Struggling to make her daughter’s 18th birthday special on a tight budget, a single mom discovers a treasure trove of birthday freebies. From Starbucks to Sephora, they embark on a fun-filled adventure, proving that even on a shoestring budget, celebrations can be unforgettable.
My daughter turned 18 today, and as a single mom, the past couple of months have been tough financially. It breaks my heart that I can’t always provide her with the little luxuries she deserves.
So, when she mentioned she had plans for her birthday, I was both curious and a bit worried.
A thoughtful woman | Source: Pexels
To my surprise, she had been meticulously planning a birthday adventure that didn’t require much money at all. She had put together a Google Doc, listing all the companies in our area that offer something for free on your birthday.
I was floored! Her plan was to spend the day visiting as many of these places as possible, gathering a variety of freebies to make her special day memorable.
As she excitedly showed me her list, I was amazed at how much she could get just by proving it was her birthday.
A teen girl using a laptop | Source: Pexels
First on the list was Krispy Kreme, where she could enjoy a free 3-count of original glazed doughnuts—just a sweet start to her day.
At Olive Garden, she could indulge in a complimentary dessert with the purchase of any adult entrée.
Sephora also had something special in store; she could choose a birthday gift set from popular brands like Kosas, Moroccanoil, Charlotte Tilbury, or Youth To The People.
Stores inside a mall | Source: Pexels
Starbucks offered a free any-sized drink with any additions, but only if she had the app downloaded and used the offer on the day of her birthday.
Finally, The Keg Steakhouse would provide a tiramisu and a buy one, get one free entrée, making it possible to enjoy a delicious meal together without stretching our budget.
And these were just the beginning. My daughter, ever the resourceful one, decided to dig deeper.
A teen girl using a laptop | Source: Pexels
At her suggestion, we both took to Reddit, a treasure trove of real-life experiences and tips, to see what other people had done to maximize their birthday hauls. Here are the tips we found:
Free Birthday Adventures:
I came across a Reddit comment from a user who had celebrated their daughter’s 18th birthday similarly.
They had managed to snag a free bundt cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes, a refreshing drink from Starbucks, a sweet treat from Cinnabon, and even a sandwich from Schlotzsky’s.
A sandwich | Source: Pexels
Another Reddit user shared that their favorite free birthday treat is a Moe’s homewrecker burrito, which is available via the eatery’s loyalty program and app. They also mentioned that the free Birthday Grand Slam from Denny’s is their second favorite.
Movie Theater Hack
A Redditor pointed out that some movie theaters, like Kinepolis, don’t seem to care if you sign up multiple times with the same name. They shared how they had once gone on a movie marathon, collecting free movie tickets for their birthday by visiting different cashiers each time.
Unexpected Birthday Gifts
A netizen humorously recalled receiving a free razor from the US Army and Gillette on their 18th birthday, which served as a reminder to register for the selective service.
A man shaving | Source: Pexels
A Veteran Freebie Hunter’s Experience
A longtime freebie collector shared that while some offers have become stingier over the years, there are still great deals to be found. They mentioned they still enjoy a free coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts to start their birthday.
A commenter to the thread had also noticed a decrease in special offers for people celebrating their birthdays. They also mentioned that Jersey Mike’s still offers a free sub on your birthday if you sign up with your ID.
A person holding a sub sandwich | Source: Pexels
Making the Most of It
One Redditor reminisced about a birthday when they were really broke but managed to spoil themselves with freebies all day. They called it one of the best birthdays they had ever planned for themselves.
Another also shared how they once celebrated his wife’s birthday in a similar fashion but drove a few hours to a major metropolitan area first.
On the way back home later that day, their wife also asked store clerks what free items she could get for her birthday, and generally received a 44 oz fountain drink.
A glass of soda | Source: Pexels
Maximizing Birthday Freebies
And this wasn’t even all! Searching on the internet turned up an entire webpage dedicated to birthday freebies.
From root beer floats at A&W’s to a free drink at Ziggi’s Coffee, this site seemed to have everything. It even mentioned that you can get discounts from Victoria’s Secret, coupons from stores like TJ Maxx, and points from Sheetz.
We didn’t even get into the whole list, partly because it mentioned that many offers were regional. We had plenty to do for my daughter’s birthday, so we headed out to celebrate.
A mother and daughter | Source: Pexels
My daughter’s 18th birthday turned into a fun, freebie-filled adventure, and it’s something I think we’ll both remember for a long time. Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind if you decide to try this yourself:
Sign Up for Loyalty Programs: Many of these offers require you to be part of a company’s loyalty program or email list.
If you’re worried about spam, Gmail is great at filtering promotional emails into a separate folder, so your main inbox stays clean.
Email notifications on a phone screen | Source: Pexels
Plan Your Route: If you’re planning to hit multiple places in one day, map out your route ahead of time to save on gas and make the most of your time.
Be Polite and Grateful: Always be polite and thankful when collecting your freebies. A little kindness goes a long way, and it can make the experience more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Check for Updates: Offers can change from year to year, so it’s a good idea to check the latest details before setting out on your birthday adventure.
A woman using her laptop | Source: Pexels
As a mom, I’m incredibly proud of my daughter’s resourcefulness. Even on a tight budget, she managed to have a memorable birthday by making the most of what was available to her. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best things in life really are free.
Now we’ve covered how many great companies offer birthday freebies, why not check out some great hacks for your home?
How to Have Natural Light in a Windowless Basement and 5 More Life Hacks to Make Your House Feel like Home
Transform your house into a cozy haven with these six clever life hacks. From bringing natural light to a windowless basement to adding warmth with strategically placed rugs, we’ll show you how to make your living space more inviting. Here are some simple yet effective ways to create a space you’ll love coming back to.
Your home is more than just four walls and a roof. It’s your personal sanctuary, a place where you should feel comfortable and at ease.
A living room | Source: Pexels
But sometimes, our living spaces can feel a bit lackluster, especially if we’re dealing with challenging areas like windowless basements or rooms that lack warmth and character.
The good news is that you don’t need a big budget or professional interior design skills to make your house feel more like home. With a few clever tricks and some creativity, you can transform your living space into a cozy, inviting environment that reflects your personality and style.
In this article, we’ll explore six life hacks that will help you improve the look and feel of your home. Let’s dive in!
Plants on a table | Source: Unsplash
Hack #1: Create the Illusion of Natural Light in Your Basement
Struggling with a basement that feels more like a dungeon than a part of your home? Redditor ZZbrew came up with a clever way to bring the feel of natural light into a windowless basement. Here’s what you need to do.
Start by finding a couple of old windows, which can often be purchased for as little as $10. Paint and frost the glass to give them a fresh look.
A frosted glass surface | Source: Pexels
Then, install them into the basement wall with 12-inch flat LED panels behind them.
By doing so, you’ll make it look like it’s sunny outside, but it’s actually the LED lights that are illuminating the room.
You’ve got two options here. Either go with cool lights or warm ones. To choose between warm and cool lights, consider the atmosphere you want to create in your basement.
Warm lights, with their yellowish hue, create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. They mimic the golden tones of late afternoon sunlight, making them ideal for relaxation areas or entertainment spaces.
These lights can make the room feel smaller and more intimate, perfect for creating a snug den-like environment.
On the other hand, cool white lights mimic natural daylight, giving a more authentic “window” feel. They’re ideal for workspaces or areas requiring clear visibility and can make the room feel more spacious and airy.
For added realism, consider using smart LED panels that can change color temperature throughout the day.
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