13 chains offering freebies and deals for National Coffee Day

Updated

Coffee gives you a morning energy jolt, helps you break out of your afternoon slump and serves as a delicious after dinner drink, so it's only right that National Coffee Day is a thing. This holiday falls on Sept. 29, and while its background history is largely unclear, you really don't need a reason to drink a cup of coffee.

This National Coffee Day, many coffee shops, restaurants and retailers will offer everything from coffee discounts to a free cup of joe, so don't miss your chance to save some money.

Get a Free Cup of Coffee and More on National Coffee Day

Use these coffee deals to score discounts on National Coffee Day.

Caribou Coffee: For every cup of Amy's Blend Coffee purchased on National Coffee Day, Caribou Coffee will donate a cup of coffee to caregivers at support centers and hospitals throughout the country.
Coffee.org: Enter code COFFEE10 at checkout to take 10 percent off your entire purchase through Sept. 30.
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: Buy a Lieto Machine online and get a free milk frother when you enter code FROTHER at checkout through Sept. 30.
Coffee Beanery: Save 15 percent sitewide through Jan. 16, 2017 with code BDAY2016.
CoffeeForLess.com: Take 5 percent off any purchase with code CFL5OFF through Sept. 30.
Cumberland Farms: Text the word FREECOFFEE to 64827 and you will receive a mobile coupon for a free Farmhouse Blend or Bold coffee, hot or iced, in any size valid on National Coffee Day.
Dairy Queen: Get a small iced coffee for $1, an Ultimate Frappe for $2 or a Premium Fruit Smoothie for $2 Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. for happy hour at participating locations — no coupon code required.
Gevalia: Take $2 off Gevalia Pumpkin Spice Regular Ground Coffee with code PUMPKIN through Sept. 30.
Keurig: Save $2 off one item through Sept. 30 with code GMCSAVE2 — certain exclusions apply.
Peet's Coffee: Get a $5 Amazon gift card when you spend at least $2 with your registered Visa card through Dec. 31.
Seattle's Best Coffee: Save $1.25 off one 12-ounce or 20-ounce bag of Seattle's Best Coffee when you present this coupon at your supermarket through Oct. 9.
Starbucks: Take 5 percent off your online order through Oct. 1 with coupon code 5OFFSEPT16.
Steak 'n Shake: Present this coupon to receive a free regular coffee with the purchase of any regular-priced breakfast at participating locations through Oct. 23.
Swiss Farms: Get any size or style coffee for free on Sept. 29 and try their new breakfast sandwiches for just $2.

RELATED: Strangely delicious things to add to your coffee:

How to Save Money on Coffee Year-Round

National Coffee Day offers many money-saving opportunities, but with a little savvy thinking, you can easily cut costs on your coffee spending every day.

Enjoy a home brew. The average cup of coffee costs $2.70, according to 2015 research from Square. A 1-pound bag of coffee produces roughly 64 5-ounce cups, according to Starbucks, and costs around $12.95 on the company's website. Assuming your $2.70 cup of java contains 12 ounces, you could get 26.6 cups of the same size beverage from your home brew and pay just $0.49 cents per cup.

Stop ordering fancy drinks. If you thought $2.70 seemed steep for the average price of a cup of coffee, you'll probably be shocked to learn the average chai drink costs $3.76, rising to $3.78 for a latte and $3.94 for a mocha, according to the Square survey. Ditching your pricey espresso habit and simplifying your order can save you more than $1 every time you visit your local coffee shop, so think twice before ordering.

Bring your own cup. Many coffee shops offer discounts for bringing your own mug on Coffee Day and every day, so don't forget yours the next time you head out for a caffeine fix. If you're near a Starbucks, stop in and enjoy a $0.10 discount on your drink or $0.20 at any location of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

Join a subscription service. Not only does having bags of coffee delivered to your front door save time and gas money, it can also lower the price of the beans. For example, Peet's Coffee and Tea offers a 10 percent product discount on subscription orders, just for being a loyal customer.

Become a loyalty member. Many coffee shops and restaurants offer discounts to regular patrons, so find a loyalty program at a location convenient for you and stick to it. For example, download the McDonald's app and get every sixth McCafe beverage free.

How to Save on Coffee Year-Round

While there are some great National Coffee Day deals, cutting down on coffee costs can help you save a lot. Here are some ideas to help you keep saving from now until next year's National Coffee Day.

Brew at home. While a cup of coffee from your local Starbucks will start at around $3 a cup, a coffee brewed at home will be well under 25 cents a cup. Try brewing your own coffee at home, or opt for the free pot of coffee at work over ordering a made-to-order beverage from your neighborhood barista.

Look for deals. If you simply have to buy coffee while out and about, look for opportunities to save. For instance, you can join Starbucks' loyalty program to earn rewards. Or, keep an eye out for special deals or offers from your local coffee shops. Many online coffee outlets also offer big discounts on specialty roasts you can brew at home.

Order less. When you head to the coffee counter, try to order less. Getting a smaller size can lower your price, as can cutting down on add-ons like whipped cream or specialty syrups. Plus, you'll be saving on calories, too.

Bring your own coffee mug. If you bring your own travel coffee mug to some coffee joints, you can get the same coffee at a refill price.

Now compare the price of coffee at your favorite chains:

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