Houstonian
Senior Reporter
Published: Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Updated: Thursday, September 6, 2012 01:09
Storified by McKinzie Brocail · Wed, Sep 05 2012 12:49:13
Like Kristie Gellerhere, I, too, love Starbucks' Passion Tea Lemonade. However, at roughly100 calories per 8 ounces (aka a tall at Starbucks) and costing roughly $3 fora tall, I make it myself for 15 calories and $0.42 per 8 ounces. I, personally,find the simple syrup unnecessary since the lemonade is sweet.
Here's how:
1.) Go toWal-Mart. "Why Wal-Mart?" you ask. Because Wal-Mart seems to bethe only grocery store that sells the 64oz cartons of Minute Maid Just 15Lemonade for $1.00.
"Just 15" asin "Just 15 calories per 8 ounces." That's right, it is thecheapest, least calorie (and arguably most convenient location to get itbecause let's face it, there are Wal-Marts everywhere. Plus they also sell TazoPassion Tea (that Starbucks also sells). Win-win!
2.) Get Minute Maid Just 15Lemonade for $1.00 and Tazo Passion Tea pitchers tea bags (6 count) for roughly$3.50.
3.) Heat up approximately20oz of water in the microwave for 2 minutes. (Or boil it on the stove if youhave more time.)
4.) Put one bag of PassionTea in a large pitcher. Pour the heated water over it and let steep for 5-10minutes.
5.) Fill the rest of thepitcher up with the Minute Maid Just 15 Lemonade. Stir.
6.) Refrigerate and enjoyonce cold. Or, be impatient and fill a glass with ice and enjoy!
I have an incredibly largepitcher, for me this batch makes 10.5 servings (84 ounces) and costs roughly$4.50 to make ($0.42 per 8 ounces).
I also check the Sundaynewspaper and Internet for coupons. It scored me free Five Star by Mead4-pocket folders. These are not your cheap paper folders, they're stiff andglossy and obviously come in Bearkat colors.
Like Instagramer Brooke N.says here, "they're pretty but not cheap." Well, they could have beenfree for her. Last month I printed one coupon off the Internet andgot one from the paper and I scored them from Target for free. Bothcoupons were $1 off any 2 Five Star products, and each folder was $0.50.
Another way to save moneyis to use you Student ID! Afterall, I'm sure you paid for it in your tuition.Places all over, not just on campus, will give you student discounts.
Places like AMC Theatresoffer discounts on Thursdays and the Houston Ballet discounts tickets tostudents 90 minutes before performances begin. Apple, Dell, Adobe,Microsoft, Norton Software, and Lenovo and other computer and software-makersoffer student discounts. For insurance, eSurance, Allstate, Geico, StateFarm, Farmers Insurance and Travelers Insurance will help you out. For yourtexting and talking needs Sprint, Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile offerdiscounts off you total bill.
Many restaurants and fastfood chains offer discounts as well, but they vary by owner. It can't hurt yourwallet to ask.
is a member of the 
Official Music Sponsor: 
