Welcome to the February 2023 Ultimate Coffee Date. Deborah and I enjoy hosting this monthly link up to foster friendship, camaraderie, and encouragement. Pour yourself a cup, pull up a chair, and let us know what is going on in your life.
You know how this works—grab the badge, link your post, and comment on the other blogs in the link-up.
You also may be joining the Fit Five Friday Link-Up with Darlene, Michelle, Renée, Jenn, and Zenaida.
Frivolous February
If we were having coffee, I would share some frivolous facts from my 2022 Starbucks statistics. Yes, even Starbucks sends an email with your year-in-review numbers.
If we were having coffee, I would lodge a frivolous complaint about upcoming changes to the Starbucks rewards program. Sadly, inflation is hitting not only Starbucks prices, but also the value of their reward stars. Starting February 13, a handcrafted beverage will cost 200 stars instead of 150. You still earn 2 stars for every pre-tax, pre-tip dollar you spend. My Grande Americano costs $3.65 at my office Starbucks, earning 7.3 stars. That means it will take 28 orders to earn a “free” drink.
Speaking of my office Starbucks, if we were having coffee I would tell you about my favorite office breakfast. We don’t have a cafeteria, but we can purchase fresh food from a refrigerator case—like they have in convenience stores. The best deal is the Uncrustables—only $1.47 with tax.
I’m going to miss this view when I move to our new space in a few weeks.
If we were having coffee, I would ask if there’s a creamer shortage in your area. I take my coffee with a splash of half and half, so seeing the creamer case look like this causes a certain level of panic.
I took the last quart of half and half, but only wanted a pint.
If we were having coffee, I would ask if you’ve watched Atypical on Netflix. It’s not a new show (it started in 2018), but we stumbled across it over the holidays. It’s a sweet/serious family comedy/drama. The son has autism (he’s high functioning), which is the source of the title. I think it’s pretty wholesome, but it does deal with “adult” issues, so parental guidance is in order.
What would you tell me over coffee?
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I didn’t realize Starbucks had a rewards program (no local Starbucks in my town, so I only hit them when we’re traveling or I’m in Des Moines). I don’t care for their coffee, but they make a mean chai latte’ 😉 That’s quite a view from your office; it’s a bummer that will be changing.
I feel like Starbucks just changed their program but I guess it’s been a couple of years already. I runfess I’ve never had Uncrustables. What a shame to lose that gorgeous view!
Atypical sounds interesting. Since I’ve leaned into more rest this Winter (when I can), I’ve been watching a few more shows. We watched Travelers — which is unfortunately rather violent, but really excellent. I’m also in the middle of New Amsterdam — although Netflix probably won’t get the last season so I’ll be left hanging. Obviously neither is a new show.
I hope you can continue to find your creamer! I hate when things I love disappear. 🙁 Although I noticed TJs STILL has the Candy Cane Green Tea that I used to hoard. 🙂
I don’t frequent Starbucks enough to get statistics, lol.
I’m considering Uncrustables for my 15 mile trail race–I hear it’s a great fuel for endurance races. Go figure!
Or just bring your own PB & J? But they are convenient if you need to pack ahead of time.
Who knew Starbucks shares year-end stats? I only hit the store in my office building occasionally so I’m sure earning a free drink will not be happening any time soon!
I have been in a panic over the cream shortage I’ve seen in the stores lately (I take a splash of light cream in my coffee) – I wonder what’s driving it?
I didn’t realize your office is moving – that’s a nice current view!
We just did remodeling so I am moving to a different floor, with a similar view, but without a table that will let me enjoy it as much.
Working from home has saved me money. I did get enough Starbucks stars for a free item.
I’ll get more next week. Lol.
Well, I switched to black coffee in 2019. I had convinced myself that it was magic and made it part of my marathon training plan. You know like mental conditioning? I said it was preparing for the suck of marathoning and what not. Anyhow, I had told myself I could go back to cream and sugar after the race. Guess what, now I like it better without cream and sugar. So, to answer your question I have no idea if there’s a creamer shortage.
Um, I have not seen Atypical, but maybe I’ll watch it. I like to annoy my older kids and ask them if they’ve seen TV shows. I’ll ask them and see what they say. They usually are more up to speed than I am.
I don’t take sugar in my coffee, but I do like my half and half, although I’d probably learn to drink it black if I had to!
I’m really glad you joined the link-up!
I’ve never had Uncrustables, but I saw Wendy’s comment above and looked them up- they would make good long run fuel! I may have to try it.
It should come as no surprise (since I’m always blathering away about Earl Grey tea) that my favorite drink from Starbucks is… Earl Grey tea. Theirs is REALLY good, and tastes different from the ones I drink at home, so I get a Starbucks tea 2 or 3 times a week. I don’t know how Kim survives without a Starbucks in her town (obviously I’m very spoiled!)
Interesting on the Starbucks tea. Have you tried the same tea bags? Maybe their water is extra hot. Or maybe it’s just magic. 😉
That’s cute that Starbucks gives you end of year stats. Since I don’t like coffee or tea, I get a Starbucks hot chocolate once or twice a winter so it’s not even worth it for me to have the app.
I’m vaguely familiar with Uncrustables, but I also don’t like peanut butter and jelly together so I guess they’d be a no-go as well. 😉
Yes, this past month its the creamer at the Giant. I have come to hate shopping there. They never recovered from the shortages. Sorry about your Starbucks! I am more bothered by the cost of eggs 🙂
I never had enough Starbucks points to get anything…lol but I agree the increase in price in everything is getting ridiculous!
Have a good weekend!
143 visits! I hope you have stock 😉 I probably only went about 20 times last year. I never go in Chicago because my heart belongs to Foxtrot!
28 Americanos for a free one. That is LAME!!
It is SO LAME!
Ha, Starbucks gives you all the stats except the one about how much you spent there! 🙂
Well, at least your Starbucks rates are much cheaper than Switzerland. My tall chai would be over CHF 6.-, which is USD 6.50. I spent a fortune there!
I was kinda bummed that they didn’t give me a free drink for my birthday last year but realized it was because I hadn’t gone there in over a year to buy anything, haha. That’s cool that it tells you how many stores you’ve been to! 😛
We never had the rewards program here for Starbucks, but I suppose I didn’t really need it since I worked there for 7 years. When I left we still didn’t have many stores and it was a bother to get there so I’d just do local instead. When I started commuting again I’d pop into the store at the train station once a week. We have the rubber-stamp cards where you get a free drink for every 10. A better deal if you ask me! I have several of these cards and recently exchanged one for a free flat white at my new local store. I think this is as much of a rewards program that we’ll ever get to be honest.
oh and i always drink. my coffee black except for the occasional flat white, and would you believe half and half is not a real thing here?? the Dutch use just milk or “koffiemelk” which is almost like condensed milk (*blergh* not for me! ).
The uncrustables I’ve never seen, what a truly American snack though!
Your reward card is definitely a better deal!
The worst part of visiting Europe is the lack of Half and Half. I’m always torn between adding milk and taking my coffee black instead.
My Starbucks-drinking coworker and I do not work in the same school anymore, so I rarely get a coffee there. I guess that can be a good thing. That is a beautiful view! I am looking forward to my trip to Washington, DC!