12 Ways to Get Free Stuff

When it comes to saving money on the things you want and need, you can’t beat getting them for free. What you may not realize is that there are ways to score many things without paying.

Here are 12 things you can do to get free stuff.

How to get free stuff online or in person

1. Check online community marketplaces

Community-driven groups such as Freecycle, Nextdoor and buy nothing groups on social media are great resources for free goods and services. You can find advertisements for a wide variety of things people want to give away, such as furniture, appliances, baby stuff, moving boxes and plants.

2. Find your local food pantry

If you are facing food insecurity, finding a local food pantry is a great option. Food pantries provide food to people and families in need at no cost. They’re often stocked with shelf-stable items (including canned goods, cereal and pasta) and some perishable goods (such as vegetables, fruit and dairy) through donations from grocery stores, churches and community members.

Some food banks might ask for your ID or proof of residency, but they typically require no documentation. To find a food pantry near you, visit the Feeding America website and type in your ZIP code.

3. Sample products

Look for free samples at stores. If you have a membership, you can graze on food at Costco and other wholesale clubs or ask for beauty and fragrance samples at stores like Sephora, Nordstrom and Macy’s. Community events like farmers markets may also offer samples from local sellers.

Can’t find samples in person? Request them online. For example, PINCHme sends users free products in exchange for testing and reviews.

4. Enroll in loyalty programs

Sign up for rewards programs at your favorite businesses. Many restaurants, theaters and retailers give members special perks for their birthdays or based on how much they spend. You could get free food, shipping, gift cards, merchandise, movie tickets and other freebies.

5. Use your library card

Libraries provide plenty of free educational and entertainment resources besides books. With a valid library card, you can often get access to movies, music, games, audiobooks, classes and museums passes.

Take advantage of free internet access and other digital services like e-books, online learning programs and webinars. Libraries also typically host events for people of all ages, such as story time for children and resume workshops for job-seekers. Check with your library for details.

6. Cash in on credit card rewards

Have a rewards credit card? You can redeem points, miles or cash back for things like hotel stays, flights and gift cards. Some cards come with additional perks such as free checked bags, travel insurance and access to airport lounges. Explore what types of rewards you can get with your card.

7. Download an app for freebies

Cash-back and rewards apps can hook you up with free stuff. With Shopkick, you earn points for visiting certain stores, scanning product bar codes or making purchases. You can redeem points for gift cards to places like Target and Starbucks. An app like Upside, which offers cash back on gas, restaurants and groceries, is another way to earn perks on necessary purchases.

Most apps do require a smartphone and internet access, which might not be available to all users.

8. Use coupons

Digital and paper coupons can help you score free things. Many stores and brands issue free items, buy one, get one free or free gift with purchase offers. You can get coupons from places like online databases, store apps and the Sunday newspaper. Make sure to read the terms, conditions and store policies.

9. Indulge in national food holidays

If you use social media, you’ve probably noticed that there’s a “holiday” to honor almost every food item. Find local restaurants or chains that participate and you could get free food or drink. For example, your local doughnut shop might give away free doughnuts on National Doughnut Day in June and your favorite Mexican restaurant might have deals for National Taco Day in October.

10. Sign up for a free trial

Subscription boxes and services are popular, but they can be expensive. You can get free TV, music streaming, audiobooks, snacks, meals, coffee and more by signing up for trial periods. For example, Crunch Fitness offers a free one-day gym pass, and Hulu is free for one month when you sign up for certain plans. Mark your calendar for the dates free trials end so you can cancel and avoid surprise charges.

11. Enter sweepstakes

Contests give you opportunities to win all sorts of cool prizes. Social media influencers give away freebies in exchange for "likes." Radio stations reward lucky callers with concert tickets. HGTV does a dream home giveaway. Vacations, merchandise and gift cards may also be at stake. Even if the odds of winning are low, it’s usually easy to enter.

Sometimes, you’ll get entries for leaving a product review on a website or tagging a brand in a social media post. Keep your eyes peeled for sweepstakes from your favorite companies. However, read the rules carefully and be cautious of scams. Legitimate sweepstakes won't ask for sensitive information like credit card or Social Security numbers.

12. Take online surveys

You can earn gift cards, money and sweepstakes entries by answering questions on sites like Swagbucks and MyPoints. Taking surveys is usually easy work, but time-consuming — and the payout can be low. See our survey site reviews to learn more.