Tips to Save Money at Starbucks

Recently Starbucks announced that it will be raising prices. Don't worry, before you smash that eco-friendly Starbucks cup on side of your head and stars gaze around you, there is some good news. 

Starbucks expects to maintain its popular $1.50 tall brewed coffee, but will probably raise the price of more labor-intensive and larger-sized beverages.

• Get a free Starbucks card that earns you free drink customization, free coffee and tea refills, and a free drink on your birthday.


• Keep your Starbucks cup and bring it back at any time for 50-cent coffee refills.

• Bring your own reusable cup and Starbucks will nick 10 cents off the price in recognition of your eco-consciousness. And as regulars learned long ago: If you order a tall drink and bring a very big reusable cup, you get some extra beverage for free.

• Use their free (for two hours) Wi-Fi to answer email, surf and connect online.

Some coffee frugalistas have figured out how to buy an iced latte if they don't have a lotta cash on hand. The trick is to order espresso over ice in a large cup and walk over to the buffet bar of condiments and milks. Skinny-minnies choose non-fat milk, or indulgers can pour from the carafe of half and half.
 
With the recession- induced, self-employed flocking to Starbucks for the free Wi-Fi, it's only going to grow in size.  But a little courtesy goes a long way in preserving these high-priced coffee benefits.
 
• Go to the same store each time, tip the baristas well so they ignore your extended stay.
• Refresh your coffee every couple of hours (for either 50 cents or free, but still leave a modest tip).

• Don't take business calls inside the store.

• Don't sit in the comfiest chair or seize the best table.

Also realize that with free Wi-Fi is an invitation to high-tech scammers who now see easy pickings. At least, that's what some experts are warning. So be careful out there.

Speaking of internet, here's an insider scoop that is sure to cement some customers as statues at Starbucks locations and annoy others who want to sit, enjoy a cup of brew and get digital content.

Starbucks will soon launch an in-house Digital Network, being billed as a place for customers to share information, download the occasional free song and get free premium content. The company is teaming up with Yahoo! to allow Wi-Fi users access to sites they'd otherwise have to pay for -- such as the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. It will also feature content from USA Today, Zagat and others, as well as films from SnagFilms, which has an online library of more than 1,600 documentaries.

This could start another type of coffee war between customers!