Think you could go a single day without opening your wallet?
How about a week? A whole month?
Sooner or later, groceries run out, toiletries dwindle and rent is due. But we’ve uncovered some clever tactics to score even those essentials for free.
If you’re resourceful, you can obtain everything from clothing and furniture to groceries and WiFi — without any cash outlay.
Some of these approaches demand more effort than others, and a few require an initial payment. Still, if you manage your finances smartly, you might end the month with zero expenses on certain items.
Ready to try?
Whether your goal is to live nearly cash-free or you just enjoy scoring bargains, here are 23 savvy ways to get everyday necessities at no cost.
1. Swap Garments to Refresh Your Wardrobe for Free
Rather than buying new or even used clothing, host clothing swaps with friends to keep your closet updated.
Swishing.org explains how to run your own clothing-exchange party. If you live in the U.K., you can also join local Swishing events to meet fellow swap enthusiasts.
You don’t have to limit swaps to friends. Sign up at Swapstyle to trade designer pieces for others instead of purchasing replacements.
2. Score Free Beauty and Feminine-Care Samples
Hair products, makeup, lotions and other beauty items can add up fast. Thankfully, brands frequently distribute free samples to reel customers in.
If you’re open-minded about brands, you can keep a steady supply of beauty goods by requesting free samples.
The same goes for tampons and other feminine essentials. Grab three complimentary boxes of o.b. Tampons and monitor these sites for daily freebies:
3. A Credit-Card Trick to Get Netflix Without Paying
If you lost access to a shared Netflix account, here’s a trick to cover the subscription.
How it works:
Open a Bank of America checking account and get the Bank of America Better Balance Rewards credit card. This card gives you $25 each quarter when you pay more than the minimum.
You can earn another $5 per quarter by having that reward automatically deposited into a Bank of America checking or savings account. That totals $30 every three months.
With Netflix at $9.99 a month, your quarterly rewards can cover the service.
Accumulate a quarter of rewards before enrolling in Netflix, and you won’t need to front the money yourself.
4. Trade Used Books to Get New Reads for Free
Swapping books with acquaintances is a time-honored frugal practice.
Of course, we’ve found ways to modernize it and avoid unnecessary person-to-person contact.
BookMooch is a platform that lets users exchange books they’ve finished for different titles.
For a contact-free approach, look for Little Free Libraries in your neighborhood — small cabinets on posts where people leave books you can take for free.
Locate a nearby Little Free Library on the map here, drop off books you no longer want and pick up your next read at no cost.
5. Turn Your Paid Parking Spot Into a Freebie
This method may need an upfront investment, but you can recoup the cost if you’re clever.
If you rent an apartment in a busy area, you might pay extra for a parking spot that sits empty during daytime hours.
Make that money back withJustParkand effectively make your parking free.
JustPark connects people who have unused driveways or parking spaces with commuters searching for affordable spots. Rent out your vacant space to a regular commuter and cover the cost of the spot.
6. Never Pay for Furniture
Yes, you could purchase a polished living-room set. Or you could buy used.
Or you can take it a step further.
I often curb-shop for furniture — in some towns there’s even a seasonal tradition for it — where people leave discarded items (sometimes with notes about bed bugs).
If you’d rather not rely on your neighbors’ trash, check Craigslist’s free listings.
Many folks list large items like couches and TVs they can’t or won’t haul away. If you’re willing to pick it up, it’s often free.
Also look for online swap groups. Freecycle.org is a solid place to start, and local Facebook buy/sell/trade groups usually have giveaways, too.
7. Borrow a Dog Instead of Paying for One
Pets can be pricey — food, treats, vet care and landlord pet fees add up quickly.
Skip the long-term cost. Borrow someone’s pet instead.
The Bark’N’Borrow app links dog owners with “dog-loving borrowers” for free. Spend a few hours with a pooch to get your pet fix without the expense of ownership.
8. Get Free Meals Nearly Anywhere by Giving Your Email
Many chain and local eateries offer freebies when you sign up for their newsletters or download their apps.
Some of these offers amount to an entire meal — think free bagels and schmear from Einstein Bagels or complimentary tacos from Taco John’s, Del Taco, Rubio’s and Taco Cabana.
See our complete list of more than 95 companies that hand out freebies in exchange for your email address.
9. Eat Free Food if You Don’t Mind Sharing
Would you eat someone else’s leftovers to save money? Download LeftoverSwap to find neighbors with surplus food.
The app pairs you with people who have extra meals they don’t want to waste. Browse local postings to finish off someone’s pizza, take the last of a takeout order or enjoy a portion of a home-cooked meal.
Pay it forward when you have leftovers: snap a photo and offer it to other freegans nearby.
10. Harvest Free Fruit from Trees Around Your City
Fresh produce can be prohibitively pricey in some places or seasons. Cut out the middleman and harvest what’s local.
You don’t need to plant your own orchard to enjoy fresh fruit. UseFallingFruit.orgto locate public fruit trees in your area and pick a snack while you stroll.
11. Grants That Can Help Pay Rent in a Pinch
If unforeseen events strain your finances, organizations like Modest Needs can help with monthly bills.
This nonprofit awards small grants to self-sufficient individuals facing temporary hardships.
If a medical emergency, bereavement, job loss or other unexpected cost makes rent or bills difficult, you can apply for a grant to bridge the gap.
12. Healthcare.gov Can Connect You to Free Health Coverage in the U.S.
If your employer doesn’t provide insurance, explore the marketplace at Healthcare.gov to see if you qualify for aid.
Healthcare.gov can tell you whether you’re eligible for free insurance through Medicaid or other public programs. Even if you don’t qualify, you may find tax credits or subsidies to reduce healthcare costs.
Free dental care is rarer, but there are ways to save on dental and orthodontic services, including free check-ups and braces programs for children.
13. Receive Free Baby Items When You Make a Registry
Creating a baby registry is a classic way to receive gifts, but stores also give freebies just for signing up.
Open registries at stores like Babies R Us or Amazon, and you’ll receive a complimentary bundle of baby goods and coupons.
You can also have your insurer cover a breast pump and organize swaps with local parents for clothes, toys and gear.
Plus, see our suggestions for nine ways to get free diapers.
14. Work Out for Free With Online Fitness Classes
Stream workouts on YouTube for free yoga and fitness videos. If you prefer company, host a DIY workout session with friends.
If there’s a nearby Lululemon, checkits events— they often include free in-person yoga or fitness classes.
For meditation and mindfulness, find free instruction and resources through Shambhala.org.
15. Skip Ownership and Use Free—or Nearly Free—Car Access
Rather than paying for a car loan, insurance and upkeep, only pay when you need to drive. You can rent cars by the hour throughZipcarwith memberships starting around $7 a month.
Like the Netflix idea, use a cash-back rewards card to offset the membership cost so your driving becomes effectively free.
16. Free Family Outings at Parks and Museums
Great vacations don’t have to be pricey. Even with kids, you can have fun on a budget.
Take advantage of free admission days at national parks and museums to educate the family without spending much.
If you’re traveling and don’t want to camp, consider ahousing exchangeto save on lodging.
For smaller trips, try Couchsurfing.
Or tap your social network on Facebook. You may discover friends who can connect you with hosts in other cities.
17. Enjoy Free Birthday Perks and Treats
You shouldn’t have to spend on your birthday. We compiled a long list of places that offer birthday freebies.
Check out 100 birthday freebies to plan your celebration without breaking the bank.
18. Use Free Public WiFi Instead of Paying for Home Internet
Could you manage without home internet? It may be easier than you imagine.
Find free WiFi at libraries, museums, hotels and coffee shops. Retailers like Target and chains such as McDonald’s and Perkins also offer complimentary WiFi.
Supplement at home with a data option if needed. The Karma mobile hotspot lets you earn free data by sharing it with others nearby.
19. Free Calling and Texting With TextFree
If you have free WiFi, you can abandon a paid phone plan. Many apps allow calls and texts over the internet at no charge.
Use Facebook Messenger to text or call anyone on Facebook. Other options include Google Hangouts, Snapchat and WhatsApp.
To obtain a real phone number for free calls and texts, tryTextFreewhen connected to the internet.
TextFree provides unlimited texting to anyone, app or not. TextFree-to-TextFree calls and incoming calls are free; outgoing calls to non-TextFree numbers may cost a fee.
If you want more options, consider a free plan from FreedomPop.
20. Acquire a Free Cell Phone and Monthly Service
Need a device to use these free services? FreedomPop offers discounted phones and free service plans.
If that’s not affordable, you may qualify for a government-subsidized phone and free cell or internet through the Lifeline program.
21. Learn for Free With Online Courses or Tuition-Free Colleges
College can be expensive, but learning doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Take free online college courses and assemble a curriculum that rivals traditional programs using tools like CourseBuffet.
You can even earn a tuition-free degree if accepted by one of several colleges that waive or cover tuition for all students.
22. Use Free Software and Web Tools for Work or Home
Think you need to pay for software to work, study or create? Plenty of free alternatives exist.
If you dislike Windows but don’t want to buy a Mac, an open-source OS could fit your needs.
Download Chromium OS (a free version similar to Chrome OS). It’s ideal if your activities are mostly web-based.
No matter your OS, you can handle most tasks with free apps, websites or software.
Try these:
- For documents, spreadsheets and presentations, use Google Docs or the OpenOffice suite.
- For web browsing, download Firefox or Google Chrome.
23. Borrow Tools Locally Instead of Owning Them
A full toolset can be life-changing — or a heavy burden. If you move often, lugging around a toolbox is a hassle.
Borrow tools as needed. Many auto parts stores, like AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts, loan specialty tools for a refundable deposit for car repairs.
Your city might also host a tool-lending library, where you can borrow items from hammers to saws for home projects.
More Free Finds
Want additional ideas? See our extensive list of 101 freebies for more ways to collect rewards and hack your way to free goods.
And here are 30 of the best internet freebies we’ve uncovered.
Your Turn: What everyday items do you never pay for? Share your tips in the comments!
Alex Romero is a contributor at Savinly. He’s written for various outlets and tries to sprinkle humor into practical money-saving advice whenever possible.
