Did you ever wish your birthday celebration could last all month, instead of just one day?
A great way to get birthday freebies is to sign up for rewards programs offered by restaurants, movie theaters, bookstores, supermarkets and a host of other merchants.
One week before my April 1 birthday, the freebie offers started pouring in!
Several of the deals came from businesses located in Mt. Lebanon. Bravo at the Galleria offered $20 off any $40 purchase. My selection: a tomato caprese appetizer, spaghetti pomodoro for me and an order of spaghetti and meatballs for my husband. Savings: $20
Later that week, I claimed my free large popcorn at AMC Theater in the Galleria. After all, who doesn’t like free popcorn? Savings: $10.29
Next stop: Fresh Market, just around the corner from the Galleria, where I was treated to a free slice of their yummy towering birthday cake. Savings: $4.29
I didn’t want to leave Mt. Lebanon without using my $5 birthday coupon from Rollier’s Hardware. My dog Emmy was the beneficiary of a Redbarn peanut butter filled bone. Savings: $5
A little further up Washington Road, it was time to claim my $9 birthday reward from Honey Baked Ham and pick up a classic ham sandwich. Savings: $9
A trip to South Hills Village offered $5 off a purchase at Barnes & Noble, where I picked up a foldable travel bag that was already on sale, then bought some “unmentionables” with my $25 reward from Soma, received a free travel size body cream from Bath & Body Works and spent my $20 birthday reward on a new blouse at Loft before signing up for a chance to win a $250 American Express Simon gift card.
Savings: $5 at Barnes & Noble | $25 at Soma | $9.95 at Bath & Body Works | $20 at Loft
With all this driving around, it was time to get gas. I took advantage of my Sheetz rewards to claim my birthday offers of $2 off food or beverage and an extra 10 cents off fuel. Savings: $2.90
Downloading the McDonald’s app offered me the chance to select from several menu items. The following day, I opted for the free birthday cheeseburger. Savings: $2.99
Because I’m a Starbucks rewards member, I treated myself to a free oatmilk latte. Savings: $5.45
Plenty of birthday freebies awaited me in the weeks ahead, including a free regular sub sandwich at Jersey Mike’s. Savings: $9.75
Three weeks into my birthday celebration, I ordered a complimentary appetizer from P.F. Chang’s, where chicken lettuce wraps are a favorite of mine. Savings: $14.29
The next day, I claimed my free birthday burger reward from Red Robin. Savings: $14.39
A free slice of cheesecake was still calling my name at Cheesecake Factory. Who can resist a slice of fresh strawberry cheesecake? Savings: $11.95
After a visit to Kohl’s to claim my $5 birthday reward, I capped off the evening with a complimentary espresso martini at Bishop’s Corner Café. Savings: $15
As of this writing, I still have one day to claim 5% off an entire Target run!
Total birthday freebie savings: $185
As you can see, it pays to get on e-mail lists and sign up for loyalty programs.
And, these are just the freebies I happened to sign up for. There are a lot more where these came from, either in Mt. Lebanon or elsewhere.
So, if you have a birthday coming up, you may want to sign up now, because who doesn’t like free stuff on their birthday?