Day: March 2, 2025

2025 Birthday Freebies

Abby H.2 Comments

My birthday was last month, and I did score some pretty good freebies. Not as many as years past, but I’ve been really busy with work and kids.

If you are on the hunt for birthday freebies, one suggestion is to search “Birthday Freebies” + your state. One of my favorite places to look is MySavings. Their Freebies on Your Birthday list is pretty long. There are a lot of great options for those of you outside of California.

For those in CA, OR, FL, NY, SC, AZ, WA, and NV,  check out eBirthdayClub. There are TONS of great freebies on this site.

Non-food Birthday Goodies:

  • Members of the Cost Plus World Market Explorers program get a surprise birthday gift, among other perks; you will also get a 10% off coupon upon enrollment.
  • Torrid– Members of the DivaStyle Club will receive $10 off their next purchase of $10+
  • Dave & Buster’s: $10 in free gameplay for those in the D&B Rewards Club.
  • Free goodies at Sephora (It changes every year)
  • DSW Shoe Warehouse – $5 off birthday coupon
  • Hot Topic-  Hot Topic Rewards members receive a $5 coupon for your birthday every year.

Free Food Birthday Goodies:

  • Red Robin:  FREE burger on your birthday and all the latest Red Robin news.
  • Starbucks – Download their app and get a free birthday handcrafted beverage of your choice on your birthday only.
  • Denny’s: Free Grand Slam for your Birthday. They also email out other freebies and coupons.
  • Dunkin Donuts Birthday Club will kick down with a free coffee.
  • Bj’s Brewhouse– Rewards members receive a free Pizookie for their birthday.
  • Jersey Mike’s: Free Sub for your Birthday! (No matter what you read online, there is no Subway or Submarina birthday Freebies- Those deals are DEAD)
  • Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt: When you sign up for a Smile-age Account, you’ll score a free Fro Yo for your B-day!  (I love Menchie’s!)
  • Nothing Bundt Cakes: Join their email list and receive a FREE Bundlet on your Birthday. (look for the link at the bottom of their website)
  • Sbarro Rewards Club: Free piece of pizza for your birthday when you purchase a drink. You’ll also get a coupon for a free slice when you sign up.
  • Bruegger’s Bagels gives you three free bagels for your birthday. SCORE! Our family eats tons of bagels, so this is a sweet deal.
  • Mary’s Donuts– East County peeps know what I’m talking about! Free drink and TWO Donuts! 
  • Habit Burger Grill’s CharClub Score a free Charburger on your birthday.
  • Panera– Sign up for MyPanera and get a free pastry or sweet on your birthday.
  • Buffalo Wild Wings- Sign up for Blazin’ Rewards to get six free birthday wings during your birth month
  • Cinnabon- Download their app and sign up for Cinnabon Rewards to get a free iced coffee on your birthday and a free order of BonBites for signing up.
  • Edible Arrangements- Join Edible Rewards to receive a birthday reward (it varies).

And as always-

There are tons of other birthday freebie lists, but they may include offers that are not available here or may include stuff that I don’t consider worth it (like a free Rice Krispy treat when you buy an entree that’s $10+, looking at you Noodles & Co.  That’s a hard pass from me, or the Aveda “freebie”- pay $10 and receive a product valued at $23+… No thanks.)

Another deal that everyone and their mama go nuts about is Benihana Japanese Restaurant – a complimentary meal up to $30 when you purchase an Adult meal at Regular Price (You must sign up for The Chef’s Table club). This used to be a FREE meal, no strings attached, but it has changed to basically a BOGO. That’s a no-go for me, but it may still get you excited.

I have not included Ulta in my list because you have to make a purchase the year previous (and it needs to be a certain amount- I’ve been told different amounts by various Ulta Employees, anywhere from $5-$50), so for me, that’s not a freebie. If I have to buy something to receive something, that’s a BOGO deal.

Remember to read the fine print for these offers. Most of them are for adults, ages 18+ (19 in some states). Some offers require the coupon/offer to be printed out, and for some, you can just show your phone.

 

How do Bloggers Make Money?

Abby H.

A couple of weeks ago, a friend asked me how bloggers make money. He never met anyone who was a blogger; he knew plenty of Twitch streamers, bloggers, and TikTokers, but nobody who was an old-school blogger.

While this is not a comprehensive list of ways bloggers make money, here are just a few ways that I either make money now or have made money in the past.

Brand deals: Brand deals are a big one. Brands send bloggers products or provide services to facilitate reviews or for advertising on blogs and related social media. I have done brand deals before, and they are usually a lot of work, but it is always fun to try out a new product or service that you might otherwise not be able to afford. 

Affiliate marketing: Bloggers sometimes opt to work with advertising networks. Affiliate marketing links consumers to products and services. Bloggers receive a small commission when links are clicked and when purchases are made after clicking through a link.

I use a few affiliate marketing networks such as Shopher (formerly MySavings) and Share A Sale. I am an Amazon affiliate as well. A lot of affiliate marketing networks have a small pay-per-click fee of a few cents per click. So, visiting links in bloggers’ posts, either on their blogs or their affiliated social media, can help bloggers a little bit.

Selling products or services: Some bloggers sell products. Printables are very popular. Sometimes through Etsy, but also sometimes directly through their own websites.

Some blog or cell services like exclusive content (Patreon), consulting services, or classes specializing in their blog niche. Many years ago, I used to teach couponing/frugal living classes in my local area. While the classes themselves were free, I sold newspaper subscriptions, and that’s how I made money. This is back in the days when most coupons came in the Sunday paper, and rebate apps like I bought it or not common.

Referral credits: When bloggers share apps or services, oftentimes the app service offers a referral incentive. Examples include Ibotta, Fetch Rewards, and Venmo. They frequently have incentives of a few dollars (or the point value equivalent), usually up to about $10. 

Of course, the more a blogger posts, and the more eyes are on the content, the greater the opportunity to earn money.

Supporting your local blogger by visiting a blog for even five minutes or scrolling through a post is a great way to support a blogger. Read a few posts and share on social media if you find something that resonates. Leave a comment on their social media. These small steps can really help increase a blogger’s reach, which opens them up to being offered more lucrative opportunities.

Free Mainstays Adjustable Folding Table at Walmart After Cash Back (TopCashback)

Abby H.

This is an amazing deal for those who are new to TopCashback.

Get a FREE Mainstays Adjustable Folding Table with this Top Cashback offer! Sign up and purchase the Mainstays Adjustable Folding Table to get $30.94 of your purchase price back with this cash-back offer – making it free.

If you are not a TopCashback member, you are in luck. TopCashback is a rebate site that I’ve been using for at least 10 years.

When you shop online, search for the retailer, click the link, and shop. You’ll receive cashback on your purchase. Amounts/percentages vary by retailer.   TopCashBack is free to join and can be used with over 4,000 stores!

It’ll take about 15 days or so for your TopCashBack account to be credited. Once your account has been credited, you can cash out your rebate.

I do most of my shopping online through TopCashBack and earn about $200/year. I cash out for PayPal or Target Giftcards.