When you’re young, every birthday feels monumental.
Recall those times when you actually wanted to boast about being another year older? You hit 9 and suddenly felt smarter and more grown-up than the kid next to you who’d still be 8 for a couple more months. Plus, birthdays meant presents, cake and often a party.
Over time, your birthdays somehow became even more significant — at least for a while.
You commemorated your sweet 16 knowing the only obstacle between you and that driver’s license was some clerk at the DMV.
At 17, you no longer needed a parent to buy R-rated movie tickets.
Your 18th birthday marked the moment you became a legally recognized adult capable of making grown-up decisions. Errr … at least according to the law. Suddenly, you could vote, marry, open a bank account and get inked without mom or dad’s sign-off.
But perhaps none of those compared to the legendary 21st. That’s the day many of us had our first alcoholic drink. Right???
And at 25, you could finally rent a car — and face that quarter-life crisis you’d been postponing — still kind of a milestone.
What Birthdays Look Like After 25
So what about all the birthdays that roll around after you’ve collected your last adulting badge — especially the ones that don’t end in “0” or “5”?
I know firsthand: a 32nd33rd34th birthday recently rolled around for me. While pondering plans with a pronounced “meh?”, it hit me that as you grow older, birthdays tend to matter less.
Sure, next year I could run for president. And at 50 I’ll get that AARP card everybody talks about, complete with discounts. Maybe when I reach 6777 87, I’ll mark my Social Security birthday.
Between now and then, I’ll have a bunch of not-so-momentous birthdays. But here’s the thing about birthdays: Even when your birthday feels low-key, you can still snag someprettyhugeoffers. In fact, Savinly compiled a list of places that give free birthday goodies.
So to mark the big 3-4, I set out to see how many birthday perks I could collect. You only turn 34 once, after all.
The Tale of How I Racked Up $114.47 in Birthday Perks
A few places will hand you freebies simply for being born. Denny’s, for instance, will serve up a free Grand Slam on your birthday — no purchase, no app download required. Show an ID and you’re set.
But most businesses want something in return for that freebie. They hope to get you into a loyalty program so you’ll spend the other 364 days of the year — which is why you’ll usually be asked for your email or to download an app. Sometimes you must buy something that costs more than the “free” item.
I resolved not to spend money I wouldn’t have otherwise spent to score freebies, which meant signing up for a lot of reward programs. And to capitalize on most offers, I had to plan ahead.
Many merchants require registration at least seven days before your birthday; some ask you to sign up before the birthday month begins. So, in early February, I prepared for my March 20 birthday by creating a fresh email address and using it to join nearly every business I could find that offers birthday freebies.
Sure enough, the offers began flooding my newborn inbox on March 1.
But here’s another truth about birthday deals: While you might get 10% or 15% off from a retailer, most of the genuinely free birthday swag is food.
That’s why, unless you want to ring in your new year 10 pounds heavier, you should rethink how you’ve defined “birthday” all these years. I used to think of my birthdays as a single day, but I shifted that mindset for this experiment.
Most places give you a window to redeem birthday offers ranging from a few days before or after your birthday to a month or two afterward. So anyone with a birthday ought to view it less as one day and more like their personal appreciation/awareness month. Otherwise, think of all the free food you’ll be leaving behind.
Exactly What I Claimed for My Birthday
Drumroll please… Here’s how $114.97 in birthday freebies panned out for me. First, a disclaimer: birthday offers can expire and vary widely by franchise and location. Don’t assume a promotion applies at a specific spot without checking first.
Okay, now without further ado:
March 17
Free Farmhouse Skillet Hash at First Watch. Anyone can get a complimentary entree at the breakfast-and-lunch chain by joining the Sun eClub.
Value: $11.22*
*All prices include tax where applicable.
March 18
Ten free wings at Hooters — though I had to buy a beverage.Don’t force me, Hooters, I joked as I ordered an IPA. The deal is for Hooters eClub members.
Value: $10.15
March 19
Free spinach, mushroom and egg sandwich with my coffee purchase at Einstein Bros. Bagels.Shmear Society members receive a free egg sandwich with any drink on their birthday.
Value: $5.33
March 20
Hold tight — this is the big day, and the offers arrived quickly.
Free slice of chocolate fudge cake atBuffalo Wild Wings. What’s a birthday without cake?
Value: $6.20
Free mini Tarte blush and lip gloss at Sephora, where Beauty Insider members select one of several complimentary birthday samples.
Value: A Sephora representative told me Beauty Insider gifts don’t have an official retail value, but I found similar items on eBay starting at $7.99, so that’s what I used.
Free chicken Parmesan sub and drink at Jersey Mike’s Subs.Email club members receive a regular sandwich and beverage free for their birthdays.
Value: $9.89
Free churros from Tijuana Flats are offered to Flatheads on their birthdays. Still stuffed from the day’s freebies, I handed mine to a colleague. #Teamwork
Value: $3.20
Tall Nitro Cold Brew at Starbucks.Starbucks Rewards members qualify for a free drink on their birthday.
Value: $4.27
Redbox free birthday rental: All Redbox Play Pass members score a free movie rental on their birthday.
Value: $1.61
March 21
Free medium coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts, available to members of the DD Perks Rewards Program for their birthday.
Value: $2.02
$3 in ExtraCare bucks at CVS. As a member of the ExtraCare Beauty Rewards Club, I saved $3 on a purchase.
Value: $3
March 22
Free birthday burger at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews for being part of the Red Robin Royalty Rewards Program.
Value: $10.58
March 24
Free shot at the Hamburger Mary’s franchise in St. Petersburg, Florida.**
**This isn’t a widely advertised offer. I knew that location traditionally brings guests celebrating special occasions on stage during Fabulous Fridays. Those 21 and older typically receive a complimentary shot. That night followed suit.
Value: $7, per the bartender’s estimate
March 25
Choice of a free Bang Bang Shrimp or dessert at Bonefish Grill as a BFG Insider. Was there even a question? Bang Bang Shrimp, please.
Value: $11.45
March 26
Free burrito at Moe’s, whichMoe’s Rockin’ Rewards members receive for their birthday celebration.
Value: $8.56
Ulta birthday gift forUltamate Rewards Program members: a Benefit Cosmetics POREfessional Primer deluxe mini.
Value: $12
Is the Party Over? Hardly
After 10 days and $114.47 worth of birthday bonuses, was it time to stop? Not even close.
The only reason you’re seeing this is I had a deadline, and my coworkers would have throttled me if I didn’t finish.
Recall what I said about viewing your birthday as a monthlong occasion? Well, the 34th Annual Jordan Avery Awareness month is just getting started.
I’ve still got plenty of vouchers that don’t expire until April 20, a full month after my actual birthday. I even have a coupon for a complimentary pastry from Panera that’s good for nine whole weeks after the big day!
Turning 34 suddenly feels like a very big deal.
Cheers to everyone who celebrates a birthday anytime, well… ever. May your dayweekmonth be jam-packed with joy and loads of free perks — and don’t forget to check out local cheap restaurants for even more savings!
Jordan Avery is a writer. She thanks the businesses that offered complimentary items for her birthday.
