More FREE stuff...including lots of coffee&tea and lots more!

So this morning I woke up like I normally do, started to get the coffee pot ready and realized that I was actually out of coffee!  It happens right?  Well, that meant only one thing...I needed to go to my little pile of freebies that have come in the last week or so, and dig out a bag of coffee! 

So here is the one I selected...Folger's gourmet Vanilla Biscotti!    This is 0.9 oz sample, which they say is enough for a "half pot" but we had a teensy bit of coffee in the container and adding this, I was able to make a full pot!  (11 cups)  I think this is the third one of these I have received- each at different times, and let me tell you, on a morning like this- I appreciate Folgers and the few moments I spent to have it sent to me!!!

Since I had to take the coffee out anyways, I thought I would also snap a quick shot of the other freebies I have found in my mailbox this week.

Folgers 0.9oz sample
Gevalia k-cup and froth packet + $3 coupon
Gevalia 0.84oz sample
Real Cup 3 capsules
4 Twinnings tea (jasmine, spiced apple, mixed berry, honey madarine & orange)
2 Ovaltine
Naturals Grain Free dog food 6oz! whitefish & sweet potato
Eucerine Professional Repair in extremely dry
Katy Perry Killer Queen sample
Nexxus Youth Renewal 4 ml sample!!!  (hair elixir)

I think since we are heading into the colder months, it is a great time for drink samples because there are FOUR coffee samples, 4 tea samples, and two Ovaltine!  I enjoy getting free samples, but this is a great way to show how you can get A LOT of quality samples in a very short time!

In addition to the actual samples, I also received a FREE $10.00  gift card from Victoria Secret!!! It is valid until Jan 31/14 so it will be perfect to snag a lotion, or perfume body spray!!  (this was part of the birthday sign up which is absolutely FREE)  annnnnnnd for the second month in a row I received a Lane Bryant catalog with TWO FREE $15/$15 coupons!  squeeeeel!

So while I still have lots of friends who tell me you can't get things for free, I continue to enjoy sampling a wide range of products, and do very little to receive them!  Just how do I do it?  Simple...I read my emails for a few minutes each day, click on the 'get free sample' tabs while browsing through Face Book and the internet, and sign up for email notifications from people who specifically do all the work for me to find the samples!  Easy Peesy!   So tell me....what's in YOUR mailbox today?  :)

There is such a thing as FREE

For about a year now I have been requesting FREE SAMPLES online (and to a lesser extent in stores), and I am still amazed at just at much I am able to get for just a few moments of my time filling out a request form.

Here are the samples from the last week or so.  They include perfume,3 herbal teas that I'm super excited to try because are two of them are Chai, face serum (enough for 5 days!), two packs of style extender, a pore minimizer, Gain (have really been wanting to try this and compare it to my other brand), a shampoo and mask, another shampoo, conditioner and a deep conditioner...and a full sized socket sealer set which should help with our electric bill!

This may not seem like very much, but if I get this amount every month it quickly adds up!  Obviously some samples are more exciting than others, like tea and coffee samples for example.  I just love getting those and they are relatively high value.  But in the  last month I have also got several samples of feminine products, 3 small bags of dog food, 3 dog bones, Chapstick, some hand lotions just to name a few!  My favorites of the last year are full boxes of cereal, jewellery, sippy cup, razors, elastic wrap, several Target beauty bags full of samples, cranberries and cranberry juice, a year subscription to O magazine, bandaids, and medications!

A couple things to keep in mind if you are just getting started and want to explore the wonderful world of freebies...

* it might be easier to set up an email just for freebies and to keep it separate from your personal emails
* many take a month or longer to ship so be patient at first...they will slowly start to trickle in, and then become more regular....keep with it and soon you will have a steady flow of samples in your mailbox
* since companies are sending these out free, be courteous and obey the limits (usually one/household) so everyone out there can also get one.
* if there is an option to give feedback on the product- do so!  It helps with the development of products and it shows your appreciation
* sign up for emails from freebie sites that easily link you to the current ones
***finally MANY OF THE SAMPLES ALSO INCLUDE HIGH VALUE COUPONS TO PICK UP THE FULL SIZED ITEM....USE THEM!!!

My OCTOBER 2013 BIRCHBOX Feedback and Review

I got my very first monthly subscription box in October and boy was I super excited!!!    I had tried to sigh up for Ipsy but was put on a wait list...soooo I found Birchbox!  (for those of you who aren't familiar with it, Birchbox is a monthly subscription service where they deliver to your home a box of 4-5 items that range from healthy and beauty- lifestyle products)  My box came and I could hardly wait to tear into it!   This month's theme was Beauty Buzz...

I received FIVE products.  The Bain deTerre (macadamia oil) nourishing shampoo AND conditioner were each 1.7 fl ounces.  That is a great sample size if you ask me, and even with my long, thick hair I was able to get 3 applications from each.  While I don't like paying a lot for shampoo and conditioner, this stuff worked really well, felt good, didn't cause any itching or problems with my skin and it made my hair super soft and shiny for a couple days---enough so that I am considering order the full size!!!  Seriously I could hardly stop running my fingers through it!  I rated each 5/5 stars.  Cost for shampoo $1.51 and conditioner $1.70

Third on the list was a full sized Pop Beauty's Aqua lacquer- or in lay mans terms...lip gloss lol.  I received the color Floating Rose "a soft pink infused with gold shimmer."  It had an odd little paddle applicator that takes some getting used to but I really liked it.  It was a little on the sticky side for me so only 4/5 stars.  Cost $14.00

My fourth product was a full sized nail polish that is a Birchbox exclusive.  Ruffian Nail Laquer in a green color called Hedge Fund!  How cute is that?  I had just painted my nails but within 24 hours I had to give it a try.  Hands down (puny eh?) it is the best formula of nail polish I have ever tried!!!  At only 0.17 fl ounces it is much small bottle than I am used to, but it makes up for it in performance!  Another 5/5 stars.  Cost $10.00

and finally my first "Birchbox find."  This fifth item was another full sized item and one I will certainly put to good use.  It was the Chap Stick Vanilla creme moisture hydration lock with CoQ10  Since I do a lot of couponing I was super excited to also find a $1.00/1 coupon for this product for the next sale I see.  Cost was about $3.00

 

So if I were to buy my samples they would have cost me $30.21 !!!  Not bad for just $10.00/month eh?!  So is a beauty box right for you?  In my opinion you can't really put a dollar amount on the joy you get from getting a little present in your mail, even if you sent it to yourself.  Unlike most other people I don't think most hold value (although maybe not exactly in dollar and cents) in the fact that I was able to reuse the pretty tissue paper in my present wrapping supplies and the sturdy box is perfect for sorting my nail art supplies in the drawer .....so nothing went to waste!   This package really had me eager to receive it, and I was able to pamper myself in a few baths and still have some products that will last a while.  To me it was very worth the $10.00 I spent on it.

My conclusion is that I really enjoy this subscription and although I originally thought that I would only get it while I waited to get off the Ipsy wait list...I have since received my second box and can't see ending my subscription to Birchbox any time soon!

If you would like to sign up, and help me earn some points towards fun products please use my referral code (it is the same as if you go to the website directly, doesn't cost you any more but just gives me a little perk for sharing this information with you.  THANKS)    http://birch.ly/19Kh6mz