Being a college student is expensive. From tuition to housing to food to entertainment to utilities, it can be hard to keep up with all the bills. So, for broke college students, free swag and goodies are always welcome. When it comes to that special day of the year, many companies offer discounts to help you celebrate while many others offer complete freebies! The downside to most of these freebies is that you will likely have to sign up for an account and subscribe to their emails, but isn’t that what junk mail is for?
If you want to save some money on your special day, here are some birthday freebies you have to check out:Â
- BJ’s
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The line outside BJ’s for a $3 Pizookie on Tuesday reminds me of the lines at Disneyland, so it’s definitely a campus favorite. If you’re looking for a free Pizookie, join BJ’s Premier Rewards Plus to get one for your birthday.
- Sprinkles
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My favorite cupcakes are Sprinkles cupcakes and I’m excited to receive a free cupcake on my next birthday from Sprinkles Perks since I bought a dozen for my last one.Â
- Sephora
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Becoming a Beauty Insider is easy and gets you a free gift during your birthday month. They typically give you two or three options in the store or online at checkout. Past gifts include Marc Jacobs gel eyeliner, Fresh face cleanser, Tarte lip gloss and more.
- bareMinerals
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Joining the Friends and Benefits Program from bareMinerals will get you a free gift on your birthday.Â
- Denny’s
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Denny’s is conveniently located in Westwood for late-night food runs and delivery, so if you’re looking for a free Grand Slam, sign up for Denny’s loyalty program.Â
- Krispy Kreme
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Downloading the Krispy Kreme app and signing up for their rewards program scores you a free birthday treat.
- Starbucks
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If you register a Starbucks giftcard with My Starbucks Rewards, you can start to earn all sorts of perks and get a free drink on your birthday (plus 15% off!).Â
- IHOP
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If a free birthday meal seems up your alley, join the Pancake Revolution eClub. Not only do they serve you free pancakes on your birthday, but they also give you a free stack for every anniversary of your signup date!
- Panda Express
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When campus reopens, I know that I’ll be frequenting Panda Express at least a couple times a month. If you register for emails, you’ll receive an exclusive birthday offer!
- Smashbox
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In case you haven’t had enough free makeup, signing up for the SmashCash loyalty program gives you birthday and anniversary gifts! Unfortunately, those gifts are exclusive to members who regularly make purchases (of at least $75 annually).Â
- Baskin-Robbins
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If you sign up to be a Birthday Club member, you get a free scoop of ice cream on your birthday plus a special discount on a birthday cake! I personally love ice cream more than cake, so it’s a sweet treat that I look forward to each year.
- Jamba Juice
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Once you join the Jamba Juice rewards program, you can get a celebratory birthday smoothie for free, as long as you’ve accumulated at least 15 points (the equivalent of spending $15).
- Dunkin’ Donuts
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Signing up for DD Perks earns you a free medium beverage at signup and another free drink for your birthday!Â
- Anthropologie
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Anthropologie’s AnthroPerks will also snag you a special treat to celebrate your birthday. Supposedly it’s a 15% off discount code, but I guess you’ll have to check for yourself when your birthday comes up.
- Ulta Beauty
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During your Birthday Month, the Ulta Beauty Rewards program offers you twice the points as well as a free gift! Since Ulta is conveniently walking distance in Westwood, you can stop by for a freebie before your birth month ends!
Besides the companies listed above, there are plenty of other birthday freebies to be had. To find the best free things and discounts for your celebration, be sure to check out the restaurants and stores you already frequent to see if they have rewards programs. Don’t forget to sign up about a month in advance to make sure that you receive the reward. Let the next birthday be a reminder that free stuff is good all month long! Â