Birthday freebies

I feel like the less busy I am, the more easily I get distracted from blogging, so for this I apologize. I also feel like the longer the absence from blogging, the better my post needs to be when I finally blog again. I am quite certain that this one will not disappoint!

As I recently celebrated a birthday, I have compiled a list of all of the birthday goodies and deals that I have received, as well as how you can get them too and make your next birthday full of free goodness! For your comprehensive convenience, I have listed them in order from worst to best. Bear in mind that some of these may be exclusive to Toronto/Ontario/specific provinces.

The offer:
AMC Theatres gives you a free large fountain drink when you see a movie at an AMC theatre during your birthday month. You will receive this offer in e-mail form after signing up for their rewards program (like being a scene member, but for AMC).
The fineprint:
From what I can gather from the e-mail, although it says "during your birthday month", it appears that it is actually valid within 30 days of the e-mail. It also does not actually say that you need to have also purchased a movie ticket to take advantage of this offer, but this e-mail was not very specific or well written (sorry AMC).
My verdict:
While free offers of any type are always appreciated, I have ranked this the worst of the birthday offers I have received for the seemingly obvious reason that a fountain drink doesn't cost that much to begin with, and that this offer will probably end up costing you way more than it is worth to begin with. On top of that, many AMC theaters have been converted to Silver City's, so not only will you have to buy an overpriced movie ticket in order to get your free drink, but you will probably also have to go out of your way to attempt to find an AMC theater. Overall, while a nice gesture, this offer just seems extremely inconvenient for the payoff.

The offer:
Jack Astor's gives you a free dessert when you spend at least $10 on food or non-alcoholic drinks. This offer will be sent to you by e-mail after signing up for their VVVIP program on their website.
The fineprint:
The $10 needs to be before taxes and tips, cannot be used in combination with any other offer or promotion, one offer per guest per table, dine in only, for one time use only, expires 15 days after offer is received.
My verdict:
Once again, I am not really a fan of the type of offer that requires you to spend money to get something for free. That being said, dessert is still better than a fountain drink, but will probably still end up costing you more than it is worth.

The offer:
Sephora gives you their annual complementary "birthday gift" (this year it is a set of deluxe minis from the brand Benefit of their "They're real! mascara" and "Watt's up! highlighter", I think they might also have a male gift product as well) if you are a beauty insider. This offer will be sent to you by e-mail after signing up for their beauty insider program in store or online.
The fineprint:
I do not think that you have to actually have received the e-mail to get your birthday gift, you just have to show them your beauty insider card (or if they are going to be super picky, your ID). The offer is available 2 weeks before or after your birthday, and is limited to one per customer.
The verdict:
I do appreciate when I can walk into a place without having to spend any money and walk out with something, and in recent years these gifts have actually been good products. Obviously the sample sizes aren't going to last too long, but then again it is free and you don't need to spend anything to get it. While it is a bit of a marketing scheme to get you into the store or get you hooked on these products so that you come back and buy the full-sized version, I still go year after year to get these Sephora birthday gifts because at the end of the day I love free stuff and I do love Sephora products.

The offer:
Yogurty's Froyo gives you 5000 Perkville points on your birthday, which is equivalent to $5 worth of froyo if you sign up for their Froyo Nation rewards program.
The fineprint:
As far as I can tell, there is none! Just make sure to bring your Froyo Nation card and you'll be good to go!
The verdict:
While $5 may not seem like a lot, it will likely get you your froyo for free (as long as you don't go too overboard), and if you have ever been to Yogurty's, a free froyo from there is surely enough to make anyone's day! Plus you do not need to spend anything to take advantage of this offer, nor is there an expiry date on it, making it even better!

The offer:
Starbucks gives you on your birthday your next drink or food on them when you sign up for the My Starbucks Rewards program and register a Starbucks card or get the Starbucks mobile app.
The fineprint:
You must be registered 30 days before your birthday and use your Starbucks card or app to make at least 1 purchase per year to be entitled to your free birthday treat. Just swipe your card or scan your mobile app to redeem your reward. It says that the offer does expire, however I am not sure after how long.
The verdict:
In case you are wondering why I have ranked this offer above the Yogurty's offer, I would have to say that while $5 for Yogurty's may seem like a more valuable offer, the sheer fact of getting anything free from Starbucks is just so rare and shocking that it almost makes you feel like you have just won the lottery. And if you love Starbucks as much as I do, while it was a tough decision, I just have to give the edge to Starbucks.

The offer:
What A Bagel gives you a dozen bagels for free on your birthday.
The fineprint:
This offer can only be redeemed on the actual day of your birthday, with valid ID.
The verdict:
While it is a bit inconvenient that they will only honor this on the actual date of your birth, it is a $6.99 value (I know because I frequently buy bagels there) and the bagels are baked fresh multiple times a day and are DELISH!

Now we're getting into the biggies!

The offer:
W Burger Bar gives you a complementary meal (max of $18 value) for your birthday after you sign up for their e-mailing list in the restaurant (I believe there is a space to write it on your bill). You will receive this offer via e-mail.
The fineprint:
Your table must have a minimum of 4 people to qualify (so you and 3 other people) and while it recommends to make a reservation it does not actually say that you must have one to redeem this offer. Show a copy of the e-mail to your server, the offer must be redeemed within 5 days of either side of your birthday, and it cannot be combined with any other promotions or coupons.
The verdict:
There are only 2 locations, and I guess it could be considered more of a draw for them because you have to bring at least 3 other people with you in order to get your free meal, but $18 is still pretty generous (and their food is actually really good!) and let's face it, this is the kind of place you usually go in a large group anyway. It actually does not even say that your other people need to order meals, they could all just split a pitcher or 2 and you could still enjoy your free birthday meal. So I think everyone wins here!

The offer:
Cafe California gives you a $25 gift certificate for your birthday after you sign up for their VIP list either in the restaurant or online. You will receive the offer in an e-mail.
The fineprint:
Simply show a copy of the e-mail to your server to redeem. The offer is valid up to 45 days after receiving the e-mail, and as always, cannot be combined with any other promotions.
The verdict:
This is by far the best birthday offer that I have managed to find so far. It doesn't require you to buy anything in order to get it, doesn't require you to bring others who will spend money, and is valid for the longest period of time of any of the offers. If that wasn't enough, $25 is an extremely generous birthday freebie, and the food here is great. The only drawback one may be able to find is that there is only one of this restaurant, so while it may be out of your way to get there, it will definitely be worth your while!

So there you have it folks. As of 2013, this is all the free birthday offers I have managed to find, how you too can get them, and whether or not they are in fact worth it. If anyone has anything to contribute to this list I would love to hear it! Hopefully next years list will be even longer!

Sephora: empty mascara = new mascara sample

If any of you are looking to try a new mascara but don't want to spend the money and commit to anything, you should definitely take advantage of the mascara promo on this weekend at Sephora! This weekend only you can trade in an old, empty tube of mascara for a sample (estimated to last 4 weeks) of Clinique's High Impact mascara. I have actually purchased this mascara before and while I am somewhat of a mascara-hopper, I will definitely say that this is a great product and an offer that should be taken advantage of! I got mine!

Urban Outfitters: $20.32 = top

I had loved this top when I first saw it in the store so I was so excited to find this top in the sale section. It's a fun colour, it has pretty pleats, it's nice and loose and flowy, what's not to love?! And it's perfect for this nice weather that we're starting to see now! I must say, I think warm weather fashion is much more fun! (And look- Urban Outfitters got new bags!)

What I got:
Back pleats top
Full retail price: $44.00
I paid: $17.99
Total savings (with tax): $29.40 (That's even more than I ended up paying!)

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