If you love pumpkin spice lattes, this is probably your happiest day of the year. That’s right, Starbucks rolls out its signature fall drink today.
For the first time in its 12-year history, this year’s PSL will feature actual pumpkin. It will also skip the traditional caramel coloring as a nod to health-conscious consumers.
While “skipping the Starbucks” is often touted as a way to save money, you can enjoy this fall flavor without blowing your budget. Here’s how to save money on pumpkin spice lattes all autumn long.
1. Join My Starbucks Rewards
Download the Starbucks app to start getting free drinks — including PSLs.
You’ll earn one “star” for every purchase, and after five “stars” in 12 months, you’ll earn free in-store refills on brewed coffee and tea. But if you earn 30 stars in 12 months, you’ll also earn additional benefits, including a free drink or food item every 12th purchase.
If you just can’t quit Starbucks, this is a good way to at least earn a few rewards (like free drinks) on your purchases.
2. Buy Discounted Starbucks Gift Cards
Use Raise, Gift Card Granny and other discounted gift card sites to stretch your coffee dollars further. Just buy a gift card for less than its face value, and you’ll get more for your money at Starbucks.
As of this writing, you’ll save around 6% by buying a gift card on one of these sites, but keep an eye out for bigger discounts.
3. Join My Panera
Starbucks isn’t the only chain offering up a pumpkin spice latte. Panera Bread stores will be offering a similar concoction from Sept. 9 until the end of the year.
To save on their version of the PSL, join the My Panera program for discounts and freebies. Their website says, “Once we get an idea of what bakery-cafe items you prefer, we’ll do our best to reward you with more surprises based on what you love.”
So, presumably, the more pumpkin spice lattes you purchase at Panera, the more likely you are to get one as a freebie.
4. Celebrate Your Fall Birthday
If you’re lucky enough to be born in the fall, celebrate your birthday by indulging in a free pumpkin spice latte.
If you’re a member of My Starbucks Rewards, you’ll enjoy a free drink on your birthday. Why not make it a pumpkin spice latte?
Dunkin Donuts also offers free birthday drinks through their DD Perks Rewards program, and they have an extensive pumpkin spice menu.
Many other cafes also offer free birthday drinks, so if you find yourself at a coffee shop with pumpkiny concoctions on your birthday, be sure to ask!
5. Make a DIY Pumpkin Spice Latte
Indulge in a pumpkin spice latte any time you like with this great do-it-yourself recipe from Farm Girl Gourmet. This recipe makes two 10-ounce lattes, so you can even share one with a friend.
You’ll need:
- 2 cups milk
- 4 tablespoons canned (or homemade) pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ½ cup strong coffee or espresso
- whipped cream
Directions:
Stir the milk, pumpkin puree, sugar, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice together in a pan over medium-high heat. Bring it almost to a boil, but avoid boiling because that will make it too thick. Stir constantly and it should start to froth in about a minute.
Pour the concoction into two mugs, then slowly add the strong coffee or espresso, pouring it in by the edge of the cup so the milk stays frothy. Add whipped cream and a dash of pumpkin pie spice on top and indulge in your homemade creation.
6. Make DIY Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer
This simple recipe from Delish requires just five ingredients and produces 1 ¾ cups of pumpkin spice creamer to add to your coffee.
You’ll Need:
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 or 2 cinnamon sticks
Directions:
Whisk together the heavy cream or half-and-half, pumpkin puree, maple syrup and pumpkin pie spice in a small pan over medium heat. Add a cinnamon stick or two and turn up the heat a bit until it boils, whisking occasionally.
After a minute, take it off the heat and let it cool for about five minutes before you add it to your coffee.
According to Delish, the leftover creamer will keep in your refrigerator for a week, but be sure to give it a good shake before using.
7. Enjoy Pumpkin Spice Latte M&Ms
While this tasty treat won’t give you the warm coffee fix you’re craving, who wouldn’t want to snack on a handful of pumpkin spice latte flavored M&Ms?
Order two 9.9-ounce bags of these pumpkin-chocolate marvels on Amazon for $8.97. For some reason, two bags are cheaper than a single one, so you’ll have over a pound of delicious treats to enjoy.
And if you’re standing in line for your first PSL right now, take a few minutes to check out the drink’s fun Twitter account.
Your Turn: Are you a PSL fan? What’s your favorite savings strategy?
Disclosure: We have a serious Taco Bell addiction around here. The affiliate links in this post help us order off the dollar menu. Thanks for your support!
Kristen Pope is a freelance writer and editor in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
The post Get Your PSL for Less: 7 Creative Ways to Save Money on Pumpkin Spice Lattes appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.
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