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Are You a Coffee Junkie Too?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with ActiveRain, Community Manager

Hi my name is Kerrie and I'm addicted to coffee.                                      

I admit it, I know it's so cliche living in Seattle and all but I do love my coffee.  I love my big grande cup with the little mermaid on it and although I hate to think of how many "beans" I spend monthly at Starbucks I'm just not willing to give it up.  

Starbucks marketing department is genius because of these damn treat receipts.  When you go in for your morning cup of brew, you're given a treat receipt to come back after 2pm and get any iced drink for only $2.  Well hells bells...now they're getting $6/day off me instead of the $4.  Damn!

I was en route to my second trip of the day and passed a chick from the office.  She asked if I had the Starbucks Rewards since I was on #2 of the day.  My eyes got wide and I begged her to tell me more about this program she speaks of.  When you download the app (I think you can do it on a Starbucks card too) and add money to it, you use it to buy your coffee.  Starbucks Rewards does just that, rewards you for using their program and after 5 drinks you get soy milk and a few syrups for free as well as free refills on brewed or iced coffee or tea while you're chilling at Starbucks. After 30 stars (within a year) you get a free drink every 15 drinks as well as a free bday coffee.

So today was my first day going in at the Green Level (5 stars) and holy cow, my normal $4.22 Grande Nonfat Skinny Vanilla Latte only cost me $3.67!  I got my sugar free vanilla syrup for free, regularly a $.50 add-on.  I like a good deal so I left smiling.  My savings are going to add up fast!!

  

Posted by

Kerrie La Guardia
Community Manager
ActiveRain

   

Comments (32)

Tatyana Makarov
Century 21 All Points Realty - South Windsor, CT
Your Greater Hartford Area Realtor

Kerrie, I love my coffee in the morning.. But it is usually on my deck, or sofa,with WSJ in my hand..

Have a great week!

Aug 20, 2012 11:23 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I got you beat...Senior coffee with 2 cream at Mc Donalds...53 cents!

Aug 20, 2012 11:53 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Kerrie, I have had my Starbucks Rewards for years and have enjoyed my birthday coffee drink at their expense.

Aug 20, 2012 12:13 PM
Steven Pahl
Keller Williams Tampa Properties - Tampa, FL
Real Estate Consultant Tampa, FL 813-319-6423

Even with the discount Starbucks (and many other companies) are making a killing off of the actual cost per cup of "Joe".  I like mine straight and black without the fillers, and if you knew anyone of reasonable importance from Costa Rica that has connections to Starbucks (hmmmmmmmm, I do) you might change your mind on their product.  Folgers and Maxwell house probably by a much higher quality of bean, Starbucks just markets better!  But, we all have our own tastes and I have seen several corners in Seattle's downtown area the have Starbuck's on opposite corners and in the middle of the block also, so who am I to despair their success!

Aug 20, 2012 01:36 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

My wife has been a master of the rewards program, I'm just learning how to verbalize my order.  :)

Aug 20, 2012 05:11 PM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

Hi Kerrie.  I love Stabuck's coffee but my wife thinks its too strong.

Aug 20, 2012 08:38 PM
Morgan Evans
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

I'm also addicted to coffee, can't start the day without it.  It's always feels very rewarding when you receive discounts for something that you'd be buying anyways even if the discount wasnted there.

Aug 21, 2012 12:27 AM
Kerrie La Guardia
ActiveRain, Community Manager - Kirkland, WA
Let it Rain!

Tom - Now that's funny!  

Working from home today so my cafe press is getting the job done, no complaints over here!

Aug 21, 2012 02:00 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Kerrie- first of all..., I haven't heard anyone say "hells bells" since my mother used to say it!  I love it!  I am a coffee-addict but I can take, Starbucks, Panera, Dunkin and McD's.  I don't bounce off the walls (yet). I love my after cup of coffee.  I did not know about the Starbucks Reward card.  My husband, Larry, is like Tom (#17).. he gets his cup of black coffee and doesn't want to bother with all of the other add-ons. 

Aug 21, 2012 05:17 AM
Louise Thaxton NMLS 69996
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp Louisiana NMLS#2289 Equal Housing Lender - Leesville, LA
Military Mtg Specialist - 866-960-9115 VA FHA USDA

Well, Kerrie - I AM a coffee junkie!  But I drink it by the POT not the cup!  In whatever office I "appear" on any given day (I have 5 offices around central and North Louisiana), they know - "....put on the coffee...."

Oh yeah - you cut me - I bleed coffee!

Aug 21, 2012 05:45 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Kerrie, could not imagine starting my day without a cup of java!    Not sure if it really wakes me, but it is a ritual!   Congrats on the savings, even a little bit - it all helps!

Aug 21, 2012 11:06 AM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I found myself getting a bit addicted to the fancy coffees at Starbucks and similar shops, so I installed a coffee bar in the lobby at my office last year.  Some days the excessive espresso and coffee with all the fixings makes you a little wired but it is generally worth it.

Aug 21, 2012 05:18 PM
Tiffany Sniezek
RE/MAX The Woodlands & Spring, TX 713-594-9639 direct, - The Woodlands, TX
Tiffany Sniezek 713-594-9639 RE/MAX Woodlands TX
I too am addicted to coffee...which is why I have found your post late/or rather early in the morning! Love the rewards too!
Aug 21, 2012 05:30 PM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

The closest Starbucks to me is in Huntsville and about 20 miles away. THANK goodness. Even with that, I just passed the free drink mark AGAIN this year, and my postcard is in the mail. YIPPEEEeeeee!

Aug 22, 2012 01:53 PM
Frank Laisch
Orlando, FL
"The Insurance Guy"

WOW, I didn't know they had a rewards card. I must say my Starbucks peeps have been good to me over the years.

Aug 23, 2012 08:46 AM
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

I truly believe coffee makes me a better blogger in the morning

Aug 24, 2012 11:43 PM
Kim & Kristine Halverson
Sotheby's & Knipe ERA - Bend, OR
Sisters, Realtors

Coffee!!  I have been adding it to my am smoothies with protein powder, yummm! 

Aug 27, 2012 09:37 AM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Thanks Kim and Kristine, I am going to try that.

Aug 27, 2012 12:01 PM
Kathy Schowe
California Lifestyle Realty - La Quinta, CA
La Quinta, California 760-333-8886

My husband, Bob,  is a Starbucks guy... I am not.  I make coffee at home-- have ice coffee later-- but just don't like the whole Starbucks thing.  Our local one has the worst parking lot- and the line is always long.  It drives me crazy!  Glad you are dialed in on the rewards... Bob does it too!  K

Aug 29, 2012 03:30 PM
Susan Neal
RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks - Fair Oaks, CA
Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker

Hi Kerrie - I thought there was a law in Seattle that you HAD to drink lots of coffee!  My husband was spending a lot of money at Starbucks every morning because he didn't like the decaf that my doctor makes me drink.  Our daughter bought him a Hamilton Beach double coffeemaker so we can make my decaf in one side and his very strong regular coffee in the other.  Saves a lot of money (and time he used to spend standing in line).

Aug 31, 2012 05:51 AM