In our last article we took a look at how to get free food. But as a wrote the article, i soon realised there were multiple methods i had never even heard of or considered. So it is necessary to release this follow-up piece. Here are some more ways to get free food.
Think Outside The Box – Mystery Dining, Studies etc
This is a left field way to get food for free, but it could work for you. Restaurants are still open as i type, and agencies employ people to be mystery shoppers and also mystery diners. Free food and all you have to do is report back no your experience. At university i signed up for a medical study that judged moods after eating, so was fed for free for a month!
Free Food Via Apps
I mentioned in the last article about signing up to restaurant newsletters to take advantage of offers. But the same applies to the myriad of food apps out there. Just downloading some food apps will give you free food, or more often, money off your first order. Many will sporadically offer money off vouchers thereafter. And remember that outlets such as Subway have loyalty cards too, so with regular use you will gain the occasional free meal.
More Ways To Get Free Food – Cashback Sites
I recently used a cashback site (topcashback.co.uk) to get £120 back on a laptop i purchased. But you can use them for hundreds of companies, as long as you enter their sites via the cashback site link. And there are plenty of food outlets on there, that will mean you getting money back on your purchases at a later date.
More Ways To Get Free Food – Food Waste
It is possible to get food that is being thrown out for free. It on the whole will still be perfectly edible and safe to consume. There are supermarkets that will donate waste food, and there are alternative apps to the likes of Just Eat that offer food from takeaways at hugely discounted prices as the food will be thrown if not sold. Thus it is in both parties; interest for a purchase to be made, even if it is for pennies.
Free Food & Drink As You Shop
There are places that will reward, or offer free refreshments and even food to shoppers. Waitrose is one such establishment. Naturally you have to purchase something to get freebies. Ikea too offer free food for card holders.
Mobile Phone Providers
Due to lock down i have stopped my habit of looking at my O2 priority app, though i have used it a lot to get the best tickets for gigs. Anyway, the app includes a wealth of offers that change every week, including free drink and food for O2 customers only. Vodafone run a similar scheme, so it is worth checking out what is on offer on a regular basis.
More Ways To Get Free Food – Birthday Treats
Many a restaurant like to offer big treats once a year – when it is your birthday! So keep that in mind when subscribing to sites. It may help if you have to put in your date of birth.
Supermarket Vouchers
In my previous article i mentioned many ways to use supermarkets to get free or discounted food. I forgot one method however. Because whilst joining supermarket sites online can get you money off, so can physical shopping. To use one personal example, when i shop at Sainsbury’s i pretty much always get given a couple of vouchers with my receipt. The vouchers fit into two categories. Firstly, money off if you spend a certain amount on your next shop. and secondly, money off certain items that you have a history of purchasing. Targeted advertising basically!
Grow Your Own Food?
For the price of a few seeds, there is no cheaper way to eat. Grow your own food, and reduce costs to pretty much zero. Of course it helps to have a garden. Or you could join the rather long waiting lists for an allotment. But even in my flat, i can easily grow a few things on my kitchen windowsill. I have basil, other herbs and chillies currently on the go. and alternatively, you could forage for wild food. Just ensure you know what to look for – it is probably best you avoid mushrooms altogether!
