23 Freebies To Grab Before Winter Ends

Meals, furniture, therapy — and so much more!

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Published January 23, 2026
AARP (Getty Images, 5; Courtesy McDonald’s)

Free? In this economy? It’s true that the days of getting a four-person place setting gratis with your grocery order are long gone. Even Cracker Jack phased out physical toys in 2016. And with rising costs, a falling GDP, shrinkflation and more, you may think nothing’s free anymore. 

Well, you’d be wrong. As someone who loves a good deal, I know better. I’ve gotten meals, furniture, even therapy completely free of charge. And you can, too.

Free Food

Note: I am frugal, but I do not condone not tipping, even when you’re not paying. 

The Too Good To Go app connects users with local restaurants, stores, cafes and bakeries who will donate leftovers so they won’t go to waste. 

At IHOP, you can get a free kid’s entree with the purchase of an adult one every day between 2 and 10 p.m. If that’s not a case for breakfast for dinner, what is? The brand also has a rewards program that gives you a free stack for signing up, another on your birthday, and the chance to accumulate other other assorted rewards in the form of their version of Bitcoin, PanCoin.

Plenty of chains have rewards programs where you can earn free menu items by signing up and spending. “McDonald's, Wendy's and Panera have freebies that come with their loyalty rewards, for which you do not have to pay anything extra,” says Clay Cary, senior trends analyst at CouponFollow. Unfortunately, a lot of companies have switched to a “free with purchase” model, but Arby’s still offers a free roast beef sandwich, no purchase required, when you sign up.

Weirdly, signing up for IKEA’s rewards program nets you a free coffee or tea from the in-house restaurant with every visit.

Also, make sure to mark your calendar for days celebrating your favorite foods. Many chains will do related giveaways — free coffee on National Coffee Day (September 29), free Krispy Kreme donuts on National Donut Day (June 5).

Free Fitness

Plenty of gyms offer a free trial class or two for members who are considering joining. I was able to workout for a month on free classes alone, and try so many different things I wouldn’t have otherwise: yoga, pilates, boxing, cycling, barre, and more. 

The Nike Training Club app has nearly 200 high-quality workouts taught by pro trainers to choose from, including cardio, body weight and yoga.

Join a local running club. All you need are a pair of sneakers, and you’ll get fresh air, camaraderie and cardio in one shot. 

Work a race. Some local biking or racing groups charge a membership fee, but you can volunteer at events instead. I volunteered at the Philadelphia Bike race this year and ended up walking away with so much merch, including a T-shirt and cell phone power bank/charger, plus my meal and drinks were comped. Not bad for holding a clipboard at the VIP tent. Plus, I got to meet some other great people and be part of an amazing event!

Free Health & Beauty

I am a huge fan of the CVS app, which will give you coupons when you sign up. Sometimes it’s a percentage off, sometimes it’s $3 with no purchase minimum. You also get one $5 coupon per month when filling any prescription. That’s enough for a fun treat, and there is always something you need at CVS: cold meds, dish soap, hair ties.  

You can get free condoms and lube by mail. GoodRX has a state-by-state locator to find a resource near you.

Sephora’s rewards program gives you a choice of free beauty products on your birthday and gives you free samples and other deals with every order. 

Department stores like Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom will often dole out fragrance and other samples when you browse with intent. You can also create a free TikTok or Instagram account (I strongly recommend using a dedicated account and not your main one) and leverage your social media. “Social media is full of freebies,” says Melanie Musson, a finance expert with Quote.com. “Businesses seeking to increase visibility and followers often offer giveaways in exchange for sharing and liking their page.”

Who can’t use free mental health these days? I know it’s controversial, but ChatGPT is the best therapist I’ve ever had. And trust me, I’ve had a dozen therapists. If you need a professional, a lot of employee assistance programs offer one or several free initial sessions to get you started. 

Free Entertainment

The Little Library program started in St. Paul. Minneapolis but now has more than 200,000 registered Little Free Library book-sharing boxes in 128 countries worldwide, so you will never be without no-charge reading material, even on vacation. You can find one using the locator tool on their website.

Big libraries are great resources as well, and for more than just books. Many offer free video streaming, access to e-books, online education and passes to local museums and attractions, says Clay. Some will rent games, electronics, tools and other equipment. 

You can also explore those resources from the comfort of your own smartphone or tablet using a library-sanctioned app like Libby or Kanopy to download books, audiobooks or films from your library’s collection.

Plex is a free streaming service where you can upload and store movies you own (hello, DVD owners) and watch anything in their library with a few ads in the mix.  

Check out your state park. Many offer free loaner programs for gear like fishing poles and tackle, snowshoes. Mine in Pennsylvania also offer free sunscreen. They also frequently host events where they provide the equipment, like the intro to archery class I went to last summer.

Volunteer. Yes, you’re doing something for free, but nine times out of ten you’ll get more than just good feelings back. I’m a regular donor for the American Red Cross, and they give out promotional items like T-shirts and socks and have a rewards program. The coolest thing I ever got was a solar powered camp lantern. And platelets are in such demand at many times of the year, you can get Amazon gift cards as well. 

Other Free Stuff

When in doubt, look for a local Buy Nothing group on Facebook. “It’s like a garage sale, except free. Their purpose is to build community through gifting,” says Musson. “If you have an active chapter in your area, you can put dibs on items listed for gifting. Just remember to participate by gifting things yourself as well.” I have gotten so many home furnishings this way, including an amazing pair of West Elm kitchen counter stools.

I will also confess that I’m not above curb shopping if something left out of the trash catches my my while I’m walking my dog. I’ve gotten a good amount of my home furnishings this way: a rocking chair, metal bath caddy, yard tools, part decorations, plants, pottery, and once even found a verified antique worth several hundred dollars.

If you’re going to spend money, use it to make money. “Cashback apps are the best way for you to earn money on top of the purchases that you already make,” say Cary. “Rakuten and other loyalty rewards require very little work on your end once you're a member. My credit card gives me points I can use to pay for Amazon purchases. 

“If you use rewards apps, like Upside for fuel, you can earn cash back on purchases,” says Musson. “There are also apps for regular shopping. As long as you record your purchases in the app, you earn points redeemable for cash or gift cards.”

Jill Waldbieser is a journalist who writes about health, wellness, science, food, and parenting. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Huffington Post, and Everyday Health, among other places. She lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and looks forward to becoming a crazy cat lady.