For those on a budget, one of the best ways to save money is by not spending any at all. With inflation still rising, finding ways to cut costs is more critical than ever. And with a bit of planning and research, you can still enjoy the good life without breaking the bank!
One of the most obvious ways to save is to get stuff for free. From gift cards and cosmetic goods to household items and gifts, with some effort and an internet connection, there are many ways you can score free stuff in 2023.
Be Careful of Scams
Before we get into how you can score free stuff in 2023, you must know what to look for. Not all websites proclaiming free samples or other free stuff are legit. For example, sites with “get this free” headers that only give away the sample or product after you “qualify” are usually not on the up and up.
Reputable freebie websites should only require your name, email, and mailing address. Never provide your Social Security number or credit card information to acquire a free sample. Legitimate freebie sites won’t ask for secured personal information or money (other than possible shipping costs).
It is also advisable to avoid websites with many advertisements, pop-ups, grammatical errors, or that otherwise appear amateurish. Also, if a site seems excessively complicated or suspicious, you should avoid it. Usually, if it looks scammy, it most likely is.
Now that you know how to look for legitimate offers, you can start shopping for free stuff. Here are some of the best ways to score free stuff in 2023.
Use Coupons
One of the easiest ways to score freebies is by using coupons. Many freebie sites curate lists of coupons and update them frequently. You can also collect them from weekly ad papers, the newspaper, and store magazines.
Even though a typical coupon simply reduces the price of an item, you can often get it for free or just pennies on the dollar. Look for things that are already on sale and use a coupon on top of that. Sometimes, depending on your store’s policies, you can use multiple coupons for the same item.
If you enjoy couponing, you could even take things to the next level with extreme couponing. This hobby has become so popular that TLC even made a television show about it! Moreover, extreme couponing can help you score lots of free stuff in 2023.
Online Survey Websites
All you need is your phone and some time, and you can take surveys for free gift cards. Many websites will give you a free account and let you score freebies just for sharing your opinion.
For example, Branded Surveys rewards participants with gift cards and even cash just for answering easy online surveys. And a big plus is that you can get paid to take surveys on your own time. Simply create a profile and begin taking surveys on your phone or computer right away. Then, depending on the amount of time you have, you could earn enough points for a gift card in a day or two! You’ll have lots of options to choose from as well. Branded offers dozens of gift cards from popular retailers and restaurants. Some of these include Amazon, Fandango, CVS, Apple, Visa, and more!
Product Reviews
Product reviews are a great way to score free stuff in 2023. Companies often send items to people for free in exchange for an honest and constructive review of their product or service.
Product reviews allow companies to receive valuable product feedback, helping them better understand their customer base and make improvements. In return, customers can benefit from receiving free products just by writing an honest review.
Be sure to read all the instructions before accepting any review task. Remember that it is important to be honest about the product and mention any aspects that could be improved. This will make you a valuable product reviewer and often prompt the company to send you more products to try.
Free Trials and Subscriptions
Free trials can be a great way to score free products and services without any upfront cost. For example, you can get free movie streaming, makeup, gym time, audiobooks, and more.
Subscription boxes like the ones from Ipsy and Walmart send monthly packages with numerous makeup and beauty product samples. They typically only charge shipping. These companies hope you will love the product enough to buy the bigger version, but you get to keep all the sample sizes they send you for free. And many times, there are even full-size products in the box!
Streaming services usually offer free trials. Some of them even give you a full 30 days of free viewing! As long as you cancel before the trial period ends, you can watch your favorite shows and movies for free all year by using different streaming services. This can save you lots of money and give you free entertainment. No need to go to expensive movie theaters when you can access great flicks at home.
It’s important to use caution when signing up for free trials and subscriptions. Most companies bank (literally) on you keeping the service or forgetting to cancel. To ensure you’re not charged after the trial period ends, know exactly when you need to cancel and set a calendar reminder. In addition, always read and save the terms and conditions in full so you are aware of all related contractual obligations.
Use Freebie Websites
If you really want to score free stuff in 2023, hop online and check out some freebie websites. These can be a great source of free items. While some websites may offer a few items here and there, others have a wide variety of stuff ranging from samples to trial subscriptions to full-size products. Here are just a few popular freebie websites:
- Freebies.com
- Krazy Coupon Lady
- Sample Source
- Tryspree
- I Love Free Stuff
Make sure to always read the rules and regulations of the site before signing up. Freebie websites can offer some great items, but many of them will require you to sign up for newsletters that can clutter your inbox. To avoid this, use a separate email address just for your freebie-related stuff. And remember, legit sites will not ask you to enter personal information like your social security number.
Other Ways To Score Freebies
Here are a few other unique ways to get some free stuff:
- Contests and giveaways: Keep an eye out for contests and giveaways on social media and in your local community. These can be a great way to win free products or services.
- Freecycle and Craigslist: Freecycle and Craigslist are online platforms where people give away unwanted items for free. You can browse the listings to see if you’re interested in anything. You might be surprised at the things people are offering for free.
- Swapping or trading: Consider swapping or trading items you no longer need with others who have something you’re interested in. You can do this through online platforms such as Swap.com or in your local community through events like clothing swaps or book exchanges.
- Loyalty programs: Some companies offer loyalty programs that reward you with free products or services after you make a certain number of purchases or referrals.
There are many ways to score free stuff in 2023. We have given you some fantastic ideas, from couponing to taking surveys for cash or gift cards to using freebie websites, but the possibilities are almost endless. Just make sure you are using legitimate sites and keep your information secure. Happy hunting, and may you find some really cool free stuff.
