Here's the thing about couponing that'll blow your mind — when you do it right, you're not just saving money. You're getting stuff completely free. And I'm not talking about tiny sample sizes or weird off-brand products. I mean full-size toothpaste, name-brand makeup, and yes, even food.
Sure, seeing that magical $0.00 on the register isn't as common as it was back in the extreme couponing days. But trust me, free deals are still out there if you know where to look. Some items (hello, toothpaste) are pretty much always free, while others pop up seasonally. And occasionally you'll actually make money on a deal (we call those moneymaker deals).
The secret is knowing which products go for free regularly and timing your shopping around those deals. When something I use is free, I stock up big time so it'll carry me through until the next freebie cycle hits.
Ready to never pay full price again? Let's dive into what you can realistically expect to get for free — and exactly where to find these deals.
What's on this page:
Score free toothpaste at least every month at CVS and Walgreens.
I have one rule that's non-negotiable: never pay for toothpaste. Ever.
Drugstores like CVS and Walgreens run free toothpaste deals constantly. We're talking name brands like Colgate and Crest, and sometimes these deals are so good they're moneymakers.
Here's how it typically works at CVS: Let's say Crest toothpaste costs $4.99 per tube, and there's a promotion happening where you can buy two and earn $5 in ExtraBucks (CVS's store reward currency). Stack that with a $3 off two Crest coupon in the CVS app and a $2 off one Crest toothpaste rebate in the Ibotta app. You'll pay $6.98 out of pocket but get $9 back, so you're actually making $2.02 while walking away with two free tubes of toothpaste.
The key is understanding how drugstore rewards work. ExtraBucks at CVS and Register Rewards at Walgreens work like store credit that prints with your receipt, and Walgreens Cash is a digital reward at Walgreens. You can use this "money" on your next purchase, creating a cycle where you're essentially shopping for free.
KCL TIP: Toothpaste deals usually run in 4- to 6-week cycles, so when you see one, grab enough to last until the next deal comes around.
Don't sleep on free toothbrushes and mouthwash either.
While you're grabbing that free toothpaste, look for toothbrush and mouthwash deals too. Drugstores love bundling oral care promotions, so when toothpaste is free, the whole dental aisle usually follows.
I once bought Colgate mouthwash and toothbrushes when they were $4.49 each at CVS. When you purchased two, you got $5 in ExtraBucks, plus I had a $2 Colgate toothbrush CVS store coupon and a $2 Colgate mouthwash coupon. So I paid $4.98 and got back $5 in ExtraBucks — another moneymaker that helped restock my bathroom cabinet.
The great thing about oral care deals is they're predictable. Drugstores know we need this stuff regularly, so they typically use these deals as loss leaders to get us in the door.
Drugstores practically give away mascara and eyeliner.
CVS is basically a makeup goldmine if you know how to work their system. Free mascara, makeup remover, eyeliner, eye shadow — I've gotten it all just by shopping strategically.
These deals almost always combine manufacturer coupons with CVS ExtraBucks promotions. You might see Covergirl eyeliner for $6.29, but then a promotion lets you earn $6 in ExtraBucks when you buy two. Add a $4 Covergirl CVS store coupon and a $3 Covergirl newspaper coupon, and you're looking at another moneymaker once you factor in the ExtraBucks.
The timing on makeup deals is less predictable than toothpaste, but we share them frequently enough that patient shoppers can build up quite the collection.
Stock up on free Neutrogena and Aveeno products like acne scrub and makeup wipes.
Neutrogena and Aveeno products are free pretty regularly when you combine Ibotta offers or Fetch Rewards rebates with deals at CVS, Target, or Walmart.
For example, you might find Neutrogena face scrub for $3.50 at Walmart, but then there's an Ibotta rebate for $3.50 off a Neutrogena acne product that makes it completely free. To make it even easier for you, we round up all the latest Aveeno deals and Neutrogena deals so you can see what's cheap (or free) each week.
Grab free deodorant from drugstores.
Deodorant deals are wonderfully straightforward at CVS and Walgreens. Buy brands like Degree, Axe, or Harry's; then get the same amount back in CVS ExtraBucks or Walgreens Cash. It's that simple. These deals pop up about every other month.
Grocery chains like Meijer and Kroger occasionally run similar promotions, but drugstores are your most reliable bet. Since deodorant lasts for months, when these deals hit, I grab several at a time.
Free candy makes everything sweeter.
Pretty much every store offers free candy at some point. Between Ibotta deals and drugstore promotions, you'll find deals on everything from single candy bars to full-size bags.
CVS and Walgreens occasionally drop digital coupons for completely free candy bags, no purchase required beyond the item itself. For individual bars, apps like Ibotta regularly offer rebates that make popular brands like Snickers or M&M's free.
Restaurant apps serve up serious freebies.
With grocery prices going crazy, my family jokes that we eat out for less than cooking at home, and we're not entirely kidding.
Nearly every chain restaurant offers sign-up bonuses, birthday freebies, and food deals through their apps. We're talking full entrees, not just appetizers or desserts. Download a few restaurant apps, and you've got free meals lined up for weeks.
Plus, many offer food holiday deals and food promo codes that make eating out surprisingly affordable when you time it right.
Air Wick warmers are free every few months.
Those plug-in air freshener warmers from Air Wick cost around $4 normally, but they go for free regularly when you stack digital store coupons with cash-back apps.
I see these deals at Dollar General, Walmart, Target, and Walgreens about every three months. The refills aren't usually completely free, but there are always Air Wick coupons to make them cheaper.
Never pay for 5x7 or 8x10 photo prints again.
Walgreens gives away 5x7 and 8x10 photo prints at least six times per year if you take advantage of their Walgreens photo coupons. CVS does it less frequently — maybe four times annually — but CVS photo coupons still pop up often enough that you should never pay full price.
Your Next Steps to Getting Free Stuff
Getting stuff for free isn't about being cheap — it's about being strategic.
-
Time your purchases with sales to never pay full price for essentials.
-
Start with one category (I recommend toothpaste since toothpaste deals are predictable).
-
Then expand from there to other categories.
-
Download a couple of cash-back apps.
-
Sign up for store rewards programs.
-
Most importantly, don't overthink it.
The deals are out there waiting for you. You just need to know where to look.
Related Reading:
