Most people just assume that rent costs are a part of life and don’t consider the methods below for reducing or eliminating those types of expenses.

The cool thing about living rent free? It leaves you with an abundance of surplus cash to fund your financial goals with, whether that be retiring early, saving to pay for a home in cash, getting out of debt or any other dream you can think of.

Read on to see if any of the ideas below for living rent-free would work for you.

Depending on your situation, some solutions might work for you and some might not. But finding a way to live rent free might be worth the effort if it helps you achieve your goals.

How to Live Rent Free

Below are eight different ideas for living rent free – or close to it depending on the situation. Could any of these ideas work for you?

1. List a Room With Airbnb

Do you own your own home, townhome, or condominium, or do you rent your living space? If so, finding guests on Airbnb can be a terrific way to cover your mortgage or rent payment.

Airbnb has helped people earn millions of dollars by listing their places for casual or business travelers.  Instead of booking hotel rooms, Airbnb travelers book rooms (or complete homes) from Airbnb hosts.

Travelers like Airbnb options, as opposed to standard hotel stays, because they usually cost a lot less and provide the comforts of home.

What kind of cash are you looking at? Can listing your rooms through Airbnb really cover your rent or mortgage payment?

It’s not uncommon for an Airbnb host to get $50 a night for a room. In my hometown, the average Airbnb host earns $455 a week. That kind of cash could cover a rent or house payment of over $1800.

If you’ve got extra rooms in your house, consider making enough income to cover your rent or mortgage payment by listing them through Airbnb.

Know, too, that Airbnb is serious about security and screens both guests and hosts thoroughly. They work hard to ensure that both hosts and guests are safe as they share living spaces.

2. Get Roommates

Another option for living rent free would be to get roommates to rent out extra bedrooms in your house or apartment.

Depending on how many extra bedrooms you have, you could earn enough cash each month to cover your rent or mortgage costs.

Let’s say your monthly rent or mortgage payment is $1,200, and you live in or own a three-bedroom house. By renting out two bedrooms at $600 per month each, you’ve got your mortgage or rent payment covered and you are living for free.

The appeal to the potential roommates is reasonable rent costs. This is because one-room rent prices are often lower than apartment rental prices.

Depending on the cost of living in your area, your mortgage (or rent) payment might be higher or lower. And the amount of cash you can get each month from renters might be higher or lower too.

Just be sure you are finding a balance between charging a reasonable and fair rent price to renters and covering your mortgage or rent payment too.

Also, be sure to have all tenants sign a contract that covers the rental amount. Include any damage deposit amount and the rules for living with you.

Standard rental agreements can be found online or at office stores such as Office Depot.

Background checks and employment verifications for tenants might be a good idea too. Especially if you don’t know the people who are asking to rent rooms from you.

3. House Sit for Others

House sitting can help you live rent-free in a few different ways. You can bounce from house to house (or apartment to apartment), house sitting for people who are leaving for vacation or work travel and don’t want to leave their place unattended.

Or you could find a situation where somebody needs a long-term house sitter. Maybe they have a vacation home that they only visit once or twice a year, and they don’t like leaving it vacant so often.

Or it might be that they are leaving for long-term work travel. Years ago, friends of mine found out that the company the husband worked for wanted him to leave his local job. They asked him to work in Austria for a year as they were setting up a big project.

They didn’t like the idea of leaving their home alone for that long. So they advertised for someone to come and live at the place and do basic upkeep so that their home was tended to while they were away.

I’ve also heard of people who offer for others to live on their houseboats rent-free.

Boat owners look for people willing to live on the boat free of rent so that it’s not left unattended. If you love being on the water, this might be a great way to live rent free.

If you choose to house sit for short-term clients, you’ll want to have a backup place to be able to stay at short-term in case you are without work for a period of time.

Your parents’ house or a good friend or close relative might be willing to house you through any house-sitting slow periods.

4. Find a Rent-for-Work Situation

Property owners such as farm owners or other people who own businesses on the site where their home is often looking for people who will live rent free in exchange for a work program.

For instance, if you live on a farm rent free you might be responsible for mucking stalls (i.e. cleaning up animal doo-doo). Or you might be asked to milk cows, move bales of hay, or manage fruit or vegetable crops.

The number of hours you would work on the farm usually isn’t as much as a full-time job. This means you’ll still have plenty of time to work at an income-earning job but the rent will be free.

There are some farms too that allow free live-in tenants for the specific reason of teaching them to be farmers.

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF for short) connects people looking to learn how to live more self-sustainably with organic farmers looking for help on their farms.

Currently, the site lists destinations for rent free living at dozens of organic farms all over the world.

If you love to travel and are interested in learning more about living a sustainable lifestyle, this could be a cool way for you to do that while living rent-free.

Bonus: you might get to travel to cool places you’ve never been to as well.

*See the section below for more information on rent-free jobs.

5. Become a Live-In Nanny or Pet Sitter

Parents and pet owners everywhere are seeking out quality child care or pet care by someone who they can trust with their beloved children or pets.

A live-in childcare provider can often earn not only free living quarters but extra pay as well. If you love being with and caring for children and wouldn’t mind doing so as a part or full-time job, you could live rent free as a live-in nanny.

Many pet owners also like the idea of having a live-in pet sitter. They may be frequent travelers, whether for work or vacation. Or they may not like the idea of having their pet home alone for eight to ten hours a day while they are at work.

To find work as a nanny, look at well-respected companies such as Care.com. This company works to partner quality childcare sitters with parents looking for responsible nannies.

Create your profile on Care.com and explain that you are looking for a live-in situation if living rent free is important to you.

Local ad sites such as Craigslist also advertise for people who need child care help or pet care help. Pet sitting is one of many side hustles that could turn into a profitable business for you and find you a place to live rent free as well.

6. Manage an Apartment Building

If you don’t mind being available for random phone calls and visits or facilitating repair requests, you could live rent-free as an apartment building manager.

Apartment building managers are often given one of the apartments in the building as a place to live for free with the condition that they are available via phone to handle tenant problems such as needed repairs or conflict resolution.

You could probably work a full-time job when living rent free as an apartment manager. However, you would need to be available by phone for tenants to contact even when you are at work.

Each apartment management company will have different sets of rules for apartment managers. Be sure to check thoroughly to make sure the rules fit in with your lifestyle.

For instance, the 55+ apartment complex where my parents live is quite lenient with their apartment manager.

Her personal apartment is off-limits to tenants and is considered her private space. As such, tenants are discouraged from knocking on her door with issues.

If she is in the rental office, they are free to stop in, and tenants are also encouraged to leave messages on the rental office answering machine if she is not in the office.

The manager is given her choice as to when she feels it is needed to return calls as long as they are returned within a 24-hour period.

Other apartment complexes might not be so lenient with their apartment managers. For this reason, it’s important to know what is expected of you before signing up for this type of rent free living.

7. Live with a Relative and Do Chores for Rent

Do you have a family member that would be willing to let you live with them rent free in exchange for help around the house?

Many people are able to live rent free by moving in with a relative that wants or needs help with a variety of things around the house.

You might have an elderly grandparent, aunt, or uncle who is getting on in years and can’t quite care for their home as needed anymore.

They might need help with lawn care, snow removal, or minor house maintenance and repair.

Or they might need help managing their daily activities and necessities such as having help with when to take medications or getting to doctor appointments.

It could be that they are just not comfortable living alone any longer and want someone to be at home with them too.

Or you may have a sibling or other relative with young kids that could use readily available child care. Check with relatives and close friends about living with them rent free in exchange for help or companionship.

Again, it’s important to know upfront what is expected of you before you agree to this type of situation. Keeping the peace is vital when living with loved ones.

8. Move Back in With Your Parents

I know for many functional adults this may be a last resort option. However, moving back in with your parents and taking advantage of rent free living can be smart.

Doing so might be a great way for you to be able to pay off student loans quickly or simply save money or pay off other debt.

If you do choose to move back in with your parents and live with them rent free, consider this: It might be a good idea to sit down with them beforehand and discuss expectations on both sides.

Find out what they expect from you as a grown adult child moving back in, and explain how you would like things to be from your perspective.

By establishing rules and boundaries before you move back in with your parents you can be sure no one ends up feeling disappointed or taken advantage of.

Also, if you move back in with your parents, it’s important to be just as gracious a housemate as you would if you were living with friends.

Clean up after yourself, contribute to household expenses when you can and help out around the house. Be respectful of their space and their property. Approach them calmly when a problem or situation arises that needs attention.

Earlier in the post we talked about trading rent for work. Next, we’re going to expand on that and talk about several specific opportunities for rent-free jobs.

Rent Free Jobs

Here are some additional ideas for jobs that may allow you to live rent free.

9. Search Job Sites for Jobs That Includes Free Housing

There are almost always jobs available that include free housing as a part of the salary.

For instance, jobs as ministers or pastors often include free housing on church grounds.

You may also be able to find jobs that include free housing if you’re searching for jobs that require you to move to another state or country.

I have a neighbor that took a job as a contractor in Abu Dhabi years ago. It was a short-term (1.5 years) job and included free housing for the neighbor and their spouse and kids.

Other jobs that often offer housing provisions include residential management jobs such as group home managers, upper level management positions and resorts.

Search the best job sites and type “housing provided” in the search bar to find openings.

10. Teach English Abroad

College students and adults everywhere take jobs overseas where they can live rent free for teaching English as a second language.

Teaching English as a second language overseas is a common way to get free rent–especially if you work in the Middle East or in East Asia.

Note that a teaching degree or TESL certificate is often required for these jobs.

11. Take the Resident Assistant Job at Your School

Many colleges offer free dorm rooms to the student who takes on the RA position in the dorm.

Resident Assistants, or RAs as they’re frequently called, help dorm residents with college life.

As an RA, you are responsible for creating a positive environment in your college dorm.

You might do this by hosting monthly meetings, planning social events, or ensuring that dorm rules are followed.

Note that RA jobs are typically given to college juniors or seniors.

12. Join the Peace Corps

Peace Corps volunteers spend time traveling to different parts of the world helping others.

A typical stint as a Peace Corps volunteer lasts anywhere from 3-12 months. In that time, you’ll have paid housing expenses and get a living stipend as well.

Granted, your living quarters may be more humble than what you’re used to, but the experience is gratifying for many.

Peace Corps volunteers may qualify for other benefits, too, such as student loan forgiveness. As such, you may be able to use Peace Corps to get rid of student loans quickly.

13. Work as a Housekeeper

There are many homeowners who hire live-in housekeepers where free rent is a part of the salary.

You’ll live at the home and provide maid and housekeeping duties as requested by the homeowners.

If you’re detail-oriented and organized, this might be a great job for you.

14. Live-in Caregiver

If you’re great at caring for people or have experience as a Personal Care Assistant, working as such may be a good way for you to live rent free.

Note that Personal Care Assistants may be required to do some heavy lifting and lots of cleaning/clean-up.

PCA jobs are available for those who like taking care of people of all ages, from newborns to the elderly to those with disabilities.

15. Trade-for-Services

Some homeowners may let you live with them for free if you can offer them services that help their situation.

For instance, the homeowner may need someone to clean the house regularly or run errands.

Or they may need larger services like house painting or remodeling. You can offer services in exchange for free rent, or for free rent and a small stipend.

Search social media and online marketplaces for these types of opportunities.

What You Need to Know About Rent Free Living

When finding a rent-free living situation with parents or other relatives, one is usually pretty aware of what they are getting into.

However, when considering a rent-free living situation with a stranger, it’s important to use safety precautions.

Perform background checks, etc. for your landlords. And if something feels not right, look for another option.

Also, when taking in boarders in order to live rent free, know that rental income is counted as taxable income. Keep track of what you are taking in from people who rent from you, and put aside a portion of money each month to cover impending taxes.

Similarly, you can deduct some repair and maintenance costs as well if you house renters in your home. Keep receipts for what you spend on upkeep, repair and maintenance so you can reduce your taxable income where possible.

Renters insurance is an important purchase for those who are renting on someone else’s property.

Renters insurance will pay to cover the replacement of your belongings in case the home or apartment you are renting suffers some type of property loss through burglary, storm, or other damage.

Summary

When done right, rent free living can help you save a lot of cash to fund your financial dreams and goals.

The post 15 Real Ways to Live Rent Free appeared first on The Coupon Project.

Continue reading to find a dollar store on the web that fits all your shopping needs. And some even provide free shipping and a 100% money-back guarantee.

Top Online Dollar Stores

There are several sites to choose from, each offering different products, price points, shipping options, and more. Sorting through them all can be overwhelming.

We’ve scoured the internet to find the best online dollar stores for all your shopping needs. Here are the top options.

1. RoseGal

You will have difficulty finding items for $1 here, as the cheapest jewelry and fashion accessories start at $2. But, women might find some great deals on clothing, with many pieces ranging from $8 to $30.

RoseGal also sells some men’s clothing and home and garden accessories. However, this site has the widest selection and deals on women’s fashion. In particular, it focuses on plus sizes.

Shipping is free for all orders to nearly any country in the world. And new shoppers can get $110 off in total while accumulating points in the RoseGal rewards program.

2. DHgate

If you are comfortable buying directly from China, DHgate can allow you to buy items starting at 10 cents ($0.10) apiece.

DHgate sells almost anything, from fidget spinners starting at $1.11 to motorcycle helmets for $69. Items are sold by individual vendors, and there are over 33 million product listings.

Shipping costs and times can vary substantially, depending on where the products ship from and the seller’s policy.

3. Miss A

If you only want to shop for beauty products and cosmetics, Miss A offers a wide selection of cosmetics, bath oils, and fashion accessories for only $1.

You can also buy curated kits, which are bundles of products, and some items cost more than $1 apiece. One such kit is the “Barely Basic Kit,” which consists of nine pieces and costs $20.

Miss A has free shipping to the United States on all orders above $35. That’s a great deal for beauty supplies.

4. Five Below

Five Below is another fun shop where every item costs less than $5. You can visit an in-person store or shop online. The store’s main focus is on fun, and this theme is evident throughout its website.

While most products let you choose a color (when multiple colors are available), Five Below will send you a random color for certain items, like squirt guns.

5. Dollar General

Dollar General is another dollar store with a national physical presence and an online presence.

This store offers a few products for $1, and most of its inventory is priced below $6 per item, making for great deals. You can even activate a prepaid cell phone plan.

Shipping isn’t free on orders, regardless of the amount, though you might be able to catch a break if you ship to your local Dollar General store for free or use a discount shipping code.

6. Dollar Tree

Dollar Tree is one of the most popular dollar store brands. Its low prices result from its successful brick-and-mortar business. Everything is just a dollar at Dollar Tree, whether you shop in person or online.

And much more. With all these available items, Dollar Tree is a great family dollar store for your needs. They have free shipping to stores when you want to order online, and you save time by not commuting. You can get exclusive perks if you join their Value Seekers Club.

Dollar Tree will also ship to your house, but you must pay for shipping.

7. H&J Closeouts

H&J Closeouts has been in business for more than 25 years. Now, you can get the same wholesale prices that dollar stores pay before they mark up each item to $1. To take advantage of these savings, you must order items by the case.

If you want to give out keepsakes at a business conference or a public event, H&J Closeouts might be the most affordable online dollar store. Additionally, if you are in charge of ordering office supplies, this may be your store.

Most products sell for less than one dollar. They even have two sections for items that sell for 25 cents and 15 cents or below.

8. Dollar Fanatic

If you like to shop online but want to buy in bulk to get low prices, Dollar Fanatic is a dollar store worth a try. Everything is sold in bundles. Movies can be sold in bundles of 12, meaning you will have 12 copies of the same title or a case of 48 graduation cap cookie cutters.

Given this site’s wide range of items, they are a great family dollar store. They offer a bundle of 100 to 125 pieces of assorted miscellaneous merchandise for $50. Dollar Fanatic also offers individual items for sale, much like other dollar stores. All orders above $35 ship for free.

9. 5dollarfashions

Ladies looking to save money and find clothing that starts at $4.88 will enjoy 5dollarfashions. There are many different fashion styles to choose from.

The site is easy to navigate by category or using a search feature. You’ll have no problems finding what you are looking for. It’s even possible to narrow down your results by price so that you only see items within your budget.

When ordering from 5dollarfashions, you can get free shipping if you spend more than $75. 5dollarfashions ships internationally if you have a PayPal account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before using any of these online dollar stores, you may have some questions to help you determine which is best for you. These answers might help.

Is everything at online dollar stores really just a dollar?

No. Not all items are sold for a dollar, but many dollar-store products are cheaper than elsewhere. Also, you may even get free shipping on orders, which can save you money on gas.

What can I buy at an online dollar store?

The sky is the limit in terms of what these stores offer. You can buy anything from clothes, home goods, food, toys, gifts, and more.

Do any of the online dollar stores also have physical locations?

Yes! Dollar Tree and Dollar General have physical stores you can visit.

How long does it take to receive items from online dollar stores?

It varies based on the store. Some will ship your items within 48 hours, while others take longer to pack your order. Certain stores fulfill orders from the United States, while others ship products internationally.

Summary

As you can see, many traditional dollar store bargains are also available online. These stores listed above are a great way to save. Check each store’s shipping and handling guidelines to ensure you get the best savings.

Also, don’t be afraid to compare prices across similar stores. This can ensure you maximize your savings on the items you need.

The post 9 Online Dollar Stores with Amazing Deals appeared first on The Coupon Project.

Stores That Give Freebies on Your Birthday

Who doesn’t love free stuff? If you don’t love free stuff, then this article isn’t for you. But if you enjoy scoring anything free, then just keep reading.

1. Aveda

The skincare company focusing on natural products will give you a free $23 birthday gift if you sign up for the Aveda Pure Privilege program.

Additionally, you’ll need to make a purchase on Aveda.com or at an Aveda store in the 12 months leading up to your birthday. Additionally, you’ll need to remain on the newsletter to receive your gift.

Freebie: Gift valued at $23

2. Barnes and Noble

You have to be a kid for this program from Barnes and Noble. You can help your child sign up for the Kids’ Club. They will receive a free cupcake, cookie, or Rice Krispies at a Barnes & Noble store on their birthday.

Freebie: Free cupcake

3. Ace Hardware

You will receive a free $5 coupon on your birthday when you sign up for the ACE reward program. It is easy to sign up on the Ace Hardware website.

Freebie: $5 reward card

4. bareMinerals

If you love makeup, then you should sign up for this freebie. bareMinerals will send you a free birthday gift just for being a part of their program. What are you waiting for? Head to bareMinerals now.

Freebie: Makeup samples

5. Hallmark

Cards are expensive. If you don’t believe, then you have never spent 30 minutes looking for the perfect Mother’s Day card under $3.

By signing up for the Hallmark Crown Rewards program, you will receive a free card and a coupon for 20% off any item. You get to choose if you use the coupon on a birthday treat or a future present for a loved one.

Freebie: A card and a 20% off coupon

6. CVS

You probably always need something from CVS, so this freebie will really come in handy. If you sign up for the ExtraCare Beauty Club, then you will receive 3 dollars of ExtraCare bucks as a birthday present.

Freebie: $3 of ExtraCare bucks

7. Sephora

Another great find for a beauty lover. Sephora will give you a free gift on your birthday if you sign up for their loyalty program. I have been grabbing these freebies for years, and the makeup in the free gift is worth having.

Freebie: Makeup samples

8. Smashbox

Smashbox is a great place to find beauty products and they will send you some of their products free on your birthday. Just sign up for their rewards program to receive your birthday gift.

Freebie: Beauty products

9. ULTA

ULTA Beauty is a hotspot for new beauty products and trends. It can be expensive to shop here, but luckily they will send you a birthday gift for free!

Simply sign up for their Ultimate Rewards program and wait for your birthday gift to appear.

In addition to your birthday gift, you’ll earn 2x the points on all purchases in your birthday month.

Freebie: Beauty products

10. World Market Explorer

World Market Explorer has a nice selection of decorations to make your home look even better. Home decor isn’t cheap, but you can sign up to be a member and receive a free birthday gift!

The gift is a surprise, but based on the store’s selection, it will likely be a nice present.

Freebie: Surprise gift!

11. Medieval Times

Medieval Times is a fun dining experience that lets you pretend we are back in the Stone Age, literally. You will be sure to see swords, jousting, and knights in shining armor.

On your birthday, you can score a free dinner and tournament experience. Enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience!

Freebie: Free dinner and tournament entertainment

12. Famous Footwear

Shoes are important for any kind of exercise you do. Maybe you are attempting to get healthier this year with running, then you will want to invest in a good pair of shoes.

Join the Famous Footwear Birthday Club for 5 dollars of birthday reward cash! Perfect to use on a new pair of shoes.

Freebie: $5 reward cash

13. DSW

DSW also has a birthday club. The selection at DSW is better, especially if you are looking for various kinds of shoes instead of just running shoes.

You can sign up for their birthday club and receive 5 dollars to spend on your birthday.

If you are an Elite member of the DSW VIP program, then you will receive a $10 birthday offer.

Freebie: $5 coupon

14. Cobblestone Auto Spa

You can get a free basic car wash on your birthday if you sign up with Cobblestone. Check to see if there is one in your area before signing up. Find out more about the freebie on the Cobblestone website.

Freebie: Car wash

15. Columbia Sportswear

My favorite clothes to spend time outside in are all Columbia. The brand really knows what it is doing when it comes to comfort in the great outdoors.

The clothes are a bit pricey, but you can get a free 20% off coupon for your birthday. You will need to sign up to be a member, but it will be worth it.

Freebie: 20% off coupon

16. Old Navy

Freebie: Fun surprise!

You can receive a free birthday surprise from Old Navy when you sign up for their newsletter. You’ll find out more about the offer in an email after you sign up.

17. AMC

A night out at the movies could be the perfect way to celebrate your birthday. You can receive a free birthday popcorn if you go to an AMC theatre during the month of your birthday.

You will need to sign up for AMC Stubs program to enjoy your free popcorn.

Freebie: Popcorn

18. Redbox

Would you rather stay in than go out to watch a free movie? We have got you covered too. Simply sign up for Redbox’s Play Pass program to receive a free movie rental on your birthday.

Freebie: Movie rental

Restaurants that give free food on your birthday

Who doesn’t love getting some free food for their birthday?

19. Panera

Sign up for their reward program, MyPanera, to receive a free pastry, cookie, or muffin on your birthday. If you haven’t tried Panera yet, then this is your chance. Their pastries are huge!

Freebie: Pastry

20. P. F. Chang’s

Is Asian food your favorite kind? Then you need to sign up for this birthday freebie. As a rewards member at P. F. Changs, you can earn points for free food and receive a free appetizer or dessert on your birthday.

The best part is that you can use this freebie anytime during your birthday month.

Freebie: Appetizer or dessert

21. Red Lobster

The Fresh Catch club has some very sweet perks, including a free surprise on your birthday. Although you won’t know what it is until you get there, can free food ever be a bad thing?

Check out the Red Lobster website for more information.

Freebie: Surprise!

22. Red Robin

Prefer burgers to lobster? Then try Red Robin’s reward program. You can claim a free burger on your birthday.

Freebie: Burger

23. Ruby Tuesday

Ruby Tuesday serves classic American favorites. You can claim a free burger here on your birthday.

They also have a good salad bar, so you can claim a free Garden Bar entree instead of the burger if that is more your taste.

Sign up for the So Connected program on the Ruby Tuesday website.

Freebie: Garden Bar or Burger entrée

24. Perkins

Free pie? Yes, please. You can get a free slice of pie at Perkins on your birthday if you sign up for their MyPerkins reward program. You can find out more about the program at the Perkins website.

Freebie: Slice of pie

25. Olive Garden

You will receive a free appetizer from Olive Garden on your birthday if you sign up for their eClub. Or if you prefer sweets to savory, you can claim a dessert instead.

The eClub also includes offers special deals for other connected restaurants including Longhorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 72, The Capital Grille, Eddie V’s and the Yard House.

It is likely that these restaurants also offer a birthday surprise because they are a part of this club.

If you are more interested in the free stuff from these other restaurants, then you should sign up for those offers at the same time.

Freebie: Dessert

26. Chik-fil-A

If you download the Chik-fil-A One app and create an account, you will have access to a birthday reward. The exact reward will depend on the restaurant and your taste buds.

Last year, I got a free order of chicken nuggets on my birthday!

Freebie: Surprise

27. Noodles World Kitchen

If you have Noodles World Kitchen in your area, then you should sign up for their reward program. You will receive a free coupon on your birthday. A great option if pasta is your absolute favorite.

Freebie: Coupon

28. Not Your Average Joe’s Kitchen and Bar

You can sign up for Not Your Average Joe’s Kitchen and Bar’s email list in order to receive great birthday gifts every year.

Freebie: Surprise!

29. Moe’s Southwest Grill

Mexican food is many people’s favorite food, including my own. Burritos are something that I can never turn down, especially if they are free.

You can get a free burrito, that’s right a whole burrito, for free on your birthday. All you have to do is sign up for Moe’s eWorld program.

Freebies: Burrito

30. Joe’s Crab Shack

If you are in search of free seafood, then look no further. Joe’s Crab Shack is known for its legendary seafood and you can have some for free on your birthday.

Just sign up for their Joe’s Catch program to claim a free treat on your birthday.

Freebie: Surprise!

31. First Watch

If you have a First Watch Cafe in your area, then you should sign up for the Sun eClub. Not only will you receive a free birthday gift, but also a free buy one, get one free coupon just for signing up.

Freebie: BOGO coupon

32. Marble Slab

You can sign up for the Slab Happy email in order to receive a free birthday surprise. I am guessing it will involve some amount of free ice cream. You can sign up on the Marble Slab’s website.

Freebie: Ice cream surprise

34. Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme is the best place to get a donut, in my opinion, will give you a free donut on your birthday if you join the eClub. They don’t specify what type of donut you can get, but all of their choices are good.

Freebie: Donut

35. Jack in the Box

Jack in the Box will give you an order of free birthday tacos if you register on their website. Everyone loves tacos!

Freebie: Tacos

36. Hard Rock

The Hard Rock Rewards program will grant you an annual offer on your birthday. The program includes hotels, casinos, shops, and the Hard Rock Cafe. So your surprise could really be anything!

Freebie: Surprise

37. IHOP

Who doesn’t love breakfast at any time of the day? IHOP is the place to go if you want breakfast after 11 AM.

You can join the Pancake Revolution and enjoy a free meal on your birthday. That’s right, an entire meal for free.

You’ll also get free pancakes on your anniversary of signing up for the Pancake Revolution.

Freebie: Meal

38. Jersey Mike’s Subs

You will receive a coupon for a free sub and a drink on your birthday if you sign up for the Jersey Mike email club.

The great thing about this offer is that you don’t have to use the coupon on your actual birthday, or even in your birthday month.

You will just receive a coupon that is good until next year. That will work out really well for you. Especially if you are trying to cash in on every single birthday deal because there may be some limit to what you can eat in a day.

Freebie: Sub and a drink

39. Great American Cookies

Great American Cookies are the store you see in the mall with gigantic cookie cakes and a multitude of regular cookies. If you sign up for the Cookie Club, then you will receive a free birthday surprise.

Freebie: Surprise!

40. Friendly’s

You can sign up for the Friendly’s BFF Club and receive a free sundae on your birthday.

Freebie: Sundae

41. Denny’s

You can get a free Build Your Own Grand Slam on your birthday at Denny’s. You do not have to sign up for anything, you just have to have an ID with you that proves it is your birthday.

Freebie: Grand Slam

42. Dairy Queen.

Do you love the classic Dairy Queen Blizzards? You are in luck. If you sign up for the Blizzard Fan Club, then you will receive a buy one get one free coupon for Blizzards on your birthday.

Freebie: BOGO Blizzards coupon

43. Firehouse Subs

You will get a free medium sub on your birthday if you sign up for Firehouse Subs Rewards.

Freebie: Sub

44. Don Pablo’s

You can become a Habaneros Member at Don Pablo’s and receive a free 10 dollar gift card on your birthday. The perfect gift because then you can buy whatever you want to.

Freebie: $10 gift card

45. Fuddruckers

You can join Fuddruckers Fudds club to receive a special offer on your birthday.

Freebie: Surprise!

46. Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel is a fun place to eat, if you haven’t been you should give it a try. Consider going on your birthday because you will receive a free dessert without signing up for anything.

It might be a good idea to have an ID with you, just in case.

Freebie: Free dessert

47. Cinnabon

You can sign up for Club Cinnabon to receive a free special offer on your birthday. As of now, the offer is for a coupon for one free Minibon at participating locations.

Freebie: Minibon

48. Cold Stone Creamery

As a part of the My Stone Club, you will receive a free BOGO coupon on your birthday. You can sign up for the club on the Cold Stone Creamery website.

Freebie: BOGO coupon

49. Culver’s

Culver’s is a growing fast food chain that is known for its burgers and custard. If you sign up for Culver’s eClub, then you will get a free birthday treat.

Freebie: Surprise treat

50. Chili’s

You can enjoy a dessert on your birthday when you sign up for My Chili’s Rewards Club.

Freebie: Dessert

51. Benihana’s

You can receive a 30 dollar gift card to Benihana’s on your birthday if you register for the Chef’s Table program. I have cashed in on this deal before, it was a delicious dinner.

Freebie: $30 gift card to use on your birthday

52. Buca di Beppo

You can receive a free 20 dollar gift card on your birthday if you sign up for the eClub. You will also get free pasta on your next visit.

What are you waiting for? Sign up for the club on the Buca di Beppo website now!

Freebie: $20 gift card to use on your birthday

53. Boston Market

You can join the VIP club at Boston Market and receive a free birthday surprise. You will also receive a coupon for 3 dollars off of 10 just for signing up.

Freebie: $3 off $10 coupon

54. Big Boy

You will receive a free birthday meal if you sign up for Big Boy’s email club.

Freebie: Meal

55. Carrabba’s Italian Grill

As a part of the Amici Club, you will get a free appetizer or dessert. You can sign up for Carrabba’s Amici Club on their website.

Freebie: Appetizer or dessert

56. Bonefish Grill

Sign up for the Bonefish Grill Insider Club to receive a special offer on your birthday.

Freebie: Surprise offer

57. Buffalo Wild Wings

You will get free wings on your birthday if you join the Buffalo Circle on the Buffalo Wild Wings website.

Freebie: Wings

58. Captain D’s

Join the D’s Club to receive a free special offer on your birthday. Find out more on Captain D’s website.

Freebie: Surprise offer

59. Auntie Anne’s

The best pretzel place in town will give you a free pretzel on your birthday. You just have to sign up for the Pretzel Perks Club on Auntie Anne’s website to cash in on this deal.

Freebies: Pretzel

60. bd’s Mongolian Grill

If you join bd’s Mongolian Grill’s club, Mongo, then you will receive a free entree on your birthday.

Freebie: Entree

61. Baskin Robbins

Join the Baskin Robbins’ Birthday Club to receive a free ice cream on your birthday.

Freebie: Ice cream

62. Applebee’s

You can get a free dessert on your birthday at Applebee’s. Just sign up for their email club.

Freebie: Dessert

63. Arby’s

Do you love milkshakes? Then this deal is for you. Just register with Arby’s to receive a free milkshake on your birthday.

Freebie: Milkshake

64. Atlanta Bread

If you live near an Atlanta Bread location, then sign up for their loyalty program to get a free cookie on your birthday.

Freebie: Cookie

65. A&W All American Food

Join A&W’s Mug Club to receive a free root beer float on your birthday.

Freebie: Root beer float

66. Sbarro

You can get a free slice of pizza from Sbarro on your birthday by joining the eClub.

Freebie: Slice of pizza

67. Sonny’s BBQ

Sonny’s will give you a free Big Deal Meal on your birthday if you join the ‘Q Crew.

Freebie: Big Deal Meal of your choice for free

68. Sonic

You will receive a special treat on your birthday if you create a Sonic account.

Freebie: Surprise treat

69. The Spaghetti Warehouse

You can receive a free meal any time during your birthday week at the Spaghetti Warehouse. You just have to sign up at Meatballs.com for the Warehouse Club.

Freebie: Eat any time during your birthday week

70. Starbucks

Sign up for the Starbucks Reward program in order to receive a free drink on your birthday.

Freebie: Drink of your choice

71. Souper Salad

You can eat a free meal at Souper Salad any time during your birthday week as a part of their Souper Perks program.

Freebie: Meal

72. Steak n’ Shake

You can pick anything on the menu as a birthday gift if you join Steak n’ Shake’s eClub.

Freebie: Any item on the menu

73. Subway

Sign up for the Subway Rewards Program to receive 20 points for your use at any time. You can use these points to buy a drink, a bag of chips, or two cookies. You can continue to earn more points on this card all year long.

Freebie: 20 points to use for a treat of your choice

74. Texas Roadhouse

You can sign up for the Texas Roadhouse email club to receive a free birthday gift. I signed up for this, and my gift was a free appetizer. I went for the cactus blossom, and it did not disappoint.

Freebie: Appetizer

75. Tropical Smoothie Cafe

You will receive a free special birthday offer from the Tropical Smoothie Cafe if you sign up for Club Tropical. The special offer will depend on how often you use your Tropical Rewards membership.

If you are not very active, then you’ll get $2 off. If you are on the “Supercharged” level, then you will get the chance to pick one free menu item of your choice with up to a $10 value.

Freebie: Special offer

76. Wingstop

You can get a free order of fries on your birthday if you sign up for the club. Find out more on the Wingstop website.

Freebie: Fries

77. Wienerschnitzel

You can get a free coupon for Wienerschnitzel every year on your birthday if you join the Wiener Lover’s Club.

Freebie: Coupon

78. Uno Pizzeria & Grill

By signing up for the Uno’s Insider Club, you will receive a free dessert on your birthday.

Freebie: Dessert

79. Waffle House

Join the Waffle House Regulars Club to get a free waffle on your birthday. You’ll need to stay on the mailing list to claim your prize.

Freebie: Waffle

80. Zaxby’s

Join Zax Mail to receive a free meal deal on your birthday from Zaxby’s.

Freebie: Meal deal

81. Yogurt Mountain

You can get a free yogurt from Yogurt Mountain on your birthday by joining the YOMO club. You’ll receive the free yogurt coupon through a text.

Freebie: Yogurt

82. TGI Friday’s

You will get a free dessert on your birthday if you join the TGI Friday’s Rewards program.

Freebie: Dessert

83. Baja Fresh

Join the Baja Fresh club to receive a free burrito on your birthday. You will also get a free taco for signing up.

Freebie: Burrito, plus a taco for signing up

84. Bojangles

Join the Bojangles club for a free Bo-Berry biscuit on your birthday.

Freebie: Bo-Berry biscuit

85. Texas de Brazil

When you sign up for the Texas de Brazil eClub, you will get a birthday gift each. Plus, you’ll get $20 off two regular dinners when you become a member.

Freebie: Surprise gift

86. Which Wich

When you sign up for the Vibe Club Rewards, you’ll receive a free Wich on your next birthday.

Freebie: Wich

87. Rita’s Ice

Rita’s e-Club members get a free Italian Ice on their birthday each year.

Freebie: Italian Ice

88. Jonny Rockets

When you sign up for the Rocket e-club, you will receive a free hamburger when you sign up. Plus, you’ll receive another on your birthday each year.

Freebie: Hamburger

89. Yankee Candle

Who doesn’t love Yankee Candles? Receive a FREE gift on your birthday — just subscribe for emails and add your birth date to your member profile! 

As a member of Yankee Candle, your gift will vary based on membership type. If you are a Fragrance Fan with 0-99 points, you get a “Gift”. If you are a Fragrance Member with over 1000 points, you will receive a premium gift. 

Freebie: Free candle

90. Abuelo’s

Make sure to sign up for the Mi Abuelo’s rewards so you can get some yummy freebies on your birthday.  

Receive a free entree for your birthday when you visit Abuelo twice before your birthday month.

Freebie: Free entree

91. Ben & Jerry’s

Who doesn’t like free ice cream? Join the Ben & Jerry’s Flavor Fanatics ice cream rewards program for extra goodies.

On your birthday, get a cone-gratulations surprise. 

Freebie: Ice cream

92. Bertucci’s

Join Bertucci’s eClub to get great discounts. And for your birthday and anniversary, you’ll get a “special gift”.

Freebie:  Special gift

93. Bruegger’s Bagels

Join the Bruegger’s Bagels inner circle to get free bagels. When you sign up, you get a free bagel within the first 14 days.  Become a bagel insider to the latest special offers and exclusive news about your favorite Bruegger’s Bagels.

And for your birthday, get a free bagel. 

Freebies: Free bagel

94. California Pizza Kitchen

Join the CPK rewards and get lots of benefits. You get a free starter when you register. Earn 1 point for every $1 you spend.  75 points is equal to $5.

For your birthday, get a free dessert. And get specials throughout the year.

Freebies:  Free dessert

95. Crumbl Cookies

Join the Crumbl rewards to get great loyalty benefits. This includes a free cookie on your birthday.

Freebie: Cookie

96. Del Taco

Del Yeah! Is Del Taco’s rewards program. You get 2 free tacos just for signing up as a rewards member. 

When it’s your birthday, enjoy a regular-size premium shake. As you rack up points, you can upgrade to any choice of shake or dessert, except for the Cheesecake bites. 

Freebie: Regular-size shake

97. Dutch Bros Coffee

One of the hottest drive-thru coffee spots is Dutch Bros. Download the app and get a free medium drink. Earn points as you accumulate rewards points.

For your birthday, get any drink, any size, for free. And when it’s your half birthday, you get 50% off. 

Freebie: Free Drink

98. Edible Arrangements

Become a rewards member with Edible Arrangements and earn points towards freebies. 

For your birthday, get a free 6-count chocolate-dipped fruit box, valued at $12.99. You do, however need to have spent $29 in the past calendar year. 

Freebie: 6-count chocolate dipped fruit box

99. Golden Corral

By joining the Gold Corral rewards club, also known as the Gold Club, you get lots of perks for members only. 

For your birthday freebies, enjoy a free drink and a ‘special offer’ on your special day.

Freebie: Free drink and special offer

100. Honey Baked Ham

Earning Ham deals is easy with Honey Baked Ham rewards. Turn your piggy points into cash. 

You get $9 (99 points) in Honey Baked Cash for signing up. For your birthday, get another $9 in Honey Baked Cash.

Freebie: $9 Honey Baked Cash

Summary

As you can see, there are so many places that give birthday freebies. Make sure to take advantage of these free opportunities the next time your special day rolls around.

I hope this list helps you maximize your birthday fun! Which deals will you be cashing in on?

The post 100 Best Places To Get Free Stuff On Your Birthday appeared first on The Coupon Project.

Sometimes you want the ease of stamps delivered right to your front door. Other times, you may need stamps on the weekend. If you are looking for where to buy stamps, this list of the most convenient options will help.

Where to Buy Stamps

Best Range

Find bulk stamps, Forever stamps, as well as other postage stamps.

Visit Site

Best Online

One of the most popular sites for buying stamps online.

VISIT SITE

Best Local

No added service charges when you buy stamps from USPS.

VISIT SITE

Not all locations we discuss here allow you to purchase stamps at any time. However, there are enough options, and you should be able to find a place to buy stamps almost any time of the day.

1. ATMs

Many automated teller machines sell postage stamps. Better yet, you can often buy stamps at ATMs even if you don’t bank at the company that owns the ATM. ATMs are often available 24/7, making them a convenient option for buying postage stamps. 

However, nearly every ATM charges a service fee when selling postage stamps. In addition, if you’re buying stamps at an out-of-network ATM (an ATM that’s not fee-free as declared by your bank), you could pay a second fee.

Not all ATMs sell stamps, so you’ll have to check ATMs near you to find out if the machine carries stamps. 

ATMs That Sell Stamps

• Bank of America
• Key Bank
• US Bank
• Wells Fargo

Note: Not all ATM’s from these banks sell stamps, so you may want to check their website ahead of time to see if a particular ATM does

2. Banks

Similarly, some banks sell postage stamps. Again, you’ll get charged a fee if you purchase stamps at a bank. The fee will vary by bank and its service charges. 

It’s important to note that a limited number of banks sell postage stamps. For instance, you may not find postage stamps for sale at smaller, local banks. That said, many larger banks have some branches that sell postage stamps. 

Banks you might want to check with to see if they sell stamps include:

• Wells Fargo 
• U.S. Bank 
• Fifth Third Bank

Since not all branches of the banks named above sell stamps, it’s probably best to call before making the trip. 

Also, be aware of banks’ business hours before you go to buy stamps. You don’t want to arrive at the bank only to find it closed. 

3. Gas Stations or Convenience Stores

Many gas stations and convenience stores sell postage stamps. 

Some of the larger gas stations and convenience stores that sell stamps include:

• KwikTrip
• Circle K
• 7-Eleven

Holiday station stores, owned by Circle K, might also carry postage stamps. Again, no matter which store you choose to go to buy stamps, you’ll want to call first to see if that particular location carries stamps. 

Many gas stations and convenience stores are open 24/7, so they might be the best option for buying postage stamps. Also, it doesn’t hurt to check with smaller, local convenience stores and gas stations to see if they sell postage stamps.

4. Grocery Stores

Nationwide grocery chains may also sell stamps. You can check with the cashier at your grocery store or stop by the customer service counter. 

Some of the grocery store chains that might carry postage stamps include:

• Fry’s Foods (AZ only)
• Food Lion
• Food City (AZ only)
• Giant Eagle
• Albertsons 
• Hannaford
• Bakers
• Hy-Vee
• Kroger
• Publix
• Winn Dixie
• Safeway
• Wegmans
• ShopRite
• Meijer

Note that big-box stores like Walmart may also sell postage stamps. However, there’s a good chance that you’ll only be able to get them online from Walmart. You can check at the service counter at your local Walmart to see if they carry stamps in-store.

However, my local Walmart only offers postage stamps online, so please order them via their website. Buying your postage stamps at your local grocery store might be convenient, as you’ll be shopping there anyway. 

5. Office Supply Stores

Do you like to frequent office supply stores? If so, there are a few that carry postage stamps. Office Max/Office Depot and Staples typically carry postage stamps. Other local office supply stores may also carry stamps. 

As with other suggestions here, it’s best to call and check if the store carries stamps before you go, since some locations may have them while others may not. Expect a surcharge on top of the standard USPS stamp price. 

6. Stamps.com

There are hundreds of online stores that sell postage stamps and ship them to you. Stamps.com is one of the most popular sites for buying stamps.

With Stamps.com, you can print your postage and shipping labels in seconds. Using this site can help you eliminate trips to the post office. You can use the site to print correct postage for almost any package.

Then, simply give your package to your postal carrier, and you’re done. This service costs $17.99 per month, but a four-week trial can help you decide whether it’s worth the cost. Stamps.com membership is likely the most cost-effective option for people who mail many items.

7. Over the Phone

Another way to buy stamps is to place an order over the phone. The USPS has a phone number to request that stamps be mailed to you. The phone number for the USPS online ordering center is 1-800-782-6724 (or 1-800-STAMP24).

When you call this line to order stamps, you can specify the type of stamps you need, give your payment information, and wait for your stamps in the mail. Please note that this USPS line is not always available. Due to the pandemic, if staffing isn’t available to process phone orders, you may be redirected to order stamps online. 

8. eBay

Believe it or not, there are many sellers who sell postage stamps on eBay. All you need to do is head to eBay and type “postage stamps” in the search bar. You’ll receive a long list of sellers offering Forever stamps and other postage stamps.

When purchasing stamps on eBay, we recommend using a trusted seller with many good reviews and a high positive feedback rating. Checking a seller’s feedback ratings and reviews can help you avoid scams.

9. Post Offices

You might find that a local post office location is one of the best places to buy stamps. There are no additional service charges when you buy stamps at a post office; they’re always in stock. 

The one downside to buying stamps at a U.S. post office is that hours may be limited, depending on your location. Some post office locations in larger cities might have longer hours and be open on Saturdays.

However, post offices in smaller towns and rural areas may have limited hours, making it inconvenient to buy stamps. Also, post offices are closed on most major holidays. This fact can also make it inconvenient to buy stamps at the post office.

The post office is a convenient and cost-effective way to purchase stamps, provided you can visit during regular business hours. Check the USPS website for post office locations and hours near you.

Bonus tip: The United States Post Office is also one of the cheapest ways to ship packages.

10. Wholesale Clubs

You might think that shopping at your local warehouse club, such as Sam’s Club, BJ’s, or Costco, will save you money on stamps. You are right. However, don’t expect huge money savings when buying stamps at a wholesale club. 

When I checked prices for this article, Sam’s Club was selling a book of 100 Forever stamps for $72.75. The regular price for a book of 100 Forever stamps is $73.00, so you’re only saving $0.25. But frugal people will tell you that every penny adds up. 

Call or stop by the wholesale club where you have a membership and see if they have postage stamps available for you to buy. If you don’t have a warehouse club membership, check out our review article on Sam’s Club vs. Costco to see which option might be best for you.

Warehouse clubs can be a great place to save on food, cleaning items, and other household purchases. They can also be an easy way to save a little money on stamp purchases.

How Much Do Stamps Cost?

You might be wondering how much stamps cost these days. We’ll review the cost of a basic postage stamp or book of stamps. 

First-Class Stamps

First-class stamps cover the mailing of a basic letter up to 3.5 ounces. As of this writing, they cost $0.73 each. 

Forever Stamps

Forever stamps are first-class stamps with a twist. They cost the same as first-class stamps. However, if the price of a stamp goes up, say, to $0.80, you’ll still be able to use your Forever stamps for mailing items. 

They’ll be counted as usable first-class stamps no matter how much the price goes up in the future. If you buy basic first-class stamps that aren’t Forever stamps and the cost of postage increases, you’ll have to add more postage to make up the difference. 

Therefore, it’s probably in your best interest to always buy the Forever stamps. Keeping Forever stamps on hand can be a great way to save money on future postage costs. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the best places to buy stamps. 

Summary

There are many trustworthy places where you can buy postage stamps. However, it’s important to note that buying postage stamps at retailers, banks, or ATMs may cost more. This makes the post office the best place to buy stamps if you want to save money.

That said, if you are looking for convenience, you might find the fees you’ll pay when buying stamps from places other than post offices worth the money. To save money, plan ahead and get Forever stamps from your local Post office.

The post 10 Great Places to Buy Stamps appeared first on The Coupon Project.

You’re probably here because you need to cash a check. If you start a side hustle this year, local or online, you may have a client who pays you by paper check. Or grandma sent you birthday money. Regardless, you need to cash that check.

Where To Cash a Personal Check

Here is a list of the top places to cash checks, including handwritten checks.

1. Your Local Bank or Credit Union

Your personal bank or credit union is the best place to cash a check, including handwritten checks. Free check cashing may be one of your account benefits. You can instantly access your cash by visiting your local branch.

That said, depending on your local bank options, you might be better off joining a credit union. Credit unions usually charge fewer fees than banks.

Credit unions are a great choice if you don’t need access to a national branch network. A credit union might also have a lower minimum balance requirement to avoid monthly checking account fees. Many credit unions only require a $5 minimum balance to keep your account open.

Pick a local credit union or bank that offers free checking and is convenient. You should look for a new checking account if your bank doesn’t cash checks for free.

2. Visit the Issuing Bank

The issuing bank is the best place to start when you don’t have a bank account. It can be the cheapest and quickest option compared to the others on this list. Some larger banks might also have a higher cashing limit than other options.

The issuing bank’s name appears in the bottom-left corner of the check, above the memo line. Go to your local branch to cash the check.

For instance, if the check is issued by BB&T Bank, you can visit the local BB&T branch. The teller can then check the account balance to ensure there are sufficient funds to cover the check.

As with any of these check-cashing locations, you must bring your ID to verify your identity. Each bank has different cashing policies for non-customers. Don’t be surprised if you are charged a non-customer fee; not all banks and credit unions do. The best way to find out is to call the bank or visit its website.

If you must pay a fee, banks usually charge one of the following fees:

• $0 for any check balance below $50
• $7-$10 for check balances above $50
• 10% of the check balance
• $7 per check, regardless of the balance

Sometimes, non-customer bank fees can be more expensive than the other options mentioned here.

A few banks offer prepaid debit cards only to non-customers for cashed checks. This practice is relatively uncommon. These prepaid cards may include monthly maintenance fees and expiration dates. If you receive a prepaid debit card, read the terms and conditions.

Use the card as soon as possible to avoid expiration.

3. Walmart Check Cashing

Believe it or not, 90% of Americans live within 15 minutes of a Walmart store. You will likely pass a Walmart before you reach the issuing bank. And if you buy your groceries at Walmart, your cashed check can double as your weekly grocery money.

You can expect to pay the following fees for the Walmart Check Cashing services:

• $4 for each check, up to $1,000
• $8 for each check greater than $1,000

The daily cashing limit is $5,000. Between January and April, the limit increases to $7,500 for Christmas money and tax refund checks. However, note that Walmart does not cash personal checks for amounts over $200.

Walmart cashes your check for cash or a Walmart MoneyCard. They waive the MoneyCard reload fee for select payroll companies and government checks.

Walmart cashes all of these kinds of checks:

• Pre-printed checks
• Payroll checks
• Government checks
• Tax checks
• Cashiers’ checks
• Insurance settlement checks
• 401 (k), retirement disbursement checks
• MoneyGram money orders
• Two-party personal checks (limit: $200)

4. Your Local Grocery Store

Grocery stores are hit-and-miss with check-cashing services. You need to ask their customer service desk to find out. Some stores may only accept cash, payroll checks, cashier’s checks, and money orders.

These checks are printed and not handwritten with a pen. Sadly, check fraud discourages many stores from cashing handwritten checks. Very few grocers still cash handwritten personal checks, but some do.

Here are four national grocers that still cash checks:

• Albertson’s
• Kmart
• Kroger
• Publix
• Safeway

Check-cashing fees for grocery stores range from free to 2% of the check amount or $6 per check. Each store has a different cashing policy.

Some grocers waive the check-cashing fee if you choose store credit instead of cash. If you buy groceries at that particular supermarket, this is a better option.

5. Gas Station Travel Centers

Most gas stations no longer accept personal checks. It doesn’t matter if it’s handwritten, from your employer, or a government check.

The risk of check fraud is too high. You will have the most success at travel centers (truck stops) when driving along the interstate. A travel center accepts personal vehicles and has dedicated refueling lanes for semi-trucks.

Two full-service travel center brands to try are:

• Pilot Flying J 
• TravelCenters of America

Only a select few of their locations cash checks, so you will have to try your luck or call the closest location ahead of time. You can get free checking cashing when you buy fuel within two hours of cashing your check.

6. Transact by 7-Eleven

One of the few gas station chains that cashes checks is 7-Eleven. You must download the Transact by 7-Eleven app, which lets you cash a check by taking a picture of it with your phone.

Most checks clear within 48 hours, and the balance is deposited onto your reloadable 7-Eleven prepaid card. You can then use the card anywhere a Debit MasterCard is accepted, which is most online and retail stores.

7. Endorse Your Check to a Friend

You can also endorse your check to a friend who can cash it for free. After all, what are friends for? Endorsed checks are sometimes called “third-party checks.” Endorsing a check to a friend to cash is simple.

On the back of the check, follow these steps:

• On the top line, write “Pay to the order of Friend’s Name.”
• You sign the check underneath this endorsement

Every bank has different policies for cashing endorsed checks. To fight check fraud, you might have to accompany your friend to the bank branch to verify your identity, too.

Some banks require you to complete a form authorizing your friend to cash your check. Check online or call the bank before your friend can cash the check. Certain banks, including Ally Bank, Discover Bank, and Regions, do not accept third-party checks.

8. Cash Your Check Using an App

You can also cash your personal check online. Two apps that don’t require you to be a bank customer to cash a check are PayPal and Ingo Money.

Ingo Money

This might be the best online app for cashing personal checks. You can use Ingo Money to cash most checks, including hand-written personal checks. Once you download the app, you endorse the check and use it to take photos of the front and back. Then, you decide where you’d like the money to go.

You might prefer Ingo Money because of the multiple redemption options:

• Prepaid debit card
• PayPal account
• Amazon gift card
• Online bill pay for retail credit cards
• Cash pickup at participating MoneyGram locations

The check balance will be deposited in minutes with the first three options. When you use your check amount to pay a retail credit card, the bill payment posts the next business day. You can also split the balance between multiple redemption options.

Ingo lets you cash checks for amounts as small as $5 or as large as $5,000. This flexibility does cost a small fee. Handwritten personal checks under $100 incur a $5 cashing fee. Balances greater than $100 incur a 5% fee.

Pre-printed payroll and government checks cost $5 to cash for balances under $250. You will pay 2% of the balance when it exceeds $250. You can avoid the cashing fees by waiting 10 days to receive the balance for both check types. But, in that case, you can only deposit the balance into one account.

You can use Ingo Money to deposit your check into a Chime account. Chime is a financial technology company that offers free ATM access. You may also receive your direct deposit funds up to two days earlier than if you’d used a traditional bank.

PayPal

PayPal is one of the largest payment processors in the world. It also offers a way to cash a check. It’s partnered with First Century Bank and Ingo Money to provide this service.

As with Ingo Money, you’ll need to endorse the check first, then use the app to take a picture of the front and back. Once your check is approved, you can write “VOID” across the front.

You can then pay a fee and make your money available within minutes. The standard fee is 1% for payroll and government checks with a pre-printed signature and 5% for all other accepted checks, with a $5 minimum fee per check. You can also choose to wait 10 days to receive the funds, in which case the transaction is free.

Checks must be between $5 and $5,000. You can cash multiple checks up to $5,000 per day and $15,000 per month.

Once your balance is unlocked, you can access your PayPal funds in several ways. You can transfer it to another bank account in one day for free. Another option is transferring the balance to an eligible debit card or prepaid card in minutes.

Debit card transfers currently cost 1% of the transfer amount (up to $10).

Or, you can transfer it to a PayPal Debit Card, which you can then use at any ATM to get cash.

NetSpend

NetSpend offers online check cashing, too. You can also find a local NetSpend partner to cash checks too. The check balance loads to a prepaid debit card.

Standard processing is free. But for expedited processing, you pay 2% ($5 minimum) for preprinted government and payroll checks.

Handwritten checks have an expedited processing fee of 5% of the check balance, with a $5 minimum fee. It’s also possible to get $10 overdraft protection with their Premier Card Account feature.

Green Dot

Green Dot is another prepaid debit card option with in-app mobile check cashing. You can also cash checks at Walmart to reload your prepaid Green Dot debit card. It’s free to deposit checks with the mobile app if you can wait 10 days to access your funds.

Otherwise, you can access your funds in minutes by paying a 1% fee for government and payroll deposits. Handwritten checks have a 4% fee.

Green Dot has the following mobile check cashing limits:

• The minimum check balance must be $5
• Single check balance can’t exceed $2,500
• Can cash up to $5,000 in a single day
• Can only cash up to $10,000 every 30 days

If you need to write a check to someone, Green Dot will send you a book of paper checks. You don’t need to open a checking account, as the funds are debited from your debit card.

9. Check Cashing Stores

This should always be your last resort due to the high fees.

Most locations charge a percentage of the balance instead of a flat fee. For smaller check balances, this can be cheaper than other stores that charge a flat fee. But, fees for large balances are often lower at most other places, even if they charge a percentage of the check balance.

These check-cashing stores are easy to find in your local town. They will cash every type of personal check, including handwritten checks from family and friends. Sadly, this convenience comes at a high price. These stores charge the highest check-cashing fees.

When you put the balance on their reloadable debit card, you must also pay a monthly maintenance fee. Expect to pay a reload fee each time, too. Cash your checks at Walmart if you want a reloadable debit card.

FAQs About Cashing Checks

What to Look For When Cashing a Check

Cashing a check is easier than writing a check. In most cases, you only have to sign the back to receive payment. But, you should still verify several areas on the check front before you head to the bank. If any of the information below is incorrect, the teller won’t cash your check.

Pay to the Order Of

Make sure the check is made payable to the name that matches your legal ID. Only the person named on the check can cash it. If you want your spouse to cash your check, you must open a joint bank account.

The teller won’t necessarily reject your check if it doesn’t have your full legal name. For example, it’s acceptable if the check says John Doe, but your driver’s license says Jonathan.

Matching Dollar Amounts

Each check has two fields for the dollar amount. In one field, the issuer writes the check amount in numbers. This field is to the right of your name. On a $50 check, this box should read $50.00.

The second check amount field is underneath the “Pay to the order of” field, where your name goes. On a $50 check, this field reads Fifty and 00/100 Dollars.

The Check Issuer Signs the Check

The person who writes the check must sign it in the bottom right corner. Their signature verifies that the check is active and legitimate.

Correct Date

Some places may only cash a check if it was issued within the last 180 days. Some checks even state that you should void the check if you don’t cash it within 180 days. If a check is issued on January 1, you have 180 days to cash it. For this example, you have until June 30 to cash your check.

Incorrect dates are most common for handwritten checks in the new year. Some businesses might “future date” the check and give it to you early. If payday is on the 15th, but you get the check on the 12th, you must wait three days before cashing.

Things to Remember When Cashing a Personal Check

There are a few things to remember the next time you cash a check:

• You always need to bring a photo ID
• Some locations won’t cash handwritten checks
• Certain stores and banks charge more to cash a check than others
• Most places have a daily redemption limit

For the most part, cashing a check in person is extremely easy.

This is true when you have a pre-printed check from one of these issuers:

• Employers
• Government Agencies
• Your tax refund

All you need to do is sign your check and present a photo ID. You instantly receive the balance minus any cashing fees.

Summary

When you need money now, cashing a check is an easy option. There’s no shortage of options to cash a paper check locally. However, you may need to pay a fee at some locations to cash your check. Going to the issuing bank can be the cheapest option, but other places cash checks for free, too.

The post 9 Places to Cash a Check (Including Handwritten Checks) appeared first on The Coupon Project.

They are also a convenient way to pay if you don’t have a checking account or need to pay someone who doesn’t accept checks.

How to Get a Money Order

You’ll need to go to a place that issues them to get a money order. This could be a bank or other retailer that provides this service. You’ll need cash for the money order amount plus any related fees. The issuer (the bank) will receive your funds and issue a paper document for the stated amount.

One advantage of a money order is that it provides a receipt confirming payment, unlike cash. Money orders can be convenient, but they usually incur a fee. If you need to send money internationally, consider using Wise. They won’t sell you a money order, but they’re safe and about four times cheaper than other credit cards because there are no hidden fees.

How Much Do Money Orders Cost?

Different companies charge different fees for money orders. Some charge a flat fee; others charge a percentage of the amount you want to order. Some banks offer money orders for free if you have an account with them, but generally, you’ll be charged.

Where Can I Get a Money Order?

There are several places you can get a money order. Generally, only a few companies issue money orders. The two leading companies that produce money orders are Western Union and MoneyGram.

However, both companies allow money orders to be sold at several locations around the U.S. Here are some of the most convenient stores where you can purchase one. I’ve also shared what each store charges (when available).

1. Walmart

Walmart has over 4,700 locations in the U.S. alone.

• Fee: $1 max fee. Exact fees vary by location
• Limit: $1,000 max per money order
• Provider: MoneyGram

Note that you can cash a money order at Walmart only if it was purchased at a Walmart.

2. 7-Eleven

7-Eleven convenience stores have nearly 8,500 locations in the U.S. While many 7-Eleven stores sell money orders, the prices vary.

• Fee: 1-3% of the total amount, with a $0.65 min fee
• Limit: $500 max per money order
• Provider: MoneyGram or Western Union, depending on the store location

You can’t cash a money order at 7-Eleven locations.

3. CVS

CVS Pharmacy has over 9,800 locations in the U.S.

• Fee: $1.25
• Limit: $500 max per money order
• Provider: MoneyGram

You can find a CVS location near you by going here.

4. Publix

Publix operates over 1,200 grocery stores across the Southeastern U.S., including North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and more.

• Fee: $0.99
• Limit: not listed
• Provider: Western Union

It is worth noting that Publix does not cash money orders.

5. Meijer

Meijer supermarkets have roughly 240 locations in the U.S., Most of which are in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.

• Fee: $0.65
• Limit: $500 max per money order
• Provider: Western Union

It does not cash money orders at any of its locations.

6. Kroger

The Kroger chain of stores has over 2,700 locations in the United States. Kroger operates under several different brand names. Some include Dillon’s, Fry’s, King Soopers, Smith’s, and Fred Meyer stores.

• Fee: $0.69, fees vary by subsidiary and location
• Limit: $1,000 or $500, depending on location
• Provider: Western Union

Some locations and subsidiaries do, and some don’t. Check with a location near you for more information.

7. United States Postal Service

Your local U.S. government post office, USPS, also sells money orders. With over 30,800 post office retail locations in the United States, one will be near you.

• Fee: $1.30 per money order up to $500, $1.75 for over $500
• Limit: $1,000
• Provider: USPS uses its own money-order brand

You can also cash a money order at the post office. Check with your location for rules, regulations, and fees for cashing money orders.

8. Western Union

Western Union has over 500,000 agents worldwide. You can get a money order from any Western Union agent that carries them.

If you’ve read the rest of this article in-depth, you’ll see that Western Union also provides money orders that other companies sell.

However, you can purchase them directly from Western Union.

• Fee: Varies by location
• Limit: $1,000
• Provider: Western Union

Note that Western Union will allow you to return your money order if you have the original money order or the purchaser’s receipt and the money order has not been cashed.

9. MoneyGram

MoneyGram has thousands of locations throughout the U.S. Its rules for money order purchases are similar to those of Western Union.

• Fee: Varies
• Limit: $1,000
• Provider: MoneyGram

The larger the amount of your money order, the higher your fee will be.

MoneyGram is a reputable company that provides money orders for large retailers such as Walmart.

10. Rite-Aid

Rite Aid is a pharmacy that has been in business since 1962 and has nearly 2,500 locations in the U.S.

They sell money orders at most locations.

• Fee: Varies
• Limit: $1,000
• Provider: Western Union

Check individual Rite Aid locations for hours, availability, fees, and more.

11. Your Local Grocery Store

Another place to get money orders is at local grocery stores. Many medium-sized chain grocery stores sell them, including:

• Fred Meyer’s
• Fry’s
• King Soopers
• Hy-Vee
• Cub Foods

Fees and the monetary limit for each money order vary based on the order amount. Call your local grocery store to learn more about money order services, fees, limits, and providers.

12. Your Local Bank

If you have an account at a local bank, like Chase, you can purchase or cash a money order there. Some banks will even sell or cash money orders for non-customers, but be prepared to pay a higher fee.

Every bank has different regulations about buying and selling money orders and accompanying fees. Check with local banks near you for more information.

FAQs About Money Orders

Summary

Using money orders to pay rent, utilities, and other bills can be helpful because they provide proof of payment. If you don’t want to pay by check or cash, consider using one of these providers to get money orders.

The post 12 Places to Get Money Orders (Near Me) appeared first on The Coupon Project.

Gas is an essential expense for most people, which makes it a tough one to trim. You probably need to drive your vehicle to work, to school, and to the grocery store.

And if you want to visit friends or family or just get out of town, you’ll jump in your vehicle to get there. Who wants to stay home all the time?!

How to Get Free Gas

If you put in a bit of time and effort, you’ll find that there are several ways to get free gas. You probably won’t be able to fill up your tank for free every time you’re at the pump, but you can still cut down on this expense.

1. Earn Free Gas Cards

You can’t just pull up to the pump and fill up with free gas, but you can earn free gas cards to help offset or even completely cover the cost of gas.

Swagbucks is a free website that rewards you for watching videos, answering surveys, signing up for special offers, and more.

The easiest way to earn rewards is by shopping through their online portal. It doesn’t cost you any extra, and you’ll rack up SB (Swag Bucks) for each dollar spent, depending on the retailer.

Once you have enough SB in your account, you can cash them out for free gas cards at national chains like Chevron. Or you can just cash out your SB to PayPal Cash and use that money to buy free gas.

BONUS: Right now, you can get a 1000 SB bonus ($10 value) when you sign up for Swagbucks and shop online through their portal!

Other sites that reward you with free gas cards include:

• InstaGC – complete surveys, watch videos, shop online, search the web
• PrizeRebel – answer surveys, sign up for offers, watch videos

You can also get free PayPal cash and use it to fill up your tank.

2. Use Credit Card Rewards

If you’re confident that you can responsibly use a credit card (as in, pay it off in full every month), you can use credit card rewards to your advantage and get free gas.

Typically, you’ll earn a percentage of what you spend as cashback to your account, which you can either apply toward your balance, transfer to your bank account, or redeem for a free gas card.

It’s important to note upfront that if you can’t pay off your credit card balance in full each month, it doesn’t make financial sense to get one just for the rewards. Any points you may earn toward free gas will easily be swallowed up by finance charges and interest.

That being said, it is very easy to earn points toward free gas when you use a credit card. And many credit cards have no annual fee, so you really are getting free gas when you earn rewards!

You could start small by just getting one credit card with no annual fee and just using it to pay for gas. Each month, you can use the rewards to help pay off the balance. Whatever rewards you earn will be like getting free gas!

Some credit cards that offer cashback with no annual fee include:

• Chase Freedom – $200 bonus plus 5% gas station cash back
• Discover It Cash Back – Earn 1%-5% gas station cash back

3. Ask Local Charities for Free Gas

If you’re really in need, reach out to a local charity near you to see if they give out free gas cards or gas vouchers. Charities do this to help people make necessary trips, such as driving to appointments, job interviews, and work.

Are you having trouble finding a charity near you? The Salvation Army is a great place to start. They have chapters across the country to help people in need.

Another place to start your search is United Way. Visit 211.org or simply call 211 for information about places near you that may offer free gas cards or vouchers. Calls are confidential and can be anonymous.

Otherwise, Community Action Partnership is a national nonprofit membership organization that has individual chapters across the country. These chapters help people with lower incomes navigate crisis situations, build stability, and lift themselves out of poverty.

4. Display Ads On Your Vehicle

Did you know you can get paid to drive around with advertising on your car? You may feel a little silly, and you definitely won’t be able to blend into traffic, but this is a legit way to earn free gas money.

One company that facilitates this advertising with brands and agencies is Wrapify. People who drive with Wrapify can earn up to $452 each month! To get started, download the Wrapify app and drive as normal. As you drive on your normal commute, you’ll start qualifying for campaigns and receiving offers.

Once you’ve accepted an offer, follow the instructions to start earning money, which you can then put toward free gas. You won’t have to wrap your vehicle yourself – they’ll give you instructions on where to take your vehicle to be wrapped (and later unwrapped once the campaign is finished).

Note that not everyone and every vehicle is eligible for Wrapify. You’ll need to pass a basic background check and drive a 2010 or newer coupe, sedan, SUV, pickup truck, or minivan without significant body/paint damage.

Understandably, they’ll want you to be a good driver with limited accidents and moving violations and no recent cell phone or distracted driving violations. A similar company is Carvertise. You can earn $100 – $300 per month by participating in their advertising campaigns.

5. Buy Discounted Gas Cards

No, this isn’t a completely free option, but it will help you spend less at the pump.

Some websites offer discounted gift cards that let you receive the full face value of the gift card but pay less.

For example, you may be able to buy a $25 gift card for $20 and still use the full $25 value to pay for gas. That’s like getting $5 worth of gas for free!

Be sure that you’re buying from reputable websites that ensure the value of the gas card and back it up with a satisfaction guarantee.

Here are some top-rated websites where you can buy discounted gas cards:

• CardCash – sells gift cards to BP, Gulf, Sheetz, Shell, Sunoco, and Valero
• Gift Card Granny – sells gift cards to BP, Marathon, Sheetz, Shell, and Speedway (also gives Granny Cash Back Rewards)
• Raise – sells gift cards to Chevron and Texaco, Gulf, Kwik Fill, Sheetz, and Speedway

RELATED: 12 Easy Ways to Get Free Gift Cards

6. Utilize Grocery and Gas Station Rewards Programs

Many grocery store chains across the nation partner with gas stations to offer a cent off per gallon for each dollar spent on groceries. Sometimes, the gas station pumps are right at the grocery store, so you can fill up and save on gas right away!

Also, gas stations can set up their own loyalty discounts that give you cents off per gallon for swiping a rewards card, scanning an app, or entering your membership number at the pump.

Some popular grocery/gas station rewards programs include:

• BPme Rewards
• Circle K Easy Rewards
• Exxon Mobil Rewards+
• Giant Eagle Fuelperks+
• Harris Teeter Fuel Points
• Hy-Vee Fuel Saver + Perks
• Kroger Fuel Points
• QuikTrip QT Rewards
• Safeway for U
• Shell Fuel Rewards
• Speedway Speedy Rewards

7. Check Out GasBuddy

You’ve no doubt already heard of GasBuddy, but if you haven’t, here’s a quick primer.

GasBuddy is a gas price comparison app. Registered users (it’s free to join) update the current prices of gas at stations near them, and you can search by price and distance to find the cheapest gas near you.

But I’ve been using GasBuddy much more than usual since they introduced the Pay with GasBuddy feature. When you sign up, they’ll send you a free gas card that you swipe to pay for gas.

Browse the GasBuddy app before you fill up, then activate additional discounts via the app before you pay to save up to 25¢ per gallon. Your purchase will come out of your linked bank account, just like a debit card.

To me, using GasBuddy is a no-brainer! I’m already using the app to find the lowest prices, and I would have paid with a debit card anyway (most likely), so why not save a little more and get free gas while I’m at it?

RELATED: 18 Best Coupon Apps to Save Money

8. Use the Upside App

Upside is a free cashback app that rewards users with up to 25¢ per gallon. And yes, you can use BOTH GasBuddy and Upside!

Once you download the app, use the map to find cash-back offers near you. Once you’re at the gas station, just “Check In” before you fill up, and pay with a linked credit or debit card. (If you’d rather scan your receipt, you can do that instead.)

PS – Upside also gives cash back at restaurants and grocery stores.

BONUS: Use the coupon code AFF25 when you register for Upside to get a signup bonus of 25¢ per gallon. This stacks with your first offer of up to 45¢ per gallon to save up to 70¢ per gallon on your first receipt!

9. Enter a Free Gas Sweepstakes

OK, so this one’s a little wacky, but it’s worth a shot. Take a stab at winning free gas by entering sweepstakes!

There are lots of websites that round up sweepstakes, but my favorite is Sweepstakes Today. It’s free to join, and they give each sweepstake a star rating so you can quickly find the best ones to enter based on prize value and the number of winners.

You can save your favorites to “My Lucky List” to make it easier to enter.

Some current free gas sweepstakes include:

• Into the Wild Sweepstakes – enter to win a $400 Airbnb Gift Card, $150 Shell Gas Gift Card, HearHere 1-Year App Membership
• Miller Lite & Coors Light Gas for a Year Central Sweepstakes – enter to win a $4,800 prepaid card

Sure, there’s no guarantee that you’ll win free gas, but it doesn’t take much effort and you might get lucky. Keep in mind that by signing up for sweepstakes, you’re also giving your information to companies that may be used for marketing purposes in the future.

Ways to Save on Gas

It’s not always possible to get free gas, but there are ways you can cut down on your gas expenses. Some techniques involve using less gas, while others help you pinch your pennies and cut down on the dollar amount you spend at the pump.

1. Fill Up on Monday

According to GasBuddy.com, the day of the week with the lowest average gas prices across most of the U.S. is Monday. If you can’t fill up on Monday, the next best day is Friday. GasBuddy analyzed gas price data from its app to make this determination.

(Note that these results can vary by state; you can check the state-by-state results here.) Even if you don’t religiously analyze gas price data, you’re probably already aware that the price of gas fluctuates throughout the week.

If you have a favorite gas station, consider tracking prices for a few weeks to see which day of the week has the lowest price for you.

2. Take It Slow and Steady

This may not be a popular tip, but one way to use less gas is to improve your gas mileage by driving more slowly and keeping a consistent speed. According to FuelEconomy.gov, speeding, rapid acceleration, and braking can lower your gas mileage by 15 to 30% at highway speeds and 10 to 40% in stop-and-go traffic.

Doing the math on this…I have a Honda Civic that gets 33 mpg (city) or 42 mpg (highway). With the current cost of gas in my area, I pay 10¢ per mile for gas in the city and 8¢ per mile for gas on the highway.

But if I drive aggressively, my price per mile jumps to 17¢ per mile (city) and 12¢ per mile (highway). Yikes!

Stay in the right lane, give yourself plenty of following distance to slow down as needed, and avoid stomping on the gas to accelerate. All of these things will help you pay less for gas and probably help your stress levels, too.

RELATED: 9 Ways to Get Free Air for Your Tires

3. Consider Getting a More Fuel-Efficient Vehicle

It may seem a little extreme to buy a new vehicle to save on gas, but with gas prices on the rise, you may find that swapping your gas guzzler for a newer vehicle – or even a hybrid or electric vehicle – will pay off in the long run.

As technology advances, new vehicles are designed to maximize fuel economy and help you save on gas or even eliminate the cost of gas. Companies are even making electric trucks and SUVs!

If you’re in the market for a new-to-you vehicle, consider factoring in the cost of gas as you determine how much you can afford. You may be surprised to find that opting for a hybrid vehicle is worth the extra cost.

4. Walk, Bike, Carpool, or Take Public Transit

I know I’m guilty of hopping in my car to take short trips with the justification that it’s faster. And if the weather isn’t great and/or you have lots of passengers, it often does make more sense to drive.

But if the weather is decent and you have the time, why not walk or ride your bike to the post office/grocery store/friend’s house that is close? You’ll get some exercise in and save on the cost of gas, too.

Another option is setting up a carpool for work, school, extracurricular activities, or a night out with friends. You can either split the cost of gas if you’re driving/riding with others, or swap with another parent or guardian to bring the kids to and from sports practice or music lessons.

Need help setting up a carpool? The Rideshare Company, Ridesharing.com, and Waze are all websites you can browse to help you get started finding riders or drivers that are headed the same way as you.

It’s also worth a look into your city’s public transit – bus, train, subway, etc. – especially for commuting to work. Check out possible routes and compare how much you’d spend on public transit vs. buying gas.

Plus, by hopping on public transit, you can spend your time reading a book while you ride instead of fighting traffic.

Summary

Unless someone else is paying your bills, you won’t be able to get free gas all the time.

But by using these methods to earn free gas cards, maximize rewards, and even display ads on your vehicle, you can defray the cost of this necessary expense and continue to hit the road without wincing at the price of gas at the pump.

The post 9 Ways to Get Free Gas appeared first on The Coupon Project.

Coupon Organization: What NOT to Do

You want to get more serious about using coupons. Great! The first step is to avoid these not-so-helpful strategies. Are you guilty of any of these?

#1: The Clip ‘n Forget Method. You have good intentions, so you clip your coupons, but then don’t have a plan of where to put them, so they tend to end up in a forgotten pile that goes into a junk drawer somewhere.

#2: The Bottom of the Purse Method. You find a good coupon at a store or get one at checkout, so you put it in your purse for “safe keeping” only to discover it three months later when you’re cleaning said purse – and the coupon has long since expired.

#3: The Forgotten Folder Method. You decide the best place for your coupons is in a neat and tidy folder in your home office. The only problem is that you never consult this folder before making your grocery trip.

While a bit tongue-in-cheek, the point I want to drive home is that coupons will not save you any money if they are not organized or easy to retrieve. On the flipside, it’s entirely possible to create an overly complicated system that stresses you out every Sunday when new coupons arrive (I know because I’ve been there, done that).

Your goal will be to create a system that both keeps your coupons organized and is easy for you to maintain.

Three Basic Coupon Organization Ideas

Over the years, I’ve identified three different organizational methods that work well for most couponers. The one that’s right for you will gel with your style, how you like to shop, how many coupons you intend to use, and how much time and effort you wish to devote.

Organizational Idea #1: The Coupon Binder

Even if you’ve never clipped a coupon in your life, chances are you’ve seen someone carry around one of these puppies at the store. You may have been inspired by them, or sworn you’d never be that crazy.

Let’s chat a little bit about how this method works and why you’d choose to go this route.

• Supplies needed: a large binder and plastic inserts (Amazon links)
• Clip your coupons and file away weekly
• You can also add coupons you find in stores and get in the mail
• Don’t forget about coupons you can print, too – head to the “Print Coupons” tab above for legitimate, free coupons
• Keeps your coupons at the ready, should you find deals in stores
• Organize by category or alphabetically
• Keeps them neat and tidy

I personally have used coupon binders for the better part of four years now, and I have to say I like the feeling of finding a deal and knowing I have the coupon right then and there to use. However, I found clipping and organizing EVERY coupon from my insert was a huge time waster. These days, I ONLY clip the handful of coupons I think I’m likely to use (or may want to use if I find a deal). I spend about 20-30 minutes every Sunday this way, and my coupons stay neat and tidy. I carry mine in the store in a reusable grocery bag, so it’s discreet.

You’ll need to purchase some pocket sleeves such as these ones (Amazon link). I’ve used both the sports card and business card sizes, and I definitely recommend the sports card – your coupons will require less folding and stay tidier.

I also recommend a good quality binder, preferably one that zips up like the one pictured here (Amazon link). I also like a binder with pockets for couponing essentials, such as scissors, a calculator, pens, rebates, and receipts.

What are the disadvantages of this system? You must stay on top of pulling the expired coupons out! A good time to do this is at the start of the month, since many coupons expire on the last day of the month. If you use lots of food and products with coupons, you could easily spend more time clipping and filing into a binder than my 20-30 weekly minutes.

Organizational Idea #2: Folders/Filing

If the binder method is not for you, you could simply file your inserts away each week. On the spine of each insert in tiny print is the week date. You can use a sharpie or thick marker and write the date across the front, or put the inserts into file folders. (I have some I picked up for $0.09 around back-to-school time a couple of years ago.) 

I have stored the folders in one of these super cute, durable Bungalow bins before. Here’s a similar one, selling for $20 on Amazon right now. I definitely recommend something sturdy like this to support all those folders and coupons!

Here’s how to retrieve the coupons you need, under this system:

#1: Use my coupon matchups as a guide! When I share the deals I’m finding at the stores with you here at The Coupon Project, I tell you which date and insert you’ll need. For instance, if I say the $0.50 off soup coupon is from the 10/14 SmartSource, you can refer to your 10/14 file or folder, find that SmartSource insert and flip through to clip the coupon.

#2: Use a coupon database. There are several online FREE coupon databases you can use. I prefer the one at Hot Coupon World, but there are others at Deal Seeking Mom and Hip2Save as well. Suppose you’re looking to see if there is a coupon for Bic razors. You could go into one of these databases and type “Bic” or even just “razors” to see what comes up. Use the results as a guide to refer back to your inserts.

IMPORTANT: coupons and their values may vary by region, so just because the database says a coupon was issued on a certain date, it does not mean your local paper received it.

This method has its pros and cons. On the plus side, once you’ve created your folders or filing system, managing your coupon inserts is a breeze each week. It’s perfect for the couponer who has limited time and/or gets many inserts, and clipping all those coupons would be very time-consuming.

A couple of disadvantages to consider: you’ll be thumbing through a lot of coupons when you need them, which can be tedious. Also, this method is not very portable. If you find an unexpected deal in a store, you’re often out of luck.

Organizational Idea #3: Coupon Box

One method I’m seeing used more and more is the coupon box.

I’ve personally dabbled with this and love how portable the system is! Reader Sarah also shared with me how she uses the coupon box method to keep her coupons tidy.

Here’s what she has to say:

“When I first started couponing many years ago, I started with a binder and baseball card pockets. After a year, the binder became too heavy, too large, and too awkward. You could never fully see what the coupon was for or the expiration date. I switched to a box and have loved it ever since.  I have a box that is wide enough to store the weekly circulars (on the left side) and the coupon policies (on the right side), as well as the coupons in the smaller envelopes, #6 3/4 business envelopes (which you can find at the dollar store!). I fold the envelope flap in and tape an index card vertically to the back of the envelope.  This allows me to color-code and categorize the coupons.

In front of the box, I keep an empty envelope box that stores scissors, a calculator, a pen, pulled coupons, paper clipped by the store, and any rainchecks I may have. Target has its own set of envelopes filed by category in the back of the box. The box is locking and has a handle for easy carrying. It’ll fit at the top of the shopping cart, or, if you have little ones, at the bottom. It is made by Snapware, which you can find at Walmart or Fred Meyer. Mine is 13.5” D x 9.5” W x 6″ H.

If you’re interested in trying this method, I found a Snapware Smart Store System on Amazon with many box sizes, including the size Sarah mentions (14 x 9 inches).

Thanks, Sarah!

How I Manage My Quick Coupon Trips

I want to share one additional layer of coupon organization I do.

See this cute little “purse?” Well, inside, it’s not really a purse!

It’s an accordion-style coupon organizer! I’ve used one of these for several years now, and it’s great for those quick shopping trips when I don’t want to lug my entire binders around. What I do is designate a store for each section. This way, I can easily manage my rebates and store coupons/rewards.

When I’m planning a shopping trip, I can also gather all the coupons I need from my binders, filed inserts, printables, etc., and place them into the appropriate folder. I even have a couple of sections for high-value/favorite and freebie coupons that I want to keep tabs on.

If you are a light coupon user? You could potentially use this as a standalone method for organizing your coupons. What is the advantage of this organizer? It’s easy and cute and doesn’t scream, I’m a crazy couponer! 

Here’s one example of a super cute coupon organizer I found on Amazon. It’s neat and tidy and fits perfectly into your purse.

Organizing Your E-Coupons

I’d like to end this post with a quick section on organizing ecoupons because it’s fast becoming a way that more and more people are using and redeeming coupons.

By e-coupons, I mean the coupons you load onto your store reward or loyalty cards that are redeemed at checkout. Now, when you go to a site like Fred Meyer, you can see many coupon offers you can easily load to your card.

It can be tempting to want to load all of them – after all, why not? My problem is that when I do this, I often forget what I’ve loaded. Instead, I prefer to take a look at the e-coupon sites of a store JUST PRIOR to making a shopping trip out. I add just the ones I think I want to use (or the ones I think might make a good deal!), and then either print the list of coupons I’ve loaded (most sites give you this option) or jot them down, usually on the grocery shopping list I’ve created.

I find that by being more deliberate with the e-coupons I’m loading and loading them just before shopping, I’m actually more apt to use them!

The post How to Keep Your Coupons Organized appeared first on The Coupon Project.

I’ve found myself change my opinion on certain topics, shift some of the deals I share here, and adjust my own shopping.

Therefore, I wanted to put out a new series of “lessons” that provide realistic expectations and instruction of what you can achieve by using coupons.

In case you missed them, you can go back and read the prior posts:

• Introduction
• Your New Approach to Grocery Shopping
• Stockpiling & Food Inventory
• Understanding Store Sales Cycles

After several posts of lead up, yes, today I’d like to dive in and talk about how coupons work and how you can use them correctly.

Store and Manufacturer’s Coupons

First, it’s important to draw a distinction between store coupons and manufacturer’s coupons.

1. Store coupons are issued from the store and can be only used at that store. The store is giving you the discount.
2. Manufacturer’s coupons are issued from the manufacturer and can be used at any store that accepts them. The manufacturer is giving you the discount, and agrees to reimburse the store for giving you the discount.

Understanding Store Coupons

Above are images of store coupons. Store coupons usually have the logo and/or store name plainly printed on them and may also say “store coupon.” It should be very clear the coupon is intended for use at a particular store.

You can generally find these in the weekly circular or in-stores, and on occasion, store websites or Facebook pages. Other times, you might find store coupons in the newspaper inserts. For instance, Target often releases store coupons in the Sunday paper.

A few important things to note about store coupons:

• Store coupons can only be used at the store they are intended for. (With few exceptions as some stores *may* accept competitor’s coupons. Joann Fabric and Lowe’s immediately come to mind.)
• Store coupons often have a short window of time to use them. The “good through” dates often coincide with weekly store ad cycles.
• Store coupons sometimes will let you buy more than one item. For instance, the above Walgreens candy coupon reads “limit 6.” This means I can buy up to 6 candy bars and get them at the $0.49 price with this single coupon.
• Most stores allow you to stack a store coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon. (Hang onto that thought a minute – I’ll explain that further!)

One comment I often hear is this: “but there are no coupons for things I need!” One of my replies is this: “try store coupons!” A perfect example is Fred Meyer.

They’ve put out store coupons for potatoes, peanut butter, milk, canned beans, and meat before! For that reason, I do recommend getting on the mailing and email lists of stores you are apt to shop at.

You can sometimes get coupons sent in the mail from the store you would not get otherwise.

Locating Manufacturer Coupons

Above are just a few examples of manufacturer coupons. Most coupons you will find in your Sunday newspaper or online are going to be manufacturer’s coupons. Manufacturer’s coupons usually state “manufacturer’s coupon” right on them.

If there’s any doubt, look at the fine print. A true manufacturer’s coupon should have a note to the consumer on how to redeem the coupon (that’s you!) and a note to the retailer on where to submit for reimbursement (that’s for the store you end up using the coupon at).

The most common source for manufacturer’s coupons is the Sunday newspaper. You’ll find them in inserts that look like these:

There are three main inserts you’ll find: SmartSource, Red Plum (sometimes referred to as Valassis), and Procter & Gamble (also referred to simply as P&G).

On any given week, the combination and amounts of the inserts will vary. Some weeks you might find a single SmartSource, other weeks you might find all three. Other weeks still you might find two SmartSource and two Red Plum inserts.

One thing I can say with certainty: the first of the month tends to have better coupons and holiday weekends often have no inserts.

Other reliable sources of manufacturer coupons include:

• Trusted coupon printing sites: Coupons.com, SmartSource.com, RedPlum.com
• Manufacturer websites and more often, Facebook pages
• In-stores on specially marked displays as tearpad coupons or “blinkie” coupons
• In magazines (family & women’s lifestyle type magazines are good bets)

Remember, you can use manufacturer’s coupons at any store that will accept them! This means that you can decide where to redeem them for the best value. I’ll speak on leveraging your coupons in tomorrow’s post.

A Word About E-Coupons

One thing we are seeing more and more is stores going to electronic methods of couponing. Safeway, Fred Meyer, QFC, Albertsons, and Target all offer some form of coupon program where you can load coupons to your phone or loyalty card.

To access these coupons, visit the store’s website and look for the coupon center. Register your card or phone, view the offers, and “add” them.

These discounts will come off at the point of sale when you buy the correct items and use your card or phone at checkout.

These coupons may be store coupons or manufacturer coupons. Even if they are manufacturer coupons, in many cases you’ll only be able to use them at the particular store your loyalty card is associated with.

Using Coupons Correctly and Confidently

Is there a learning curve to couponing? I think there definitely is a learning curve to finding a way of using coupons and sales that makes sense for your family, but understanding the basic mechanics shouldn’t be a huge time investment.

In fact, I recall distinctly the first week I learned to use coupons. I probably spent a couple of hours or so just getting my head around everything and then planning my list, but I was able to save over 50% on my first couponing shopping trip! I have found that many new coupon users are able to experience a similar experience very, very quickly in.

So what do you need to know to get started? Here are the basic ground rules, taking into account new rules and recent changes:

1. Always read the fine print of every coupon! In most scenarios, you are able to use one manufacturer’s coupon per item purchased. This means that if you have four coupons that read “save $1 on 1 cheese” you should be able to buy four cheeses and use all four coupons. However, I’m noticing more coupons that now have fine print that states things such as “limit 4 like coupons in a transaction,” “limit 1 per shopping trip,” and even on occasion, “limit 1 per customer.” Make sure you’ve taken the time to read through the fine print to ensure you’ll be able to have a smooth checkout.
2. Always buy the correct items specified on the coupon! If the coupon is for Life cereal, no, you cannot make a substitution for Quaker Oat Squares. If it says it’s for the 11 oz can of tomatoes, no, you cannot buy the 8 oz can. On the flip side, pay attention to a coupon that states it can be used on ANY of a given product. For instance, if I have a coupon that reads, “Good on ANY of our yeast products,” I’m apt to find the least expensive version of the product possible!
3. Never use copied, altered, or expired coupons! This should go without saying, but please, don’t ever photocopy a printable coupon 20 times and then try to redeem it at your store. That’s no good. Don’t try to pass a coupon in November that expired in August. I have sometimes heard from readers that have done things improperly simply because they were given misinformation. Please, if you have a question on any of these topics or any kind of “is this OK” scenario, feel free to leave a comment here or email me at angela @ thecouponproject dot com. The truth is coupon fraud (intentional or not) hurts everyone.
4. Get to know your store’s coupon policy! Most stores have a coupon policy available on their website. I’ve compiled some local ones on my Store Coupon Policy page. Each store will vary on how they handle coupons, so I cannot emphasize this enough! Knowing the ground rules of couponing at each store means you’ll be aware of all the possible ways you can legitimately save there as well as avoid snafus at checkout.
5. Use only one manufacturer’s coupon per purchase! Suppose you found a great frosting coupon in the paper. And then you later found one online. And then you got a third one in your mail. Score, right? WRONG! There is a limit of one manufacturer’s coupon per item, so choose which one you want to use.

The post How to Use Coupons: understanding how they work appeared first on The Coupon Project.

Amazon has announced that it will start its Black Friday sales on November 16th this year – the Friday before the “actual” Black Friday event of Friday, November 23rd.

There will be an entire week of hot sales and deals.

I personally adore Amazon for holiday shopping. In many cases, you can snag prices lower than you’d find at the big box stores, and without having to leave the comfort of your home!

Here are a few tips for shopping Amazon’s Black Friday (and holiday) sales:

• Create a Wish List. Did you know you can create a “Wish List” of your favorite products on Amazon? I do this regularly so I can monitor if the prices are going up or down. They’ve even expanded this free offering so you can now add items on ANY website.
• Keep an eye on Gold Box and Lightning Deals. In the thick of holiday shopping season, Amazon will be updating their site with new deals daily – and hourly. Some of these discounts are SO hot they will sell out fast. Pay attention to what’s up and coming, and know your price points so you can move to score a great deal if you find one. You can also subscribe to receive a daily email for the Gold Box deals.
• Pad your account with Swagbucks. Earn Swagbucks by doing everyday web searches – and then redeem them for items such as Amazon gift cards. Amazon gift cards are stackable and never expire, so it’s nice to keep your account padded with credit and ready to go for the hot sales! (For more information or to get started, visit Swagbucks.)
• Consider adding Priceblink. I don’t usually make add-on endorsements, but I really, really stand behind Priceblink. (And for the record NO, they are not paying me to say this. I really do HEART them!) Priceblink has on many occasions helped me understand if a deal is truly a deal on Amazon….or not. When you’re shopping online and Priceblink finds a better deal or coupons you can use, it will alert you. Otherwise, the toolbar stays hidden. It’s been an invaluable help to me as a blogger too – many times I’ve been swayed by the 50% on Amazon only to see Priceblink popup and I realize Amazon had inflated their “regular retail” price to make it seem like a bargain. (Watch my short YouTube video on how Priceblink works.)

A quick heads up: once Black Friday and holiday shopping season hit, you may see an uptick in Amazon deals I share here. I do this in an effort to help people find good bargains and cross off items on their holiday shopping list. Once the holidays are over, my posts will go back to the normal schedule.

As far as Black Friday goes in general? I don’t have a plan yet for this year, but I will say I think Black Friday is largely a gimmick to get you to part with your hard-earned money on stuff you hadn’t planned on buying. I do know many of you enjoy shopping the sales (and are smart about it!) and I will likely share some notables for you. As for me? I’m thinking of sleeping in on November 23rd!

I’d love to hear from you: what other tips do you have for scoring the best deals on Amazon around the holidays? Do you shop Black Friday or prefer Cyber Monday? Any ideas or suggestions for what you’d find helpful on The Coupon Project for Black Friday?

The post When Does Amazon Black Friday Start? appeared first on The Coupon Project.