How to Get Free Stuffby Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger 22 Apr 2009 10:41 AM One of the big benefits of living frugally is that you often get the opportunity for free stuff. This is lots of free stuff, from magazine subscriptions to furniture. You might be amazed at the amount of free stuff that is available if you know how to find it. Free online offers Manufacturers want you to try their products in the hope that you will like these products and then purchase them. Of course, if you get enough free samples, you seldom have to purchase any products at all. Toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, deodorant, tote bags, t-shirts, music, books, magazines and more can all be had for free. The secret here is to focus on legitimate manufacturers and companies. You should never have to enter credit card information for a free offer. Combining coupons and sales From CVS to your local grocery store, combining coupons with sales and rebates are a sure way to get plenty of name brand full sized products for free. Check the sales flyers, or read blogs to find out the deals. One great place to go is freecoupons.com. Every week there are usually several ways to "purchase" products for free. While you are at the grocery store, peruse the free samples. They often give away new products. I've found such things as a free full-size sample of Febreeze. Swapping communities There are many local communities that are formed just for the purpose of swapping items for free. You can ask for specific items or browse to see what everyone else has available. The stuff is always free and no money is ever exchanged. Freecycle.org is the most popular of these sites. For books, you can checkout paperbackswap.com, although you will need to pay for the cost of mailing out books to exchange. What is your favorite way to get free stuff? Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right. Favorite Deal Websites: Related Articles: Cheap Food for a Large Crowd: Snacks How to Get Your Finances in Control Simple Attempts at Money Stewardship Money Saving Steps to Take When You Are Laid Off Learn more about Mary Ann Romans  Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat. Relevantfrugal tags User Comments Tashi (1013) 28 Apr 2009 12:57 PMMy favorite way? Getting tips from friends, especially those who are parents. They always seem to know how to get the deals. I do have a friend (single and an auntie, just like me) who always seems to somehow root out the occasional freebies deals, for which I am grateful, to say the least. So I heed her advice, if the product or service applies to me and my lifestyle or needs. Just today, I signed up for the rewards card at CVS, partly due to a friend's info. Time will tell if it is worth it to *me* in the end. I love getting free samples anywhere I can. A store I used to work at often gives away free samples of cosmetics and other beauty products, even some leftover premiums, like cosmetic bags they're trying to unload. I'd recommend asking store personnel if they have any samples or premiums they're giving out or wanting to get rid of. It works sometimes! :-) Community Tags frugal living, free stuff, freebies, free magazine subscription Discuss this article
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