Recent Freebies

Hi everyone! Today I have a quick post with some of my awesome recent freebies.

This L'Oreal Youth Code Pore Vanisher was an unexpected treat!  Cosmopolitan Magazine and L'Oreal randomly sent me this full-size product asking me to try it out and give feedback.  How cool is that? I was really excited to receive this, since I had sampled this product awhile back and really liked it.  You can read my review here.

This full-sized L'oreal Colour Riche Extraordinaire Lipcolour was also from Cosmo Magazine and L'Oreal.  They sent me an email asking if I'd be willing to try this lipgloss and fill out a survey about my experience.  I really liked this product, so I will likely post a review soon!

When I requested this freebie, I thought it seemed a little too good to be true.  So, I was really excited when it actually arrived!  I got these Jockey Skimmies shorts for creating an account with Jockey.  I love wearing dresses and skirts all summer, and I always wear cotton hot pants-type shorts under them.  These are like an upgraded version of my usual shorts.  The nude color is great and the fabric is like a slip, so there is no catching on dresses or skirts.  These aren't shapewear, so they aren't tight and don't create any weird bulges.  I highly recommend these to all my dress-loving readers!  

I won this full-sized Suave Visible Glow Self-Tanning Body Lotion from a Suave Facebook giveaway.  If you like their products, you should definitely friend them on Facebook, because they give away tons of free products and samples! 

I got this NeilMed Sinus Rinse for reading a tutorial and taking a quiz on their site.  It might not seem all that exciting, but this product is worth more than $10 and is a total lifesaver if you have sinus problems or allergies!

I got two sets of this Dove Oxygen Moisture Shampoo/Conditioner sample from different sample sites.  (I think one was from Pinch Me, and the other was from Walmart.) This is the first time I remember trying Dove shampoo.  I used the first set already, and I really liked it!  It is a good inexpensive shampoo for fine hair.

This Dove deodorant sample was from Poshly.

These Olay and Herbal Essences body washes came from a P&G Sample Box, and an Orgullosa Box.  If you like P&G products check out both the P&G site and their site for Latinas called Orgullosa.  Both offer great sample packs!

Frizz Ease Styling product samples from John Frieda. 

 These are various small samples: Crest White strips, Suave Naturals, Ban cloths, Olay lotion.

So, what freebies and deals have you gotten lately?

New In: Freebies and Bargains

I have gotten a lot of great freebies and bargains lately, so, it seems that I'm long over due for a freebies and bargain post.

Freebies

These cute little sandals from H&M were FREE!  They are possibly one of my greatest bargain snags to date!  Neshaminy Mall sent me an online survey that promised a $10 gift card, so I completed it and scored $10 free.  At the mall, I was looking for some little summer sandals.  These fit the bill, and were priced at $12.95.  So, with my gift card, I expected to pay $3.  Not a bad deal!

Oh but it gets better....

At the register, the sandals rang up $5 on clearance... AND all the clearance was buy one get one free!!!  My sister got a little two-pack of panties as the BOGO deal. So, I got these sandals, panties for my sister, and still have $5 of free money on my card. How awesome is that???

I won these two chocolaty-brown Nicole for OPI polishes from a Dove chocolate giveaway on Facebook. The prize also included a coupon for a free Dove chocolate bar-yum!

Wet 'N Wild always offers $1-off coupons, making their 99 cents items FREE.  I got these two colors free with coupons at CVS. If I keep getting these deals, pretty soon I'll own every color!

I won this full-sized Weleda Pomegranate lotion from their Facebook giveaway.

Free lotion samples that I requested by mail: Jergens BB Body, and Suave Moroccan Infusion.

A free sample of Pantene shampoo and conditioner.

Samples of John Frieda shampoo/conditioner and Garnier Fructis Marvelous Oil.

I scored all of these for free in a "Start Sampling" box.  I like medicine samples like the Tums and Breathe Right strips, because they are great to keep around in case someone in my house gets sick.  Because of free samples, I have a little medicine stash in case of emergencies.  I also got this Garnier Fructis Damage Eraser Sample, and best of all, a free Colgate tooth brush!

These are random samples.  I grabbed a Gucci cologne sample for my BF, Burberry Brit and a body splash for me.  The L'Oreal Pore Vanisher, Garnier 5 Second Blur, and Olay came in my free magazines-so double win there! I also got this Tide sample, and a coupon for a free full-sized bottle of Suave. I'm going to give the Suave to my BF.

Some vitamin samples...Zarbees natural allergy relief, Heliocare, and all the rest are from AI Sports Nutrition.  I'm not sure if these AI Sports products are a sample pack or a giveaway, because it seems really generous for just a sample!

I also picked up some things for free with coupons at CVS.  This Almay eye makeup remover was free with coupons and Extra Care Bucks. (Sorry, I used it before taking the pic!)

 This Colgate Optic White toothpaste was free at CVS after Extra Care Bucks and coupons.

Bargains

This sporty white watch was just $2.50 on Ebay, including the shipping from China!  It works great and looks really nice.  It also comes in other bright colors.

I found these two skinny belts on sale at Charlotte Russe at Neshaminy Mall.  They were $1.99 for both (so, less than $1 each!) and they are perfect for summer dresses and skater skirts.

 I found this small cross-body handbag on Ebay. It was $4.50-and that's including shipping from China!  Obviously, for just $4.50 it is not top-of-the-line quality, but it is a good-looking bag and perfect for the price.  It almost resembles a small version of the Marc Jacobs Natasha Bag.  It also comes in a variety colors.  I've been pretty satisfied with inexpensive bags that I've purchased from China.  So, if you need a certain color, shape, or style of handbag but don't want to pay a lot for something you won't wear often, Ebay is a great place to look.

 So, have you scored any great freebies or bargains lately?

Recent Freebies

I noticed it has been quite awhile since I did a legit freebie post, so I rounded up some recent freebies for you guys... I've gotten lots more free samples than I show here because these days I tend to use them up as I get them, instead of letting them pile up.

So, here are some new freebies...

I won this Physician's Formula liquid liner set in a Facebook giveaway.  It is really pretty and sparkly.  I'm quite curious to try it out!

This was kind of an odd but useful win...I got this iron cleaner from another giveaway. 

These are just a few of the free magazine subscriptions that I receive! 

A couple of Maybelline Fit Me blushes that I got for free with coupons at Target. 

I got this Colgate 360 toothbrush for free at CVS using coupons.

Free eyeshadow at Dollar Tree with coupons.

Free mascara at Dollar Tree with coupons.

Rimmel Glam Eyes Palette free at Dollar Tree with coupon.  

And finally, some free samples that I got in the mail.  I got tons of coffee just recently, and some tea.  Which is great because I can never have enough coffee or tea!

So, what freebies have you scored lately?

Want to get some freebies like this too? Check out my previous posts on giveaways, coupons, and free samples.

   

Freebie Alert-Free Blush at Target with Coupons

I scored these 2 blushes for free at Target yesterday evening!  Actually, they were more than free...Target paid me $1 for these!!!

These Fit Me blushes by Maybelline cost $4.49 at my local Target.  I bought the Light Rose and Light Pink shades.

I used a $3 off Maybelline manufacturer's coupon combined with a $2 off Maybelline Target coupon to buy each of these items.  The coupons totaled $5 for each blush, but the actual cost of the item was only $4.49.  The extra dollar left over from the coupons was deducted from the cost of the other items I bought in my order. So, not only did I score a free blush for me and my sister, but I earned a dollar in the process! Coupons are awesome!

So, have you gotten any great deals lately?    

Winning is Beautiful!

How I win free beauty products in giveaways and sweepstakes.

Last week, I saw a package for me on my living room table.  That was nothing unusual.  I'm always requesting samples, so I'm always getting some sort of package. I became curious when I saw it was from Mary Kay, though.  The envelope felt like it contained actual makeup, not a sample, and I didn't remember requesting anything from them... 

When I opened the package, there was a pretty bronze cream shadow and a brush.  I had won a weekly sweepstakes from Project Runway and Mary Kay!  How exciting!

This is nowhere near my first win, however.  Last year, I got into requesting product samples after I happened to randomly see a Yahoo News article about free samples that sparked my interest.  The type of people who request samples often enjoy the hobbies of couponing and "sweeping" (or entering sweepstakes), as well.  As I began to read blogs about free samples, I also saw many sweepstakes and giveaways mentioned.  So, I thought, it didn't hurt to enter.  Slowly, I became a bit of a "sweeper" myself.

Although my friends and family make fun of me for it, I really enjoy samples, sweepstakes, and coupons!  I totally understand how, to my friends, they may seem like comical hobbies better suited for a stay-at-home mom with OCD.   But I see it differently.  I have plenty of nonconstructive online pursuits (like Facebook stalking, obsessive online shopping, random Youtube tangents, and so on. I'm sure I'm not alone...) But the thing that differentiates sampling and sweeping is that they are actually productive "time wasters."  I send my name and address out into cyberspace and often get something I didn't have before in return.  All types of nice things show up in my mailbox for free.  How cool is that?

That's why I thought I'd share the love and show you guys some of the things I've won over the past year, as well as give you some sweepstakes pointers.

This is a Dove prize pack I won last year in their daily holiday sweepstakes.  It contained Dove body wash, a nice bath pillow, aromatherapy oil and eye mask, and yummy French Vanilla tea. 

I won this Milani lipstick from a Facebook giveaway. 

I won these full-sized Vaseline products from a "She Finds" sweeps. 

I won these energy bars from a Facebook sweepstakes. (They were really good, btw!)

I got this full-sized Nivea lip butter from a giveaway on Nivea's Facebook page. 

I won Aussie deep conditioner from Allure Magazine.

I snagged a full size Suave Moroccan Infusion Shampoo in a Suave giveaway.   

I was the winner of a Palmer's weekly sweepstakes.  

And just this weekend, I got this email message:

Here are my tips on how you can win: 

1. Find sweepstakes and giveaways.  There are many ways to do this.  Connect with companies you like on whatever social media sites you regularly use.  Many giveaways and sweeps work through Facebook entries.  There are also a substantial amount you can find on Twitter, Instagram, etc.  If you like a company on Facebook, you will be able to see when they post promotions.  There are also tons of blogs and webpages made just for contest, sweepstakes, and giveaway information.  My favorite sites for finding sweepstakes are http://contests.about.com/ and Samplestuff.com's Facebook page " Free Samples And Freebies"

2. Enter the contests that you really want to win.  Since there are so many contests out there, it makes sense to focus just on ones that you actually would like to win.  What good is it to get something useless, even if it's free?  Not only that, but it is selfish, as you are taking a prize from someone out there who really wanted it.  I always think, "Would I actually use this thing?" before submitting my information. I try to only enter sweepstakes that offer something I am either dying to have, or at the very least, could be useful/fun in my daily life.

3. Increase your odds.  First, if you enter tons of sweeps, statistically you are bound to win some!  So the more you enter, the better your chances.  There are also some other simple considerations to boost your odds.  Sweeps that are for lesser known companies, less valuable items, or nitch products will likely have fewer entrants, making it easier for you to win.  Sweeps with restrictions (state/age/gender etc) also will have better odds than those with none.  Check the entry rules about how often you can enter, too.  Some allow daily or weekly entry, others are one time only. Enter each as much as possible to boost your chances.  Any contest that requires you to do something extra or creative (upload a photo, write a paragraph and so on..) will likely have fewer entrants than those that just require a form.  The more prizes given, the more likely you are to win.  With the Mary Kay sweeps I just won, they chose 5,000 winners weekly.  Those are much better odds than just 1 winner a week.  The shorter the entry period, the better the odds.  So, those quick day-long Facebook giveaways are pretty easy to win.  Many of the items I won are from this type of sweepstakes!

4. Always check your email.  I didn't get any message about winning the Mary Kay sweepstakes, but usually, with even the smallest giveaways, they inform you that you won and ask you to verify your address within a certain time frame.  If you fail to respond you can lose your prize.  Over the summer, I was travelling in Guatemala, and due to spotty computer access, I did not check my email often.  I won a lip and cheek color set from Lucky Magazine worth over a hundred dollars, but I didn't respond to the email soon enough.  Unfortunately, I lost out on my most valuable prize so far.  Not cool!  Also, many times the notification email is sent from an individual employee, and can look quite unofficial, so check your email regularly and carefully.  

5. Think like a winner.  I totally believe in visualization and positive thinking.  If you feel like you are going to win, you probably will.

Finally, and most importantly: 

6. Don't give up!!! Keep entering.  It takes time for sweepstakes to close, for the companies to choose names and contact winners.  Chances are you will forget you even entered by the time you hear you won! Give it time, and keep going.  If you are persistent you will surely win.  

I wish you the best of luck!    

So, do you enter giveaways and contests?  Have you ever won any?  Please feel free to share your own winning tips in the comments.

Living Larger With Coupons

Tips on how to use coupons to get better, cheaper, or free things!

Although I love a great sale and practically make a sport of bargain hunting, my interest in coupons is fairly new.  (You can read about one of my first couponing scores HERE.)  Before, I used to think that using coupons was bothersome and a waste of time. After a few great couponing buys, however, my opinion on the matter changed dramatically.

Shopping with coupons does take time and care, but I have come to realize that the deals I get with coupons make the effort worthwhile.  I once read a blog about saving money, and in regards to the hassle of coupons and hunting down sales, the author said, "just because you are money poor doesn't mean that you are time poor."  So true!  When I walk out of the store with something for free, or a receipt that shows I saved 50% off of the total after sales and coupons, all of the clipping, organizing, and reading store ads seems well worth the trouble.     

Here are just a few of my awesome coupon deals on cosmetics:

 Almay Intense I Color Liner-FREE at Target with coupons

Physician's Formula Eye Definer Felt-Tip Eye marker-50 cents at CVS with coupons

L'oreal Creme Eye Shadow Stick-FREE at Dollar Tree with coupons

Wet N Wild Nail Polish-FREE with at CVS with coupons

L'oreal Eyeliners-FREE at Dollar Tree with coupons

While I am not anything close to an extreme couponer, I can give you the basics and some tips to get the most for your money with coupons.

Where to find coupons:

• Redplum Coupon Circulars- these are mailed or hand-delivered to homes in many areas of the US.  Do you throw away that little plastic bag with weekly store ads?  I always used to, but that's free money!  
• Sunday Paper Inserts- If, like me, you are fortunate enough to have a family member who subscribes, you can just grab these.  The Sunday paper often contains P&G circulars that have tons of coupons for popular drugstore health and beauty brands.  I don't think I would consider buying a paper just for coupons.  I personally feel like that defeats the purpose, but many people do it.
• Free samples-Many free samples also come with coupons for the product, which is a win-win!  
• Magazines-Occasionally you can find coupons for health and beauty items, or clothing store discount codes in magazines.  I never noticed they were there until I began using coupons.
• Paper Coupons Online-There are tons of printable coupons online!  I don't use these too much.  Printing uses ink and paper, and most of the coupons I find online seem to be the same as those offered in the coupon circulars that I already have.  Also, coupon sites usually force you to install coupon software, and I don't like that idea.  The only printable coupons I use online are Target..and you will see why later in this post!
• Electronic Coupons Online-Some sites allow you to add coupons to your phone or store loyalty card.  I have not gotten into using those yet.  But that seems like a better idea than printing coupons.
• On/Inside Products-Some have coupons stuck to the outside, or tucked away in the packaging.  These are easy ones, because they find you.
• Coupons that print at the store register after you purchase- These are good because they usually are for items that you purchased and not some random thing.

As you see, there are many ways to find coupons to use.  Of course, if you plan to buy a product anyway, and you use a coupon to buy it, obviously you will save more than you would have saved without it.  Use these tips though, and your savings will multiply even more...

How to get the most for your money with coupons:

• Combine the coupons with store sales- Look at the weekly store ads and match your coupons to sale products.  This requires strategy, forward thinking, and self-control, but is the best way to save with coupons.  Most of us go into a store and buy whatever we want or need for whatever price the store asks. But buy the item before you need it, when it is on sale, and use a coupon, and the savings can be amazing!   
• Read the store coupon policy- Every store has a different set of rules.  You need to know their rules to take the most advantage of available deals.  
• Get a store loyalty card- Tons of stores use these to give you savings.  Make sure you get one and keep it with you.
• Shop at stores that allow you to "stack" savings or offer store loyalty savings-"Stacking" is coupon-ese for using a manufacturer coupon and store coupon at the same time.  Most stores with loyalty points or cash back programs allow manufacturer's coupons with these deals as well. It is like doubling your savings! Not all stores do it.  Look for more about how this works in my best places to shop section. 
• Some stores double coupons under $1-This is mostly found in grocery stores, but a good thing to know, none-the-less.  If you find a store that offers both low prices and double coupons, it is amazing how much you can save!  
• Don't be brand-loyal- If you are willing to swap brands, you can save more often. If you are stuck on a certain brand or product, you can still get great deals, you will just have to wait until that specific item goes on sale.  If you are more flexible, that opens up more opportunities for bargains.  
• Don't rule out pricier brands- Before couponing, I would sometimes buy store brands or less-expensive products to save money on health and beauty items such as razors or makeup remover.  Now, I find that with the right sales and coupons, I can usually get the more expensive and higher-quality brands for the same price or less than a full-price store brand.  While you might not "save" any money, you add value, and end up with a much nicer product for the same price as the cheap one!   
• Keep your coupons with you!- This is the hard part.  If you don't have it, or forget you have it, you can't use it.  

The Best Places to Shop Using Coupons:

• CVS-I think CVS is my favorite drugstore to shop lately.  Their store ads are pretty easy to read and usually list actual prices so you can do the math of how much something would cost with your coupon.  CVS has an "ExtraCare" rewards card.  When you sign up, you get special printable coupons, offers, and discounts, but most importantly, you get "Extra Care Bucks" for certain items which are like cash vouchers. And, you can use these savings in combination with manufacturer coupons.  Sound complicated? Well, for example, I bought the Physician's Formula eyeliner... It was $7.50 full price.  CVS had a sale offering $6 in ECB for any Physician's Formula product over $7.  I combined that with a $1 off coupon and got the eyeliner for only 50 cents!  The bad thing is that the ECB are for your next purchase, you must put out the cash up front and then get refunded.  So if you do not go back and redeem the Extra Care Bucks, then you lose out on the deal.  Since I shop there all the time, that is not an issue for me.
• Target- Target has their own store coupons (available online or sometimes found in coupon circulars) that can be combined with manufacturer's coupons.  That is how I got the Almay eyeliner for free.  It's regular price was $4.99 but I had a $3 off Almay coupon, and a $2 off Almay Target coupon=FREE!
• Dollar Tree-Yes,Dollar Tree accepts coupons, too!  Their prices are already just $1.  So, it is awesome getting an already cheap item for even cheaper.  Plus, you never have to wonder how much a product is worth.  If you see a coupon for something that Dollar Tree carries, you can easily figure the cost.  I get a lot of free cosmetic items there because most drugstore brands like Revlon, Maybelline, etc. offer coupons of a dollar or more.  Every now and then Dollar Tree has closeout drug store makeup, like the L'oreal eye shadow and liner pictured.  So with the right coupon, you can walk out with makeup or other items for nothing! 
• Chain restaurants/Fast food- Many chain places offer coupons, usually BOGO deals for fast food or a certain amount of dollars off of the bill at restaurant chains.  I'm not a big fan of fast food, and rarely eat it, but the few times I have this year, I split a BOGO deal with a friend so the two of us ate for the price of one.  During the spring, Dunkin Donuts had a special coupon for free iced coffee every Monday in April! And just the other day, I got a Dunkin iced latte with a coupon for just $1.99 instead of $3.70.  Free and cheap coffee??? What a sweet deal!    
• Shoprite-I didn't really focus on food coupons for this article since my blog is geared towards beauty, but Shoprite has low prices, good sales, fresh products and they double coupons! 

So, my fellow barganistas, do you enjoy using coupons or can't be bothered?  I'd love to hear about your awesome coupon scores, or great stores for coupons that I missed!