8 Things That Are Free in August

Your summer savings continue with great August freebies.

From free national park admission to BOGO ice cream sundaes and no-cost college courses, we’ve rounded up some of the very best deals you’ll find in August. Continue your savings streak this summer with these can’t-miss deals.

Read on to learn how you can enjoy these summer savings before the month comes to a close. And for even more options, head on over to Money Talks News’ freebies page.

Free national parks entry — Aug. 4

Aug. 4 is the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, which provides funding so national parks and public lands can improve their infrastructure and expand recreation opportunities.

In celebration, all National Park Service sites that typically charge entrance fees will be offering free admission to all visitors. Learn more about these fee-free days.

Possible free root beer float — Aug. 6

Aug. 6 is National Root Beer Float Day. To celebrate, A&W usually offers free floats to guests on that day.

While the restaurant’s website announcement doesn’t specify that it will be handing out free floats this year, it does invite fans to visit a participating location on the holiday and encourages them to bring donations for the Disabled American Veterans. Learn more.

Tax-free shopping — various dates in August

Enjoy tax breaks on back-to-school shopping in several states in August. Items ranging from school supplies to clothing are exempt from taxes in various places this month, including:

• Arkansas
• Florida
• Iowa
• Maryland
• Missouri
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• Texas
• West Virginia

Specific dates and spending limits vary, so be sure to check your state’s rules before shopping. Find out more details in “15 States With Back-to-School Sales Tax Breaks This Summer.”

Free college courses — ongoing

Wonder what it’s like to attend an Ivy League university? Well, now you can find out — for free!

Elite schools — such as Columbia, Harvard, Princeton, Yale and others — will allow you to audit certain courses online, with no charge. For more details, check out “8 Ivy League Colleges That Offer Free Online Courses.”

Some more exciting news for senior citizens looking to boost their knowledge: Several colleges — including Clemson University, Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Connecticut and the University of Maryland, College Park — allow retirement-age students to audit classes or earn actual college credits for free. Learn more in “9 Colleges That Offer Free Tuition for Seniors.”

Free streaming services — ongoing

Thinking about cutting the cord? These freebies might make your decision a bit easier.

There are several movie streaming sites –including Comet, Crackle, Documentary+ and Tubi — that don’t require a paid subscription. The only caveat? You won’t be able to skip the commercials. Learn more in “21 Streaming Services That Are Completely Free.”

Free year of Grubhub+ — ongoing

Amazon Prime has an irresistible offer for anyone interested in Grubhub+. Prime members can try one free year of Grubhub+, including free deliveries on eligible orders.

Just sign into Amazon Prime and activate Grubhub+. After 12 months, you will automatically be auto-renewed at $9.99 unless you cancel.

Get details.

Free dental care – ongoing

Visits to the dentist can be expensive. And as inflation surges, some people with low incomes may be tempted to skip this important care.

But if you qualify, dental services can be free. Dentists around the nation volunteer to join the Donated Dental Services program, which offers care to those who meet one of the following criteria:

• Have a permanent disability
• Are over 65
• Are medically compromised and do not have enough money to pay for dental care

Find out more.

BOGO sundaes at Carvel — ongoing

Cool off in August with “buy one, get one free” sundaes on Wednesdays at Carvel.

You can take advantage of the ice cream giant’s “Wednesday Is Sundae!” promotion — and basically enjoy these cool, creamy treats for 50% off — all month long, and throughout the year. Get the delicious details.