20 ways to get freebies

Fancy getting hold of some free items? Here's where to look...

If you’re anything like me, you’ll love a good freebie. So in this article, I’m going to highlight some of the best places to pick up the greatest freebies!

1. Freegle

Freegle is a community freebie site that allows you to join your local Freegle group and then use the site to give away items you no longer need or find items you do need completely free of charge!

This could be anything from a bicycle to a sofa to a washing machine to baby clothes. So it’s really handy if you are looking for a specific item but you’re on a tight budget.

You can either email your local list if you spot something on the website, or you can simply join the list and see what comes up.

However, in order to keep the site running, if you do find some freebies, try to give something back when you can.

2. FreebieList.com

If you sign up to a weekly newsletter on FreebieList.com, you’ll receive regular emails detailing all sorts of free samples and general freebies you can get your hands on. Or, if you prefer, you can simply browse the website yourself.

Freebies are broken into different categories, including new freebies, free samples, desktop freebies, free games and mobile freebies.

3. Magic Freebies

Similarly, magicfreebiesuk.co.uk lists at least eight new freebies every day – from free pizza to free sweets to free SIM cards.  Again, you can sign up to the newsletter if you would like to receive the daily newsletter.

4. Bobs Free Stuff Forum

Bobsfreestuffforum.co.uk is a forum on which anyone can post their latest freebie discoveries! These freebie forums are broken into categories, ranging from miscellaneous freebies to free food and drink to free stuff in the shops.

You don’t need to register on the site to see the freebies, but you will need to register (for free) if you want to post anything.

5. Your library

Yes, we all know that some councils are closing libraries, but this isn’t the case everywhere. So if you have a local library, use it! After all, it’s a great place to enjoy free books and free internet! Find out more in Six ways your library can save you money.

And don’t forget you can also enjoy free books through online libraries. Find out more in Where to get free books.

6. Freestuff.co.uk

Freestuff.co.uk is yet another website that allows you to sign up to receive regular emails about, well, free stuff!

At the time of writing, you could pick up a free set of fridge magnets, free chocolate and a free gym pass.

7. LoveFilm

If you love film (excuse the pun), why not watch all your favourite movies and the new releases absolutely free?

If you haven’t yet signed up to LoveFilm, you can get a free trial simply by registering on the website – what’s more, right now you can get 30 days free rather than the standard 14 days!

What’s more, even if you’re not a member, you can still watch a selection of films free of charge. That said, the selection isn’t terribly inspiring but it’s still worth a browse. And the options improve if you’re a member.

8. See Film First

Sticking with the movies theme, if you sign up to See Film First, you’ll be able to see films before they’ve been released! If you sign up, you’ll receive emails with a screening code which you can then enter online to receive your free tickets.

9. Dofreestuff.com

Dofreestuff.com is a website that lists a variety of places you can visit in the UK free of charge – this might be an art gallery, a museum or a heritage site. Simply select which region you’re interested in and go from there!

10. Free-events.co.uk

If you’re a big fan of festivals and carnivals, but really need to save your cash this year, take a look at Free-events.co.uk which lists a range of free festivals, carnivals, parades, shows and fireworks across the UK.

Related how-to guide

Cut the cost of going out

Letting your hair down doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg.

See the guide

11. We7

With Spotify having recently announced it will be restricting its Free and Open services, you might be looking for another way to enjoy music for free.

We7 works in a similar way to Spotify and has a fantastic range of free music (seven million tracks, according to the company) that’s paid for by using targeted advertising.

You can find out more in How to listen to music for free.

12. Peazyshop.co.uk

Peazyshop.co.uk is another forum that allows users to post any freebies they have found – or even any swaps they’d like to make. So this is well worth a look.

13. Hot UK Deals

Hot UK Deals allows users to post ‘hot tips’ about any fantastic deals and discounts they have recently discovered. And, of course, it has a freebies section!

14. Gumtree

Most people regard Gumtree as a place to advertise items for sale or services they’re offering (such as babysitting and carpentry), but it also has a freebies area which is well worth checking out if you fancy getting your hands on some free stuff! This could be anything from a free haircut to a free TV or bicycle.

15. Swapshop.co.uk

Another way to get items for free is to swap stuff! Fortunately, there are plenty of websites that allow you to do this. Swapshop.co.uk is just one of them – it allows you to swap pretty much anything, whether this is clothing, comics, toys, gadgets or DVDs.

Simply swap items for Swap Points and then use those points to ‘buy’ other items on the website.

Of course, there are also a number of other swapping websites – you can find out more in Stop spending, start swapping.

Related how-to guide

Save money every day of the week

Seven ways to save heaps of money this week - and every week!

See the guide

16. National Trust

Looking for free things to do when you're out and about? Check out the National Trust website which has a list of free days out - simply select your region and see what's on offer. 

17. Enjoy England

Alternatively, the enjoyEngland website also has a list of free days out to enjoy.

18. Studentfreestuff.com

If you’re a student, take a look at the studentfreestuff.com website which is packed full of fabulous freebies – ranging from free SIM cards, free shopping vouchers to free soap!

19. Applause Store

Applause Store is well worth a look if you fancy a night out for free. That’s because it offers free tickets for a variety of TV shoes including Britain’s Got Talent, Top Gear and The Million Pound Drop.

There are, of course, similar websites offering tickets for other TV shows – you can find out more in The secret to a free night out.

20. lovemoney.com

Finally, don’t forget to regularly check in to lovemoney.com! Here, we frequently run through some of the best freebies around and we have a freebies section in both our Frugal Friday and Frugal Food blogs each week. You’d be mad to miss out!

More: Make money in the sunshine | 15 fantastic freebies for spring