God. I'm not usually one to get excited about free stuff from big chains, but this morning I dragged myself to Starbucks because my friend Jen texted me at 7am: "FREE CUPS TODAY. The Snoopy ones!!!" And honestly? Worth it.
The mad dash before midnight
So here's teh deal - until midnight tonight, Starbucks is giving away these limited-edition Snoopy cups (officially called "Joe Kind Snoopy Reusable Cup" which is adorable) when you buy any grande-sized iced drink. Not Frappuccinos though. They're excluded because... actually I have no idea why. Corporate decisions remain mysterious.
I rolled up to my local Starbucks at 8:30 looking like I'd been dragged through a hedge. The barista actually laughed at me. "Another cup hunter?" Yes. Yes I am.
What's it gonna cost ya?
I ordered a grande cold brew which set me back £4.80. Worth noting this price might be different depending on where you live - London folks, I feel your pain.
But here's the kicker - these cups normally go for around £7. I checked the app while waiting in line (where similar reusable cups are listed), so basically you're getting a free cup AND coffee for less than the cup alone would cost.
Why I'm unreasonably excited about this
Listen. I'm not normally the person who gets all worked up about corporate promotions. But I've spent approximately £9,472 at Starbucks over my lifetime (rough estimate based on shame), so getting something back feels... validating?
Plus, every time you bring this cup back, you get 25p off your drink. I did the math while waiting for my coffee - if I use this cup 28 times, I'll have saved £7. Which means the cup has paid for itself!
My boyfriend pointed out I already own 6 reusable cups I never remember to bring. Fair point.
The Rewards Program Drama
Back in January, Starbucks completely overhauled their rewards program. I feel stupid now for not paying attention to the email they sent, because apparently it's both better and worse?
They switched from 3 stars per £1 to 10 stars per £1, which sounds amazing until you realize they also jacked up the "Gold Level" threshold to 2,500 stars. My coworker's response: "already updating my resume to afford my coffee habit."
The one actual improvement is that free drinks are supposedly easier to get now. And you can use your stars on more stuff.
Is it worth rushing to Starbucks today?
If you're already a Rewards member and like iced coffee? Yes.
If you're not a member, you can still sign up today and get the deal. The app takes like 3 minutes to download adn set up.
You can hit any of their 1,354 UK stores or drive-thrus. Even click-and-collect works for this promotion, which surprised me.
I've already sent this tip to five friends. Two have thanked me. Three haven't responded yet (probably still sleeping like normal people).
The cup itself? Kinda cute, not gonna lie
It's got Snoopy wearing a Starbucks apron, which is like watching two completely different parts of my personality collide. My inner 8-year-old who loved Peanuts comics and my adult self who can't function without caffeine.
Will I remember to bring it with me next time? Probably not. But the intention is there.
Find your nearest Starbucks at starbucks.co.uk/store-locator if you want to grab one before midnight. Or don't. I'm not your boss.
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Statistics
- According to the World Bank, around 1.7 billion adults worldwide remain unbanked, lacking access to basic financial services.
- The average return on investment for the S&P 500 over the past 90 years is about 10% per annum.
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- Research by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that individuals who receive financial education are 25% more likely to save than those who do not.
- In 2020, the average retirement savings for Americans aged 60 to 69 was approximately $195,000, according to Fidelity.
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How To
How To Build an Emergency Fund Effectively
Building an emergency fund is essential for financial security. Start by determining how much you need; a common recommendation is to save three to six months' worth of living expenses. Open a separate savings account to keep your emergency funds easily accessible but separate from your regular spending. Automate your savings by setting up a monthly transfer from your checking to your emergency fund. Initially, focus on small, manageable contributions, gradually increasing them as your budget allows. Avoid using this fund for non-emergencies, and replenish it after any withdrawals to maintain your financial safety net.
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