4 Tips for Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck at Starbucks

Starbucks has some amazing drinks and can be a fun place to meet up with friends. But it can also be expensive, especially if you're going there frequently. The good news is, you can keep costs down at Starbucks by following a few simple tips to get the most bang for your buck.

Here are four suggestions for reducing your spending at Starbucks without giving up your coffee habit.

1. Sign up for Starbucks Rewards

Signing up for Starbucks Rewards is a no-brainer when you want to get the most bang for your buck at this beloved coffee shop. You'll become eligible to earn Stars that translate to free food and drinks. You'll also get a special reward on your birthday, access to mobile ordering, and the ability to pay through the app.

You can make the most of your rewards and earn extra stars for each dollar you spend by adding money to your digital Starbucks card or registering a gift card, and you can get free refills of brewed coffee and tea.

2. Bring your own cup to score a discount

If you bring your own cup to Starbucks instead of using one of their disposable ones, you can get a $0.10 discount on your drink. If you are a Starbucks Rewards member, you will also score an extra 25 bonus stars. You can even bring a cup of your own to the drive-thru at some locations as long as you alert the barista who is preparing your order.

Not only is bringing your own cup good for your bank account balance, it's also more comfortable to drink from a real cup instead of a paper one -- and it's better for the planet as an added bonus.

3. Order a Chai tea instead of a Chai tea latte

A Chai tea costs around $1.90 less than a Chai tea latte, and it comes with free refills as an added bonus. Just ask your barista to leave room for milk and add it yourself after your drink is prepared. Milk is typically available at no added cost at the self-service station, so you'll get just about the same drink for a fraction of the price.

4. Split the Venti instead of ordering two smaller drinks

If you're visiting Starbucks with a friend and you both want the same drink, ordering a Venti and asking for an extra cup can cost you less money than ordering two smaller drinks. Just split the drinks -- and the cost -- and enjoy sipping your drink with a little more money left in your savings account.

Of course, while these hacks can help you save money, you still want to keep your Starbucks spending in check. Be sure to plan for how much coffee you'll buy in your budget so you don't go overboard with all of its delicious treats -- even if it is easy to do since they're so tempting!