10 Tips To Avoid Buying Starbucks

For those caffeine addicts out there that aren’t sure they can live without a venti Java Chip Frappuccino with an extra shot of espresso, here are 10 tips to help you avoid buying Starbucks next time you’re walking to class. (By: Victoria Robertson, University of Illinois)

1. Buy a Keurig.

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The most simple solution is probably to indulge and buy the Keurig. You can then pick out your favorite K-Cups, make your coffee every morning before class, and you can even get yourself a nice travel mug.

While the Keurig doesn’t exactly offer your favorite Starbucks beverage, it does provide a large enough variety of coffee so that you won’t get bored.

My suggestion: Chai Tea Latte K-Cups. May not be Starbucks, but they’re sweet enough that you don’t need to add anything, so it’s ready to go as soon as you are!

2. Wean yourself off of it.

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Coffee addicts may have a much harder time quitting Starbucks cold turkey, so maybe one of the best solutions is to limit the amount of times you buy Starbucks during the week.

If you bought Starbucks once every day on the way to class, maybe start out by buying it once every other day on the way to class. Then, as time passes, you’ll only be buying it once a week until finally, you won’t crave it so much anymore. Viola!

3. Switch your morning drink.

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Maybe quitting coffee completely would be your best option, in which case replacing your morning coffee with another drink would help to fill the void. Maybe you can start every morning with a protein shake, or possibly even just replace coffee with tea. It’s going to be better for you, and tea is still caffeinated, so you won’t be falling asleep.

Plus, tea is fancy.

4. Compensate with breakfast.

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Perhaps you’re one of those people that replaces breakfast with your Starbucks coffee? If this is the case, maybe you should return to eating breakfast. They say it’s the most important meal of the day, so why not give it a try?

The possibilities are endless; you can try some granola and yogurt, eggs and bacon, waffles, pancakes, toast or even go as simple as Pop Tarts. At least by eating breakfast you are filling your stomach, and maybe when you walk past the Starbucks you won’t be nearly so tempted.

5. Change your route.

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Maybe the only reason you stop at Starbucks is because it is on the way to your class. The best solution: change it up. Maybe you should even walk the long way.

This is more difficult to do in the winter, but hey, you aren’t spending your money at Starbucks at least, right? So long as you get to class, and you get there on time, what does it matter which path you take?

Just walk away--you don't need it.

6. Don’t carry money.

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This is again probably one of the most simple solutions you’ll find. If you don’t have money on you, buying Starbucks isn’t even an option.

Whether you use debit, credit or cash, leave it all at home. The less money you have on you, the less likely you are to spend it, which means the less likely you are spend it at Starbucks. See how that works out?

7. Leave later.

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Maybe you leave with enough time in the morning so stopping at Starbucks is perfectly acceptable. Well don’t. If you spend a little extra time in the apartment, you won’t have enough time to stop at a Starbucks on the way to class, and your problem disappears. It really is as simple as that.

8. Get more sleep.

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Maybe the reason you are so in need of a Starbucks drink every morning is because you aren’t getting enough sleep. I know that next episode on Netflix is extremely tempting, but you should set yourself a time limit.

If you’re still up at 1 a.m. and you have a 9 a.m. the next morning, stop what you’re doing and go to sleep. Your body will thank you, and so will your wallet.

9. The special occasion plan.

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Swearing off Starbucks completely is very difficult. Seriously, do they put crack in their drinks?

So maybe instead of swearing off Starbucks completely, you treat yourself to Starbucks on special occasions: holidays, birthdays or even good grades at the end of the semester. As long as you aren’t overdoing it, a special occasion Pumpkin Spice Latte isn’t a bad thing.

10. The in between class solution.

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Some of us have breaks in between class, and I’m sure many of us use that opportunity to run across the street to Starbucks and order a drink. While this is one of the more challenging habits to break, the best solution is to bring yourself a replacement drink for this break, and to find a place to sit and do homework.

While it may not seem very appealing at first, you will be thanking yourself later when reruns of “That’s So Raven” are on TV and you have all the free time in the world to watch them.

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While Starbucks is addicting, to say the least, breaking your Starbucks habit isn’t impossible. It’s going to take time--and maybe this little intervention helped push you in the right direction--but you’ll get there.

Just remember, the Frappuccino doesn’t rule your life unless you let it.