Energy drinks are everywhere these days. Teenagers love them, college students guzzle them during all-night study sessions, and middle-aged folks turn to them to clear the mental fog and put a spring in their step.
But these pep-producing drinks can really take a bite out of your budget if you’re not careful; especially since many people tend to pick them up an convenience stores or gas stations, where prices can soar to upwards of $3 per can.
If you find yourself on the energy drink bandwagon, here are a few tips to help you save money — without falling asleep at your desk.
How to Replace Energy Drinks
Whether or not energy drinks are “good” for you is not the debate in question. Though there are opinions on both sides, there’s no doubt that you can replace these costly drinks with other dietary items to save money.
Fresh fruits, vegetables, and juices can go a long way in providing energy, especially if you consume a lot of fast food or pre-packaged cook-at-home meals. Simple dietary changes, such as drinking a couple extra glasses of water each day, can do a lot to improve mental function and physical health.
If one brand of energy drink works better for you than others, examine the ingredients to identify the additive that could be making the difference. For example, the popular ingredient taurine is available as a pill, which is much cheaper than an energy drink.
You can even find special “energy blend” multivitamins with popular energy additives at your local drug store. You can get a Basic Vitamins brand Stress Formula with Iron for Energy (60 tablets) for $7. That’s a two-month supply of energy boosters, plus a few extra vitamins, for the cost of three energy drinks.
If you need a quick fix in the mornings and can’t wait for a pill to be digested, try crushing your tablets and dissolving them in a little water first. You can add the mixture to your coffee, or stir in a tablespoon of honey and drink it straight, for faster absorption.
How to Save Money on Energy Drinks
If you find you just can’t give up your favorite energy drink, there are still some ways to save:
- Look for manufacturer coupons online before going shopping.
- Order in bulk to save money. Some manufacturers offer direct purchasing with discounts for ordering a case at a time, and many offer free shipping.
- Look for sales in your area, like “buy two get one free” offers, or double rewards points.
- Shop at discount stores for remnants of your favorite drinks. Stores that buy merchandise from other store closings often sell name-brand items at deep discounts.
- Try cutting back to a half-can per day instead of a full can. Most brands suggest each can holds 2 to 2 ½ servings. You can keep drinks fresh by storing them in the refrigerator in a sealed container.
- Avoid the temptation to pick up energy drinks at the gas station; make the extra effort to buy them in advance at a lower-priced store.
- Look for promotional offers, like trading energy drink tabs for merchandise, to help get back a few extra dollars from your vice.
How do you save money on energy drinks?
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{ read the comments below or add one }
I really like your idea to order in bulk to save money. I have an energy drink a couple times a week, so this might be a good idea for me. This would also save me some trips to the grocery store which would be nice too! Are the shipping costs usually high if you buy bulk?
Not that long ago we were discussing juicing. I have found this method to be the foolproof road to health, the best energy drink ever.
Go into a bodybuilder shop and buy energy powder that you mix up with water, very good and cheaper option.
I save money on energy drinks by getting a good night sleep and eating better. When I don’t get enough sleep and eat like crap, I feel like crap. When I make sure I get 7-8 hours of sleep and choose healthy foods, I feel great. I never need an energy drink.