Ah, the mailbox as piñata, spilling out free candy bars, cold meds, shampoo and toothpaste samples, bandages, fish-oil capsules and other gratis goodies.
Who doesn't love a freebie?
What we don't love are the spam and scams that accompany some online offers. Fortunately, a number of sites filter out the dross.
"I weed through things and help them find the good stuff," says Heather Hernandez, who writes a blog called Freebies 4 Mom.
Stuff like pet food, heartburn and allergy medicine, chai tea, protein bars, feminine-hygiene products, caramel apple dip, T-shirts, movie tickets, ethernet cables, soy butter, breakfast cereal, disinfectant wipes, candy bars, fabric softener, vitamins, coffee, lipstick, energy drinks, movie rentals and disposable contact lenses.
You can even get a free condom by mail -- or, if you decide not to, you can sign up for free diaper and formula samples.
Where do freebies come from?
Why would companies give away thousands (or hundreds of thousands) of products for nothing? Because they hope you'll pay for the next one."Companies are looking to put their products in potential consumers' hands. They wouldn't do it if it didn't work," says Brandt Held, a co-founder of MySavings.com.
This gives you the opportunity to try a product without a cash commitment. Ever plunk down $8.99 for a laundry detergent that made your whole family itch or buy a new shampoo that made your hair as flat and oily as a latke?
A steady stream of freebies makes it fun to go to the mailbox, especially if all you've seen there lately are bills you're having trouble paying.
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"People are depending on some of this stuff," says Hill, whose site has a section called "Free Today."
Wendi Caetta, aka The Freebie Blogger, once heard mostly from at-home mothers. "Now I'm getting e-mails from people who've been laid off from their job, or their spouse has been laid off, or both. They're trying to get groceries for four people for $30 a week."
Video: Is free the new black?Generally, but not always, the samples are trial size: single diapers, teeny little toothpaste tubes or a week's worth of vitamins. Small toiletries are great for travel or for stocking stuffers. They're also great for military care packages and are a welcome donation to homeless shelters.
But as noted above, samples really do help when times are tight. A three-quarter-ounce tube of Colgate comes in handy when you're out of toothpaste and payday is five days off. And if you're having trouble meeting basic needs, a free protein bar and free coffee sample could be breakfast.
Incidentally, free stuff can also be found on nonfreebie Web pages. Shopping sites such as CouponMom.com and Hot Coupon World and deal-seeking sites like FatWallet.com all have sections devoted to gratis goodies.
When is a freebie not a freebie?
Be wary of any offer that touts a "free" trial but requires a credit card payment for shipping and handling.You'll likely get ripped off, according to Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs.com -- either you'll start getting products or services you didn't order or you'll be billed even if you cancel.
Continued: How to get the right product the first time
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