The True Value of a Starbucks Refill

Screen Shot 2013-05-17 at 2.29.17 PMI’m addicted to coffee. I’m specifically addicted to Starbucks coffee. I love it all: caramel macchiatos, mocha frappuccinos, even the new Starbucks bottled ice coffee (it’s inexpensive and amazing!). Because your caffeine fix could either cost you a ton of money or save you a ton of money, depending on how much coffee couponing savvy you’ve acquired, it’s worth it to investigate all the ways your smart phone can save you money on one of what I consider life’s essentials. Just in case you haven’t read my recent posts on how to save a ton of money with SnipSnap and other simple strategies at Starbucks, here is a quick recap:

SnipSnap Your Treat Receipts

Download the Starbucks App and Register a Card with My Starbucks Rewards

Purchase Starbucks Discount Gift Cards

SnipSnap Drugstore Deals on Bottled Starbucks Coffee

Attend Frappuccino Happy Hour

SnipSnap Starbucks Dollars off/BOGO Food and Drink Coupons

Today, I’m talking about Starbucks’ free refills. If you’ve registered a card with My Starbucks Rewards and use it to purchase your beverages, you’ll earn a star for every drink you purchase (limit one star per transaction). Once you earn a certain amount of stars, you’ll earn green status, and then gold. Once you’ve reached green status, you’ll earn a free refill of lower-cost Starbucks beverages (iced tea, iced coffee, and hot brewed coffee) after after every drink you enjoy (in-store; if you leave, you can’t come back and get your refill). Previously, the language of the Starbucks refill policy was very vague and it was believed A) you could only receive a refill if you originally ordered a tea/brewed coffee beverage and B) you had to have originally ordered a tea/brewed coffee beverage to qualify for a refill of the same beverage you originally ordered. However, this is not true! I read this fabulous post by Melody from StarbucksMelody today, which points out that Starbucks has recently cleared up its refill policy and the language is now crystal clear:
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This means that you qualify for a coffee/tea refill no matter what drink you originally purchase and enjoy in-store. Want some passion tea after your frappuccino? Go for it. Want some brewed coffee after your passion tea? Go for that too.

I’m pretty stoked about this news and I’ve already tried it out (it’s not hard for me to earn Starbucks refills because I can work at just about any Starbucks location for hours on end). So, next time you buy any coffee treat at Starbucks for a work/study date, friend date, or date date, make sure you leave with something delicious to take home.

 

 


$1 off Evolution Fresh Juice at Starbucks + 5 Frugal Smoothie Recipes

Happy Hump Day! My car told me it’s 92 degrees in Philadelphia. And I believe it. Because it’s just. so. hot. It’s oppressive and, it seems, that no amount of caffeine can give me the energy boost I need (I think because I’m already dehydrated). So, instead of heading to Starbucks for my usual caramel frappucino this evening, I’m going to give one of these bad boys a try:

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They’re Starbucks’ brand new Evolution Fresh juice beverages and I am seriously very excited about them. Especially the “Vegetable” drink, which is loaded with green goodness at only 40 calories and the “Hydration” drink, which is a slightly sweetened blend of pineapple and coconut water for a (not) whopping 60 calories. Hooray for post-running hydration! Screen Shot 2013-05-22 at 2.26.24 PM

Doubly hooray for coupons! I received a couple of coupons for a dollar off one of these beverages now, through June 4th, so I decided to SnipSnap one so I don’t forget it – especially since I’m planning to grab one after today’s 90 degree + run and I’ll be carrying nothing but my phone.

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I’m really invested in good nutrition because I’m an athlete and I want to live forever. So I’ve been collecting affordable green and fruit smoothie recipes to carry me through the summer, while providing tasty nourishment and detoxifying all the bad stuff from my tired cells. I’ve gathered my top 5 new favorite smoothie recipes here for you to try, too. Smoothies are just about the best thing you can do with frozen fruit (and fresh fruit that’s about to expire). Never waste a rapidly ripening banana again and your body and the earth will thank you for it. Without further ado:

Colorado Moms’ Frugal & Fruity Freeze Ahead Smoothies: Emily Vanek from Colorado Moms shows you how to make freeze ahead fruit and yogurt smoothie bags that are ready to go when you are. Just add milk and blend away!

Green Thickies’ Sweet Almond Surprise (Frugal Full Meal Green Smoothie): Katherine from Green Thickies shows you how to crush fatigue and amp up your natural energy with thick, luscious green smoothie meals. I can’t wait to try this sweet variation (which is cheap enough to make, even if you’re below the poverty line!)

The Frugal Greenish Mama’s Yogurt and Fruit Bar Smoothies: Amanda from The Frugal Greenish Mama shows you how to transform store bought fruit bars and Greek yogurt (great for added protein!) into easy, delicious, frugalĀ  fruit smoothies kids and adults will love.

With Style & Grace’s Healthy Limeade Smoothie: Lisa Thiele from With Style & Grace shows you how to whip up a body ph balancing “alkaline” green smoothie, sweetened with stevia so it’s sweet and light on calories.

{never} homemaker’s Chocolate Milk Smoothie: Ashley from {never} homemaker is a runner after my own heart, so, naturally, she’s created a delicious chocolate milk smoothie recipe that will knock your running socks off. There’s maple syrups in this smoothie. YUM.

 


Free Dunkin Donuts Travel Mug + This Weekend’s Best Coffee Coupons

Woohoo! I love free coffee! I love free collectable coffee mugs even more. I just SnipSnapped this pScreen Shot 2013-04-25 at 4.59.13 PMretty incredible coupon for a free travel coffee mugĀ from Dunkin Donuts. This coupon is good for one free, complimentary mug, no purchase necessary (but, really, how can you go to Dunkin Donuts without buying a donut?) I’m definitely headed to Dunkin Donuts to redeem this offer this weekend andScreen Shot 2013-04-25 at 4.58.30 PM I can’t wait to add to my coffee accessory collection. What other coupons do I have up my coffee-lovin’ sleeve? Just this offer for BOGO frappucinos at Starbucks and $1 off two of Starbucks’ new iced coffee at Walgreens. Here is how I feel about Starbucks new iced coffee:

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Are you following me in the SnipSnap app? Make sure you subscribe to my “Coffee” coupon bundle and keep up-to-date with all my serious coffee savings!