Freebie Friday - Feb 8

This week, among other things, I received two samples, along with coupons for $2 off each product.  There is a major difference in the size of the samples, but I was previously given a full size bottle of the smaller one, so I'm certainly not complaining.

Garnier Intensive 7 Days Body Lotion is my new favorite.  It is non-greasy, absorbs well, and the Shea Butter variety that I chose has a scent I really like.  The original deal got me a free product coupon for a full sized bottle, but when I was offered another sample, I was happy to see they let me have it, and I assure you that I will be using that $2 off coupon to buy more.

Meanwhile I got another laundry detergent to try this week.  This time it's one called Method. I've never heard of it before, but it comes in a handy pump style container.  The sample they sent me is enough to do 8 loads.  That will give me plenty of time to assess how well it does laundry in our hard water.  I really like the idea of a pump dispenser.  No measuring, or pouring, just a couple of pumps and we're all set to wash the clothes.  The container is constructed in such a way that you can see the hose from the pump through the bottom, so apparently you can get every drop of the detergent by just tipping the container so that the hose is in the wee remaining bit.  No waste.  This sample lists the scent as Fresh Air and the package says it's "made by and for people against dirt."

Besides samples this week, I also got a cheque for $20 from Legerweb.  I've done surveys for them for several years now and made about $100 from Legerweb alone in the past year.  You can sign up on your own, but if you happen to know me, it would be great if you asked for a referral.  I'd get an extra dollar the first time you took a survey.

Finally, I also received a $5 gift card for Tim Horton's that I won from taking part in a contest on the Canadian Free Stuff website.  I'll be taking my man out for a treat this weekend, with that.

All in all, I think that was a pretty good week.

Freebie Friday - Feb 1

I had no idea I'd actually get to do this every week, but that's the way it's working out so far this year. Mind you, I thought perhaps this week there would be no freebies to show you, but a couple did show up in the end.

One is a good sized sample of Purex. I don't know if I've ever used that brand of laundry detergent before, so a sample is a very good thing to send me, as I'd likely never by a full bottle without trying it first. This particular sample has a scent called After the Rain.  I guess that means it's a fresh clean smell.  The packaging says it will leave your clothes "bright white clean."  I think I'll use it on the next load of karate gis, as they are what I'd want the whitest. It also says that Purex is Canada's #2 Laundry Detergent.  I imagine Tide is number one.  I'm surprised this is listed as number two, but perhaps after I use it, I'll have a better understanding of why.

The other item is The Gardener's Idea Book from Proven Winners. Copies of this publication are still available if you sign up to get updates from their website. There are lots of pictures and I especially liked seeing various planters full of interesting varieties.  I'll probably try to copy some of those combinations this year.  There is also a planter in this booklet that I absolutely love.  I'll be on the lookout for that all season, I'm sure.  If all else fails, I guess I can order it from the supplier, which is listed, but unfortunately American, so the shipping will probably bring me to my senses.

This week's freebies have me dreaming of spring.  After The Rain scent on laundry, and pictures of the best flower ideas for the coming year have me hoping the Ground Hog can predict an early spring on his special day tomorrow.   

Freebie Friday - Jan 11

It happens every year.  Publishers all decide to compete for your attention by sending all kinds of deals to get you to subscribe to their magazines.  I try hard to resist, but I don't always succeed.

While e-mails with welcome back offers arrived for some, I got actual sample issues from both Prevention Magazine and Good Times.  Good times also included a bookmark, and promised a new watch if I subscribed, and a matching bracelet if I did it quickly.  I think I'll pass as I have plenty of reading material here as it is.

I also received my third and final free issue of Canadian Living.  The Sample Source people gave out free 3 month subscriptions a while back, and now that my last issue has arrive, so has a message offering me the final 9 months of a year's subscription for just $9.  They have a big round ball on the ad saying that's just $9 a copy.  Ha.  They aren't thinking straight.  That's $9 for the entire year, since I didn't have to pay for the first 3 issues at all.  Looking at it that way, it's only 75 cents an issue.  That's a deal that's hard to pass up.  I've been trying all week, but I do love to flip through magazines, and I know I'm never going to get another offer as cheap as that.

Have you looked at the price of magazines on the newsstand lately?  Actually, it's hard to find a price listed on most of them any more.  I think they are ashamed to print it.  You are darn lucky if you can find one as low as $4.99 these days.  A new one I really wanted to try last week cost $15.99, and that's before adding on another couple of bucks for taxes.   That does it.  While I really am trying to cut back on my magazines, I suddenly don't think I can afford to pass up the deal of 9 more months of Canadian Living for just $9....especially now that I've clicked though to the renewal and see that actually includes the taxes!.