My husband and I always say our birthdays are at the best time of year. His is in August and mine is in September, effectively kicking of Fall, football, and the holidays. We’re also both frugal, and he has an affinity for coupons. This is why for the last two years, we’ve used his birthday as a trial run to see which birthday deals are the best, since both were on the weekend. We knew we would use this knowledge a few weeks later for mine. Now I’d like to share what we have learned with you.
Last year, we made a spur of the moment decision to go get "free stuff," since my husband’s birthday was on a Saturday. We didn’t sign up for rewards programs in advance, nor did we have a real plan. The result was us driving around two counties basically showing his ID and asking for free stuff. We ended up with a lot of free food, especially desserts. We were foiled in a couple of places, like Ruby Tuesdays, because we didn’t sign up for the rewards programs in time. Note that every place we’ve found requires a rewards email except for Denny’s. Some also require an app.
We learned a lot from last year and were more strategic this year. Here are the deals we took advantage of on the day of (a Sunday):
Denny’s: free grand slam
No email rewards sign up necessary, just show ID at register
No additional purchase is necessary, but I also got a grand slam.
Moe’s Southwest Grill: free burrito and chips
Sign up for email rewards and download app
I got this meal to go and ate it for lunch.
PDQ: free 4-piece meal with tots and a drink
Sign up for rewards, show email to cashier
They gave him 6 strips! Possibly the best birthday deal there is.
Culver’s: free sundae
Sign up for emails, show email to cashier
We split this and meant to get a shake later in the day, but we were too full!
Here are the ones we plan to use later:
Carrabba’s: free appetizer or dessert
Supposedly need a rewards email. They don’t ask many questions nor check ID.
Note: this is good for your whole birthday month with the email.
Jersey Mike’s Subs: free sub
Sign up for emails 1 month in advance
Note: this coupon is good until your next birthday!
Ruby Tuesdays: free burger
Sign up for emails
Note: this coupon is emailed about a week prior to your birthday and is good for about 2 weeks after
Here are some we’ve either used in the past or have heard are good deals:
Waffle House: free waffle
Rewards email and MUST PRINT COUPON
We tried this but forgot to print the coupon!
Starbucks: free drink or food item
Rewards email and app
Einstein Bros. Bagels: free breakfast sandwich
Rewards email
IHOP: free stack of pancakes
Rewards email
Krispy Kreme: free donut
Rewards email
Arby’s: free shake
Rewards email
Firehouse: free sub
Download app and sign up
Red Robin: free burger
Rewards email
Steak N Shake: free shake
Rewards email
If you know of some, please comment, email (realadultingiseasy@gmail.com), or tweet (@AdultingIsEasy).
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