My friend Liz B. is an awesome runner, a metallurgist, a baker, an almost newlywed and a deal finder, too! On the way to the Indianapolis 500 Festival “Mini” Half Marathon we were chatting about my blog and my passion for finding deals. She shared some of her awesome deal finding tips and tricks with us (and some very funny stories of her gangliness and fashion sense in middle school – she is also 6 feet tall!!) On Liz’s birthday she shared her awesome birthday freebies and said I would be proud. I WAS so I asked her to do a guest post to tell you all about it. Liz writes:
“As a child, I remember always feeling ‘lucky’ that my birthday fell during summer vacation. I didn’t have to go to school or do homework and could spend the day at the pool or beach. Fast forward a few years and adulthood doesn’t afford the luxuries of the summer vacations of youth.
Last year, I decided to change that: I took the day off! Yup, just a random weekday in the middle of summer. I ran with a friend early in the morning to start the day, followed by a bucket of balls at the driving range. I had heard rumors that Benefit Brow Bars gave out free eyebrow waxes as a birthday treat, so I headed to the boutique on Armitage for a little pampering. As a member of Massage Envy, I had saved up some of my membership rewards and treated myself to a massage and facial. The rest of the afternoon was spent at Hollywood beach relaxing with a book. Once my boyfriend got home from work, we went to a restaurant in the neighborhood for dinner and finished the night with a movie in the park. A perfect day in my book!
This year, I wanted to one-up myself. When I put July 17 spring, I googled “free birthday things to do” since I remembered about the free eyebrow wax I had received. Surprisingly, there are TONS of free things to do and treats to get! So what’s on the schedule for this year?
- Starting the day with a run. Always free!
- Breakfast at IHOP on Halsted- you get a free “Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘n Fruity” by signing up for their pancake revolution club.
- Free yoga class at Core Power Yoga. They sent me an email back in June. If you’re already a member, then you get a 15% discount on merchandise (oh hey, lululemon top)
- Wander around Green City Market with my Starbucks birthday reward drink
- Lunch at Qdoba-BOGO entrée for your birthday. I will probably use this next week. I had a free entrée reward on my card already.
- Microderm facial and wax (not free, but I’m also in the middle of wedding-prep; however, you can get many almost-free spa experiences from Groupon, YouSwoop and LivingSocial. My esthetician did give me 20% cause it was my birthday! So just ask) [EF: I got a free make up application at my hair salon for my 40th birthday party just because I mentioned that I was going to go to Bloomies for some free makeup love!]
- Free eyebrow wax at Benefit Brow Bars. This is good for any day during the week of your birthday.
- Massage at Massage Envy-not free, but I keep forgetting to use my membership massages so I have 8 saved up.
- Picked up my freebie VIP reward at Sephora!
- Used my $10 birthday rewards at Victoria’s Secret
- Mani/Pedi Groupon with a friend. Perfect time to use those accumulating Groupons is during hours most people are at work.
- Afternoon treat of Rainbow Sherbet from Baskin Robbins. Free ice cream cone at BR when you sign up for their birthday club.
It’s a pretty busy schedule already, so I didn’t have time to do ALL of the free things I had received. Luckily, a lot of the meal deals are good for another week or two.
- Free bowl at Noodles and Company (I used this the Friday before my birthday when I forgot to pack my lunch)
- BOGO entrée at Flat Top Grill.
- BOGO Blizzard at Dairy Queen
- Free pastry at Panera Bread
- 15% off at Art Effect. I used this to purchase a lovely Aram picture frame for my future mother-in-law.
- Free bagel and schmear at Einstein’s.
I’ve mentioned my ‘free day’ to several of my friends, and they’ve been able to find new deals as well! Many of the local dog stores even offer free treats for pups on their birthday. Just be sure to sign up a few weeks in advance of your birthday to make sure the coupons get mailed or emailed in time!”
How awesome is this? What are your best birthday scores?? I am going to have to get to work to get great stuff in order by December!
PS. I liked this list from Hey! It’s Free of national offers, too. You may really need extra hours in the day!