No tricks, just treats: From gratis grub to complimentary fall-time events, we’ve rounded up some of October’s best freebies.
Read on to see how you can save big this month.
For even more options, head over to the Money Talks News freebies page. And be sure to check back with us soon, as we’ll be harvesting more freebies for November. Or, better yet, sign up for the Money Talks Newsletter so you never miss an edition of our monthly freebies roundup.
Pizza for kids — starting Oct. 1
The Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program starts on Oct. 1 and runs until March 31, 2026. It’s designed to encourage reading among children in pre-K through sixth grade at state-accredited public, private and charter schools. They can sign up through their teacher. Program participants who meet their goals can receive a certificate that’s good for a free Personal Pan Pizza from Pizza Hut.
Medicare assistance — ongoing
Medicare’s fall open enrollment period starts this month — it always runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 — and it can be a daunting process to navigate.
If you feel overwhelmed, know that you can get free in-depth, one-on-one insurance counseling and assistance from your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), as we detail in “13 Things That Are Free With Medicare.”
Hardware store services — ongoing
You might be surprised by the array of services you can get for free at home improvement stores, from classes to recycling. We detail many of them in “9 Things You Can Get for Free at Home Improvement Stores.”
Video games — until Oct. 9
PC game players can freely download “Eastern Exorcist” from the Epic Games store until Oct. 2. And from Oct. 2 until Oct. 9, players can also download “Nightingale” and enjoy a fantasy game during the most costume-loving month of the year.
A batty good time — various dates in October
October is Bat Awareness Month and Oct. 24-31 marks Bat Awareness Week — and there are free activities across the country to celebrate, as detailed on the Bat Week website.
For example, Ohio Bat Fest is on Oct. 25 in Cincinnati. Admission is free and festival-goers can hang out with live bats, museum specimens and enjoy kid-friendly activities.
Credit scores — ongoing
Whether you’re curious about your FICO score or your VantageScore, there are multiple ways to get your credit score for free. You just have to know where to look. We break down all the options in:
Streaming TV services — ongoing
Are you thinking about cutting the cord or looking to cut expensive streaming subscriptions out of your budget? These freebies might make your decision a bit easier.
There are several movie streaming sites — including Comet, 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 “18 Streaming TV Services That Are Completely Free (Really).”
Crafts for kids — Oct. 11 and Oct. 18
October is Fire Prevention Month, and a couple of retailers are observing it by offering free themed craft projects.
On Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. to noon (presumably local time), the J.C. Penney Kids Zone project is a fire safety scene with foam pieces and a pipe cleaner. Kids will also get a free ID badge and lanyard, and their parents will receive a coupon for an extra 10% off so they can shop while their children craft.
Lowe’s is hosting a DIY-U kids’ Firehouse Dog Bank workshop on Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. (presumably local time). The “piggy” banks that kids will assemble come complete with a firehouse facade and a working firefighter’s pole. See if a store near you is participating and register before Oct. 11.
Ivy League classes — ongoing
Education is valuable, and you can now get the best of the best for free. Institutions like Cornell University have free courses online for anyone to take advantage of. Some may even give you a certificate, but that may cost money. See where else you can learn for free in “8 Ivy League Colleges That Offer Free Online Courses.”
Health care — ongoing
From medications to health screenings, pharmacies across the country offer free services and products. Find out what might be helpful for you in “10 Things You Can Get for Free at Pharmacies.”
Dental care — ongoing
Visits to the dentist can be expensive. And as inflation surges, more people may be tempted to skip this important care.
But if you qualify, dental services can be free. Dentists around the nation volunteer for the Donated Dental Services program, which offers care to those who have no other means to afford dental care and meet one of the following criteria:
- Have a permanent disability
- Are over 65
- Require medically necessary dental care
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