Free Food? Free Coffee? Free Gift Cards? Your phone and internet company want to reward you!

Cell phones and interenet are a neccessary evil. We look at all the different plans and companies trying to find the best deal…and we often have to renegotiate when our contract ends and the price goes up.

But many of you don’t realize that there are some rewards these companies offer – you just have to claim them. I will start with the two providers I have received rewards from, T-Mobile & AT&T.

T-Mobile: T-Mobile seems to have the most to offer. Right now they have Apple TV & Paramount + free for a year for T-Mobile users. That can add up to quite a savings! But my favorite is T-Mobile Tuesdays. Download the app, and every Tuesday there is a list of freebies for you to claim! This week, free Popeyes chicken, $2 Dunkin Donut Gift Card, $ .10 off a gallon on Shell gas, $25 off of flowers delivered to your Mother, Free custom card mailed for you, and more! There is also usually a weekly contest at the bottom of the list and I have won a Target gift card in the past.

AT&T Thanks: New prizes every Friday – just for you. I have AT&T Internet and just stumbled onto this little gem. This is found in the “rewards” section of the menu on the AT&T website. Play Friday Access for a chance to win prizes like gift cards, accessories, and so much more. Check back every Friday for more chances to win. The first time I played I won a $20 gift card to Macy’s! I just have to remember to play every Friday.

Straight Talk: It looks as if Straight Talk has a rewards program with discounts and points that can be used towards extra service.

Xfinity Rewards: Enjoy a mix of special perks and experiences just for being a customer. Xfinity Rewards is free and easy to join. Plus you’ll unlock more rewards the longer you’re with them. It looks like there are free movie nights and discounts to shows, movies and attractions.

Verizon: Verizon Up is a rewards program for Verizon Wireless customers that offers one (1) new Verizon Up reward per month, in addition to Bonus Rewards and the chance to claim Super Tickets, just for being a Verizon customer. Verizon Up rewards can be claimed through the My Verizon app.

There may be more rewards programs out there, but these are the ones I am currently taking advantage of, or could easily find on the interenet. The point is – there are rewards and FREE stuff available, you just need to make an effort to claim it!

Free Movies?

Free Movies

I love movies.  I prefer them to television shows.  And while there is something to be said for watching a DVD in the comfort of your own home, it just can’t quite compare to watching a new film on the big screen.

What if I told you that not only could you watch movies at various movie theaters for free, but that you can watch them before they are publicly released? Or if you prefer to stay home, there are advanced screenings online before the movies are released? And better yet, that you could possibly be paid to watch an advanced screening of a movie?

These free screenings are put on by studios in major metropolitan markets to show the film to members of the press (who in turn provide free coverage of the film) and to create positive word of mouth among moviegoers.

There are several websites that can help you find these passes.  Gofobo.com is my favorite. Once you sign up they will email you with any advance screenings in your area, any online advance screenings, and sometimes with studies in which if you qualify you watch an advanced screening and they pay your to watch your reaction and fill out a survey at the end. ( I am being paid $30 next week to watch a movie). Gofobo also has contests for DVDs and other movie swag.

The studios often have advance screening options: Sony, Lionsgate, Searchlight Pictures, STX Films, United Artists and Warner all offer some advance screenings and will alert you if there is a screening in your area if you sign up on their websites. SeeItFirst is where you can find free movie tickets for Disney movie screenings. You’ll need to register so they can notify you of future movie premieres near you.

 There are a couple of movie screening websites that provide screening information as well as offering contests to win movie passes. Advancescreenings.com does a great job of cataloging screenings by city. Red Carpet Crash also offers screenings and contests. Follow these sites on Twitter and like them on Facebook for the latest info. In my experiences, most of these sites are not overly spammy. The more often you check them, the more likely you are to get passes.

 So now that you know how to receive the screenings, what do you need to know about attending these events?

1) Arrive Early. You should must arrive at least an hour early to avoid sitting in the front row and at least 15 minutes early for online screenings. These screenings are intentionally overbooked, so it is possible to be turned away if you’re not there early enough.

2) Get a seat before you make your way to the bathroom or concession stand. The theater will fill up quickly.

3) Leave your cell phone in the car. Since the films have not yet been released, most screenings prohibit cell phones in the theater.  And yes, they will check your pursed and use a “wand” to make sure you do not have any electronic devices in your pocket.  

So now you know the secret!  Maybe I will see you at the movies!

Free Disney Movies & Toys?

Anyone who has had children probably still has multiple Disney DVDs hanging around…and some who haven’t had children but are Disney fans have them as well! And many of you purchase Disney movies online to stream or go to the theaters when a new movie is released.

Did you know that there is a website that rewards you for purchasing Disney movies – physical copies, movie tickets and streaming purchases?

Disney Movie Insiders rewards you for these purchases! Go through all your old DVDs and see if the insert is still in the case. Each movie has a unique reward code that you can enter at the website. You can link your Atom, Fandango and Movies Anywhere sites to Disney Movie Insiders as well. At least once a month you will get bonus codes for points once you sign on. This month there is a bonus code every week!

So if you want free movies, toys, stickers, pins and more – sign up today at https://www.disneymovieinsiders.com/

Cash Back Apps

Wouldn’t it be nice to get cash back on items you were going to purchase anyway? You can – and it does not take much time at all!

A cash-back app gives you a rebate on a purchase or provides a coupon for an additional discount. Some apps offer points that can be redeemed as a price break on subsequent purchases. Here are a few that I use

Dosh

By linking a credit or debit card to the app, cash-back offers at local restaurants and online stores are deposited into the Dosh wallet. Cash can then be transferred into bank accounts, PayPal or Venmo. Earn automatic rebates without scanning receipts! I usually get cash back when I eat out or purchase at Staples or similar stores. Use this link and get extra money when you sign up and link your first card! https://link.dosh.cash/ELLENM24

Fetch Rewards

Fetch Rewards has risen in popularity, particularly when it comes to saving on groceries. Scan your receipt, or submit an eReceipt, and you’ll earn rewards points redeemable for gift cards. So easy! Get $2.00 in rewards when you sign up using this referral code: CW5FD at https://www.fetchrewards.com/

Upside

This app aims to provide cash-back offers from grocery stores, restaurants and — perhaps most notably — gas stations. It will let you know which gas stations are participating. Link your credit cards, check in at the participating gas station and pay with that card. Boom – cash back. It also provides the service of letting you compare gas prices in your area! Click this link or use promo code ELLEN524 to get an extra 20¢/gal bonus the first time you make a purchase. https://upside.app.link/ELLEN524

Rakuten

Rakuten is a high-profile cash-back app claiming to cover 3,500 stores and issuing payment through PayPal or by check. It also features travel savings on airfare, hotels and car rentals. I use the browser extension so it alerts me on all sites that provide cash back. You go to Rakuten first, and then go to the website (Groupon, Staples, Macy’s, etc.) plus get a really good referral bonus when you refer someone! Not going to lie, this is my favorite cash app. Use this link and get $30 back on your first $30 purchase online. https://www.rakuten.com/r/ELLENM61?eeid=28187

Receipt Hog

In addition to offering cash back for shopping, this app gamifies the process with sweepstakes, surveys, bonuses and Hog Slots spins that can pay out coins. Rewards can also be redeemed for gift cards or cash to your PayPal account. Again, just snap a picture of your receipt for cash back points! Download and enter code lar77003 to earn a special bonus when you upload your first receipt. https://app.receipthog.com/r/lar77003

Ibotta

Ibotta promises cash back whether you’re shopping in person, online, or while traveling or dining out. There are no promotional codes or coupons to track. Before shopping, you search the app for offers you like and click, then upload a photo of your receipt after the purchase. You can also buy the item with a loyalty card in-store or with a supported debit card through the app. You do have to click the item before you purchase so a little more work but you can get stuff for free! You can sign up online at Ibotta.com and/or download the Ibotta App and use promo code bxahnax and we both get $10 the first time you use it! I got a free turkey, stuffing, vegetable and gravy this Thanksgiving by using the app – got to love free stuff!

Pogo

With Pogo, you register your email and every bill you pay earns your cash back. You can also take pictures of your store receipts for more points. If you are really ambitious, there are surveys and extra tasks available but I tend to stick to the passive rebates via email and snapping a quick picture of my receipts. Sign up through my link and be sure to enter my code: 8NQP81. You’ll get 250 bonus pts after you’ve earned 3,000 points in the app.
https://pogocash.app.link/8NQP81

There are more money saving apps but these should keep you busy for awhile!