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30 Expensive Things That Aren’t Worth The Money

Trista Smith July 2, 2021

No matter how much money you make, we are all guilty of splurging on unnecessary expenses. However, sometimes it’s difficult to figure out what items truly have a good value, and what isn’t. Many of our purchases today are motivated by comparing ourselves to people on Instagram or Facebook. So much money is wasted in order to “Keep Up With the Jones'”. Here at SelfMade, we have selected 30 expensive things in your life that are truly no worth the money.

Paying for an unlimited data plan is very expensive. Credit: Shutterstock

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30. Unlimited Data Plans

Most major phone carriers offer an unlimited data plan for $50 to $75, but this may be an extra service on top of the plan you are already paying for. If you are paying for all the bells and whistles, this means you’re paying over $1,000 per year for your cell phone service. In today’s world, there is free WiFi all over the place, and if you subscribe to Comcast Internet, your phone will automatically look for Xfinity hotspots wherever you go. This makes it unnecessary, except for using a your GPS, or in times where it’s truly necessary to look something up with data.

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Gourmet coffee is generally overpriced. Credit: Shutterstock

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29. Gourmet Coffee

Going to trendy coffee shops and getting your favorite caffeine fix sounds tempting. And for busy people, they justify their coffee habit as a small way to treat themselves for their hard work. But if you spend $4 at Starbucks every single day, that’s $1,460 per year. Compare that to buying a bag of coffee and making it at home. Starbucks bagged coffee grounds or K-Cups are around $10 each, and it’s even cheaper if you find coupons or stock up during a sale. Let’s assume one bag lasts two weeks. That would be just $260 per year. You are still drinking the exact same coffee, but it’s a fraction of the price.

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Luxury brand watches cost thousands of dollars. Credit: Shutterstock

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28. Luxury Watches

Some people see luxury watches as a status symbol. They really want a Rolex to prove that they have “made it” in their career. However, these watches are thousands of dollars, and all they do is tell time and shine on your wrist. There is a very small percentage of the world who actually cares about what watch brand you buy. So choose something classic, fashionable,and affordable, instead.

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Paying for extravagant wedding venues cost thousands of dollars. can Credit: Shutterstock

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27. Extravagant Weddings

The average cost of a wedding in the United States is just over $35,000. Some people pay far more if they want to book an extravagant venue, or go overseas for their ceremony. For a lot of people, that would pay off their car loan, student loans, or serve as a down payment on a house. Before you get into debt over a wedding, remember that it is just one day, and it’s all over in the blink of an eye. And in the end, all that matters is that you and your partner have one another.

 

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Designer handbags are usually not worth the money. Credit: Shutterstock

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26. Designer Purses

There are plenty of women out there who believe that they need to buy a designer purse in order to show that they are successful. However, true designer handbags can cost thousands of dollars. Knock-offs are clearly fake to a trained eye, and they just look tacky. It is much better to find a simple, chic purse that is made with high quality materials. More often than not, everyone will assume it is a designer purse, simply because you wear it with confidence.

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Robot vacuums are not as cool as they seem to be. Credit: Shutterstock

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25. Robot Vacuum Cleaners

Robot vacuum cleaners are one of those items that sounds amazing in theory, but it’s not so great in practice. These little vacuums have very small containers, and they need to be emptied more frequently than a normal vacuum. They can also get stuck sometimes, and you have to sort of babysit them. It is actually a lot faster, cheaper, and more convenient just to get a stick vacuum for around $20, instead.

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So many people feel like it is necessary to have a new phone every year. Credit: Shutterstock

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24. Brand New Smart Phones

Having a brand new cell phone every single year has become one of the top items that people lust after in the 21st Century. At this point, there are so many older models of smart phones that go on sale for hundreds of dollars off of last year’s price, and they still work great.

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Fine jewelry is often an unnecessary expense. Credit: Shutterstock

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23. Fine Jewelry

There are certain jewelry pieces that women want to have with real gold and diamonds, like a wedding ring. This is understandable, since it is going to be on your finger every single day for the rest of your life. The metal on a costume jewelry ring would change color after just a few months of constant ware. But for every other kind of jewelry, it’s not really necessary to pay for the real deal, especially if it is only worn occasionally. Many people will not be able to tell the difference, anyway, as long as it looks good. For high-end costume jewelry, check out Nordstrom.

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Cable TV is very expensive. Credit: Shutterstock

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22. Cable TV Plans

Cable TV plans are expensive. Most people pay $50 to $100 per month for service, and they have to watch commercials! If you already have an internet connection, switch to a steaming service like Hulu or Netflix, where you can get countless hours of entertainment for just $10 a month.

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Skin care can cost hundreds of dollars. Credit: Shutterstock

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21. High-End Skincare Products

Every year, there is a new skincare product on the market that promises to be the miracle anti-aging serum. In reality, a lot of these products work similarly to one another, and it is a total waste to spend hundreds of dollars on a face cream. Instead of splurging on these skincare products, try to do a combination of both internal and external improvements for your skin. Get more sleep, drink more water, exfoliate, and do some research on the best $30 cream, instead of a $300 cream.

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A dozen roses may be traditional, but it sure is expensive. Credit: Shutterstock

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20. A Dozen Roses on Valentines Day

It may be tradition to buy your loved one a dozen roses on Valentines Day, but it costs roughly $50 to do so. Yikes! These roses are just going to wilt after a week, so it becomes a huge waste of money. There are plenty of $10 to $20 bouquet options in every grocery store that have a few roses arranged next to cheaper flowers. Use the other $40 to $30 towards taking your date out to a romantic dinner, instead.

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Wooden furniture like this was in style at one point in time, but it now looks dated.Credit: Shutterstock

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19. Heavy Furniture

Some people love the look of heavy wooden furniture, because it feels very expensive and regal. In some cases, you really should invest in real wood, because it will last longer than cheap particle board furniture. However, there are some people who go overboard by spending thousands of dollars on heavy pieces. You also need to keep in mind that if you ever move some day, you are most likely going to have to hire a crew of people to help you get the furniture out of your house or apartment.

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Eating at a steakhouse can be very expensive. Credit: Shutterstock

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18. Steak Dinners

For ravenous carnivore types, dinner at a steakhouse is a weekly tradition. While it’s a huge treat, it can be very expensive, especially if you buy a bottle of wine to go with it. Try cooking steak at home. If you don’t know where to start, check out Gordon Ramsay’s YouTube video where he explains how to cook the perfect steak. Combine that with a bottle of wine from your local shop, and you have a cozy night in at a discounted priced.

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Loaning money to friends and family can become an expensive habit. Credit: Shutterstock

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17. Loaning Money to Friends and Family

There is a fine line between helping a friend who is truly in need, and having someone take advantage of your kindness. Unfortunately, there are situations where we feel obligated to “loan” money to a loved one for the sake of maintaining the relationship. If there is a continuous pattern where someone borrows money from you and never pays it back, it’s time to put your foot down. Instead of giving them money, offer them help in some other way. More often than not, truly manipulative people will simply move on to the next person if you say “no”.

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There are a lot of dogs out there who need your love. Credit: Shutterstock

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16. Purebred Dogs

Buying a purebred dog can cost over $1,000 for a single puppy. Not only are you paying a lot of money, but it means that you are turning up your nose to another dog in a pound who truly needs a home. If you truly have your heart set on adoption a certain breed, try to have patience. Many animal shelters will update their website or Facebook with incoming dogs and cats that are available for adoption, and you could jump on the opportunity to adopt the breed of dog you are looking for when one becomes available.

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Some baby toys and gadgets are actually totally unecessary. Credit: Shutterstock

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15. Trendy Baby Products

First-time parents never know what to expect when a little one is on the way. The baby industry is a multi-billion dollar business, so they profit on making sure new parents receive advice coming from left and right about what products and gadgets parents truly “need”. And yet nearly every parent ends up with products they hardly used when their child was an infant. Before you buy an expensive baby item, check out reviews from real people on Amazon and YouTube who are not being paid to promote the product, and ask your friends and family for their opinions.

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Lottery tickets are a waste of money. Credit: Shutterstock

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14. Lottery Tickets

Buying a lottery ticket may be inexpensive in the moment, and you might pay between $1 to $5. Plenty of people justify this, because they believe that maybe one day, they will be the lucky one-in-a-million who will strike it rich. This becomes incredibly expensive once someone makes a habit of buying tickets on a regular basis. Just $10 per week on lottery tickets adds up to $520 per year.

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Hardcover books are almost never necessary. Credit: Shutterstock

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13. Hardcover Books

Hardcover books are beautiful, and they look great on your shelf. Whenever bestselling authors like Stephen King come out with a new book, you always have the option between hardcover and paperback. Hardcover books are always twice as expensive as the paperback copies. If you only plan to read the book once, why waste the money? Consider buying the paperback or eBook copy instead, or better yet- borrow it from the library, so that you can read it for free.

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Leave the expensive headphones for the professionals. Credit: Shutterstock

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12. Expensive Headphones

Beats headphones and Apple Airpods are really on-trend right now, but the sound quality is not that much better than cheaper brands. Unless you plan to become a professional DJ, you may want to skip spending over $100, and go with the trusty $10 pairs at your local Target or Walmart.

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Cocktails at restaurants are usually expensive. Credit: Shutterstock

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11. Drinks at a Restaurant

Ordering a drink with your meal can be fun, and if you show up at happy hour, you might get lucky with a $2 beer or margarita. However, most of the time, you’re paying $10 for a single cocktail. If you make a habit of this, it can seriously add up. Wait until you get home to drink, or invite your friends over to share a bottle of wine, instead of going out for drinks.

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Luxury car companies try to convince you that you’ll have a beautiful lady on your arm if you have the right ride. Credit: Shutterstock

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10. Luxury Cars

So many people fantasize about having a luxury car. But any owner of a high-class vehicle will tell you that they are not really sure if it’s worth all the hype. When something goes wrong, you can’t buy cheap stock parts. Every single thing has to be special ordered and dealt with at the dealership. You also have to pay for premium gas. Even with a Tesla, you will have to use up electricity in your home, or wait in line to use a free charging station. Basically, the grass is greener on the other side, and plenty of luxury car owners regret their decision and go back to a normal car.

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Luxury hotel rooms have extra perks, but they are outrageously expensive. Credit: Shutterstock

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9. Upscale Hotel Rooms

Luxury hotels are all over Instagram, TV, YouTube, and so much more. We imagine ourselves going on these posh vacations, but the price tag that goes along with it is staggering. In reality, you are only staying there one or two nights. And if you are on vacation, you’re most likely spending the majority of your time outside of the hotel room, anyway. Remember- it’s just a place to sleep. That’s all.

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Over-the-counter pills usually have a cheaper option. Credit: Shutterstock

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8. Name Brand Medication

Most over-the-counter medicine has a cheaper version of it made by the store. Target, CVS, Rite Aid, and Walmart all have knockoff pills of common medications. For example, Walmart has boxes of night time cold medicine for just $1, versus the $10 box of NyQuil Liquigels. If you are unsure, check the back of the box to look for ingredients in each of the products. Also pay attention to the milligrams-per-dose, if you are switching brands.

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Luxury gyms may seem alluring, but they will burn a hole in your pocket. Credit: Shutterstock

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7. Upscale Gym Memberships

Sometimes, it can be worth it to upgrade your gym membership to a nicer facility. However, there is a dividing line between a “normal” gym that costs $10 to $30 a month, and a luxury gym that costs $75 to $150. The more expensive gyms are usually cleaner, less crowded, and give you carte blanche to take as many classes as you want. So, if you are already paying $30 per yoga class, it might be worth it for you. However, if you hardly go to the gym as it is, be honest with yourself, and go with the cheaper option.

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Only buy premium gas if you car actually needs it. Credit: Shutterstock

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6. Premium Gas

Buying premium gas is required for most luxury cars, but it is not necessary for normal vehicles. If you aren’t sure, double-check your new car’s manual. But more often than not, it is okay to fill up your tank with “regular” gas. In fact, according to an investigation by CBS News, AAA polled their customers and found out that tons of people pay for plus or premium gas when they don’t have to. Paying for premium gas isn’t even worth it, because it won’t make a difference in how your car performs. The price difference may only be a few cents, but over time, this will save you hundreds of dollars.

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Fancy salons do not always mean you are getting better quality. Credit: Shutterstock

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5. Fancy Hair Salons

Upscale hair salons look beautiful, and some of them may even boast having celebrity clientele. These places expect you to pay over $100 for a haircut. However, there are so many other talented hairdressers out there working for normal salons where you can pay just $30. It may take some searching to find a great stylist, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

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When something is too on-trend, no one will want to wear it by next year. Credit: Shutterstock

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4. Trendy Fashion

Every single year, there is a new fashion trend that quickly becomes outdated in just one to two years. If you buy clothes and shoes that follow these trends, you will find that your wardrobe needs to be updated far more frequently than someone who chooses to wear “classic” pieces that always look good. Build up a classic wardrobe, and keep your trendy items to a minimum. Over time, this can save you hundreds- if not thousands- of dollars.

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You pay far more for buying magazines at the stand. Credit: Shutterstock

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3. Magazines at Newsstands

When you buy a magazine from a news stand, airport, or pharmacy, you will typically pay $5 to $10 per issue, depending on the publication. Compare that to the price of a year-long subscription, which is just $20 to $30 for 12 issues. If you already pay for Amazon Prime, you will be able to borrow magazines for free to read on your Kindle or iPad. Check out the Kindle app to see your options.

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Diet pills are a total waste of money. Credit: Shutterstock

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2. Miracle Diet Products

Most of the quick-fix diet products on the market do not actually work. In fact, many of them will advise you to combine their supplements with diet and exercise for the best results. Before you pay for anything, make sure if it is FDA approved, and take reviews with a grain of salt. Many online influencers are also paid to endorse a product, and will not actually tell you the truth. Even worse- some of these diet pills can be addictive. If you are trying to lose weight, do it the old-fashioned way. Eat more vegetables, drink more water, move more, and cut back on sugar.

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First class cabins are incredibly luxurious. Credit: Shutterstock

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1. First Class Plane Tickets

Paying full price for a first class plane ticket costs thousands of dollars. This is normally only attainable to people who are rich and famous, but every so often, there is an offer for an upgrade to First Class for an additional fee. If it is a short flight, the extra money is not really worth it. The only time you should even consider splurging for an upgrade to first class is if you are on a long international flight.

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Home Featured 50 Places That Will Give Out Free Stuff For Customers’ Birthdays
Featured

50 Places That Will Give Out Free Stuff For Customers’ Birthdays

Shannon June 27, 2021

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Birthdays are the one day of the year when it is totally acceptable to treat ourselves to anything our heart desires. Thankfully, businesses seem to agree with that sentiment. Here are 50 places you can go on your birthday to score free items, meals, and gift cards. Keep in mind that a lot of these reward programs need at least 24 hours to get you signed up, and some may even take a few days. So, sign up at least a week before your birthday to ensure that you get the free items you deserve.

Grand Slam breakfasts come in a variety of options. Credit: Dennys.com

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50. Denny’s

Breakfast is the more important meal of the day, so stop by any Denny’s restaurant to receive a “Grand Slam” breakfast of your choice. There is no need to sign up for a mailing list. Just show your photo ID to your server to prove that it truly is your birthday.

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49. Sephora

When you sign up for Sephora’s Beauty Insider, you will get a free gift on any day during your birthday month. You can choose a deluxe sample size kit of their high-end skin care and makeup products.

Actor sword fighting at Medieval Times. Credit: MedievalTimes.com

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48. Medieval Times

If you sign up for their mailing list, Medieval Times will give kids age 12 and under free admission during their birthday month! The only catch is that at least one adult in your party has to pay full price for their ticket, of course. This makes it the perfect place to bring your kids if you’re looking for a night of entertainment.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Spirits. Credit: TourofKC.com

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47. Red Robin

If you’re down to eat some of Red Robin’s delicious bottomless french fries, why not go there for your birthday dinner? Sign up for the Red Robin Royalty Program to get a free hamburger on your birthday.

Kohl’s Department Store. Credit: Shutterstock

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46. Kohls

Sign up for the “Yes2You” rewards for Kohls, and you will get an email with a free gift on your birthday. In 2018, the gift was $10 in Kohls Cash, which can be used to buy anything in the store. Kohls sells items from major brands like Nike and Adidas, so this is a seriously good birthday freebie.

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45. Dunkin Donuts

If you sign up for the DD Perks Reward Program, you will get a coupon for a free medium drink on your birthday. Download the DD Perks app on your phone to keep track of points, and make it easier for you to redeem your drink.

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44. Redbox

When you sign up for Redbox Perks online, it makes the process of borrowing a movie so much easier. Instead of standing outside to browse their movie selection, you can check it ahead of time from the comfort of your own home. Go online to see what is available at your location, and reserve your DVD or Bluray. Once you get there, you just put in your credit card, and the machine automatically knows which movie to dispense for you. It’s much better than waiting out in the cold. As an added bonus, signing up for Redbox online means you get a free movie rental on your birthday!

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43. Starbucks

For you Starbucks addicts out there, you really need to sign up for the Starbucks Rewards program. Earn points for your purchases, get discounts, and a free drink on your birthday.

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42. Applebee’s

Get a free dessert on any day of the year when you sign up for their email mailing list. Even if you do not sign up for their mailing list, servers at Applebees will still give you a free dessert on your birthday if you show them your photo ID.

Victoria’s Secret. Credit: Shutterstock

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41. Victoria’s Secret

If you sign up for the Victoria’s Secret “Angel” credit card, you will get a free gift on your birthday. Spoiler alert- it’s almost always one free pair of panties.

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40. IHOP

The International House of Pancakes is known for having some of the best breakfast food in the US. Luckily for you, if you sign up for “MyHop”, you get a free meal for joining the mailing list. When your birthday rolls around, get another additional free meal!

Olive Garden. Credit: OliveGarden.com

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39. Olive Garden

Italian food lovers will enjoy going to Olive Garden for their birthday dinner. You have your choice of a free appetizer or dessert. If you are looking to order something that’s an amazing value, don’t forget their bottomless salad and breadsticks.

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38. ULTA Beauty

Beauty lovers will already show at Ulta for their amazing products. If you sign up for Ulta Rewards, you can keep track of your purchases, and get coupons on a regular basis. During your birthday month, enjoy 2x the normal points for purchases, and you also get a free gift.

Auntie Anne’s Pretzels. Credit: Shutterstock

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37. Auntie Anne’s Pretzels

Years ago, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels gave out those little cardboard punch cards to keep track of your purchases. They have done away with that system in favor of the Pretzel Perks app. You get coupons and free items periodically, as well as a free classic pretzel on your birthday.

Edible Arrangement fruit bouquet. Credit: Groupon

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36. Edible Arrangements

Edible Arrangements is a company that makes bouquets of fresh fruit to send to your loved ones on special occasions. If you sign up for the Edible Arrangement rewards program, you can get a free arrangement for every three purchases, plus a free box of chocolate dipped fruit on your birthday, which normally costs $29.99. That is a seriously great gift!

 

Carvel Ice Cream. Credit: Groupon

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35. Carvel Ice Cream

Designer Shoe Warehouse. Credit: Shutterstock

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34. DSW

Who doesn’t love a new pair of shoes on your birthday? Sign up for the Designer Shoe Warehouse DSW VIP Rewards to get a $5 coupon on your birthday, which is good towards anything in the store.

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33. The Cheesecake Factory

If you are eating at the Cheesecake Factory on your birthday, let the server know, and they will bring you out a free mini hot fudge sundae after your meal. Yum!

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32. Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel is a family-friendly favorite for their delicious food and gift shop. If you tell the server that it is your birthday, they will bring you a free dessert.

Krispy Kreme Donuts. Credit: Shutterstock

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31. Krispy Kreme Donuts

Sign up for the Krispy Kreme Rewards to get a free donut on your birthday. You also get a free donut immediately when you download the app, so you may as well celebrate early.

Bare Minerals free birthday gift. Credit: Dolce’s Closet

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30. Bare Minerals

When you sign up for the BareMinerals “Fab Friends and Benefits” program, you get discounts and a free full-size gift on your birthday.

BJ’s Brewhouse. Credit: Youngstown Live

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29. BJ’s Brewhouse

At BJ’s Brewhouse, you get a free dessert called a “Pizookie” when you sign up for their mailing list, and you get another one on your birthday.

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28. Buca Di Beppo

If Buca Di Beppo is available in your location, you will love it for their authentic Italian food. You will get a $20 gift card for your birthday to go towards your entire order. Just sign up for their eClub.

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27. Cinemark

If you sign up for the Cinemark Weekly Email, you will get notified of any discounts and deals, and you can get a free small popcorn on your birthday. If it just so happens to land on their discounted movie night, you can save even more!

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26. Chuck E. Cheese’s

Chuck E. Cheese’s is a favorite go-to spot for kid’s birthday parties. Ask the server for free tokens on your child’s birthday

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25. Cinnabon

Club Cinnabon offers a free minibon roll on your birthday, which is perfect for anyone who already plans to visit the mall to treat themselves to a mini shopping spree.

 

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24. Barnes and Noble

Barnes and Noble book stores always have a Starbucks cafe attached to the store, and few people realize that kids get a free cupcake on their birthday. This is a perfect combo if you plan to buy your little one a book as a gift.

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23. Panera Bread

On your birthday, you can get a free pastry from Panera Bread that has been baked fresh that day. Sign up for MyPanera Rewards to redeem your freebie.

Friendly’s Ice Cream and Restaurant. Credit: Eater.com

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22. Friendly’s

When you join the BFF Club, you automatically get a 25% off coupon on your next order, as well as a free ice cream sundae on your birthday.

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21. JCPenney

JCPenney Awards program, you will get a special offer emailed to you on your birthday. This is usually a coupon that works like a gift card that you can use towards anything in the store.

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20. Pinkberry

Download the Pinkcard app to accumulate points, and to get a free frozen yogurt on your birthday.

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19. Petco

Birthdays are special, so you’ll want your dogs and cats to celebrate, too. When you sign up for the Petco Pals Rewards, your pet gets a free treat on their birthday. If you’re not sure when they were born, just give your own date of birth to get your furry friend a gift, anyway.

 

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18. Pizza Hut

If you sign up for Pizza Hut’s program called Hut Rewards, you get a free order of cinnamon sticks on your birthday.

Uno’s Pizzeria & Grill. Credit: Unos.com

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17. Uno’s Pizzeria and Grill

Join Uno’s Pizzeria and Grill’s Uno’s Insiders Club membership, and you get a free appetizer just for signing up. Then, you get a free dessert on your birthday.

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16. Regal Cinema

Going out to the movies costs a small fortune, so you might as well make the most of your spending by joining the Regal Crown Club. Collect points every time you go to the movies to exchange for free tickets and snacks. And on your birthday, you can celebrate with a free small popcorn.

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15. Boston Market

When you sign up for Boston Market’s eClub, you automatically get a coupon for $3 off a $10 purchase. Plus, on your birthday, you will get an e-mail for a free dessert.

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14. Godiva Chocolatier

If you have a sweet tooth, you can get free gourmet chocolate on your birthday! Just sign up for the Godiva Rewards Club.

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13. Burger King

At Burger King, children get a free kid’s meal on their birthday. If the cashier does not know about this policy, kindly ask to speak to a manager.

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12. Old Country Buffet

If you love going to all-you-can-eat buffets, you should go on your birthday. This covers all of the following restaurants: Old Country Buffet, Hometown Buffet, Fire Mountain, Granny’s Buffet, and Ryan’s Buffet.

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11. CVS

You can buy just about anything you need at CVS Pharmacy, and you may want to stop there on your way to work, or wherever else you are going for the day, because you can get a free $3 in Extracare Bucks that can be used on anything in the store. You can also get $3 just by signing up for their app, so it’s double the free perks.

Fire House Subs. Credit: Shutterstock

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10. Firehouse Subs

In the mood for a delicious hoagie? Sign up for the Firehouse Sub mailing list at least a week before your birthday to score a free medium sub. Children under 13 years old can get a free kid’s combo.

Hooters. Credit: Shutterstock

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9. Hooters

Girls, girls, girls! Oh, and did we mention wings? Sign up for the Hooters eClub to score a free plate of chicken wings on your birthday.

IKEA. Credit: Shutterstock

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8. IKEA

Download the app for the IKEA Family plan to get the company news letter and special offers. If you sign up and continue being a member for a year, being apart of their club allows you to get a free meal in the cafeteria on your birthday, as well as a free item up to a $15 value. It may sound like a long time to wait, but if you frequent IKEA for your household needs, it will become a new yearly tradition.

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7. McDonald’s

If you ask the manager of McDonald’s nicely, you can score a free happy meal for kids. Sorry, grown-ups. We don’t get anything on our birthday. But if you download the McDonald’s App, you can get some great discounts and occasional free items at random.

Example of a L’Occitane Birthday gift. This may vary from year to year. Credit: The Redolent Mermaid

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6. L’Occitane

If you love high-end skin care, sign up for the L’Occitane VIP Program to get a free birthday surprise.

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5. P.F. Chang’s

Chinese food is always a good idea. Especially when it’s P.F. Chang’s. Frequent customers can join the P.F. Chang’s Rewards program, where every 2,000 points equals one free entree, and you get 1,000 points just for signing up. You also get a special free treat on your birthday.

Rita’s Italian Water Ice. Credit: Pinterest

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4. Rita’s Italian Ice

Nothing beats Rita’s water ice on a hot day. If your birthday happens to land in the spring and summer, you can get a free treat by joining their birthday club. Sadly, Rita’s is closed in the winter.

Sea food at Red Lobster. Credit: RedLobster.com

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3. Red Lobster

Download the Red Lobster Rewards app to build up points on your dining purchases, and get a free appetizer on your birthday.

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2. T.G.I. Friday’s

T.G.I. Friday’s restaurant will give you a tasty free dessert on your birthday, if you ask the server nicely.

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1. Wendy’s

On your birthday, you can get a free Frosty. Just keep in mind that the cashier may not know the policy, so don’t be afraid to politely ask the manager.

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