<Bad Credit Basics: Why is credit score so important? How is it calculated? If your score is low, what can you do about it?
Bad Credit Cards: For individuals with poor credit, there are several trustable credit card issuers who can give you a line of credit and help improve your score.
Personal Loans: Help you build your financial future while providing money for your family.
How to Get Out of Debt? Follow these three simple steps to managing your money and become debt free.
Home Loans From Start To Finish: Buying a home is the biggest purchase you’ll ever make in your life. It’s important that you know what to expect from the moment you apply for your loan through settlement.
Beware of these credit scams: Tell everybody in your family and all of your co-workers if you get scammed online or from a lender in person. Before this happens to you read our take on the scams to avoid.
Get a good bonus just for signing up or trading one stock. Check out these investment services to get special offers to buy stocks, save for retirement, and build your savings.
Warren Buffett is said to be stepping down at Berkshire Hathaway signaling a huge change to investments in 2026. A sell-off may soon happen and that is the time to buy buy buy!
Highly Recommended Investment App Bonuses
SoFi Invest: $50 Bonus BEST OFFER SoFi Invest: Earn $50 with Active Investing Account – Earn a $50 Bonus when you Fund a New SoFi Active Investing Account with $1,000, plus enjoy No Transaction Fees and No Account Minimums. Read more about Sofi here.
WeBull: 2 FREE Stocks BEST OFFER WeBull is offering a bonus for signing up where you get a free stock when you are approved for a new account. You will then again get another stock up to $1,200 when you add just $100 to the account. No trading needed for the bonus. You’ll also each get a share of free stock worth anywhere from $3 and $1,200 if you make a referral to a friend.
Moomoo: Sign Up & Get Up To 15 Stocks Worth $3-$2,000. Open account, get one free stock. Add $100 – $999.99, get five free stocks. Add $1,000+ and get 15 free stocks.
Public: Free Slice of Stock Public: Get $10 to Invest with Friends – Receive Free Slice of Stock (up to $10 value) when you download this Commission-Free Social Stock Trading App.
Acorns: $5 Free Bonus Invested Acorns: Get $5 in Free Investment Bonuses – Get 1 Free Share of Stock upon Account Approval and Trade for Free with this Zero-Commission Stock Brokerage Account.
Robinhood: Free Share of Stock Robinhood: Get 1 Free Share of Stock – Get 1 Free Share of Stock upon Account Approval and Trade for Free with this Zero-Commission Stock Brokerage Account.
Honorable Mention Investment App Bonuses
Betterment: Free Portfolio Management Betterment: Get up to 1 Year of Free Investment Management – Get up to 1 Year of Free Account Management Services with a Personalized Investment Account.
NextSeed: $20 Free Credit NextSeed: Get $20 Free Credit for Small Business Investing – Get a $20 Free Credit to Invest in Small Businesses just for Opening a Free Account and Linking Your Bank Account.
Ally Invest: $3,500 Cash Bonus Ally Invest: Earn up to $3,500 Cash Bonus – Get up to a $3,500 Cash Bonus and Commission-Free Trades for 90 Days when you Open an Online Stock and Options Broker with Low Trade Fees.
As a money expert and rewards guru, I’m here to tell you that your birthday is more than just a celebration—it’s a high-value savings event. One day a year, brands across the country compete for your business by offering free food, drinks, and gifts. This is a day to put your money back in your pocket and collect on the rewards you’ve earned simply by being born.
The key to unlocking these freebies is strategy. You can’t just walk in and demand your free cake. The vast majority of these offers are tied to loyalty programs and apps. This means you need to do your homework and sign up a few days, or even a week, before your big day. Don’t let your free birthday loot expire!
Here’s my authoritative guide to the best birthday freebies and how to get them for January 2026 and beyond.
The Most Coveted Birthday Freebies
Some freebies are so good they’re practically legendary. These are the ones you want to prioritize.
Starbucks: The Starbucks birthday reward is the holy grail for many. You get one free handcrafted beverage or food item. It’s not just a free coffee; it’s a free beverage of any size. This is your chance to order that Venti, multi-pump, extra-shot, custom creation that would normally cost you a small fortune. Just remember, you must be a Starbucks Rewards member and have made at least one “Star-earning” transaction before your birthday. The reward is valid only on your actual birthday.
Krispy Kreme: A free donut is nice, but how about a free dozen? Krispy Kreme gives you a whole dozen glazed donuts when you join their rewards program. That’s a party in a box, for free.
The Cheesecake Factory: A free slice of their iconic cheesecake. That’s it. No purchase necessary. Just join their rewards program, and you can get a slice of heaven on your special day.
Nothing Bundt Cakes: Get a free “bundtlet” (a mini bundt cake) to celebrate. They are famously easy to get, with the offer typically coming via email a week before your birthday and valid for a couple of weeks.
Buffalo Wild Wings: A free order of six wings? Yes, please. This is a fantastic deal for any wing lover. Sign up for Blazin’ Rewards and enjoy this offer during your birthday month.
The Easiest to Get and Our Newest Discoveries
Life is busy, even on your birthday. If you’re looking for low-effort, high-reward options, these are for you. I’ve also added some newly discovered gems that aren’t on every other blog post, so you’ll be the first of your friends to know about these. The best part? You can often stack these all on the same day for a birthday bonanza.
Starbucks: The process is simple: download the app, join the rewards program, and ensure your birthday is in your profile. You get one free handcrafted drink of any size, and it’s valid only on your birthday.
Dutch Bros: Just like Starbucks, Dutch Bros is a coffee lover’s dream. When you download their app and join the Dutch Rewards program, you’ll get a free drink of any size on your birthday. This is a newly popular freebie that’s incredibly easy to claim, and a fantastic alternative or addition to your Starbucks freebie.
Nothing Bundt Cakes: As mentioned above, it’s one of the most straightforward. Sign up for their eClub, and a coupon will be sent right to your inbox.
Crumbl Cookies: A free cookie just for being a rewards member. The app is easy to navigate and the reward is instant.
Auntie Anne’s: Join the Pretzel Perks program for a complimentary pretzel. It’s a quick and easy snack to grab while you’re out and about.
Chick-fil-A: Sign up for the Chick-fil-A One program to receive a free dessert, such as a cookie or brownie. The offer is loaded directly into your app.
Complete List of Birthday Freebies (October 2025 and Beyond)
Free Sweet Tea or Cookie at McAlister’s Deli
McAlister’s Deli is an American chain of fast casual restaurants with over 350 locations in 29 states. The menu includes deli sandwiches, “giant spuds” (baked potatoes), soups, salads, and desserts, as well as catering items such as sandwich trays and boxed lunches. The chain is mostly known for its McAlister’s Famous Sweet Tea, which is available by the glass or by gallon. You can get a FREE sweet tea by signing up for the deli’s free rewards app and entering promo code DJders4625. Our two favorite sandwiches are The Rachel and Reuben at the growing fast-food chain.
Free Original Sandwich at Schlotzsky’s
Join Schlotzsky’s Lotz4Me Rewards and immediately receive a coupon for a FREE Original Sandwich. You’ll have 30 days to use the coupon. You will also receive $7 off after your 7th visit, plus exclusive insider news and other special offers. A FREE birthday meal coupon for one of Schlotzsky’s fresh, oven-toasted sandwiches is just one of the treats you’ll receive. You can also get BOGO (Buy One, Get One) Free BBQ Chicken & Jalapeno or Pepperoni pizzas every Wednesday. Click here to download the Schlotzsky’s Rewards app. Use the promo code D.j2007738 and scan the barcode on your receipt and we will both receive 10 bonus points and be rewarded instantly with a free sandwich.
Jason’s Deli $5 Off Food
This is our favorite because Jason’s Deli has some of the best food on the list with sandwiches, soups, and salads. To get the $5+ in free food from Jason’s Deli for your birthday make sure to go here to this link and avoid the pop-up asking for an email and fill out the complete form including the birthday. You just have to make sure it says Dest017727 in the promo code area and you should be good to go!
Free Taco at Taco Bell
Taco Bell has been busy on the promotions lately and with an app download they have been one of the better fast food freebies for your frugal spending habits. Go here to download the Taco Bell App and make sure to enter your birthday.
Big News for SNAP Users: Amazon Offers Savings and Freebies!
Hey freebie hunters! If you’re on SNAP benefits, did you know Amazon can help you stretch your food budget further than those dollar stores? With your valid SNAP EBT card, you can buy groceries on Amazon, Amazon Fresh, and even Whole Foods Market. Forget hauling bags – have it all delivered right to your door.
Amazon Prime for Half Off (Plus Extra Whole Foods Savings!)
The secret to super savings is an Amazon Prime membership. With that, you save 50% on the monthly membership price, get exclusive discounts on Whole Foods sale items. That means tons of convenient features along with your groceries – free shipping, and access to movies, music, and more.
Save Big While Eating Healthy
Think Whole Foods is out of reach? Not with SNAP benefits! The quality and selection can be way better than those dollar stores, and Amazon’s discounts (especially for Prime members) often beat in-store prices. Plus, studies show that SNAP recipients who shop online tend to choose healthier options – a win for you and your family!
Plus, Totally FREE Access to Amazon Fresh!
Here’s the extra awesome bit! Having a registered SNAP EBT card unlocks free access to Amazon Fresh! Imagine fresh produce, meat, and seafood delivered to your home alongside your regular grocery order – all at no extra cost!
Forget Dollar Stores! Amazon Can Feed You BETTER on SNAP
It’s easy to link your SNAP EBT card and give Amazon Prime a test run with a free trial. Ditch those dollar store runs and discover the convenience and quality Amazon can offer. Your wallet and your tastebuds will thank you!
Criminal networks are exploiting a surge in social media engagement following a death to publish fake, A.I.-generated obituaries, flooding search results and monetizing grief through ad revenue.
The rise of these bot-written memorials, often referred to as “A.I. slop,” is fueled by a global network of opportunists who create and propagate deceptive content. These fabricated obituaries appear within hours of a death being announced on social media, filling the “data void” that exists before families can publish official announcements.
An investigation into these networks revealed that many of the bot-driven obituary websites are registered to addresses in Iceland, a nation known for its strong privacy laws. A July 2025 report from the Center for Digital Forensics identified a sophisticated international operation, detailing how these sites, which often use the same handful of physical addresses, serve as fronts for criminal enterprises.
The practice, which is highly profitable due to its automated nature and low barrier to entry, preys on the emotional vulnerability of mourners seeking information about a loved one. The fake pages generate revenue through pop-up ads, malicious redirects, and ad-laden YouTube videos, even as they spread false information about the deceased.
Although social media companies like Meta and Google have reported taking steps to combat the issue, experts argue their efforts are insufficient. According to a recent analysis by the misinformation watchdog NewsGuard, the number of “unreliable A.I.-generated news sites” has skyrocketed from 49 in May 2023 to over 1,200 today. The report noted that many of these sites are dedicated solely to creating obituaries, suggesting a deliberate and targeted strategy to exploit a specific, vulnerable audience.
This new wave of digital fraud not only steals attention but also erodes the personal autonomy of grieving families, robbing them of the ability to control the narrative of their loved ones’ lives. While some of the perpetrators are focused on small-scale ad revenue, others are tied to larger organized crime networks, with some operations linked to nation-states running money laundering schemes.
More Than a Click: The Financial and Emotional Toll of Virtual Tributes
The parasitic economy surrounding fake obituaries goes beyond simple ad revenue, leveraging the powerful emotional need of mourners to show respect. Scammers use features designed to look like traditional acts of remembrance, turning a heartfelt gesture into a cash transaction.
These digital tributes are a core part of the scam model. On these bot-generated memorial pages, visitors are often given the option to perform a symbolic act, such as “lighting a virtual candle” or “planting a memorial tree.”
Examples of Virtual Tributes:
Virtual Candles: Offered in various pricing tiers, these are not physical items but a digital icon that appears on the website. For example, a search of these sites shows options like a "one-month candle" for $8, a "one-year candle" for $15, or an "Eternity candle" for $25. The purchaser receives no tangible product, and the money rarely, if ever, reaches the deceased's family.
Memorial Trees: Another common option is the "memorial tree." Visitors can purchase a virtual tree to be "planted" in the deceased's honor, with prices typically ranging from $10 to $20. Again, this is a purely digital act with no real-world equivalent, and the funds are funneled directly to the site operators.
Virtual Flowers: Fake obituaries often feature links to "send flowers," which, instead of connecting to a legitimate florist, direct visitors to scam sites. These sites may charge for a digital image of a floral arrangement or simply redirect to other ad-heavy pages, creating a frustrating and often malicious loop for grieving individuals.
These features exploit the innate desire to pay one’s respects, transforming a moment of genuine human empathy into a revenue stream for organized criminal networks. The deception is particularly cruel because it is often discovered by mourning families who are already at their most vulnerable.
It took my Mom the longest time to get a Chase Freedom Card which is one of my favorite credit cards because of the 5% cash back and 1% back on everything else. One of the biggest obstacles is that you have to go in manually and get your cash back. Chase does not automatically give it to you. Hey, it’s free money and at 5% so you have to work a little for it right?
I put together a How to guide in redeeming your cash back from Chase Ultimate Rewards from the Freedom Visa or MasterCard. The first thing you do is make sure you have signed up for the rewards program for that quarter then after a month or more in some cases check to see what your rewards balance is by logging into Chase.com. Once you are ready to redeem your rewards you sign in and scroll down to your Freedom branded credit card.
