Score a free lunch — plus magazine subscriptions, medications, and more
Published by: AARP
Turning 50 is a milestone, and there are plenty of ways to mark that big day. Some of them are free. Give yourself a treat by seeking out a few benefits of being older that don’t cost a thing.
Some freebies start at age 50 and others have no age requirement. All you need is a little patience when it comes to doing your research and knowing where to look.
Happy birthday to you
Ryan Eubanks, owner of the Hey, It’s Free! website, says the most popular page on his site is “birthdays.” Most places require you to join their rewards program at least one month before your birthday to redeem a gift, but there are exceptions.
While some companies, including Dunkin’ and Sephora, recently have changed or narrowed their birthday rewards, hundreds of businesses provide a birthday gift — from airline miles to movie popcorn. Check if your birthday freebie requires a purchase. Some of the best birthday deals are face and body products for rewards members from businesses like Aveda, Tarte Cosmetics, and Ulta Beauty.
Get free food
Perhaps the most common birthday freebie is food. Olive Garden diners can receive a free birthday dessert without joining anything. If you register for Benihana’s Chef’s Table, you get a $30 birthday certificate. Members of The Spaghetti Warehouse Club get a free meal, and if you join Houlihan’s email club, you get a free entrée. Krispy Kreme Rewards members get a free dozen donuts during their birthday month.
Stay healthy
Some pharmacy chains offer free generic prescription drugs and other supplies. Not all locations participate, and you may need a doctor’s prescription. Good Neighbor Pharmacy, a national network of independent pharmacies, provides free multivitamins for older adults each month. In the Northeast, Price Chopper pharmacies offer blood pressure screening, several diabetes medications, a blood glucose meter, a lancet device, and lancets — all for free.
Get a ride
Some older adults may no longer drive or don’t have access to rides, but there are many community-based free transit options. If you live in Dallas or the Ann Arbor, Michigan, area, AARP’s Ride@50+ Program provides free transportation to people starting at age 50. In the Miami area, Social Security beneficiaries or adults age 65 and older can apply to ride transit for free. Check-in your location to see what’s available.
Free reading
Books at public libraries are free with a library card. Many libraries also offer patrons access to free digital books and movies through the Libby and Hoopla websites and apps. Join Goodreads, a reading social network, and you can enter giveaways for print and digital books.
Fewer banking fees
Some banks offer free checking and other perks to adults age 60 and older, but a couple do so for people in their 50s. Starting at 55, online bank Axos’ Golden Checking Account charges no monthly maintenance fees and provides free checks, up to $8 domestic ATM fee reimbursements per month, and 0.10 percent interest. If you have a U.S. Bank credit card, join the bank’s Smart Rewards program. If your monthly direct deposits total at least $1,000 or you’re at least 65, the bank’s Smartly Checking Account is free, plus you get free paper statements and a 50 percent discount on personal check reorders and safe deposit box fees.
Tour a museum
In addition to the free Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C., others across the country, including the Baltimore Museum of Art, Dallas Museum of Art, and Missouri’s Saint Louis Science Center, are always free.
Some museums, including the Denver Art Museum in Colorado and the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, offer free admission on certain days for anyone or state residents. In California, many library cardholders can access free tickets to local museums and cultural sites through the Discover & Go program.
Take college classes
In most states, some colleges and universities offer free tuition for people in their 60s to support lifelong learning, but at least two schools target people in their 50s. The University of Wisconsin-Madison waives tuition for adults age 50 or older who live in that state. Colorado State University in Fort Collins permits free resident instruction classes for people aged 55 and over. Programs differ by state and typically are based on space availability and instructor approval.
Stream shows
Many public libraries also offer cardholders free digital movies through Libby, Hoopla, and the Kanopy app. Some streaming services, such as Apple TV, BritBox, and Hulu, offer free trials of a week or longer.