Apart from making heavenly coffee, Starbucks will now be serving up unlimited web-surfing in all of its company-operated locations within U.S. (about 6,700 stores). The free unlimited Wi-Fi offer is set to begin on July 1, 2010 (see Starbucks’ announcement). As of the moment, Starbucks offers two free hours of complimentary AT&T Wi-Fi service to registered customers (registering your Starbucks card doesn’t take that much. As long as you have a Starbucks.com account, just put in your Starbucks card number in the “register your card” page, key in your card’s security code, and then hit the “register this card” button). After the two free hours are used up, customers can purchase another two consecutive hours for $3.99. Woah! Like their coffee, a huge chunk of close to $4 is pure profit. Think of it, a single trip to Starbucks practically translates a $5 worth of coffee, and another $5 if you need a second shot. Plus they sell these yummy goodies that are as equally tempting (that expensive banana nut loaf is sure a money-stealer). Then you have to spend a few extra dollars more for the internet??? That’s a lot of money if you come to Starbucks everyday (See how you’re making Starbucks richer in this article).

I guess this wouldn’t be much of good news for users of Wi-Fi capable AT&T mobile devices since they are capable of using Starbucks’ internet as long as possible. AT&T DSL subscribers could also use Starbucks’ free internet service. Before the free Wi-Fi announcement came out, non-registered Starbucks customers were always torn between AT&T’s $19.99 monthly service and the $3.99 per two hours internet use. But most of the time people resort to paying the $3.99 on times when they decide on spending their day working offsite. Their pockets hurt each time they hit the “purchase” button, however, many believe that since it is not an everyday thing, it is better worth it than the $19.99 monthly plan from AT&T. But their credit card statements tell a different story and they only come into terms with reality once they read their bills.

I’m sure by now many are very excited about the free Wi-Fi opportunity, with no lousy registration process, no irritating splash page that asks for your email and credit information. But wait a minute. Before you get so carried away with your excitement with this free connection, haven’t you even wondered what took Starbucks so long to do this? What year is it anyway? I didn’t realize there are still plenty who could get away with charging for Wi-Fi. Some would say we should never blame Starbucks for wanting people to be customers first before they can enjoy their Wi-Fi for a reasonable amount of time. But let’s go back to the question – - – How is it gonna affect your savings?

It depends on two things – - – (A) You may want to save some of your cash, but Starbucks is just one thing you couldn’t say ‘no’ to. Or (B) you may love Starbucks so much but saving your hard-earned $$ is much more important to you.

If you fall on the first category, then this would mean a lot of savings for you. Coming to Starbucks is a costly habit (and that you have to deal with since you believe you can’t live without it). If you really can’t help but have your dose for the day, then at least you only have to pay for the coffee. You can now set aside the money you used to pay for Wi-Fi usage and put it into better use, like your car insurance, your planned vacation or add it into your retirement savings. If in case you come to Starbucks everyday to do your assignments, finish your projects or attend to all your emails coz you can’t do it at home or you find the place so much comfortable than your regular workplace (no doubt), $3.99 a day is roughly $120 a month, or close to $1,500 for the entire year! You can now start planning where your extra $1,500 annual savings will go.

But if you are more like the (B) type of person, you may not be that thrilled about the news. I have known of people who have spent less than $50 on Starbucks in their entire lifetime. Perhaps this news won’t have a very significant impact on their savings. Maybe the only time they enter Starbucks is when they need to use a bathroom. They could care less how this Wi-Fi thing shakes out. Most public libraries offer free Wi-Fi, don’t they? I’m just not sure if your library would let you drink your latte in peace. There are some libraries, however, that now have coffee bars inside. But still, the free Wi-Fi would be a nice little perk for those days you crave for well-roasted coffee and a slice of that expensive banana nut loaf, wouldn’t it?