Look through your parents’ or grandparents’ old collection – Many people who collected cards in the 1950s-80s still have boxes of cards stuffed in the attic or basement that they may be willing to give to you or sell to you cheaply. Going through old collections is one of the best ways to find vintage cards in good condition at a low price point.

Ask local card shops if they have any free cards – Card shops often accumulate common duplicate cards that they can’t sell individually. Stop in and ask if they have any free cards they’d be willing to give away, especially commons from current sets. They may have a box of cheap cards by the register.

Enter online card giveaways – Websites like Blowout Cards and Sports Card Forum sometimes run online contests or giveaways where submitting your name enters you to win packs or boxes of current or vintage cards for free. Keep an eye out for these opportunities.

Check coupon insert websites – Sites like Coupons.com and RetailMeNot sometimes have printable coupons for a free pack or box of cards with a qualifying purchase at Target, Walmart, or Michaels. You can stock up on commons this way.

Attend local card shows and conventions – Most areas have monthly or quarterly shows where vendors set up tables to buy, sell, and trade cards. Ask the vendors if they have any free card handouts, especially ones from sets released many years ago when those cards were common. Shows are also a good place to find discount bins.

Visit local card shops on pack-search nights – Some shops hold weekly “pack search” events where you can pay a small fee like $5-10 to dig through cases of already-searched packs for rare hits others may have missed. It’s entertainment and you’ll fill your collection with commons.

Check yard sales, thrift stores, and flea markets – You never know what you may find amongst the random boxes and tubs of items for sale. People often donate vast card collections without realizing their value. Be sure to thoroughly search these venues on weekends.

Network with other collectors on social media – Join collector pages and groups on Facebook to get a sense of who in your area collects and what duplicates they may want to donate or trade. Building connections takes time but can pay off with free cards down the line.

Look into donator or volunteer programs – Some large card companies and charities use donated card collections as rewards. You may be able to sign up to help organize shipments and receive cards as thanks. It’s a longshot, but possible.

See if your local library accepts card donations – Libraries are always looking for new programs and activities, especially for kids and teens. If they don’t already have one, you may be able to spearhead a card collection/trade program using donated cards to keep it stocked.

Keep an eye out for contest prize packs on YouTube – Popular collectors and breakers sometimes give away free boxes as prizes. Be sure to follow all the submission rules, but it’s a free roll of the dice.

While getting anything truly valuable for free is rare, with some patience and networking in your local card community, you can definitely build a large and interesting collection and enjoy the hobby without spending a fortune. Resale shops, yard sales, online giveaways, and swapping duplicates with others are some of the best no-cost ways to gather cards. With some luck and persistence, free cards can be found.