Free stuff

I hope you've noticed my growing list of great sites to collect free sample and coupons.

I promise, I have personally checked the validity of each of these sites. I receive almost daily samples in the mail now. Most of the samples take between 4 and 6 weeks to make it to your door, or so they say. Most of them reach me in what seems like at most a few weeks. (The Proctor and Gamble coupons are snail mailed, that is why they need your address!)

As I enter them often I question why I need the particular item... Then comes the day that we have visitors and I only have enough toothpaste and deodorant for us, except for my little stash of samples which can be given out to my guests without the need for an extra shopping trip. I also collect the pet food and treat samples. Why? Because we have friends with pets. Even if we didn't, I'm sure there is a local shelter around here that could benefit from these free items.

The coupons can be a little more tricky, not all retailers accept printed or digital coupons. My suggestion, because you can save tons by using these, is to call the places you shop most often and ask. We can use them at the commissary if they come from the manufacturer. If you find any other sites that offer "free" stuff, coupons, sweepstakes, giveaways or whatever send me a link and I'll let you know if it's a safe place to enter your information. I'll enter my data as long as it's a manufacturer supported page or magazine run sweep.

Make sure you check those sites often if you want to collect all the great things they give out. I've received many samples and even some full sized products! (Waterpik and Mio both sent a full sample!) Also, most of the samples you'll receive come with an additional coupon so you can get more when the sample is out. Collect the coupons, they'll help cut your budget if you really like the product.

*Another note on coupons: price out the items you already get vs. the coupon item. Sometimes it ends up being cheaper to skip the coupon and get whatever you normally buy. I pass off coupons to other shoppers when I decide against using them. I know there are coupon trading websites, similar to craigslist, but I've yet to test them.