Who doesn’t love free stuff? I know I do! In fact, I haven’t bought eye shadow in years because I have so many (full-sized!) samples thanks to Clinique Bonus Time. And I’ve been known to skip a meal before heading to my local warehouse club, where samples often abound (last time it was cheese ravioli with dried fruit for dessert!).
These days, you don’t have to hope you get lucky in stores, though; the internet makes it super easy to score freebies anytime. For our July article “Freebie heaven” we gathered up all the insider tips for finding the best giveaways, plus the gotchas to avoid.
Here are some great sites to click for free stuff:
Many giveaways are sample sizes of new (or revamped) products companies want you to try. Play your cards right and you’ll never have to pay for travel-sized toiletries again! Plus you can try new products and decide if you like them before you spend your money on a full-sized version. You can also get full-sized goodies, but they’re harder to find.
You’ll find more places to score, plus those pesky gotchas, in our July issue. Please let us know about any great giveaways you score!
Makenna
09:58:35 AM on Tue Jun 19 2012
Hey, there's also a great freebie site I've found recently- www.freesamplefrenzy.com! They're pretty active and keep up to date with all the newest freebies, and they also make it very easy to get the freebies and explain well.
Linda R
02:40:52 PM on Tue Jun 19 2012
You should try freebieshark.com too - he has lots of fast/free links.
Tim
10:27:52 AM on Wed Jun 20 2012
There's also another great list of birthday freebies (and lots of other stuff) called Freebie Depot - www.freebie-depot.com
zuzu
12:43:43 PM on Thu Jun 21 2012
One thing about "travel-size" samples is that they can be higher quality than the regular product! Yes, another marketing technique. Adjust your expectations accordingly.
Kathy
01:08:49 PM on Thu Jun 21 2012
There is another website that offers freebies. It is www.getitfree.us. I have been doing if for a few weeks and have gotten a few things. Just ordered a free necklace and didn't have to pay shipping charges. They will send daily e-mails also.
lucille
01:33:05 PM on Thu Jun 21 2012
I love free stuff!
PMB
02:35:06 PM on Thu Jun 21 2012
Don't be fooled for a minute that anything is "free" entirely - with the exception of Consumer Reports magazine, every company sells ads and your personal info - or, they make you register online with lots of hoops to jump through. It's up to you to decide what your time - and privacy - should be worth.
Karen
02:44:18 PM on Thu Jun 21 2012
Thanks but the first time I tried to enter my info for free samples, I got a list of questions to answer, including my household income, which I will not provide for ANYONE. I can't imagine why they would need to know that to send me a free sample of anything.
KJ
03:17:03 PM on Thu Jun 21 2012
I travel a lot for work and one of my tips is going to Sephora and asking to sample the perfume I wear regularly. They will always give you a small spray bottle of the perfume(s) you ask for and it's always under 3.0 oz, usually lasts 4-5 days and then just throw it away! and best of all free! Also, you can usually smooth talk some people there for free samples from things like shampoo/conditioner to facewash/creams! Happy shopping for samples :)
Kyle
04:29:29 PM on Thu Jun 21 2012
I use the Samples Website FreeSamplesNetwork.com and AzFreeStuff.com both are updated everyday multiple times and are better than some of the outdated ones out there.
Lori
05:42:28 PM on Thu Jun 21 2012
My favorite freebie site is http://www.freesamplefrenzy.com ! They have real freebies. My favorite part is when they post a great printable coupon and tell you where & how to use it to get an item free at your local store!!
Marie
10:16:01 PM on Thu Jun 21 2012
I use http://slickdeals.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?sduid=0&f=4 for freebies because they weed out the spam
Freebie cat is also good.
Free samples from places like P&G (Pantene shampoo, Always Maxi Pads, Head & Shoulders, etc) are always legit. Many well known companies give away free samples of their products. Lever Bros gives away Dove shampoo, conditioner, & Body wash. Just have to read Spanish or, like me, use Google Chrome to translate the form for you.
Target & Wal-Mart, Kroger's, Costco, and Sam's Club often have samples, too.
Jenny
02:50:16 PM on Wed Jun 27 2012
I like Free Stuff Finder. Another great site for keeping up with the latest freebie offers: http://www.freestufffinder.com
Anna
02:59:24 AM on Thu Jun 28 2012
I just found this magazine at Target trying to kill time before work and I am in love. I have only read the June issue but I was wondering if there was any articles in past magazines about how to receive coupon magazines/booklets/packets in the mail. I will definitely be reading future issues!
Albert
11:42:24 PM on Sat Jul 14 2012
As someone mentioned Slickdeals is good - basically repost from the popular blogs...I like www.hip2save.com - www.clipandfollow.com & www.hunt4freebies.com
Derek
03:11:20 PM on Tue Jul 17 2012
Nice list Jodi but I am surprised that http://www.icravefreebies.com/ did not make it to your list. I Crave Freebies is one of the better freebies blog out there and like other good freebies blogs it is updated through out the day. Do check it out!
Stacy
12:51:52 PM on Sat Aug 18 2012
www.freebieshark.com is probably the best!
Shannon
03:26:50 PM on Sun Sep 16 2012
www.heavenlysteals.com is my most favorite.
Sunny
02:15:37 PM on Thu Jan 24 2013
Hi! You might also want to try http://www.thebirthdayregister.com/ for free birthday stuff. :)
Vicki Burris
05:46:16 PM on Sun Feb 3 2013
Hope I can get some free samples!! :)