Cheap Starbucks Hacks: Keep your Skinny Vanilla Latte & Stay in Shape

Stepping into Starbucks can feel like a little luxury, but let’s get real: those prices start to add up fast! With the lattes, seasonal specials and all those tempting bakery treats by the register, your daily coffee habit can contribute to a full-blown monthly expense. And if you’re trying to maintain good health? One can get lost in a sea of whipped cream, sugar syrups and calorie-laden drinks. The good news? You don’t have to part ways with Starbucks. With a little sleight of hand, however, you can still have your favorite drinks and snacks without sacrificing your goals or breaking the bank. Think of it as playing the Starbucks game, but in a savvier way essentially getting the same reward for less cash and fewer calories. Well here’s your guide to cheap Starbucks hacks that actually work.

Size Smarter: Skip the Venti, Go for a Tall

Bigger isn’t always better. A drink that’s venti-sized starts at just like a dollar or two more than the equivalent in tall size, and frankly, the extra caffeine doesn’t always justify it. For instance, a tall latte already contains a great deal of espresso the only real difference is more milk.

Hack it: ask for a tall drink in a grande cup. That way you have space for more ice or milk and your drink feels larger but costs less. It’s not only cheaper but also reduces the calorie and sugar impact of those larger sizes.

Brewed Coffee: The Best Cheap Heavy Hitter on the Menu

If you like a mild caffeine boost for your dollar, make friends with brewed coffee. It’s frequently the lowest-priced drink on the Starbucks menu, often costing less than half the price of a latte or Frappuccino. But plain space in this case needn’t mean boring. Sprinkle on free toppings like cinnamon, nutmeg or cocoa powder at the condiment bar. A good splash of oatmilk or almond milk (if your store still has it on the bar) would turn that into something creamy and small meal-like.

Pro tip: If you prefer iced lattes, get a cold brew. It’s less expensive than most espresso-driven drinks, goes down naturally smooth and comes loaded with far less sugar.

As Its Founder Tweets Itself to Death, We Regret to Inform You That BYOC (Bring Your Own Cup) Is Dead

Starbucks offers a 10-cent discount when you bring your own reusable cup. It’s not huge, but going five days a week will save you $25 to $30 a year. It’s also a little something that might help the environment. Instead of throwing away hundreds of cups each year, you’re reusing your own. That’s a double win not only cheaper drinks, but also less waste.

Hack the Iced Tea (and Save Calories, Too)

A grande iced tea at Starbucks is already one of the least expensive drinks, but it also comes with sweetener typically three or four pumps of syrup. That’s a whole lot of sugar you likely don’t need. Ask for it unsweetened, and you’ll trim calories while cutting costs (in some cases establishments even charge extra for syrups). If you miss the taste, request one pump of syrup instead of the full serving. You will still have a touch of sweetness without the sugar rush.

The Secret “Short” Size

This is the Starbucks size that the chain doesn’t market: Short. It is only 8 ounces; that’s just the right size for a quick caffeine fix or if you are feeling the need for a seasonal drink but don’t want to get bombed with calories via venti or even grande. A small Pumpkin Spice Latte, for instance, has far fewer calories and is less expensive but you still get that warm, fall flavor. It’s a less widely practiced trick that can help make seasonal indulgences healthier and more affordable.

DIY a “Poor Man’s Latte”

This one is a fan favorite for Starbucks hackers. Ask for a double shot of espresso over ice in a grande cup. Then, go to the milk station and serve yourself free milk. What you just brewed is basically an iced latte except instead of forking over between $5 and $6, you’re paying closer to $2 or $3. Same taste, half the price. And if you want it hot, order espresso shots into a tall or grande cup and steam the milk accordingly.

Split a Venti With a Friend

Sometimes, you just want to sample that new seasonal drink like an Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato or a Chestnut Praline Latte. But perhaps you don’t want to spend seven dollars or drink the whole sugary thing alone. Here’s the hack: order one venti and request two tall cups. You and your friend get a good portion each, split the cost and you don’t go overboard with sugar. It’s literally buy-one-get-one when shared.

Snack Smarter: Bring Your Own

The selection in the bakery case at Starbucks is alluring, but the prices are ridiculous $4 for a muffin, $5+ for a sandwich. And health-wise? Most of those alternatives are calorie bombs. Instead, let Starbucks be your drink stop only. Bring your own snack, such as a protein bar, some fruit or trail mix. You’ll save money and will almost certainly eat something a lot more wholesome. If you must have Starbucks food, opt for their protein boxes. They are more expensive to purchase up front, but generally better value than pastries.

The Refill Trick

That’s a game-changer if you spend time at Starbucks working or studying. If you purchase a brewed coffee or tea and remain in the cafe, refills are only 50 cents. That means that instead of paying full freight for that second drink, you’re essentially sipping for pennies. (As long as you’re a Starbucks Rewards member, refills can also be free (your mileage may vary by store and Reward tier). Just be sure to inquire many baristas are pleased to give you the refill deal.

Hacks How to use Starbucks Rewards App!

The Starbucks Rewards app is so much more than a way to earn free drinks and food the fly in/out days note is learning how the rewards system can work for you. Here’s how:

• Stack bonuses: The app frequently hosts challenges such as “Buy two drinks this week and you’ll earn 50 bonus stars.” And if you make the timing work, those stars add up quickly.
• Redeem smart: Don’t squander your freebie rewards on smallish items like a drip coffee. Save them for costlier seasonal drinks or menu items in order to maximize your value.
• Double Star Days: On these days, you earn points twice as quickly when you buy coffee.

With regular use, you can rack up enough points to consistently get free drinks every month.

Easy on the Syrups and Toppings

Starbucks profits handsomely from sugar. Most drinks are offered with three to five pumps of flavored syrup, whipped cream and drizzles on top. Each pump contributes with about 20 calories and tons of sugar. Instead, order one pump (or “half sweet”) instead of having it taken out entirely. You’ll save money if they’re charging per pump and you’ll save your body from those energy highs and lows that extra sugar can bring on. Same with whipped cream just by leaving it off, you are saving tons of calories.

Final Sip

Starbucks doesn’t need to empty your wallet (or ruin your diet). These hacks can help you to still distribute your favorite drinks, while keep things fiscally feasible from ordering a Short or Tall instead of a Venti, to the refill trick and making your own latte at the milk bar. It’s not about forgoing the coffee shop vibe or seasonal flavors. It’s about being smarter in your choices so that Starbucks no longer feels like a treat but instead acts as a money guilt trip. So next time you approach the counter, just keep this in mind: The cheapest and healthiest Starbucks drink is one that you hack yourself.