Fun, Easy Ways to Snag Free Stuff

Free is my second-favorite f-word. There’s just something about it—the way it rolls off the tongue, the gratification of taking something home without paying a single cent—that never gets old. If you love getting free stuff without using a five-finger discount and acquiring criminal charges, this post explains the best ways to do it.

Birthday Programs

Celebrate your big day with extra presents from your favorite companies and brands.

Visit company websites and sign up for their birthday club. A week or so before your big day, you’ll receive a nice surprise in your email or mailbox. Offers vary and may change, but generally include food, makeup, gift cards, beauty products, drinks, and many other items.

A few companies sending out super nice birthday freebies include:

• DSW ($5 reward)
• Sephora
• Chipotle
• Starbucks
• Ulta
• Dunkin’

Loyalty Programs

While signing up for birthday clubs, join the company’s loyalty program. Loyalty club members receive special discounts, coupons, samples, and freebies.

Nearly every fast food spot or major retailer has a program. Sign-up is free, and you’ll earn points redeemable for free stuff on every purchase.

The McDonald's and Starbucks loyalty programs are customer favorites. Download the app and start earning points. These retailers make it easy to earn points and redeem them for valuable rewards.

Free Samples

If app-work isn’t your thing, perhaps you’ll enjoy snagging free stuff from freebies sites. These sites compile lists of the latest freebies from different companies. Click the link and sign up for the offer. No shipping. No requirements.

Tons of free stuff site scams exist, so choose the ones you’ll use carefully. I have found that freestufftimes.com is fairly legit. Additionally, this site lists contests and sweepstakes to enter.

Freebies available differ from day to day. Truly, you never know what will be up for grabs. I’ve scored everything from t-shirts to makeup to posters and books.

Another way to get free samples is by following brands on social media. Many post their free offers on their pages. By following, you'll be among the first to know about the offer.

Community Events

Get out of the house and have a little fun. The free stuff you’ll snag along the way only intensifies the excitement of the day. Whether you live in a big city or a small town, there’s always something free going on. You can score free movies, popcorn, hot dogs, company merch, classes, demonstrations, and more. All you need to do is show up!

Product Sampling/Word-of-Mouth Communities

Companies depend on consumers to help spread the word about their products, especially up-and-coming brands and new products. Product sampling sites help members try the product at no charge in exchange for a written or video review or social media posts.

I recommend signing up with:

• Influenster
• Ripple Street
• BzzAgent
• Social Nature
• Amazon Vine (Invitation-only)

These companies send out products ranging from makeup and beauty items to healthy foods and baby supplies. Try it out, post a review, and have fun meeting others who share similar interests. Sign up for programs of interest, wait to be selected, and enjoy fun and freebies per the site terms.

Hit up the Library

Your library card is valuable for borrowing items like digital cameras, laptops, musical instruments, and even gardening tools. Everyone knows the library allows members to borrow books, but they offer so many other items for free. I wrote an article about it that you can read here.

Cashback Reward Apps & Sites

Cashback reward apps and sites offer members an average of 2% to 5% cash back on purchases made at hundreds of restaurants and retailers. Download the site, enter your information, select the offers of interest, and await your cashback. It’s free and simple.

A few fan favorites include:

• Rakuten
• Ibotta
• Upside
• Fetch Rewards
• Dosh

GPT Sites

No, not ChatGPT. I’m referring to “Get paid To” sites like Swagbucks and MyPoints. Members complete offers of their choice, which may include clicking links, watching videos, or signing up for special offers. In return, they earn points that can be redeemed for free cash and gift cards from retailers including Amazon, Ulta, Walmart, Finish Line, and McDonald's.

No Cost/Giveaway Social Media Groups

Social media sites like Facebook can connect you with local community groups. Members of the groups post items they no longer want. You never know what will be up for grabs…appliances, clothing, food, cookware, kids' stuff, toys…join, and you could be the lucky recipient of cool free stuff.

Just Ask

A closed mouth doesn’t get fed…or anything for free.

I cannot tell you how many things I've gotten free just for asking. Don’t push boundaries, but don't hesitate to reach out to big brands and retailers, asking for freebies. A nice email complimenting a product or even a complaint about something you didn’t like often yields a freebie in return, whether it's coupons, samples, or an entire box of company merch. The worst that can happen is the company says no.

Racking up free stuff is simple when you know where to look. Use the resources above to start your journey toward free-dom.