After a particularly fruitful 2011 where freebies were concerned, including a nearly free Christmas, and more freebies than you can shake a stick at, 2012 is here, and I look forward to another year of freebies!
Over 2011, I learned a few things about signing up for freebies. I learned there are some things you can live without. For instance, I signed up for a subscription to the Wall Street Journal. Little did I know it's the same news as every other national news paper and if I had already checked Yahoo! News, I had already read about it by the time it arrived in my mail box. However, it arrived every day, including weekend editions and other special editions, and papers soon piled up all over the house. I eventually chucked it all in the recycling bin, and kept it moving. I'm probably going to use more discretion about my subscriptions in 2012. It's not a resolution, as much as a guideline.
Another thing I learned is that sometimes too good to be true, is. I kept lists posted on my wall of all the freebies I signed up for. However, out of all the offers I signed up for, I received only about 75-80% of all of them. That's not bad, until you consider that I was glued to Facebook, Twitter, Shoptext, and other media outlets for most of 2011! Some were scams; some offers were expired and the webmaster hadn't updated the page. Now, I stick to manufacturer's webpages, and give myself room to breathe.
Finally, I had to accept that some things were not useful. I have no use for a inhaler holster, but I have one. I now try to make sure that I actually need the item before I input my information. It's a pretty simple rule of thumb. When in doubt, pass it up.
Below, I'm linking to all the freebies articles I posted last year. (Note: these are not all the freebies I received, just all I blogged about.) Maybe it will inspire you to keep your eyes peeled for freebies!
These are listed chronologically.
AV's First Big Freebie Haul!
The Second Day's Haul
Surprise Freebies
Another Great Freebie Haul!
More Freebies
Freebie Haul #5: The Freebies Strike Back
Freebie Haul #6: Some very "adult" freebies!
Freebie Haul #7: Grown folk stuff, but not "adult"
Freebie Haul #8: WINNING!!!!!
Freebie Haul IX!!!
Freebie Haul X: Some truly awesome stuff!
Freebie Haul XI: Books 'n mags
I won...Cover Girl!
Freebie Haul 12: No more Roman numerals, mmmkay?
Freebie Haul 13: Free, free, and Happy Easter!
Freebie Haul 14: Redenbacher, Playtex, and Dannon!
I won a TRUCK from Herr's Snacks!....sort of
Freebie Haul 16: Freebies, and an Oopsie
Freebie Haul 17: Kotex, candy, Physician's Formula, and Uncle Ben's!
Freebie Haul 18: International Delight, Shout, and Fiber Choice!
Freebie Haul 19: A cup, a cup-- Keurig, and New England Coffee!
Freebie Haul 20: John Frieda, Invisible Glass, and Clean & Clear!
(Don't ask why it jumps from 20 to 22; I'm not sure what happened!)
Freebie Haul 22: Gillette, Downy, Cottonelle, and more!
Freebie Haul 23: T-shirts!
Freebie Haul 24: ...and I'm wearing it now!
Freebie Haul 25: Feelin' Girly!
Freebie Haul 26: FREE Salad, trash cans, and a Caboodle!
Freebie Haul 27: Birthday freebies, and more!
Freebie Haul 28: Birthday E-Freebies!
Freebie Haul 29: Suave, John Frieda, and Oscar Meyer!
Freebie Haul 30: Wall Street Journal, Twix, and Garnier!
Freebie Haul 31: All my magazines (so far)
Freebie Haul 32: Special pre-Black Friday edition!
Before you click links in any of these entries, most of the offers are expired; don't say I didn't warn you!
As I mentioned before, I haven't posted all my freebies. Some things, like feminine hygiene products, lotions, and hair care products, tend to offer samples frequently throughout the year, and I signed up each time they were offered. Subscriptions are usually only mentioned once, and most were in my subscriptions entries. When you factor all of these things in, you begin to realize that I have gotten something free in the mail (or UPS) at least once a week since March 15, 2011! I have saved a lot of money and hope to continue to do it in 2012!
Happy saving!
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