starbucks to drink coffee or some variation. The Starbucks marketing team is great to have that kind of affect on people but how has it affected you?

For the past several years Starbucks has dominated the coffee industry but now have a little competition from companies like McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts. This is especially true now during the slow economy. Americans are most conscious of their spending and some are making a great effort to live below their means and reduce their spending on extra treat such as Starbucks.

In January 2010, Starbucks increased their prices in certain areas and customers are not happy about the price hikes. Some customers have skipped the Starbucks and opted for coffee from Starbucks competitors.

Some Starbucks lovers are buying their Starbucks from other retailers such Safeway, Kroger, Walmart, Target, CVS as or online at sites such as discountcoffee.com or amazon.com.

The average price of one cup of Starbucks coffee costs $5.50 and in one year that equals to $1,375. If you buy a complex or specialty coffee with extras you could pay up to $9 for one cup. What would you do with that extra money?

Although Starbucks now offers an instant coffee for $1 you can still get coffee cheaper at the grocery store or buying in bulk at discount stores such as Costco or Sams Club. If you buy coffee from the grocery store a 27.8 ounce can of ground coffee can range from $7.39 to $10.99. Costco sells 18 – 2.5 ounce bags of coffee or 45 ounces for $42.03. Compare that with 1-12 ounce bag of Starbucks ground coffee for $9.99. If you love coffee here are some ways to save money.

1. Regular Coffee – Drink regular coffee instead of Starbucks. Remember what you did BS (before Starbucks) - you drank regular coffee. People seem to be addicted to Starbucks as though they never drank regular coffee. Unless you have several shares of Starbucks stock which earns more money each than you spend a month at Starbucks skip it. Every once in a while splurge on a cup of Starbucks but don’t make it a daily habit.

2. Short Cappuccino (Short Cap) – Order a short cap which is only available by request. It is smaller and costs less than the “Tall” Cappuccino.

3. Starbucks Regular – Buy the Starbucks coffee instead of a latte. You can save approximately $1.50.

4. Pairing – Starbucks sometimes offer customers options when purchasing a latte and a desert. Ask about their "pairing" specials. You can save approximately $1.00-$1.40.

5. Substitute Latte – Order 1-2 shots of expresso or macchiato in a large cup and fill with milk. You can also use half-n-half instead of milk in the macchiato. You can save approximately $.50-$1.20.