Who doesn’t love to get free stuff? I’m not just talking about the free pen you get from “forgetting” to send it back to the bank teller. I’m talking about getting free stuff you actually want!
My favorite number is FREE! I often do an online search to find awesome freebies but all too often I only find spam links that send me down a rabbit hole of ads and data theft. Gosh I hate that.
This list isn’t your regular spam link list. These are legit ways to get free stuff you actually want – I use them myself regularly! So trust me when I say these work and won’t require you to sign your soul away or waste your time.
How to Get Stuff You Actually Want for FREE
Food
Free food is one of the most beloved freebies in the Financial Independence Community. We love it! So how do I get food for free? Here are some ways:
Method 1. Downloading the restaurant’s or store’s app
If your favorite restaurant or store has an app, download it! You’d be surprised how often you’ll get delivered promotions for completely free food and beverages.
This is especially common for large chains but is becoming more common for small businesses too. For example, my local Chinese restaurant has a loyalty program that also includes text offers. The other day I got a text message to stop by for free Hibachi. Yum!
Method 2. Writing to companies
Every business wants to please its customers and build loyalty. Back in highschool, one of my teachers made my class write to any company and ask for a freebie. It was cool to see what everyone received (or didn’t receive.)
Times have changed though and you no longer have to send out letters via snail mail. You can contact them via their website or social media now.
If you paid for an item and the quality is not up to your standards, don’t be afraid to reach out to the company. Companies have plans in place to please their customers in the event of a mix-up.
Likewise, if you receive extraordinary value, you can contact the company to pay them a compliment too. The company is likely to send you free product in both cases.
Here’s a recent example of how I reached out to a company:
I bought a jar of my favorite Classen pickles only to get home and see that there was a packing problem and only half the jar was filled. Weird.
An internet search showed me that Claussen is owned by Kraft. I went to the Kraft website and submitted a comment stating, “Hello, I just wanted to say that I LOVE Classen pickles and y’all do a great job at setting yourselves apart. Just wanted to let you know that I recently bought a jar that had a packing problem I didn’t notice upon purchasing. This is very uncommon so I just wanted to let you know. Here are the manufacturing numbers on the jar…”
Within the week, I received coupons for two free pickle jars. No mean responses were needed. I complimented their product and politely mentioned that I had an issue with it.
Kraft was more than happy to send me not just one replacement, but two in the form of coupons (pictured above.) I got free pickles and they retained a diehard Classen customer!
Method 3. Ibotta App
There are already a lot of Ibotta users already, but people seem to think that this app is just a coupon app. Ibotta is SO MUCH MORE.
Within the app, you can usually always find free stuff you actually want sprinkled throughout the other offers. Here’s what you do to find these freebies:
- Download the Ibotta app.
- Click the grocery retailer you shop at.
- Scroll through the available offers until you find one that has “Free after offer” stamped on the image.
- Plus the “+” icon to add it to your list.
- Purchase the product.
- Upload your receipt. (This step can be skipped if you set up your loyalty card or pay from within the app.)
Once you successfully redeemed the offers, that money will be reimbursed into your Ibotta account.
Movies
Never pay for movies! There are so many ways to get them for free!
Method 1. Library
Did you know that libraries have more than just books? Many have really great DVD sections and will let you check out any movie completely free.
Method 2. Redbox
Sign up for their Text Club and email list! In fact, sign up everyone in your household.
Redbox will send you a free rental on your birthday and have multiple free and discounted promotions throughout the year. We have all four of our family members signed up, so we get at least 4 free rentals throughout the year.
Method 3. Google Opinion Rewards
The Rewards app is a Google survey app. But don’t let that word “survey” scare you away.
This app randomly sends you short surveys and pay phenomenally as far as survey rates go.
If you have an android, you can use that money to buy movies (or anything else) from the Play Store. However, if you have an iPhone, you can receive your money via PayPal. Then you can use that to buy movies or anything else you want!
If surveys are your thing, check out these 5 Ways to Make Money on the Toilet!
Money
Talk about stuff you actually want, how about free money? Yes, it’s possible. Here are some ways I collect free money:
Method 1. Cashback sites
There are companies that give you money (cashback) when you do your normal shopping.
These sites are free to use and all you have to do to get cashback is to either click on a retailer’s link through their website, click on their widget, or some even allow you to get money automatically when you shop with a connected credit/debit card.
My favorite websites for cashback are Rakuten for click-through cashback and Dosh for automatic cashback.
Method 2. Credit card bonuses
Some credit card companies will give you a sign up bonus when you apply for their card and spend a certain amount of money on the card.
This year alone, I collected $2000.00 in cash bonuses from credit cards. The awesome part is that you can meet a credit card minimum spend requirements on charges you already have to pay for, therefore, you won’t need to overspend.
You may want to start by checking out the Chase Freedom card, which has no annual fee.
Method 3. Class actions
Have you ever bought Johnson’s Baby Lotion, RoundUp, or Walmart’s packaged meat?
These are all items that recently had class action settlements, which means the company had to pay out money to anyone who bought those products.
A class action can be pursued for multiple reasons such as having a data leak or falsely advertised a product. These settlements are common and happen often with many everyday products.
I like to check for them a few times a year on TopClassActions.
Gift Cards
Never buy gift cards straight from a company. There are so many ways to get them for free! Here are my favorite ways:
Best methods: Using reward apps
App 1. Fetch Rewards
You can use this app to keep track of your everyday receipts with the added bonus of getting rewards. When you upload your receipt, you will collect points that you can use on a lot of different rewards, including the purchase of gift cards.
App 2. Shopkick
Shopkick is an app that allows you to scan, purchase products, or visit a store to collect points redeemable for gift cards.
These are super easy to collect and can even be fun. When my kids and I have some time to burn, we will walk around Walmart and scan products like a scavenger hunt. That way we all get rewards!
Other Items
This year alone I’ve been able to get a free desk, computer, jewelry, underwear, and more. Here are my top secret ways to get uncommonly free stuff that you actually want:
Method 1: Amazon Reviews
I came across this awesome tip this year and I have been impressed with the outcome. If you need or want something, find it on Amazon from a seller that doesn’t have many reviews.
Then, contact the seller via their Amazon store and ask them if they would be willing to send you the product in exchange for a review.
I recently did this with a product and I saved myself $30.00!
Method 2: Contacting companies
Reach out to your favorite company and tell them how much you love their brand. You’d be surprised what you might receive. I’ve gotten a lot of free products and coupons this way!
Method 3: Speaking to managers
If you are visiting an establishment that you would like to visit again, let the manager know why! Normally, whenever someone asks to speak to the manager, it is because a customer has had a negative experience.
I’m here to tell you though that positivity goes a long way! If you speak to a manager to let them know that your experience and service was great, you may just get thanked in the form of free stuff!
Recently, I visited a trampoline jump park. I had such a great time and found the employees to be very tentative. When I expressed this to the manager, she was so happy that she gave us four free passes to come back again!
Method 4: Veteran benefits
If you have served in the military or are part of a military family, there are a lot of benefits you may not be aware of.
First, veterans often get into parks, museums, and other places for free or for a discount, so be sure to always ask! Second, if you have a service connected disability, you could qualify for free college, medical care, products, and more.
If you are interested in learning more about military benefits, join the Financial Independence Community where we talk more about this!
With these skills, you are guaranteed to save more of your hard-earned money! Do you know of other ways to get free stuff that you and other people actually want? Let us know in the comments!
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