One of my favorite ways to save money {and do a little treat yo self!} is by taking advantage of offers that companies are already willing to give away. If you've followed me for any length of time, you know I'm not about spending money just because something is on sale, but I am about saying yes when something is completely free. Free is my favorite four letter word!
Your birthday is one of the easiest times of the year to score freebies. Restaurants, coffee shops, beauty stores, and retailers love celebrating their customers with complimentary treats, discounts, and gifts. Most of these offers simply require signing up for a free rewards program ahead of time, and then the birthday surprises start showing up in your inbox.
If you've never taken advantage of birthday freebies before, here's how to get started and some of my favorite companies that offer something special during your birthday month.
The Ultimate Guide to Free Birthday Freebies: Companies That Want to Celebrate You
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Sign up Before Your Birthday
Many birthday offers require that you've joined a rewards program several days or even weeks before your birthday. If your birthday is coming up, don't wait until the last minute.
Create a separate email account if you don't want promotional emails cluttering your primary inbox. Then sign up for the rewards programs at the places you already shop or eat.
Free Birthday Food
Who doesn't love free food? Many national chains offer complimentary treats.
Some popular favorites include:
Starbucks Rewards – A free handcrafted drink, food item, or bottled beverage on your birthday with qualifying account activity.
Krispy Kreme Rewards – A free doughnut and sometimes even a free dozen during birthday promotions.
Nothing Bundt Cakes – A free Bundtlet.
Panera MyPanera – Birthday surprises vary by location and promotion.
Jersey Mike's Shore Points – Birthday reward for members.
Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin' Rewards – Birthday offer for members.
Firehouse Subs Rewards – A free medium sub.
Red Robin Royalty – A free birthday burger.
Denny's – A free Original Grand Slam breakfast (participating locations).
IHOP Rewards – Birthday pancakes or another birthday reward.
Pro tip: Keep in mind that offers can change from year to year, so it's always worth checking your rewards account before your birthday.
Sweet Treats
If desserts are more your style, you'll find plenty of options.
Many ice cream and dessert shops celebrate birthdays with free treats, including:
- Baskin-Robbins Birthday Club
- Dairy Queen Rewards
- Cold Stone Creamery Rewards
- Auntie Anne's Rewards
- Cinnabon Rewards
You could easily spend an afternoon collecting birthday desserts if you planned your stops carefully!
Coffee and Drinks
Coffee lovers can also cash in.
Look for birthday rewards from:
- Starbucks {only available on the day of your birthday}
- Dutch Bros Rewards {valid for 30 days}
- Caribou Coffee
- Dunkin' Rewards
- Peet's Coffee
Many offer a free drink or bonus rewards during your birthday month.
Pro Tip: We started traveling on my birthday. Since Starbucks has only one day they allow you to use your birthday reward, I will often message them in the app and they will reinstate my birthday reward when I'm back from my trip. It does take some extra effort, but it's worth it for me.
Beauty Birthday Gifts
Some of my favorite birthday freebies come from beauty retailers because you don't have to make a purchase.
Be sure to join:
- Sephora Beauty Insider
- Ulta Beauty Rewards
These stores often give members a free deluxe beauty product or sample set during their birthday month. The selections change throughout the year, making it fun to see what's available.
Pro Tip: sample sizes make great stocking stuffers if it's something you don't think you'd use.
Retail Birthday Discounts
Several clothing and retail stores send birthday coupons or discounts to loyalty members.
You may receive offers from stores like:
- Kohl's Rewards
- Old Navy
- American Eagle
- JCPenney
- World Market
Even if it's not completely free, birthday discounts can be a great excuse to replace something you've been waiting to buy.
Make a Birthday Freebie Day
One of my favorite ideas is turning these offers into a birthday outing.
Map out a few stops near your home and enjoy a day of free treats. Maybe grab a free coffee in the morning, pick up a free doughnut, enjoy a birthday lunch, stop by Sephora for your birthday gift, and finish the day with free ice cream.
You'll celebrate without spending much at all.
A Few Tips
To make the most of birthday freebies:
- Sign up at least a month before your birthday.
- Download the company's app if required.
- Read the expiration dates—many offers are valid for your entire birthday month.
- Check whether a purchase is required.
- Bring your ID if requested.
Don't Leave Free Money on the Table
Birthday freebies aren't going to make you rich, but they're a fun reminder that saving money doesn't always mean cutting back. Sometimes it simply means taking advantage of perks that are already available.
I look at birthday rewards the same way I look at cashback apps, library programs, and travel rewards, if they're free to join and you're going to shop there anyway, why not enjoy the extra benefits?
So before your next birthday rolls around, spend a few minutes signing up for your favorite rewards programs. Future you will appreciate the free coffee, burger, dessert, beauty gift, or birthday surprise waiting in your inbox.
After all, birthdays only come once a year—you might as well collect every freebie you can!
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