Got my car back from Crappy tire. I dropped it off Sunday. The very bright mechanic said "oh I paged you in the store today when it was finished.

I just looked at him and said "I dropped it off Sunday and while I like roving around in the store its now thursday; I don't like your store that much. After a second he got it. If he worked on my car I'm a bit scared.

Cost just under $700. But I got a freebie - A pair of travel mugs and 1.50 in Crappy Tire money.

Wow

The same store where I won a gift basket around 5:30 called me up at 7 to tell me that I'd won another gift basket.

This one had 4 Biotherm products in it.

Moisturizer (value about $15 - a tiny sample size - I've used this product before and loved it)

Body Wash $32

Hand and Nail Treatment (aka handlotion) $27

Body Milk $30

Wow .. retail value of $104.00.

Today's lesson.. enter contests at local drug store

I went to the local drug store for a free make over by a Canadian cosmetics company. When I was there I entered a draw for some Vichy products. I won a small basket of three full size facial cleaning products.

I looked for pricing online for Vichy but I can't find it anywhere other than the UK - LOL... I'm guessing the value of this is around $70 plus or minus.. Nice!

Yeah me!!!

I used some $2 off any lysol product coupons today on some lysol wipes and spray that were on sale for $1.99.

Its sweet shopping when they give it to you to take home!

Okay so I did have to pay that tax. I'm set for wet cleaning wipes and spray for a while now!

Went to the no frills grocery store (Price Chopper). A step up from Aldi but not much up.. has a small deli.

Had some rolls a friend gave me for free so I thought I'd get some luncheon meat to make sandwiches. The roast beef was a good price so I asked her for some. They only had a few hundred grams left so I got that and got about 300 grams of corned beef too.

Got home. Realised that the difference between a good grocery store and a no frills one is that you get a package of roast beef and package of corned beef when you order those at the deli. What she said was roast beef was actually corned beef.. *sigh*. I wanted roast beef.

At least it was the same price! Thank goodness I like corned beef! Made about 7 (not 87 omg I can't type) sandwiches. A couple are in the fridge for tomorrow and the rest are in the freezer.

I guess in the know frills stores knowing the difference between the different types of beef is just asking too much...

I was really excited a while back to sign up for a Kashi welcome kit. I figured a couple of good coupons etc..

Well they outdid themselves. I just got my welcome kit. Talk about a classy company!

4 fullsize boxes of Kashi plus 10 coupons for a free box of Kashi and a t-shirt. Maybe if i eat a better diet along with the Kashi I'll be able to fit into the medium size they sent me...

They are one classy company!

Today's mail was a veritable treasure trove of excellent mail.

I got free product coupons for the following stuff:

* Garnier Fructus Style Product
* Free Pledge Duster Plus
* Save $10 Scrubbing Bubbles Shower Cleaner
* Scrubbing Bubbles Soap Scum Remover
* So Good Soy Milk So Trim or Chocolate

And .. a $5 cheque from Pinecone.

Can I have lots more mail days like this one please?

I need to start this entry with the information that I am a Bzz agent, and they sent me coupons and free product coupon for Silk soy milk.

A coworker has had digestive difficulties for a while (I'm sure you need no more elaboration to get the picture) and finally had an appointment with a gastroenteritis's who has told her to not eat dairy for the next 6 weeks.

One of the things she wants to do it to try soy milk. It was great having a coupon for $1 off from the Bzz campaign - I wished I had a free product coupon for her so she could try it but the $1 off was nice and so is the fact that Silk has a low calorie one (she like I is trying to lose weight). I have the low calorie one in my fridge now and it tastes great! Like - it has a flavour -unlike regular skim cows milk.

I love when campaigns like this allow me to introduce people to a new product. If you are in Canada and would like to try this product please send me a private email and I'll send you a coupon for $1 off as I have a couple left.

Ages ago I wrote to this company and complemented one of their foods. It was a few months ago. Today from their US office they sent me a real letter (snail mail) with coupons good in Canada and thanking me for being a customer.

Not huge coupon but 3 50c off any product they make coupons.. a short email saves me $1.50.

Nice! Other than their being a bit slow to respond they've made me feel like a loved customer.

This good mail was accompanied by
Travis Tritt tickets (twang twang, twiddle twang) that I had ordered and my visa bill.

Definitely a mail day of mixed blessings

Went to see we will rock you tonight that the Canon theatre. This was part of full evening that included a buffet style dinner and cocktail hour at the Savoy Restaurant, We had row B ticket centre stage in the orchestra (about 10 rows back). The show was AMAZING. I liked the chemistry and the interactions. Tons of laughing and tons of good music!

After we went back over to the Savoy for an after show drink and more mingling. This was a work related event so had to behave but was great meeting some old coworkers and connecting with some people I'd talked to but never met!

If you can get to see this show it is so worth it

Oh as this is a frugal blog I should mention the entire night was free! Free everything including a CD as a souvenir!

I went to a website yesterday that had wee window pop up to say that they would send you a free product coupon in exchange for completing a short survey.

I filled it out. Then for some reason clicked back and realised that the offer ended in February.

I then tried to complete a form to send a comment to the company to tell them about their outdated web page. I tried to send it twice but have no idea if it went or not.

Had this been some small mom and pop company I wouldn't be so annoyed. But this was Alberto Culver (hair stuff). I really think that multinationals with mega staff and budgets should be able to keep their websites up to date and have response forms that work.

Quite often when there are contests that involve food products there is a option for an entry that doesn't involve purchasing the product. Taking advantage of this method of entry can sometimes result in getting a Free Product Coupon - allowing you to purchase the item for the cost of the postage and sometimes a self addressed stamped envelope. This particular offer didn't require the SASE.

So this past weekend I got organized and wrote out 20 entries (the rules allow one request per day via mail) and got them into envelopes, addressed and stamps, that way I can drop one in the mail every couple of days.

I'm planning to pick up a couple of the sauces for myself and likely will give away some of the FPC's as RAOKs.

My friend called Loblaws where we went for the cooking demo last Wednesday. I was allowed to stay for it even though I wasn't on the paid sheet. The chef leading the class was very nice about it!

The girl at Loblaws remembers my friend phoning to register me (and pay for me). But she said she got busy so that she didn't process the order or put me down for it. She said it was her error and that they aren't going to ask me to pay! Excellent customer service on their part to make up for their error and the awkwardness of my not being on the sheet.

After I call ING to get my account unlocked (yeah never did call to get that cleared up), I'll put that $30 into my ING account! Money that you thought you spent that you didn't spend is really found money right?

I got a free mug today at work.

Says something like "think green top up your retirement savings account". The sheet with it encourages us not to use the Styrofoam cups that our employer provides at the coffee machine - hence the cups.

You'd think if they don't want us to use Styrofoam they'd not buy them? Or buy another kind for us to use?

Too simple?

Oh and any others who follow flylady will understand my despair at this gift. Another coffee mug to add to my already barely tamed collection of coffee cup clutter.

I got a link to a freebie directly from the company today. It is a large company who routinely sends out freebies. They MUST have stats on the size of their mailing list, how many people take advantage of an offer etc. This wasn't a mom and pop operation nor was it a freebie I found on the web. THEY SENT ME an email offering me this.

And 10 minutes after getting the email (if that) I go to say yes, thank you I'd like it and it is already finished. But I can print off a coupon for $2 off. Pft. The nasty suspicious part of me wonders if they had any freebies to send out? Was it just a scam to get us to read about their product and then say "sorry" and here is a coupon cause we all will buy anything with a good coupon right? (Yeah right...)

I'm not naming the product or company here as I want to give them a chance to respond to the email I sent them:

Thank you for sending me the link for the free sample

I got the email at approximately 4.06pm today and tried to apply for the freebie within 10 minutes of getting it only to be told that it was no longer available because of overwhelming demand.

I would never want to accuse you of sending that out in bad faith rather I can only think my email provider (gmail) was very slow in delivering it to me. However I was quite sad and dismayed to not find that you were already out of stock on this - and I only delayed by about 10 minutes from when I got the email telling me about the freebee.

I wish you much success in marketing your new product

Yup, I've already had one freebee this year.

Sheetz, a local gas station had free coffee on New Years eve and New Years Day! As I love their house blend I went and got a free coffee when were out around lunch time!

Thanks to the free coffee (we'd have stopped there and I'd have bought one) - I started the year by saving $0.99

It all adds up!

A terrific Christmas morning with my sweetie and his daughter.

I got some beautiful jewelery. He liked his gifts though 2 shower gels and 3 deodorants in the stocking do lead to a "I love you, Merry Christmas, you stink" message. Make note for next year... LOL. Yes there was other good stuff in there - its one big stocking.

A girlfriend did my stocking for me and another got me a gift card! I'm so spoiled!

We had a huge breakfast of waffles and bacon (vegan sausage) for him! Yummy I love Trader Joes stuff. The quality of their food is so good!

And after we dropped the young'un off with her Mom he went into starbucks to get her a Mocha - he asked me If I wanted one and I said no I want some coffee from Sheetz. So he indulged me and we stopped at Sheetz where they have free coffee today because its Christmas! Woo Hoo!

A quick lunch and then its off in a short while to go for Christmas dinner Life is good

Had a fun trip to whole foods today with a coworker who was treating me to lunch!

Did a bit of shopping afterwards - the best deal being some yogurt drink (like YOP) where there was an entire stack of free coupons. Yup, they had coupons that you could by one of the drinks and get it for free! Nice deal eh?

Surprised me. Whole Foods is not "coupon mecca' by any stretch of the imagination. Of course the cashier had no clue how to process it and had to consult with a coworker

A nice surprise getting something for free. Sampled some cheese there if that counts but whatever variety it was I didn't really like - I should have made mental note so I can avoid it in the future, LOL

A co-worker is buying me lunch today! I think it will be today; but she is having her annual review prior to meeting me for lunch and if it goes to badly we might reschedule. I don't think it will but who knows if she will feel festiver after it or not.

Had a note that I had a parcel with the mail last night. I picked it up this morning. A cute teatowel and a hot pad with a cute snowmen on it. This was from an exchange on on of the coupon groups I'm on.

Also in the mail today a coupon train! I'll have to go through that tonight.

Stopped at the grocery store to pick up some of their free calendars (with coupons) to bring for my workmates. I love sharing freebies!

I like wearing skirts, even in the winter, but hate the entire pantyhose thing. I wouldn't mind if I didn't go through them so fast. Pantyhose sure aren't frugal. I stopped on the way to get some tights. At least with the Hanes tights I get more than one wear out of them.

Finally got my coupon for a free dove hand washing soap. This was the coupon I told a whole bunch of people about. They all got theirs a few weeks ago. I had given up on it figuring that my luck was all used up when I got the free Sonicare toothbrush.

But it came in todays mail along with a Christmas card - and even better, with NO bills

I haven't been here to my boyfriends in PA in a month. He doesn't mind me using his address. So I do. I get freebies sent here.

Today's haul is a huge one!

Empty Box meant to be Swiffer Duster Walmart
Folgers Gourmet Selections Coffee
Downy Simple Pleasures Detergent
Downy Simple Pleasures Fabric Softener
Cheer True Fit (Walmart)
Tampax
Gillette Fusion Razor
Playtex Sport Tampons
Sunsilk X2
John Frieda Brilliant Brunette
Coupon for free Weight Watchers Cereal
Olay Definity (Walmart)
Nicorete Gum (Walmart)

I'm amazed at the amount of stuff even though I'm bummed about the swiffer duster (hope it was the boyfriend who took that) because I really did want to try it.

I gave away 4 of the 5 Schick Intuition Razors that I said I would give away (the other one got given away yesterday. I made one person very happy yesterday and 4 people very happy today. I'm glad I was generous with them and didn't keep them all so I had free refills. The warm fuzzies I got were worth more than the refills.

The mail brought me the Sonicare e5500 toothbrush that I signed up for as part of a Bzz Blast. I agree to fill out a couple of surveys and they give me this really rockin' toothbrush. Of course I did a quick search online - this retails for $88.99 at drugstore.com in the US. The cheapest Canadian price I saw was just under a $120, though $169 was mentioned as the regular price here. I'm blown away at the cost of the freebee. I hope it ends up being a great product!

A rant about the extra cost when buying in Canada is likely to be forthcoming at some point. I'm mellow about that right now as I'm heading to the US tomorrow for an extra long weekend so I'm able to take advantage of shopping opportunities (gotta love PA with no sales tax on clothes).

A couple of freebees have made me think about my ethics.

Shick Intuition. There was a freebee offer for this product a while back. Agree to be an ambassador (or some such thing) and they'll send you razors to give out to your friends. I got them and thought about keeping them all for me. It would have saved me from buying refills for a while. However, I'm keeping one of them and giving the other 5 out (I didn't have one). I was feeling wrong about keeping them all. But this I think "works" me.

There was another freebee a while back that I heard about but decided not to ask for. A charity (health related) had a freebee of address labels. I gather that would do two things - get you on their list and give them the opportunity to hit you up for a donation. I hadn't planned to give to that charity so to take money from a worthy cause seemed wrong. I don't want to add to the overhead when money should be going to help fight the disease. It also made me wonder about the charity and how they used the funds they were given.

One of the bonuses of visiting my boyfriend is checking out all the freebees I've requested! There are other benefits of visiting but I'll save you writing about all of those here

Kotex - via WM
Viactiv - via WM
Sensodyne - via WM
Herbal Essence - via WM
Advil PM - via WM


Kashi TLC Bar
Quattro Titanium Razor
Schick Intuition Plus + $2 Coupon
Jergens - + $1 Coupon

The only ones of the above that came injured was the Herbal Essence sample that came wrapped in a post office baggy apologizing for the damage it had recieved in transit. The envelope smelled pretty and is going in the garbage as it looks a bit damp.

A nice mail haul!

Someone, likely taking a happy pill or two came up with a slogan "Have a Happy Period. Always". Any period that is over is a happy one. Anyone where everyone emerges alive is a good one.

http://www.always.com/index.jsp

I just signed up for a sample package from there. Part of me (oh who am I kidding - every part of me) really hopes the sample package includes a bottle of prescription happy pills, a large bottle of kahlua and a family sized bar of swiss chocolate. That would guarantee a happy visit from Auntie Flo, wouldn't it?

It will probably instead contain a sample that will be handy for a teenage girl I know

Have a nice day

The darling boyfriend told me a Schick Intuition razor is waiting for me at his house.

My dry spell is finally over!

I'm a happy camper and my boyfriend will be too as I'll not be a stubbly porcupine

We headed into town to watch the. dragon boat races today. A nice free activity

We watched a few heats and enjoyed some entertainment and wandered the booths. Amongst the stuff to buy were the tables of freebees.

I got samples of Tums, toothpaste and some nicorette gum that one of my coworkers might appreciate (she is trying to cut down/quit
Also grabbed a free waterbottle (I've been wanting one of these so this saved me some money) and a backstratcher. Oh yes and grabbed some coupons good until the end of the year!

Fun and free stuff. Woo Hoo!

The good was the Crest-Pro Health Toothpaste sample from Walmart. A large full tube .. Woo hoo.

The bad was a sample from Covergirl. The wee pouches of foundation opened in transport. Given how they dried on the paper, its matte, cracked and a brownish colour best not described on too much detail. Either the samples had poor quality packaging or the post office had fun with them.

The questions:

Anyone know why so few samples come with coupons. I'd have thought that would be a natural. What about marketing don't I understand? I'd have thought they'd want you to buy it a again and a coupon would help. What am I missing?

What do you do with the samples you don't end up using?

Yeah I know most of the time its just crap. This time it was a charity request for a donation. Opened it and the loveliest collection of return address stickers. Waste not want not right? Thanks charity! I don't do my giving via mail requests but I won't waste these either.

Oh and I just "reclaimed" $6.74 cents in uncancelled postage! A few minutes in a bowl of water to free them from the old envelopes and when I go to use them a swipe of the ole glue stick and they'll work good as new