Center for Science in the Public Interest

Outback Steakhouse/PRNewsFoto via Associated Press

Before you blow out the candles on your next birthday cake, make sure you don't blow your chance at a windfall of freebies — meals, makeup, high-value coupons and gargantuan glasses of beer — bestowed by restaurants and retailers simply because you were born.

Family and friends aren't the only ones ready to spoil you on your special day. Businesses here in the Capital Region and across the country are eager to lavish you with birthday deals and free offers that go well beyond a canned email wish or a campy song.

On day one of this, my birthday month, I began receiving a barrage of emails from companies offering birthday wishes, along with exclusive coupons for free coffee, appetizers, ice cream and more.

My favorites? Two $10-off gift coupons from Kohl's and Eastern Mountain Sports.

Below are 80 things you can snag for free just for turning a year older. This is an updated, enhanced version of the list I published in early 2014. In most cases you'll need to register online or print a coupon to take advantage of these annual perks.

Retail deals

ACE Hardware: Sign up for ACE Rewards and get a $5 off $20 coupon on your birthday. http://www.acehardware.com

American Eagle Outfitters: Sign up for AERewards and receive 15 percent off during your birthday month. http://www.ae.com

More Information A little extra Many restaurants, in addition to those mentioned in this story, offer a free post-dinner dessert for the birthday guest. Local financial professional Leo Quinn of Ballston Spa has kindly created a website with such offers: http://518birthdayclub.com See More Collapse

Aveda: Register at Aveda.com and get a free gift every year on your birthday. http://invati.aveda.com/offers

Barnes & Noble: Sign your child up for the Kids' Club and they'll receive a free cupcake from the cafe on their birthday. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/kidsclub

The Body Shop: Sign up for email updates and get a $10 reward offer during your birthday month. http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com

The Children's Place: Members of the Birthday Club will receive a special treat during the month of their and their children's birthdays. http://www.childrensplace.com

CVS: If you have a CVS ExtraCare Card, you'll get $3 in ExtraCare Rewards every year. http://www.cvs.com

DSW: Join DSW's rewards program and receive a $5 gift certificate on your birthday. https://www.dsw.com

EMS: Become an EMS rewards member (it's free) and get a $10 bonus rewards coupon to use during your birthday month. http://www.emsoutdoors.com/ems-rewards

Kmart: Join the Kmart birthday club and get $5 Birthday Bucks and a Birthday Fun Pack every year. http://birthdayclub.kmart.com

Kohl's: If you are a Kohl's charge cardholder, you'll receive a coupon good for $10 off your purchase of $10 or more at the start of your birthday month. http://www.kohls.com

JCPenney: Gold and platinum credit card holders receive a $10 off coupon. http://www.jcpenney.com

Old Navy: Sign up for Old Navy's email newsletters and get a free surprise on your birthday. http://www.oldnavy.com

Sephora: Join the Beauty Insiders and receive a complimentary gift during your birthday month. http://birthday.sephora.com

ULTA: Sign up for ULTA emails and get a free gift during your birthday month. https://www.ulta.com

Victoria's Secret: Sign up for their mailing list and receive a coupon for $10 off a purchase of $10 or more on your birthday. https://www.victoriassecret.com/angel-card-benefits

National/regional restaurants

Applebee's: Sign up for their email updates and get a free treat on your birthday. http://www.applebees.com

Au Bon Pain: Get a coupon for a free lunch when you sign up online. http://aubonpain.com/eclub

Auntie Anne's: Sign up for Pretzel Perks and get a BOGO free pretzel coupon around your birthday. http:// www.auntieannes.com.

Ben & Jerry's: Become a "Chunk Spelunker" and receive a free scoop of ice cream on your birthday. http://www.benjerry.com

Bruegger's Bagels: Join the eClub and receive "a little something" on your birthday. https://www.brueggers.com

Buca di Beppo: Register for their eClub updates and receive a free brownie on your birthday and a free dessert on your anniversary. http://www.bucadibeppo.com

California Pizza Kitchen: Register for Pizza Dough Rewards and get a free dessert during your birthday month. http://www.cpk.com

Carraba's Italian Grill: Join the Amici Club, and receive a special offer on your birthday. http://www.carrabbas.com

Chili's: Join their email club and instantly get free Queso & Chips, plus get a free dessert on your birthday. http://www.chilis.com

Chuck E. Cheese's: Join their email club and receive special offers and freebies for your child's birthday. https://www.chuckecheese.com/experience/eclub

Cold Stone Creamery: Join their club and get a coupon for free ice cream on your birthday. http://www.coldstonecreamery.com

Dairy Queen: Join the Blizzard Fan Club and get a free treat on your birthday. http://www.dairyqueen.com

Dave & Buster's: Receive $10 worth of game play when you join their online fan club, and another $5 on your birthday. http://www.daveandbusters.com

Denny's: Join their rewards club and receive a free Grand Slam on your birthday. http://www.dennys.com

Dickey's Barbecue Pit: Get a coupon for a BOGO free sandwich when you sign up online. https://www.dickeys.com

Dunkin' Donuts: Sign up for the DD Perks Rewards Program and receive a free medium coffee, latte, tea, Coolatta drink or hot chocolate for your birthday. https://www.dunkindonuts.com

Einstein Bros. Bagels: Club members get a free bagel on their birthday. http://www.einsteinbros.com/join-the-club

Friendly's: Join their BFF Club and get a free three-scoop sundae for enrolling, and free birthday offers for your entire family. http://www.friendlys.com

Fuddruckers: Join the Fudd Club and get a free treat on your birthday. http://www.fuddruckers.com

Great American Cookies: Join their Cookie-Mail Club for free birthday treats. https://www.greatamericancookies.com

Honey Baked Ham: Get a free sandwich for your birthday. http://www.honeybaked.com

Hooters: Get 10 free wings on your birthday when you sign up for the Hooters eClub, https://www.hooterseclub.com

Houlihan's: Join their email club and get $10 off for joining, plus a free entrée on your birthday. http://www.houlihans.com

IHOP: Join their Pancake Revolution and receive a free meal for signing up and on your birthday. http://www.ihop.com

Jamba Juice: Register for the Jamba Insider and get a free smoother or juice on your birthday. https://jamba.spendgo.com/index.html#/rewards

Joe's Crab Shack: Sign up for the restaurant's mailing list and get a coupon for a free birthday appetizer. http://joescrabshack.fbmta.com

Johnny Rockets: Join eClub and receive a free hamburger on your birthday. http://www.johnnyrockets.com

Menchie's: Join the mySmileage rewards program and get a $5 credit to use towards a frozen yogurt on your birthday. http://www.menchies.com

Moe's Southwest Grill: Join their eClub and receive a free gift on your birthday. http://www.moes.com

Outback Steakhouse: Join their rewards program and receive a free dessert on your birthday. http://www.outbacksteakhouse.com

Orange Julius: Get a free drink coupon when you join the Julius League. http://www.orangejulius.com/quench-club

Panera: Sign up for MyPanera Rewards and receive a coupon for a free sweet treat. http://www.panera.com

P.F. Chang's: Sign up for their email updates and get a free dessert on your birthday. https://www.pfchangs.com

Red Lobster: Join their rewards club and get a free gift on your birthday. http://www.redlobster.com

Red Robin: Join their eClub and get a free burger on your birthday. http://www.redrobin.com

Romano's Macaroni Grill: Sign up for the email newsletter and receive a coupon for a free dessert or other money-saving deal. http://www.macaronigrill.com

Ruby Tuesday: Get a free burger on your special day when you join So Connected. http://www.rubytuesday.com

Smashburger: Sign up for the online newsletter and get a birthday coupon for a free shake. https://smashburger.com/club-cards/smashclub/

Sonic Drive-In: Receive a free surprise on your birthday when you register with their Birthday Club. https://www.sonicdrivein.com

Starbucks: Join their rewards club for a free drink on your birthday. http://www.starbucks.com

TCBY: Register online to receive a coupon for a free frozen yogurt on your birthday. http://tcby.fbmta.com

Texas de Brazil: Sign up for the e-club and get a coupon good for a free meal (when one of equal or greater value is purchased). http://www.texasdebrazil.com/eclub

Texas Roadhouse: Get a free appetizer when you sign up for e-newsletter. http://www.texasroadhouse.com

UNO Chicago Grill: Join their rewards program and get a free meal on your birthday. http://www.unos.com

Local restaurants

The Backstage Pub & Grill, 501 Smith St., Schenectady: Grab a complimentary 56-ounce schooner of any draft beer, well drink or menu item priced at less than $10 (minimum order of $15). http://www.thebackstagepubandgrill.com

The Barnsider, 480 Sand Creek Road, Colonie: Receive 50 percent off your birthday entree with the purchase of another entree of equal or lesser value. http://www.barnsiderrestaurant.com

The Barrel Saloon Rock & Roll Country Bar, 942 Broadway, Albany: Receive an adult beverage in a fish bowl on your birthday. http://barrelsaloon.com

Bentley's Tavern, 4 Hemphill Place, Malta: Receive a free meal (up to $10 value) on your birthday. http://www.myfavoritetaverns.com/taverns/bentleys

Bomber's Burrito Bar, multiple locations: You'll get a 64-ounce margarita on your birthday when your party spends $20. http://www.bombersburritobar.com

Brown's Brewing Co., 417 River St., Troy: Receive a free beer sampler on your birthday. http://www.brownsbrewing.com

City Beer Hall, 42 Howard St., Albany: Receive a free 40-ounce glass of Olde English on your birthday. http://www.thecitybeerhall.com

CrossRoads American Grille, routes 43 and 150, West Sand Lake: Receive one wing for each birthday you've celebrated. Good only on your birthday. http://www.facebook.com/CrossRoadsOfWestSandLake

DZ Family Restaurants (Boca Bistro, Forno Bistro, Pasta Pane): Join their preferred guest program and get a $20 gift certificate that can be used on your birthday at any one of their restaurants. http://www.dzrestaurants.com

The Daily Grind, Albany and Troy: Enjoy a complimentary menu item, up to a $10 value, on your birthday. http://dailygrind.com

Graney's Stout, 904 Broadway, Albany: Indulge in a free jug on beer on your birthday. http://graneysbarandgrill.com

Hill Street Café, 180 Madison Ave., Albany: Get a free jumbo liter of beer on your birthday. http://www.hill-street-cafe.com/menu.html

Katie O'Byrne's, Erie Boulevard, Schenectady: Indulge in a free fishbowl of rum punch on your birthday. http://katieobyrnespub.com

Lark Tavern, 453 Washington Ave., Albany: Book a table to celebrate your birthday and get a free bottle of bubbly. http://www.albanylarktavern.com

The Mill on Round Lake, 2121 Route 9, Round Lake: Get $8.95 off one meal the day of your actual birthday. Mug Club members get $8.95 off one meal and a free beer. http://www.myfavoritetaverns.com/taverns/the-mill

The Olde English Pub & Pantry, 683 Broadway, Albany: Receive a giant tea cup of beer.http://www.theoldeenglish.com

Peddler's Bar & Bistro, 16 Old Route 9, Clifton Park: Enjoy a complimentary entree, up to $10 value, the day before, day of, or day after your birthday. http://www.peddlersbarandbistro.com

Pig N' Whistle at The Grove, 654 Saratoga Road, Burnt Hills: Get a free draft beer in a big yard glass on your birthday. http://www.pignwhistleatthegrove.com

Rusty Nail, 1781 Route 9, Clifton Park: Receive one wing for each birthday you've celebrated. Good only on your birthday. http://www.myfavoritetaverns.com/taverns/rusty-nail

The Van Dyck Lounge, 237 Union St., Schenectady: Receive a free beer sampler on your birthday, http://www.vandycklounge.com

Washington Tavern, 250 Western Ave., Albany: Get a complimentary half-yard of domestic beer or a free birthday fishbowl on Saturdays (even if your birthday falls earlier in the week). http://www.washingtontavern.net

Wolff's Biergarten, 895 Broadway, Albany: Enjoy a free Das Boot (2-liter beer) on your birthday. You'll need ID and place a $40 deposit on the boot. http://www.wolffsbiergarten.com/splash.html

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