Taking Advantage of Birthday Freebies

I love to cook and create new recipes in the kitchen but when it comes to my birthday month, this Mama likes to take a break and take it easy in the kitchen.

This year my husband gave me a card that said…….

“For My Wife: It’s your birthday and I want to whisper those three little words you’re longing to hear….. “Let’s eat out!”

He couldn’t have said it better.  For my birthday month I love to eat out.  However I don’t like to pay for the food.  I prefer to get it for FREE!!!  Did you know that you can get a lot of free food in the Dallas area during your birthday month?

Here’s a few tips to make the most out of your free food for your birthday……….

1. Make a separate e-mail address for all of your birthday coupons- I do this because once you join these e-mail clubs you will start to get a lot of e-mails from these restaurants.  I literally check this separate e-mail only when I need a coupon for going out to eat and during my birthday month.  It helps keep my regular inbox free of junk mail.
2. Read the fine print of each coupon- Some coupons require you to purchase something and some don’t.  Some say you can only use one per table and some don’t.  Some are for dine in only, some are okay to do take out.  Be sure to check the expiration date and use them before they expire.
3. Set your printer to Black & White. All of these coupons are very colorful. Don’t waste color ink on coupons that will be trashed after you use them.
4. Most of the coupons will come 7 days before your birthday and expire 7 days after your birthday During this two week period I go out to eat once a day for sure and sometimes twice a day to utilize as many coupons as possible.
5. Plan out when you are going to use all of the coupons- If you get them early in the month go ahead and utilize them as soon as possible so you don’t have to use them during the busy two week period. Some expire a few weeks after your birthday, so save those for after the busy two weeks around your birthday. I write when I’m going to use each coupon in my calendar and then I use it as a reference for the next year!

6. 

   Sign up for these coupons during a different month than your birthday– Some of the restaurants send you a coupon on your “anniversary”of joining their club.  I joined most of these e-clubs in September and my birthday is in September so I waste a lot of my anniversary coupons because I’m too busy using all of my birthday coupons.

7. If the coupon says you don’t have to purchase anything, you don’t. You don’t have to feel guilty if you walk in, get your free cookie and walk out.  They would have put on the coupon “with a purchase” if they wanted you to purchase something. But of course if you want to eat a meal or get a drink they would love for you to make a purchase.  You just don’t have to.
8. If it is a sit down restaurant, leave a nice tip.  The waitress still had to take your order, refill your drink and take care of your ticket.  You can leave them a nice tip and still walk away with an “almost free” meal.  Be sure to tip according to what your meal would have cost and then you might just go above and beyond and tip them a little more!!
9. Think about breakfast and lunch.  You don’t have to use all of these coupons for dinner.  If I used them all for dinner we wouldn’t really save all that much because we would still have to buy food for my husband.  Since I am a SAHM I use most of my coupons for lunch and just split with my son.  We have lots of lunches that are totally free or just a couple of bucks.
10. Have fun and plan on gaining a little weight!!  But wait …….free food calories and birthday food calories don’t count…….right???

Here is a list of a bunch of places that can get you out of the kitchen for some free food during your birthday month!

Abuelo’s– Sign up for the e-club and get a coupon for a free dessert.

Arby’s– Become an Arby’s insider and get a coupon for a free 12 oz. shake.

Auntie Annie’s– Sign up for Pretzel Perks and get a Buy One Get One Free  pretzel coupon.

Baskin-Robbins– Join the Birthday Club and get a coupon for a free scoop.

Benihana– Join the Chef’s Table and  get a $30 gift certificate for your birthday.

BJ’s Brewhouse–  Sign up for BJ’s Premier Rewards and get a coupon for a free pizookie.

Brio Tuscan Grille– Join Brio’s e-mail club and get a coupon for a free entree.

Buca di Beppo– Sign up for the eClub and get a coupon for a free appetizer.

Chick-fil-A– If you buy the Calendar in December they will load a free cookie onto your calendar card during your birthday  month.

Chili’s– Sign up for the e-mail club and get a coupon for a free dessert.

Corner Bakery– Join the Corner eCafe and get a coupon for a free Bakery Fresh Sweet.

Dairy Queen– Join the Blizzard Fan Club and get a Buy One Get One Free blizzard coupon.

Denny’s– Sign up for Denny’s Rewards and get a free Grand Slam on your birthday.

Dickey’s– Join the Big Yellow Cup Club and get a coupon for a Big Barbecue Sandwich.

Dippin’ Dots– Join the Dippin’ Dots Forty Below Zero Club and get a coupon for a small cup of Dippin’ Dots.

Einstein’s Bros Bagels– Join their e-mail club and get a coupon for a free breakfast sandwich.

Firehouse Subs– Get a free medium sub when you present your I.D on your birthday.

Fuddrucker’s– Join the Fudd’s Club and get a coupon for a free baked good.

Genghis Grill– Join the Khan’s Club and get a coupon for a free birthday bowl.

Great American Cookies– Sign up for cookiE-mail and get a coupon for a free cookie

cake slice.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria– Join the VIP newsletter and get a coupon for a free large pizza with one topping.

Houlihan’s– Sign up for the e-mail newsletter and get a coupon for a free entrée.

IHOP– Sign up for the Pancake Revolution and get a coupon for a free Rooty Tooty Fresh & Fruity

Jack in the Box– Print the coupon and present a valid ID on your birthday.

Jason’s Deli– Sign up for the e-mail list and get a $5 off coupon.

Krispy Kreme– Become a Friend of Krispy Kreme and get a coupon for a free donut and small coffee or fountain drink.

La Madaleine– Join the eClub and get a coupon for a free pastry.

Maggiano’s– Join the e-mail list and get a $10 of a $30 ticket coupon.

Marble Slab Creamery– Join their e-mail newsletter and get a coupon for a free regular ice-cream.

McAlister’s Deli– Sign up for Deligrams and get a free $5 gift certificate.

Mimi’s Café– Join Mimi’s e-club and get a coupon for a free dessert.

On The Border– Join the Club Cantina and get a coupon for a free brownie sundae or a bowl of queso.

Panera Bread– Get a MyPanera card, register the card online and get a free pastry loaded onto your card for your birthday.

Raising Cane’s– Join the Caniac Club and get a coupon for a free drink.

Red Robin– Become a Red Robin Royalty Member and you’ll get a free burger coupon loaded onto your card.

Rosa’s Café– Become a Rosa’s VIP and get a coupon for a Buy One Get One Free dinner.

Schlotzsky’s– Join the Fun & Bun eClub and get a coupon for a free small sandwich or 8” pizza.

Sonny Bryan’s– Join Sonny’s Club and get a coupon for a free sandwich plate.

Sonic– Sign up to be a Sonic Cruisers Member and get a free coupon for either a medium drink, medium tots, or regular CreamSlush.

Souper Salad– Join the Souper Fresh Club and get a coupon for a free lunch or dinner buffet.

Spaghetti Warehouse– Sign up for the e-Club and get a coupon for a Spaghetti Entrée and Spumoni Birthday Sundae.

Steak N Shake– Sign up for the e-Club and get a coupon for a free Double Steakburger with Cheese ‘n Fries.

Taco Cabana– Sign up for the e-Club and get a coupon for a free Flauta Plate.

Texas de Brazil– Sign up for the e-Club and get a Buy One Get One Free coupon.

Texas Roadhouse– Become a Roadhouse Roadie and get a coupon for a free appetizer or sidekick of ribs.

Wendy’s– Sign up for Wendy mail and get a $1 off coupon for your birthday.

Which Wich– Join the Vibe Club and get a coupon for a free regular sub.

Wingstop– Join the e-club and get a coupon for free large fresh cut seasoned fries.

Yogurtville– Present your I.D. on your birthday and get $5 of free yogurt.

Zaxby’s– Join the Zaxby’s Mail Club and get a coupon for a free Nibbler Sandwich in the mail.

Zoe’s Kitchen– Join z-mail and get a Buy One Get One Free coupon.

Do you know of any other places in Dallas where you can get free food for your birthday?