With rising rents and inflation squeezing everyone, finding ways to save a few bucks has become a necessity. Forget dollar slices and cheap coffee; even a basic grilled cheese costs a fortune these days. As a broke college student, I’ve had to get creative to make ends meet. So, here are some, shall we say, unconventional methods I’ve discovered for getting free stuff or making a little extra cash.
Disclaimer: Most of these techniques are unethical or even illegal. Proceed at your own risk.
A digital collage showing a pixelated head with the words "SCAMMER" over it, against a gray background.
Get Spotify Premium on the Cheap
Tired of shelling out for Spotify Premium or enduring endless Soundcloud ads? What if I told you that for around $5, you could jump onto someone else’s family plan?
Step 1: Head over to a site like Spotify Upgrade. Numerous similar sites exist, just search “Spotify Upgrader.” This one is my go-to, and I’ve been riding their family plan for about two years without issues.
Step 2: Purchase an activation key. You can use a credit card or Bitcoin, if you prefer.
Step 3: Follow the site’s instructions to upgrade your account.
Risk: 0
Reward: 10
A screenshot of a website with a text overlay saying "Spotify Scam".
Tap Into Class Action Lawsuit Settlements
Class action lawsuits happen when large corporations are sued by a group of people and have to pay out a settlement. Anyone affected can claim a portion of the payout. These corporations have deep pockets, so why not try to grab your small share?
Step 1: Browse a class action lawsuit website like Top Class Actions.
Step 2: Search for settlements that do not require proof of purchase.
Step 3: Locate the claim website or form; this might take a little searching.
Step 4: Fill out the claim, but be realistic. Don’t claim you bought 100 bottles of defective baby formula if you didn’t.
Step 5: Sit tight and wait for the money. Checks usually arrive within a few months.
Payouts vary wildly, from a few cents to a few hundred dollars. Some people have reported receiving checks for as much as $300.
Risk: 2
Reward: 7.5
A digital illustration of a judge's gavel, with a dollar bill and legal documents scattered around it, and the words "lawsuit scam" written above.
Free Laundry Hack
Rent is already outrageous, so why pay for coin-operated laundry in your building? Here’s a way to avoid it.
Step 1: If you have coin-op laundry, find your washer/dryer model number online and order a key for it. Most locks on these machines are keyed the same by model.
Step 2: Use the key to access the machine’s “maintenance mode,” which allows you to adjust pricing or even start the machine without paying. Check your machine’s manual (often available online for free) to find out how to access this mode.
Bonus tip: Check the quarter lockbox; sometimes they’re left unlocked.
Risk: 1
Reward: 10
A graphic of a key with the word "scam" on it.
The Lost and Found Trick
Need an iPhone charger or some headphones? Head to any lost and found: universities, bars, museums, anywhere.
Tell them you lost a generic branded item. Chances are they’ll have one for you. Many bars have unclaimed phones; claim one as your own, or have a friend go in the next day with your description to claim it.
Risk: 5
Reward: 8.5
A digital drawing of a hand reaching into a box labeled "Lost & Found", with various objects inside like a wallet, keys, phone, and a baseball cap.
Free Food from Major Chains
Many large chain corporations with customer service numbers offer refunds over the phone. It’s surprisingly easy to get a refund or gift card, even if you never spent any money. This works for online chat customer service too, if you can speak to an actual person.
Simply complain about the food or your experience to get a refund or gift card. This method is effective for most food places and delivery services.
Example: Starbucks
Step 1: Get the address of any Starbucks and create a Starbucks account.
Step 2: Call Starbucks’ customer service line at 1(800)782-7282. Claim you had a bad experience at the drive-through or in-store; for instance, the food was cold or the drink was bad, and you were unable to go back. Sound genuinely disappointed.
Script Example: “Hi, I’m calling to make a complaint. I ordered a _____ earlier today, and it was _______. I’m really disappointed because I was ___________.”
Step 3: Ask for a refund.
Step 4: They’ll credit your account directly or send a gift card, usually around $10-15.
Step 5: Repeat as needed.
Risk: 0
Reward: 9
A digital illustration of a receipt with the word "scam" written on it.
Run a Fake Raffle
Take advantage of looking young and innocent while you can. This works best if you’re still in high school or have a youthful appearance.
Create a fake fundraising raffle for a school – the more authentic, the more money you’ll get.
Step 1: Design and print out a fake raffle contest for a high school in your area (maybe not your own).
Step 2: Make up some fake prizes; include photos and descriptions to make it more believable.
Step 3: Create a spreadsheet to gather contact info, get some raffle tickets, a clipboard, and a pen. Ask to see IDs for more authenticity.
Step 4: Go door-to-door asking people to enter for a chance to win. Invent a plausible reason for fundraising.
Step 5: Keep going until you’re tired or have enough money.
Risk: 7
Reward: 10
A digital drawing of several ID cards with the words "FAKE IDS" above them.
If you’re keen to explore further down this path of scam artistry, consider these tools:
Words by: Wes the intern
Illustrations by: Wilson Lucas
Share this with a scam artist on Facebook
Do not narc out and report this on Instagram and Twitter
