Let’s be real: some “freebies” are just junk you didn’t want in the first place. But useful freebies? Now that’s the good stuff.
We’re talking about real, legit, free things that are totally worth the tiny bit of effort it takes to snag them. Yes, we’ve personally tried every single one on this list – all 25!
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1. Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Local fire departments and city programs often give away free smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Be sure to ask, because ometimes they’ll even install them for you!
2. Utility Company Energy Audits
These are gold standard of useful freebies. Not only do they inspect your home, but they’ll often give you free tools (like power strips or insulation) and install them. Win-win.
Free energy audits are generally reserved for low to moderate income households. But, the thresholds are often pretty generous. Check with your energy company for details on availability and qualifications for participation in the program.
3. Weekly Free Credit Reports
Prior to 2020, you could only get your credit report once a year from the three major credit bureaus. Post-COVID, they are now offered weekly (not just yearly). This report not only allows you to ascertain open credit accounts, it also lets you check to see if anyone else is fraudulently using your personal information.
Be certain you are going to the official website to request them. Scams abound.
4. Free Books & DVDs from Local Bookstores
Yep, some used bookstores will straight-up give away books and DVDs. Just check their sidewalk boxes or tables during warm months.
5. Local Libraries are Freebie Central
Free books, movies, seeds, puzzles, coupon exchanges, classes… libraries are a treasure trove of useful freebies.
6. Online Calculators for Finances & Retirement
Free online calculators can take the guesswork out of complicated math required for things like: early mortgage payoffs, early retirement, compound interest on credit cards, and more. Our personal favorite is Calculator.net, with amazing tools to plan your finances and no personal info required.
7. Free Movie Streaming
Your library likely has streaming services like Kanopy or Hoopla. Add in Pluto, Tubi, and YouTube, and you’re set for movie nights.
8. Free Music
Our broke, frugal college student son says Spotify’s free tier is your best bet for great tunes at zero cost. You can also check out other options like, YouTube playlists, and even Pandora.
9. Free Podcasts
Want to learn about a topic while multi-tasking, cleaning, or walking? Check out podcasts. It’s easy to search by topic and find a new source of great information.
10. Walgreens Free Photo Prints
Sign up for weekly emails from Walgreens. Then, keep an eye out periodic coupons to score free 5×7 or 4×6 photo prints. Get the free photos, set them aside, and then use them as perfect gifts or holiday cards.
11. Buy Nothing Groups
Search Facebook for local “Buy Nothing” groups in your area. People give away all kinds of stuff they no longer need. We’ve both given and received great items without spending a single dime.
12. Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial
Most people don’t realize you can sign up for a free 30-day Amazon Prime trial once per calendar year – per email address. Just be sure to cancel before the end of the trial period, or you’ll be charged the regular monthly price. We time it around Prime Day or the holidays to get the maximum value.
13. Birthday Freebies
Tons of restaurants and stores hand out birthday goodies. Some offers are good only on the day of your birthday, while others are valid the entire week or month of your birthday. Sign up for loyalty emails and start celebrating.
14. Free Online College-Level Courses
One of the most useful freebies you’ll find is useful, helpful information that enhances your life or teaches you a new skill.
You can audit courses (some are college level) on Coursera. You get the exact same lectures that are offered to enrolled students. Although you can’t claim college credit at the end, you can sometimes pay for a certificate of completion.
For more free courses, check out Udemy. If you see paid courses on the website you’d really like to access, find out if your library has a subscription to Udemy. Our does and it gives us more access to the paid version! Lifelong learning has never been so easy or looked so good.
15. Free Manufacturer Coupons
Have a favorite product? Email the company with a compliment about your favorite product and ask if they offer coupons. Many do — some even give totally free items!
16. Event Swag
We’ve scored everything from pens, pencils, and sticky notes to reusable bags, hats, and even T-shirts – all totally free at local events, expos, and job fairs.
These places are goldmines for useful freebies, and you don’t usually have to do more than stop by a booth and chat with the vendors.
17. Free Cashback Apps
We’ve used both Fetch and Rakuten for years, and they’re game-changers.
With Fetch, you just upload receipts — from anywhere — and earn points you can redeem for gift cards to over a hundred well-known stores and restaurants.
We love Rakuten, a free browser extension. It finds available coupons before you check out and stacks on cashback for every purchase. It’s like getting paid to shop.
We use both of these apps to help fund our Christmas shopping!
18. Free Food on Special Days
There are well over a dozen national food days scattered throughout the year. For example, Dunkin’ gives out free donuts on National Donut Day, and Burger King offers a free burger with just a $1 in-app purchase on National Cheeseburger Day. Whenever one of these tasty holidays rolls around, keep an eye out for free (or nearly free) food deals from your favorite spots.
19. Free Restaurant App Offers
Plenty of restaurant apps offer freebies just for signing up – like free coffee, fries, or even full meals.
Our kids love using the McDonald’s app, which regularly includes games, deals, and surprise free food offers. We like Panera, which often throws in a freebie and sometimes offers their Unlimited Sip Club for just $3/month for the first few months.
20. Kids Eat Free Deals
Some restaurants offer free kids’ meals when you buy an adult entrée. This is usually on slower nights like Tuesdays. When our kids were younger, we could feed the whole family for the price of just two adult meals. Be sure to check the age requirements and how many adult meals you need to buy to take advantage of the offer. If you are eating in the restaurant, always figure a generous tip into the price of your meal.
21. “Too Good To Go” App
Not completely free, but Too Good to Go is our very favorite way to enjoy an inexpensive date night. Download the app. Look for great offers from restaurants and bakeries in your area.
Reserve a surprise bag and enjoy a heavily discounted restaurant meal. We’ve used it to score takeout for up to 75% off. It’s a great way to reduce food waste while keeping our budget happy.
22. Bonus Gift Cards
Around holidays like Mother’s Day, Black Friday, or Christmas, many restaurants offer bonus gift cards when you purchase a certain amount. For example, buy $50 in gift cards and get a $10 bonus card for yourself.
Just check the fine print, because bonus cards usually have blackout days (like the weekends) and shortened expiration dates.
23. Free Tax Preparation
Local libraries often host free tax prep help, staffed by retired tax pros or financial volunteers. You’ll almost always need to book an appointment, but they can often help with both state and federal returns.
Also, the IRS offers free filing tools online through its official site. These offers are designed for those who have a simple return and meet the income guidelines. We did this one year. We researched the offers we qualified for and picked the one that best met our needs.
Whatever option you choose, be sure you understand all the guidelines, limitations, and any monetary obligations on your part before signing up.
24. Free Museum Admissions
When our kids were growing up, visiting local museums, zoos, and nature parks was one of our favorite activities. However, regular general admission was cost prohibitive So, we found ways and times to get in for free.
Many museums and zoos offer free admission days each year. To find out when, check their website, give them a call, or follow them on social media. Can’t find any free dates that suit your schedule? Your local library might also have passes you can check out, just like a book.
If you’re near a state or national park, keep an eye out for free entry weeks too. These are perfect for family outings without the hefty price tag.
25. Unclaimed Money
You could be owed unclaimed money and not even know it. Search your state’s treasury or unclaimed property site using your name (and even your maiden name), and you might find forgotten refunds, deposits, or even inheritance funds.
We’ve heard from multiple readers and viewers who’ve gotten back anywhere from $20 to $3000+ this way!
Your Turn
What are your favorite useful freebies that you’ve scored? Did we miss any good ones? Drop your best finds in the comments.
Thank you for sharing this information and your frugal tips. I like your approach to life. God bless you and yours always. Merry Christmas and blessed 2026.
Merry Christmas to your family, as well.
Mystery shopping is also a great way to get free products and/or services and possibly get paid a bit extra as well!
Great idea.