How to Find Free Money

This post about free money contains references to products from one or more of my advertising partners. When you click on a link to any of these products, I may be compensated. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please visit my Earnings Disclosure & Disclaimer page for more information. Thanks for your support! Please also note that any prices, offers, and terms listed are subject to change at the discretion of the companies mentioned.

Few things in life are truly free, especially in the business world. Getting something free usually means you have to perform an action, whether it’s being a loyal customer, taking a survey, or investing in your 401(k). That said, by not taking advantage of these special offers, there are ways you may be leaving free money on the table without even being aware. It’s why I created this post – to help you get the most out of the money that you do earn and spend.

Most of these techniques are quite simple to implement and require little effort. Yet they can potentially yield hidden cash rewards that you might be overlooking.

1. Find Free Money on Your Sales Receipt

It’s worth glancing at those sales receipts before tossing them. Retailers often times use that space at the bottom as a marketing channel to offer coupons, special offers, or your feedback in exchange to an entry into a sweepstakes.

Sure, sometimes all I get is a Thank you for your business message, but I’ve also received valuable coupons, notifications about Buy a $50 gift card offers and Get a $10 gift card-type promos. It’s because I checked my receipt that I was able to learn about, and join MySurvey, an invitation-only survey site where you can earn gift cards in exchange for your opinions.

While the potential savings here may be just a few dollars, it only takes a second to glance down at that piece of paper.

2. Take Advantage of Store Loyalty Programs

If you’re going to shop at a store or restaurant anyway, why not register for their loyalty program to receive perks like exclusive coupons, members-only pricing, and money-back offers? Especially if it’s free to sign up. A myWalgreens membership, for example, is worth 1% back in cash rewards and 5% back on Walgreens-branded products. With a Kohl’s Rewards membership, you earn 5% back in Kohl’s Rewards (for use only at their stores).

One of my favorite loyalty programs is the free MyPanera Rewards Program. Whenever you place an order, you’re closer to receiving a free surprise reward. The system is completely random, and can take three, four, or even seven visits to qualify for a freebie.

Panera Unlimited Sip Club members also receive random perks. For example, I was recently able to snag $7 off on a You Pick Two entree.

Panera is currently running a two-months free special. This is subject to change.

3. Take Advantage of Your Employer’s 401(k) Matching Program

Participating in your company’s 401(k) plan (paid Amazon link) makes saving for retirement easier. The money you allocate for withdrawal is automatically deducted from your paycheck then invested in a fund for you. Another benefit of a traditional 401(k) is that your tax burden is lowered – you don’t pay taxes on the money until you withdraw it.

A 401(k) is an even better option when your employer offers a matching plan to go with it, because it’s essentially free money. Employers will usually match 50% to 100% of your contribution up to a specified percentage of your pay. Note that the federal government puts a cap on how much you can contribute.

4. Make the Most of Standing in Line

If the self-serve checkout isn’t available or the store doesn’t have one and I have to wait in line, I use that time to search for coupons instead of fretting.

I take out my phone and start by checking the retailer’s website for available promos, and if nothing is available there, I do a quick online search for the name of the store or product + coupons. When I’m ready to head to the cash register, I have the coupon bar code ready for scanning.

If that few minutes of effort yields a 20% coupon and I spend $100, that’s $20 I would have otherwise left on the table.

5. Just Ask for Free Money

If you can’t find a store coupon, it doesn’t hurt to ask the cashier or customer service staff if they have any stashed behind the counter that they can scan. And if you do have a coupon and it’s expired, ask if they could still honor it.

In my experience, this technique is hit-or-miss, and works better if I’m a loyal customer or belong to their rewards loyalty program.  It also helps to be gracious, whether or not they offer you a coupon. Sometimes I’m pleasantly surprised, and even if I save a few bucks, that’s money I would have left behind had I not asked.

6. Find Free Money When You Shop Online

Before I make a purchase online, I check every possible avenue for a coupon or promo offer. I start with the retailer’s site, moving on to their various  social media accounts for special offers. If that doesn’t work, I do a simple online search for the name of the store or product + coupons or check or check sites like Coupons.com, RetailMeNot, or The Krazy Coupon Lady, which is a great place to score manufacturers’ coupons.

Whether you shop online or in person, consider signing up for the Ibotta, an app that gives you cash back on purchases at a large number of retailers.

7. Exit Your Online Shopping Cart Before Paying

To avoid losing a sale, some online retailers will offer a special discount if you’ve abandoned your shopping cart. So it may be worth it to exit the retailer’s website before checking out and waiting a few minutes to to see if they email you an offer. Just make sure to log in as a registered user (should be free) so they know where to find you.

One of my favorite companies that does this is Vitacost. Not all retailers offer cart abandonment coupons and even when they do, it may be on a random basis. Still, it takes so little effort to leave a site and wait for an email with a potentially valuable offer to arrive in your inbox.

If you don’t mind waiting, some retailers will send you a coupon if you’re a regular customer that hasn’t shopped there for awhile – whether it’s been a few weeks or a few months.

8. Get a Credit Card With Ultimate Rewards

Getting rewarded with cash or prizes for purchases you already plan to make is like getting free money. This is provided of course, that you pay your bills on time. Racking up debt defeats the purpose of earning rewards.

One way to choose the credit card that’s right for you is to look at the type of rewards you value and the types of items you tend to spend your money on. For example, if you fly a lot, it makes sense to get an airline credit card that let you accumulate miles. If you’re an avid reader, you might want to consider something like the Barnes & Noble Mastercard. You earn 5% back on purchases made at Barnes & Noble and points on eligible purchases that you can exchange for B&N gift cards. And if you spend $7,500 a year on eligible purchases, you score a free annual $25 B&N membership, which has savings potential in its own right.

Also consider if a credit card has an annual fee and weigh that with what you’d be getting in return. Paying $100 fee for a card that you don’t plan to use that often (and that won’t accumulate rewards) doesn’t make sense.

9. Check for Unclaimed Money

Is there an unclaimed payroll check, old savings account, or a retirement fund you’ve forgotten about? While it may be a longshot, it’s easy enough to do a quick check.

The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators recommends searching every state you’ve lived or done business in (Don’t forget to check maiden names, too!) They have a handy interactive map that takes you directly to the state’s treasury or revenue department. Or to make it even easier on yourself, head over to MissingMoney.com to do an easy-peasy search. To check for any unclaimed retirement funds, try searching the national database at The National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits.

10. Negotiate With Your Employer for Free Money

Are you getting paid what you’re worth? Whether you’re an employer or freelancer, it may be time to ask for a pay raise. Especially if you can show your value to the company. It also helps to know what other people are making in similar positions. For a general sense of what others are earning, check places like Glassdoor and Indeed.

I hope these tips help you find your own free money.

This post contains references to products from one or more of my advertising partners. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When you click on a link to any of these products, I may be compensated. Please visit my Earnings Disclosure & Disclaimer page for more information. Thanks for your support!