55 - The Calendar Strategy: How to Automate Your Dining Discounts (And Never Pay Full Price Again)

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I recently did something a little crazy—but financially brilliant. During the holiday sales, I stocked up on restaurant gift cards. You know the ones: “Buy $100, Get $25 Free.” I bought them for my favorite local spots: the Irish pub around the corner, the pizza place we love on Fridays, and the nice steakhouse we save for special occasions. Mathematically, I was already winning. By getting $125 worth of food for $100, I had locked in an instant 20% discount on my future meals. But then I thought: How can I stretch this even further? The gift cards are great, but they are only one part of the equation. Most of these restaurants also offer weekly specials—Half-Price Burgers on Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, Kids Eat Free Wednesdays, or Happy Hour appetizers. If I used my discounted gift cards only on nights when the food was also discounted, I wouldn’t just be saving 20%. I’d be saving 50%, 60%, or even 70% off the regular menu price. The problem? I can never remember which restaurant has the ...
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3 - McDonald’s app earns free food faster than any other I’ve tried!

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Download the McDonalds app and create an account. Before purchasing any food, check out the deals they're offering. Most of them stay the same over time, but every few months a new deal is added and an old one is deleted. There are several from the breakfast menu and their lunch/dinner menu. If nothing looks good to you, click on the "Earn Points" button and provide your server with the code. You will earn points towards free food.

I like to use the free Medium fries with any $3 or more purchase deal. I also like buying a Sausage, Egg McMuffin for $2. Every 5-10 purchases result in enough points to get free food. Pay attention to the deals that require a Mobile Order. If that isn't a requirement, you can click "Use at Restaurant" and you can use it in the Drive-Thru or inside the restaurant.

Additional Tips and Directions from AI:

The McDonald’s app is a fast, reliable way to rack up free food—no matter where you are in the U.S.! Here’s exactly how to unlock the best deals and earn rewards efficiently:

Step-by-Step: How to Get the Most From the McDonald’s App

Download and register:

  1. Search “McDonald’s” in your app store (Android or iOS), download the app, and create a free account with your email or phone.
  2. Add your preferred location for customized offers.
  3. Check current deals before every order:
  4. Tap the “Deals” or “Offers” section—new promotions are added and others cycled out every few weeks.
  5. Look for both breakfast and all-day deals; you’ll often find discounts, BOGO offers, or free items with purchase.

Use the “Earn Points” feature:

  • If you’re not redeeming a deal, always tap “Earn Points” to get your code (it appears as a 4-digit code).
  • Tell your server the code for dine-in or drive-thru, or enter it for a mobile order—every eligible purchase adds reward points to your account.

Redeem points for free food:

  • After 5-10 fast food visits, you’ll accumulate enough points for popular rewards like free fries, burgers, or breakfast sandwiches.
  • The app keeps track—just check your rewards tab and redeem when you reach the needed points.

Understand order requirements:

Some deals require using “Mobile Order & Pay,” while others can be used with “Use at Restaurant” for drive-thru or counter pick-up. Look for this note under each deal so you don’t miss out.

Stack savings:

Many deals can be combined with earning points on the same transaction. Use a coupon, earn points, and stretch your dollars even further!

Extra Tips for Maximum Savings:

  • Enable notifications in the McDonald’s app to be alerted of new or limited-time deals in your local region.
  • Register for the “MyMcDonald’s Rewards” (national program) to ensure your points and rewards follow you even if you travel.
  • Scan receipts in the app for qualifying purchases if you forgot to provide your code at the time of sale.
  • Always check if local franchises participate in app-specific or national deals—most do, but it can vary in rare cases.
  • Consider combining your free-food redemptions with low-cost menu items (like a $1 drink or $2 sandwich) to make the most of every visit.
  • With a routine of checking deals, always earning points, and understanding redemption tricks, you’ll find yourself claiming freebies faster than with any other fast food app!

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