Morning.  Afternoon.  Light hours.  A Starbucks pick-me-up is a great way to get a second wind of energy.  But, if you’re like me, sometimes the idea of indulging in a 460 calorie Starbucks snack (thank you, blueberry scone) can make me think twice about cruising through a Starbucks drive-thru.

Luckily, over the weekend, I was enlightened by a friend on the Starbucks menu items that are actually not so high in calories.

Consider getting your favorite drink in ‘skinny.’

Starbucks unveiled ‘skinny’ drinks back in 2010.  Simply put, asking for any beverage in ‘skinny’ means your drink will be made with nonfat milk, sugar-free syrup, and no whipped cream (as applicable).  Your tall white chocolate mocha goes from being 500 calories, to 350 calories when ordered in ‘skinny.’

How about tea, please?

In general, tea has less calories than coffee, especially when you don’t sweeten it.  To save on calories at Starbucks, try a grande sweetened iced green tea (a mere 80 calories), a venti Tazo black shaken iced tea lemonade – sweetened (a nice 190 calories), or a Tazo green tea iced (for zero calories).

Order your lighter Starbuck drinks for less with discount Starbucks gift cards.  For every $25 gift card you order, you can use the savings to order a healthy beverage for free.

Increased Starbucks Savings Tips

Register your discount Starbucks gift cards at Starbucks.com to earn added discounts on drinks and baked good and to get a free beverage of any size on your birthday.  When you register your Starbucks gift card you also receive an added layer of protection in the event that your gift card is lost or stolen.

What are your Cinco de Mayo plans?  Dine out on Cinco de Mayo and pay for your Cinco de Mayo meal with Plastic Jungle discount gift cards and you’ll score extra savings on this special holiday!

In the United States Cinco de May (5th of May) is celebrated to recognized Mexican heritage.  Cinco de Mayo has significant importance because in 1862 on the fifth of May, the Mexican army defeated French forces in what is known as the Battle of Puebla.  (Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s independence day.  Mexico’s independence day is actually celebrated in September.)

Have a fiesta at Applebee’s! Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Applebee’s and you’ll be able to order drinks, and a Quesadilla Burger, Chicken Quesadilla Grande, Fiesta Lime Chicken, Chicken Fajita Rollup or Spicy Chili Cheese Nachos for 12% off.  Last year, Applebee’s discounted the prices on these ‘caliente’ meals to $5 each.  Order discount Applebee’s gift cards now so you can eat out and maximize your Cinco de Mayo savings at Applebee’s.

Cool off with an ice drink from Starbucks!

On May 5th, Starbucks will lower the price on iced drinks in celebration of Cinco de Mayo.  Would you prefer a Tazo Shaken Iced Tea Lemonade, an Iced Tazo Chai Tea Latte, or an Iced Coffee? Pay for your favorite Starbucks iced drink on May 5th with discount Starbucks gift cards and you’ll get an additional 7% off.

Enjoy tasty margaritas and tacos at McCormick & Schmick’s!

McCormick & Schmick’s offers special happy hour pricing on Cinco de Mayo including discounts on tacos, oysters, and shrimp.  Plus, you can find discounts on Mexican beer and Tequila specials all day long.  For a Mexican fiesta with a twist, use discount McCormick & Schmick’s gift cards (on sale for 15% less than face value at Plastic Jungle) on Cinco de Mayo to get discounts on Mexican food and seafood.

Are you ready for a Mexican fiesta?  Order discount gift cards to your favorite restaurants from Plastic Jungle now so you can celebrate and save money on Cinco de May (which falls on a Saturday this year!).

Do you know someone looking for a summer job?  Maybe you know a college student who will be back home for the summer and would like to make a little cash or maybe you’d like your son to spend less time playing video games and more time learning skills that will carry him through adulthood.

Without even leaving home from the ease of a smartphone, iPad, or computer, employment applications can be filled out to several Plastic Jungle gift card merchants.  Share this blog post with those you know are looking for work and opportunity’s door just might open.

Cold Stone Creamery Ice Cream Parlor.  Located throughout the U.S., Cold Stone Creamery is known for being one of the best first jobs a person can have.  Crew Members gain experience in the areas of customer service, safe food preparation, cleaning, and singing – yes singing!  [In the spirit of creating a lively atmosphere, Cold Stone Crew Members sing when they receive a tip.  Many Crew Members have even created their own songs!]  Apply to be a Cold Stone Crew Member and stock up on discount Cold Stone Creamery gift cards to use for your next visit so you can introduce yourself to the manager.  Cold Stone gift cards are also a great way to encourage friends and family to visit Cold Stone, too.

Starbucks.  For the morning bird or night owl, Starbucks serves up coffee, frozen drinks, fruit smoothies, and baked goods at all times of the day; hours vary by location.  Thriving on accuracy and an upbeat feel, Starbucks Coffee Company partners [Starbucks employees] are about connecting with people.  Apply online now to see if you are a good fit for a Barista or Shift Manager.  One of my college friends landed a job at Starbucks right after finishing her undergrad and she remembers the experience fondly as the work environment was enjoyable and she worked early hours so she was finished by mid-day.  Share your love for Starbucks by ordering your next drink with a $100 Starbucks gift card for $93 at Plastic Jungle! 

AMC Movie Theaters.  If you know someone who is somewhat or really into movies, getting a job at a movie theatre is a great way to get to see some of the behind the screen details and to have access to exclusive movie viewing perks.  I speak from second-hand experience as one of my sisters worked at a movie theatre during her high school years.  She loved it!  As an Usher you’ll gain skills in meeting the needs of guests by giving directions, answering questions, and cleaning auditoriums, restrooms, and lobbies.  What are you waiting for?  Apply for a job at AMC Theatres now.  Regardless if you work at a movie theatre, you can score 13% off movie tickets and refreshments at AMC with discount AMC gift cards.

What if you could order your favorite Starbucks drink more often without paying more?

Surprise!  You can!  If you act quickly.  Get more Starbucks for less by ordering discount Starbucks gift cards while they’re in stock at Plastic Jungle!

Discount Starbucks gift cards are available for 9% less than face value.  When you get $50 in Starbucks gift cards at Plastic Jungle, you pay only $45.50.  With $4.50 in savings, get yourself an extra Starbucks drink on us.

If you are already part of the My Starbucks Rewards program (sign up is free on Starbucks’ website) you know that celebrating a birthday means a free any size Starbucks drink for you.

But, what if you’d like Starbucks discounts the other 364 days of the year?  Put Plastic Jungle discount Starbucks gift cards in your wallet and get more star for your buck.

Keep reading because the discounts gets even sweeter.

When you register your Starbucks gift card on Starbucks’ website not only will your discount Starbucks gift card be protected in the event of loss, but you will also collect Starbucks stars every time you make a purchase.  Your Starbucks stars help you accrue discounts on Starbucks food and beverages throughout the year.

Indulge your Starbucks cravings and even stuff stockings (if you’re feeling jolly) with discount Starbucks gift cards from Plastic Jungle.