Mom’s controversial Starbucks freebie hack faces backlash: ‘Taking advantage of the system’

The best things in life are free.

Lauryn Clare, who goes by @lauryn.elizabeth_ on Instagram , revealed a Starbucks hack to help parents spend less money at the global coffee giant.

“If you can’t afford Starbucks for two, order your toddler a pup cup. It’s free and will make them just as happy as a $5 cake pop,” Clare captioned her viral Instagram reel .

The “pup cup” also known as a “puppuccino” is a secret menu item at Starbucks typically offered for customers’ four-legged friends. The beverage is served in a three-ounce espresso-sized cup with fluffy whipped cream overflowing.

In the 5-second clip uploaded on Clare’s page, Addie, her 2-year-old daughter, is seen devouring her “pup cup,” despite it being created for dogs.

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The cup fits perfectly in her little hands as she licks the whipped cream. Clare revealed a photo of her child’s final moment with the “puppuccino” which ended in a mess.

“I don’t normally make a Starbucks run, just because it’s expensive, but I had $4 and change left on gift card,” Clare, 34, told TODAY.com .

With only $4.89 on her gift card, the crafty mom decided to think about a cheaper alternative to purchasing two drinks.

“So I asked, ‘Do you guys charge for ‘pup cups?” And the woman taking my order was like, ‘Oh, my God, no. What’s your dog’s name?'”

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Awkwardly, Clare explained that the cup full of whipped cream was actually for her daughter, and the barista “was totally fine with it,” the mother added.

Although the Starbucks staffer agreed to the “puppuccino” request, many parents online found it alarming.

“Taking advantage of the system,” one person commented.

“Welcome to the end of free pup cups,” sighed another.

“Is this fair to the business owners?” a watcher asked. “Isn’t that stealing?”

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Meanwhile, Clare isn’t the only mom who practices this “genius” money-saving hack.

“I call it a kid cup! Sometimes I get cookie crumbs or ask for chocolate chips on top! If you get a nice worker they will!” a watcher chuckled.

“In this economy? We’re both getting pup cups,” laughed a mom.

“My kids do bark at me and pretend to be dogs so a pup cup would work,” confessed a jokester.

Despite the naysayers, Starbucks has no plans to end their free “pup cups.”

“We love seeing the different ways our customers brighten loved ones’ days with Starbucks,” a company spokesperson told TODAY.com. “Customers can order a side of whipped cream with the purchase of a beverage at no extra charge.”

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