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The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at TCNJ chapter.

We all know you either love Starbucks or Dunkin’—Starbucks obviously being the more expensive option. But what if there was a way to still get your favorite drink while ordering it in a way that was more affordable as a college student? The hack that I have been doing for the past year has been a lot better than spending the hefty seven dollars almost every day. 

Here is the first trick for coffee lovers. This is what you are going to say instead of ordering a shaken espresso, which will run you up on your money that you don’t have. 

“Hi! Can I have ____ shots of espresso over ice in a venti cup?”

After you say this quick line with however many shots of espresso you want, you will add whatever flavor pumps you want into it. If you like it more sweet, I would add more because this could taste very much like coffee. Also add a splash of your choice of milk. To make this drink sweeter, I add sweet cream cold foam. My current coffee order of the month has been…

“Hi, can I have 3 shots of blonde espresso over ice in a venti cup with 2 pumps of brown sugar, and two pumps of toffee nut with a splash of 2% milk also with pumpkin cream cold foam?”

It’s a mouthful, but it’s soooo good! The price of my drink is $5.65 when I order it this way. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but when you go every day it adds up, so saving those few bucks help out. By ordering shots of espresso over ice in a venti cup and adding flavor pumps and milk, you can create a delicious and more affordable coffee option. The key is customization, ensuring your drink suits your taste preferences.

This next trick is one of my favorites. Everyone knows the classic strawberry acai, and I have a way that you can get three drinks for the price of one.

“Hi! Can I have a trenta strawberry acai with no water, lemonade, or ice?”  

This drink comes out to $5.81 and here is how you get three or more drinks out of it. Pour some of the base into a cup, add ice, and mix it with water or lemonade. Then just put the rest in the fridge until you crave it again, and you don’t even have to get out of the house this time. This simple yet effective trick allows you to enjoy multiple strawberry acais for the price of one. :))) This trick can also be done on any of the refreshers!

These money-saving strategies may seem small, but they can make a significant difference in your daily expenses, especially if you’re a frequent visitor. So, the next time you’re craving your favorite Starbucks treat, consider trying out these hacks to keep your wallet happy without compromising on flavor. Happy sipping!

Hi! My name is Sami and I am a sophomore at TCNJ currently majoring in marketing:)