Frugal Column February 12, 2012

Where do you find the freebies on the internet? The internet is overflowing with free offers, but it can be time-consuming to weed through the scams and spam to discover truly great deal. Let me help you find the freebies I use on the internet so you will be able to say nay to the people who say you can never get something for free. There are a couple of facts you should be aware of when you are signing up for free stuff. Most sites will ask you to provide your full name, address and phone number. If you are asked to include personal information like your social security number or credit cards don’t do it. Always check the website’s privacy policy for offer details and how your information may be used. I tell many people who do not like to get spam in their inbox to sign up for a gmail, hotmail or yahoo email account all are free of course. Use this email address for your freebies. Facebook is another avenue that many manufacturers give away free products. Start your own facebook page even if you don’t befriend one single person you will be able to sign up for the freebies. You always can check out a facebook wall for any comments good or bad about the freebie you just signed up for. There’s a difference between a deal that comes from a friend or a reliable blog and one that arrives out of the blue. If a pop-up ad or unfamiliar e-mailer invites you to cash in on an offer, I would recommend avoiding it. The product manufacturer is the best place for samples, followed by other major chain store websites like Walmart, CVS, Sam’s Club and Target which will periodically have samples available. One major brand P&G gives out coupons along with samples at their site www.pgeverydaysolutions.com
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http://instoresnow.walmart.com/In-Stores-Now-Free-Samples-and-Savings.aspx
http://cvssavingscentral.com/programs/jnj-healthyessen.aspx

I receive over thirty magazines a month for free plus get the Wall Street Journal delivered to my house for free. Join RewardsGold for free and earn points by answering some short surveys which takes up to 5 minutes and get great magazines delivered to your mailbox. www.rewardsgold.com See what magazines are for free at www.freebizmag.com . You do need to tell a little about your work and they will tell you what business magazines you could receive. Check out www.valuemags.com to see what subscriptions are available for free. They always have lots of digital subscriptions but they also have many magazines that can be sent in the mail. Each one of these websites do not require you to put in a credit card. They may send you a card saying do you want a subscription when you deal is almost over what they are trying to do is have you get used to reading the magazine every month then have you will sign up for an additional subscription. Never sign up for a free magazine that says you will need to write cancel on the magazine bill. Yes you will get probably three or four magazines but if you don’t remember to send in the bill they will charge you. None of the above three websites do this.

One of my major bills is my cable. I always am looking for ways to reduce this bill. I did decrease the number of channels I receive while using www.hulu.com as a source of watching my favorite shows. This site carries the best selection of TV episodes, along with classic and newer flicks. You also can check out www.cbs.com , www.abc.com or www.nbc.com to watch the most recent episode of your favorite shows. All these sites are free. Watch your shows on your computer, iPad or even your phone. Don’t forget to sign up on Redbox.com to receive your free movie code via text every first Monday of the month.

Don’t forget to use one of our most valued places to get things free, the library. Check out your local library online to get 24 hour access to their library’s eAudiobook collection or download one of their eBooks on your computer. You sign up for one of their many informative classes they offer every month. In March I will be teaching another couponing class at Beaumount Library on the 26th starting at 6:30pm. Call 859-231-5500 for reservations. If your child needs help with their homework you now have free mobile access to Tutor.com To Go App on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
Don’t forget free AARP Tax help and preparation at all the different libraries. Just bring in a copy of your last year’s federal and state taxes, W-2 forms for earnings; any substantiate itemized deductions like your car registrations, mortgage interest and any other tax related forms you have received in the mail to have someone help you fill out your taxes.

If you don’t text often don’t get that feature on your phone bill. You can always text a friend for free using www.textem.net . If you and your faraway friends, parents, or relatives sign up for a free account at www.skype.com you can call and see them if you have a webcam over the internet not racking up minutes on your phone plan.

Want to get free coupons on the internet one site that I recommend is www.coupons.com . If you have any products that you use often check out their website for coupons. Where can you also see what is free without doing any searching work from greeting cards, photo books and more check out www.fru-gal-friends.com for your daily deals plus www.freebies4mom.com and www.heyitsfree.net for more freebies sites.

Sign up for Logan’s Roadhouse eClub to receive a coupon for $5 off $20 or more purchase. https://www.logansroadhousetripfor2.com

CVS Deals:

Buy Colgate Total Whitening for $2.75 receive $2 back in extracare bucks plus use 75 cents Sunday paper coupon making the deal FREE.

Puchase four Nivea Lip Care products for $10 use two $3 coupons from Sunday paper plus receive $3 in extracare bucks making the deal just $1 for all four products.

Purchase one Huggies Movers for $19.99 plus twjo Huggies Wipes for $5.99 each use $2 coupon for diapers plus two 50 cents coupons for wipes then receive $10 back in CVS Cash Bucks making the final price just $18.97 for all three products.

Purchase one got2b hair product for $3.99 use $3 Sunday paper coupon making the final price just 99 cents.

Walgreens Deals:

Buy two packages of Glade Scented Oil Candles for $6 receive $1 in register rewards use $2 Sunday paper coupon making the final price just $1.50 each.