Not too many desserts say summer like ice cream! A classic favorite, ice cream can be incredibly affordable if you think through some smart money saving strategies. Or it can quickly become expensive if you don’t pay attention. Save money on ice cream so you can make the most of your money so you can score even more sweet treats!
Sign Up for eClubs
If you have a favorite ice cream shop, be sure you’re paying attention to their special sales and coupons. One of the best ways to do this is by signing up for their email list. Note: it’s smart to use an email address reserved only for these types of offers rather than combining your primary work/home emails with coupons and freebies.
Download Apps
Similarly, it’s smart to download the apps your favorite ice cream spots have. Many offer a freebies just for the download. Here are a few to consider:
- Baskin Robbins: Free Regular scoop when you download the app and sign up for mobile deals.
- SONIC Drive-In: Get 1/2 Priced Drinks and Slushies any time (no need to wait for Happy Hour!) when you order with the app. Plus, there are monthly rewards that in the past have included free and discounted ice cream. I got a free corn dog just for downloading.
- Chick-fil-A: Upon occasion, the Chick-fil-A One App offers FREE food. Right now, I have a reward good for a number of freebies including either a cone or a small milkshake. Check yours to see!
- BJ’s: Join BJ’s Premier Rewards and get a FREE Pizookie.
- Dairy Queen: Take advantage of B1G1 Blizzard Offers and more!
Follow Your Favorites on Social Media
Be sure to follow your favorite ice cream shops and brands on social media to get the scoop on their best deals and coupons. During the summer months, many ice cream stops offer free cone days or discounted scoop nights. When I can, I share these in The Queen of Free’s Favorite Bargains on Facebook.
Don’t Forget Your Coupons at the Grocery Store
Each week, it seems like the grocery store rotates which ice creams will be on sale. Pair these sales with a coupon and you have a fantastic deal! Be sure to check your grocery store’s app for coupons, clip them from the paper, or look for them online. You can find plenty of coupons linked out here on Queen of Free, too.
Go With the Store Brand
Don’t be afraid to try to the more cost effective store brand version of ice creams, too! Often you’ll find they have fantastic quality without the high price tag. We personally love the ice cream at ALDI. There I can afford a fancy gelato or speciality treat that wouldn’t fit my budget in the regular grocery store.
If you place your ice cream carton in a gallon plastic bag, you’ll avoid freezer burn and keep the ice cream easier to scoop. You can also use a layer of plastic wrap in between the ice cream and the lid to seal out the air and stretch its shelf life.
Make Your Own with a Machine
You can easily make your own ice cream at home, too! We were given a phenomenal ice cream maker as a gift a few years ago. The Cuisinart 1.5 Ice Cream maker works quickly and makes ice cream that will is to die for – so much better than any I could buy anywhere. However, it comes in at $42 so in my book it’s a little pricey. It does make a great wedding gift!
You can find more affordable models out there (and more expensive ones, too). We also have one (also a gift) that appears to be no longer on the market. But there’s another version where you place ice and the ingredients inside and then kick it around the yard. It comes in at around $30 but has a smaller capacity.
Make Your Own With a Plastic Bag
But if you’re low on cash, you can get the same wonder flavor by making your own ice cream in two plastic bags.
- Fill a gallon plastic bag halfway with ice.
- To the ice, add 1/2 cup of salt (the coarser, the better).
- In a separate pint-sized plastic bag, combine:
- 1/2 c of heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 c of milk (whole tastes best)
- 2 T of sugar
- 1/2 t of vanilla extract
- Tightly seal the pint-sized bag and place it inside of the gallon sized bag.
- Tightly seal the larger bag.
- Shake for approximately five minutes or until the mixture hardens.
- Remove the smaller bag and discard the gallon sized bag.
- Add your favorite candy, cookie, or fruit toppings and eat it straight from the bag.
Keep the savings sweet this summer! Let’s enjoy a classic treat without the extra cash. How do you save money on ice cream? Let me know in the comments.
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This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal, learn about a way to save, or maybe even something for free, I may end up making a small commission. All prices are subject to change.
