Everyone loves a good bargain, but nothing compares to scoring freebies. Now, it’s easier than ever to get free stuff – you just need to know where to look!
Here are a bunch of great ways to get free stuff that you’ll actually use. Fear not; these freebies don’t come with any fine print or strings attached; they’re actually FREE.
From product samples to free vacations, there is no limit to the abundance of free things you can find with a bit of creative searching. Luckily, the work has already been done for you.
If you’re looking for ways to stretch your budget further, check out these resources to get free stuff.
Get Free Stuff Online
Today’s digital age provides many benefits, from the ability to work at home to finding free stuff across a wide range of categories. It’s easier than ever to find things you want and need without paying a dime (even while working from home!).
1. Online Marketplaces
You may have used community marketplaces like Craigslist, Nextdoor, and Facebook groups to find all kinds of things. You’ll be amazed at the variety of free items sellers post on these platforms, from clothing and baby items to household items, plants, and even moving boxes.
Try joining a “Buy Nothing” group for your local community on Facebook for quick and easy pick-ups.
2. Free Trials
Subscription services and memberships are very popular and very expensive. Thankfully, with just a little time, you can sign up for trial periods and get all kinds of free stuff, such as show and movie streaming, audiobooks, music streaming, snacks and treats, coffee, and more.
Just remember to mark your calendar for the end of the free trials so you can cancel and avoid charges.
Amazon Prime Membership
This is a great one because Amazon Prime members enjoy many benefits, including free two-day shipping, TV streaming, music streaming, and more. New members can get a free 30-day trial of Amazon Prime, or college students new to the Amazon program can enjoy six months of Amazon Prime for free.
Music Streaming
Next to free food, free streaming entertainment is something to truly enjoy. If you don’t mind listening to ads, you can get free memberships on both Spotify and Pandora.
And, if you’re an Amazon Prime member already, don’t forget to take advantage of the Amazon Music subscription that’s included with your membership.
TV and Movie Streaming
Forget about paying for cable! And you don’t need to pay Netflix’s or Disney+’s rising rates. There are several streaming channels that you can watch for free.
Check out:
3. Free Entertainment With Your Library Card
Libraries now offer much more than books. With a valid library card, you can access tons of free entertainment and educational resources such as audiobooks, movies, music, games, classes, museum tickets, and more.
You can use this site to find your local library.
4. Airline Tickets
Rewards credit cards are a great way to pay for things you already buy (gas, groceries, utilities). As long as you pay them off regularly, you can earn great rewards, such as airline tickets! If you already use a credit card but aren’t getting rewards from it, look around to find one that fits what you want.
5. Free Wi-Fi
You can often find free wi-fi at coffee shops, hotels, gas stations, mechanics, and other places. The WiFi Map app is a great app that provides information about the free wi-fi connections in the area. If you can’t find wi-fi nearby, Instabridge is a great app that can lead you to little-known free wi-fi hotspots you may not find otherwise.
6. Classes and Courses
Coursera and edX offer free college-level courses (many from well-known universities) in a huge variety of areas. If you want to learn a new language or skill, consider checking out these sites before you pay for it.
Explore this massive list for more free online courses.
7. Free Giftcards
Who would turn down a free gift card? You can earn free gift cards from Amazon, Starbucks, and more by taking surveys. The process is fairly simple across sites – complete a survey, earn points, and save those points to redeem a gift card of your choice.
Some sites like Swagbucks will even give you a sign-up bonus, earning you free gift cards faster.
Other ways to earn free gift cards:
- Scan your receipts with Fetch Rewards
- Take a survey at the bottom of your receipt to enter a sweepstakes
- Redeem credit card points for gift cards
- Shop through a browser app like Honey or Rakuten
8. Free Movie Tickets
Everyone likes free movies, and you can get free movie tickets to brand-new screenings just by signing up.
Both Warner Brothers and Lionsgate offer free advance screening tickets. However, there is some competition to grab tickets, so check back often for new drops.
You can also use sites like Advance Screenings for a concentrated list of all the movie opportunities in your area. Some screenings require a simple sign-up, while others are offered as a “prize” to those who share about the movie on their social media platforms.
9. Vacation Freebies
Vacations can be expensive, but they don’t need to be. These travel hacks can seriously cut costs and help you get free stuff throughout your travels!
Sign up for hotel loyalty programs for your favorite chains. Many offer points systems where you can earn a free night’s stay or room upgrade.
Be consistent when booking through airlines and hotel chains. Repeat customers are more likely to receive free upgrades in return for your loyalty.
Finally, consider side hustling as a travel agent. Travel agents earn free vacation opportunities through their agency, sending them to top-tourist destinations.
They also earn discounts throughout their personal travel, including hotels, airlines, excursions, and more.
Get Free Stuff in the Mail or in Person
You may have to venture a little further to get free stuff through these programs, but the effort will definitely be worth your while.
10. Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs are a great way to get free stuff from your favorite businesses. Sign up for rewards programs and receive free things like gift cards, food, tickets, merchandise, etc.
11. Product Samples
Many stores, such as Costco and other wholesale clubs or fragrance and beauty supply stores, offer free samples. If you can’t find samples in stores, sometimes you can get samples by mail from companies like Unilever if you agree to be a product tester or reviewer.
You can also try signing up with a company like PINCHme, which will send you free samples from various brands. After you sign up and complete your profile, you can choose the samples you want to receive.
Other brands, like Social Nature, will send you coupons for free full-sized products. All you need to do in return is provide your feedback. They even offer cashback rewards (nice!).
Makeup
At Sephora, you can get free samples of almost any product – just ask. You can select up to 3 samples for each area of the store (fragrance, makeup, skincare). Plus, you can often stack drugstore coupons with rewards promos to get free makeup. Or, use rebate apps like Ibotta to get free makeup.
Facials
If you need a little pampering, book a free 20-minute hair styling consultation or facial at Aveda stores. They also offer free styling sessions, hair consultations, 30-minute makeovers, and more!
Bath and Body Products
Using apps like Target Circle or Ibotta, you can often get toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and floss for free.
Food
Have you checked out the free samples at Costco? If you hit the store around lunchtime (especially on weekends), you can practically get a free meal by trying all the free samples around the store.
Restaurants will also offer free items to get you inside to try their food or when you sign up for loyalty programs.
Here are a few examples of the amazing offers you can find:
12. Kids Meals at Restaurants
If you want to eat out, it can quickly get very expensive to pay for kids to eat, too. Thankfully, many restaurants offer kids-eat-free deals.
In addition to local restaurants near you, check out these deals:
- Famous Daves – On Tuesday, kids can get a free Lil’ Wilbur meal with the purchase of an adult entree.
- Smashburger – Wednesdays are kids eat free (with the purchase of an adult entree, side, and drink) at select Smashburger locations.
- Ruby Tuesday – On Tuesdays, kids eat free after 5 p.m. with the purchase of an adult entree.
13. Groceries
You can get free groceries at stores like Target, Sprouts, and Walmart using rebate apps like Ibotta. Examples of freebies you can score include:
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Apples
- Condiments
- Cheese
- Yogurt
14. Free Diapers
Any parent who buys diapers knows just how expensive they can be! Check the National Diaper Bank to see if you qualify and get free diaper samples from companies like Cuties (currently on hold). Also, join the Pampers and Huggies diaper rewards programs to earn freebies.
15. Medicine and Health Supplies
Health care is another area that can be a budget killer. Try asking your doctor for free samples of prescribed medications. You can also check with drug companies for samples or discount coupons to make medications free or affordable.
16. Magazines
With a little time and willingness to share information about yourself (occupation, income, etc.), you can get free magazines such as Real Simple, Food Network, Prevention, National Geographic, US Weekly, and more.
Check out ValueMags to view current offerings.
17. Books
If you love to read, your first thought may be to head to your local library to pick up your next novel. However, there are several other places where you can access free books for your reading pleasure.
Check out:
18. Free Shipping
Many online stores offer free shipping (and the list grows daily) without purchasing a membership (like Amazon Prime). While you may need a minimum purchase amount, you can often find online coupons for free shipping on Rakuten or RetailMeNot.
19. Shipping and Moving Supplies
Check out the free shipping supplies like boxes, padded envelopes, and labels offered by USPS.com.
Or, if you’re moving, you can get free moving boxes at major retailers such as Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Barnes & Noble. Liquor stores are also a great place to get free (strong) boxes. Just call the store and ask a manager if you can pick up any extra boxes they have.
Places to Get Free Stuff on Your Birthday
Looking for birthday freebies? These brands are amongst the most generous to any birthday celebrators out there.
20. Food and Drinks
- Baskin Robbins – Join the Birthday Club for a free scoop on your birthday.
- Red Robin – Get a free birthday burger when you sign up for the Red Robin Royalty program.
- Caribou Coffee – Get a complimentary beverage during your birthday week when you join Caribou Perks.
- Smoothie King – Join the Smoothie King Healthy Rewards program to get a free birthday smoothie.
- Starbucks – Enjoy a free birthday drink when you join Starbucks Rewards.
- Steak ‘n Shake – Get a free specialty shake when you join the Steak ‘n Shake eClub.
- Bruegger’s Bagels – Participants of the Inner Circle program will get a free bagel and cream cheese on their birthday.
- Crumbl Cookies – Get a free cookie on your birthday after joining the loyalty program.
- Nothing Bundt Cakes – Get a free Bundtlet on your birthday when you join the Nothing Bundt Cakes eClub.
- Pei Wei – Sign up for My Wei Rewards and choose a small shareable on your birthday.
21. Clothing
- Athleta – Get a free birthday gift when you sign up for Athleta Loyalty Rewards.
- Banana Republic – Enjoy a free birthday gift when you sign up for Banana Republic Loyalty Rewards.
- Eddie Bauer – Sign up for the Adventure Rewards program and get a free birthday gift.
- Kohl’s – Kohl’s Rewards program members enjoy a special birthday gift.
- Old Navy – Navyist Rewards members get a free birthday gift.
Check out this list for more ways to get free clothing!
22. Other Free Stuff for Your Birthday
- Sephora – Sephora offers several free gift options for your birthday.
- Ulta – Join the Ulta Beauty Rewards program for a free birthday gift.
- Smashbox – Members of the Smash Cash program receive a birthday reward.
- Cost Plus World Market – Sign up for World Market Rewards for a surprise birthday offer.
Get Free Stuff Wrapup
There are many ways to get free stuff for your birthday and every day. Use this guide as inspiration; a little time and creativity can yield even more free items than this post includes.
For instance, you can get free stuff by earning gift cards by taking surveys, reading emails, playing games, entering giveaways, and performing other short tasks.
And if you’re a small business owner, tons of companies offer entrepreneurs freebies! Check out this massive list of free resources for small business owners!
Originally published October 2, 2023. Content updated October 2024.