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Custodial Accounts vs. 529 Plans: Which Gives More Flexibility?

Custodial Accounts vs. 529 Plans: Which Gives More Flexibility? One gives you tax perks. The other gives your kid the keys at 18. So which account rules when it comes to flexibility— 529 Plan or Custodial Account ? Whether you're prepping for college, launching a future entrepreneur, or simply building generational wealth, choosing the right savings vehicle can shape your child’s financial journey. In this post, we’re comparing Custodial Accounts (UGMA/UTMA) vs. 529 Plans —so you know exactly where to stash that cash for maximum impact and minimal regret. 🧠 What Are We Comparing Here? Let’s break down the two main contenders in the child-saving arena: ✅ 529 Plans A 529 Plan is a tax-advantaged investment account designed specifically for education expenses . Think tuition, books, room & board—even up to $10,000 toward student loans. These plans are sponsored by states and grow tax-free as long as the money is used for qualified education expenses. ✅ Custodial Accou...
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How to Score Freebies and Discounts at Your Favorite Stores

 


Ever walked out of a store wondering if you could’ve paid less? The truth is, you probably could have! Retailers offer tons of freebies and discounts—you just need to know where to look. With a few clever strategies, you can save big and even score free stuff at your favorite stores.

Why Do Stores Give Away Freebies & Discounts?

Retailers love loyal customers, and they’re willing to offer incentives to keep you coming back. Whether it’s through rewards programs, price-matching, or seasonal promotions, there are plenty of ways to save money.

📌 Fact: According to a study by RetailMeNot, 80% of shoppers are more likely to buy from brands that offer discounts and rewards.

Top Ways to Get Freebies and Discounts

1. Sign Up for Loyalty Programs

🏆 Most stores offer free rewards programs that give you discounts, birthday gifts, and exclusive deals. Some of the best ones include:

  • Sephora Beauty Insider – Free birthday gift and exclusive discounts.
  • Starbucks Rewards – Earn free drinks and food.
  • Target Circle – Special discounts and cashback offers.

💡 Pro Tip: Use a separate email for store sign-ups to keep promo emails from cluttering your inbox.

2. Ask for Price Matching

💰 Many retailers will match a competitor’s price if you ask. Popular stores that offer price matching include:

  • Best Buy – Matches online and in-store prices from select competitors.
  • Walmart – Matches Walmart.com prices in some locations.
  • Home Depot & Lowe’s – Often match or even beat competitor prices.

📌 Budget Tip: Always keep a price comparison app like Honey or Google Shopping handy!

3. Use Cashback & Coupon Apps

📱 Apps like:

  • Rakuten (formerly Ebates) – Earn cashback on online purchases.
  • Ibotta – Cashback on groceries and everyday items.
  • RetailMeNot – Finds coupons and promo codes automatically.

💡 Pro Tip: Stack cashback with in-store discounts for double savings!

4. Score Freebies on Your Birthday

🎂 Your birthday is the perfect excuse to collect free goodies! Some of the best birthday perks include:

  • Dunkin’ & Starbucks – Free drinks.
  • Ulta & Sephora – Free beauty products.
  • IHOP & Denny’s – Free meals.

📌 Pro Tip: Some birthday rewards require signing up weeks in advance, so plan ahead!

5. Take Advantage of Free Samples & Trial Offers

🛍️ Many stores offer free samples or trial-size products, especially in the beauty and food industries.

  • Costco & Sam’s Club – Free food samples daily.
  • Sephora & Ulta – Free beauty samples (just ask!).
  • Amazon Prime Try Before You Buy – Try clothes and return what you don’t want.

🌍 For non-U.S. readers: Many international stores like Boots (UK) and DM (Germany) also offer free samples!

6. Sign Up for Store Newsletters

✉️ Brands love to reward subscribers with exclusive discounts and early access to sales. Some retailers even send instant coupons just for signing up!

📌 Example: Kohl’s often offers a 15-30% off coupon just for joining their email list.

7. Follow Brands on Social Media

📲 Many brands announce flash sales, giveaways, and discount codes exclusively on social media. Follow your favorite stores on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to stay in the loop.

💡 Pro Tip: Turn on notifications for your favorite brands so you don’t miss surprise deals!

8. Get Student, Military, or Senior Discounts

🎓 Many retailers offer special discounts for students, military personnel, and seniors. Just ask!

  • Amazon Prime Student – 6 months free + 50% off after.
  • Apple & Microsoft – Student discounts on laptops and software.
  • Retail Chains – Many stores offer 10-20% off for military and senior citizens.

📌 Did You Know? Some museums, movie theaters, and restaurants also offer special discount days!

9. Shop During Seasonal Sales

🛒 The best discounts happen during key shopping seasons like:

  • Black Friday & Cyber Monday (November) – Biggest discounts of the year.
  • End-of-Season Clearance (January & July) – Stores make room for new inventory.
  • Prime Day (July) – Huge Amazon-exclusive deals.

📌 Fun Fact: According to the National Retail Federation, shoppers save an average of 37% during major holiday sales.

10. Try "Abandoned Cart" Discounts

🛍️ Ever added something to your cart but didn’t check out? Many retailers will send a discount code via email to convince you to complete your purchase!

💡 Pro Tip: Leave items in your cart for a day or two and wait for a discount email!

Final Thoughts: Get More for Less!

With a little effort, you can save big and even score free items at your favorite stores. Whether it’s through loyalty programs, price matching, or seasonal sales, the key is to shop smart.

📢 What’s the best freebie or discount you’ve ever scored? Share in the comments!

Suggested Reading & Free Tools

Ready to start saving? Try one of these hacks today!

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