2021 was my third year of hunting down “birthday freebies,” and I’ve been learning that birthday freebies aren’t always free. In fact, they can be costly. On September 1st, I start getting lots of emails promoting birthday gifts. Several of them wanted me to download an app, which I didn’t want to do.
Out of all the birthday gifts so far, Sephora’s gift was the best:
Sephora gave me free shipping along with the birthday gift. Additionally, I got free samples, and I used an additional coupon code to get a free “lip souffle,” which admittedly sounded a little gross. Total spent: $31.10.
My next gift was from GNC:
I received an email from GNC stating I’d get a code for $10 off if I bought something during September. I avoided the $10 shipping fee by temporarily joining the GNCAutoship program.I purchased 2 of the two cheapest items on the website.Afterward, I received an email from GNC that the lotion wasn’t even in stock, so I ended up only spending $5.34 on two bottles of vitamin C. I never got my reward points, so I emailed GNC twice and eventually received an apologetic email that they added the 300 points to my account! Now, what should I buy for $10 at GNC? The usual $10 shipping cost makes buying something online cost-prohibitive. However, I joined their auto-ship and save program, which allows free shipping, and you can immediately cancel! I ended up stacking a BOGO offer, two coupon codes, auto-ship, and free shipping, so I got two boxes of protein bars for a grand total of $3.71! They are practically giving this stuff away.These boxes are beat up, and the protein bars taste like chocolate-coated bricks, but they have lots of protein.
I received an email from Elemis promising a birthday reward, and I was excited because I love Elemis products.
This was an empty promise. I went to my account page, and there was no gift. I emailed Elemis and got the following response:[hide coupon code]A free birthday gift! Now, what should I buy to get my free gift?I purchased the only item I could find on the website for under $10. I even managed to score free shipping! Total spent: $8.58.My Elemis gift was pro-collagen cleansing balm – I don’t use this stuff, but my mom does. She’ll get the gift. I received an email from Taco Bell – you can get a free Mountain Dew Baja Blast Freeze for your birthday. You have to download the app to get the gift. I love Taco Bell, but I’m not too fond of their app, so I didn’t bother with it. This “free birthday reward” from Macy’s is more like an insult. $10 off of your next purchase of $30 or more in-store or online? You can find better deals on Macy’s website! I received an email from DQ for a free birthday Blizzard. However, you have to download the app. Again, I’m not a fan of extra apps. I am also not a big fan of Blizzard’s; I prefer a dipped chocolate cone or a Dilly Bar. I received this email from Kohl’s like they are all fancy or something.What does one do with a $5 cash reward from Kohl’s, buy half a pair of leggings? I doubt I’ll use it. I visited the store and picked up my Ulta Birthday Gift!It makes sense for them to give me a gift that makes me youthfully radiant on my birthday. I can’t wait to try it!I acquired a yearly birthday discount coupon from Eileen Fisher because I once bought a pair of their pants. I probably won’t use the coupon. My Eileen Fisher pants are fancy, and I don’t often wear fancy pants.Sheetz sends me a yearly birthday coupon for 5 cents off fuel plus 250 points. The 250 points can buy a small snack or a soda. If you’re a Sheetz member, you already get 3 cents off fuel, so this makes for a total of 8 cents! Total spent on gas: $23.43 I received a coupon from a massage therapist. I looked at his schedule, and he’s booked about three weeks out, so I probably won’t bother. Furthermore, he only has open massage appointments from noon to three p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, so this likely won’t happen. It’s the thought that counts?
Big Boss Brewing Company is giving me $5 off a beer. I have until November 16th to use it.
I received an email from my car dealership – a free car wash!I received this gift card from Victoria’s Secret in the mail, but I can’t seem to make it work! It looks like I need to buy at least one item that’s greater than $10. With the $10 shipping, that’s hard to do online, but maybe I’ll use it in the store.If I visit a store, I’ll receive free underwear from Victoria’s Secret.I don’t even know what this is. Furthermore, I’d have to drive to Cary to use it. Ah, the yearly Starbucks coupon.I redeemed it for a trente Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew!Free popcorn, but I probably won’t use it. I haven’t been to a movie since January 2020. Two thousand free points from Puritans Pride! I needed digestive enzymes. They were out of stock on my regular ones, but I bought some new kind with ox bile extract. I used the 2,000 points, plus I got free shipping. The trick is: click on an item that’s out of stock and request email alerts. The thank-you email will include a link with free shipping on any purchase! The ox bile extract enzymes cost me $1.06. Now to find out what ox bile extract is.Skin Sense is a great spa, but this is another coupon I won’t use.I won 750 free points from AARP!I thought I would get free underwear from ThirdLove, but the coupon had a minimum purchase requirement that I could not figure out. My hair salon gave me a coupon. I have to time it right, so I may not get to use it. I will try next time I get a haircut!
