Blogger Finds Great Ways To Save Money At Starbucks After Price Increase

DENVER (CBS4) - Your morning cup of Joe is now costing more at Starbucks. The coffee chain has upped prices by 5 to 20 cents, but you can make that money back just in how you order.

CBS4 consulted shopping blogger Kyle James, who publishes RatherBeShopping.com.

LINK: "Starbucks Menu Hacks Guaranteed To Save You Money"

James says that he consulted coffee baristas and experimented with the menu himself to come up with some sure-fire ways to save.

"The cheapest way to get a cup of coffee at Starbucks is to order a short, but ask for it in a tall cup. Short is the smallest size there," James told CBS4.

For a cheap caffeine fix, James says order an Americano, which is basically two espresso shots with hot water poured over it. Add milk and sweetener to taste and you've got a coffee that packs a punch.

Save dollars by sharing a French Press among friends, instead of everyone ordering their own drink.

"If you order a venti Frappuccino, it's $5 for a 24 ounce size. If you order two talls, they are both 12 ounces and are almost $4 each. You can save $3 by ordering a venti and two tall cups and splitting it yourself," James explained.

James warns that you have to split the drink yourself. If you ask the barista to do it you'll get charged.

For tea drinkers, you can turn a chai tea into a latte by adding the milk yourself. A grande latte will run about $3.95, but the water and tea bag will only cost a little more than $2.

"A lot of people will drive through Starbucks five times a week on their way to work, so actually we are talking hundreds of dollars over the course of year. So if you develop these frugal habits over the course of time you're talking about significant money (saved)," James said.

LINK: RatherBeShopping.com