Saving Money Everyday with Free Products

A couple of years ago I responded to someone saying "you don't ever get anything for nothing" by posting what I got, for free in the mail, each and every week for about five months. By then I figured I may have convinced them that they were wrong.  Today I've decided to show you the free products I am using daily, in my regular routine. 

I got the shampoo and conditioner from BzzAgent.  I was using Pantene products before but I really like the new Expert line, and find the Age Defy is perfect for me.

 It gives my hair body and shine, and I definitely see an improvement in my hair since I've started using it.  I'll be buying more when this is gone.

The body moisturizer I use came from Yves Rocher, as a bonus when I ordered something else.  It's a full size tube, instead of a tiny packet sample they often send, and I can tell you they will make their money back on me as I think it's the best body lotion I've ever used.

When it comes to my face, I start with Vichy ProEven Dark Spot Corrector (the white tube in the picture), which I got from Chick Advisor. They sent it to me to try. I was then supposed to write a review on the product, and how I liked it.  The time frame I was given was not enough to really see the difference it made in my age spots, so I had put that I likely wouldn't buy it.  I've now changed my mind, and cannot imagine starting my day without it.  I particularly like that I can use any of my regular products over top of it, and it's still effective.

I have a jar of L'Oreal Age perfect that I used daily for a while.  I got it when Glow Magazine chose me to take part in the You Tried It program.  I do like it, but now that the weather is warming up, I may do without moisturizer for the time being, or switch to a lighter formula.

Yves Rocher BB Cream was also sent to me as a bonus.  I've been using it for the past couple of years and so they knew it was something I would like.

I have a tube of the Vichy ProEven Night formula (the blue tube in the picture above)  which was sent to me in error, when they meant to send the previously mentioned product. I use it as part of my evening routine, when I remember. I love the texture of this product, and if I were actually just going to use one of them, this might be the one I'd choose.  It's a clear gel and spreads easily.  You can, if you wish, even put it on thicker for a short period of time, to get the effects more quickly.

For a night cream, I'm still using the StriVectin that also came in the Glow box of things to try before you buy.  I loved this stuff immediately, and checked out the price of it, shortly after I got it. It's really expensive, but it's lasting a lot longer than I'd expected, so that may substantiate the cost when it comes time to replace it. It does something magical to my skin.


Many manufactures offer free products.  All it takes is a few moments to sign up to the various sites, and then jump on the offers when they arrive.


The latest parcel to arrive is from Sample Source.  While some of the samples are....well, sample size, not everything is.  I'm currently testing out the Pronamel toothpaste, from the Sensodyne people.  I do like the way my teeth feel nice smooth after I've brushed.

The VH sauces are good too, as long as you realize these pouches are made for two servings. That's actually perfect for us. I noticed some people got more than one, as their family is bigger than ours.

You can't go wrong with Brookside Chocolate either, though this particular bar has almonds in it, so I'll have to give it to my hubby. He'll be pleased to test that out.

I used the coupon for a free box of Catelli SuperGreens yesterday.  I got Rotini and will make some sort of pasta salad to eat in all this heat.

I'll have to fill out a short survey about how I liked each of the items Sample Source sent me, and whether I've bought more or not. I find that well worth the effort, since I've discovered several things that have become family favourites through Sample Source that I may never have known about otherwise.

Anyway, I think you get the idea.  You can get along quite well using free things if you take a moment to go looking for them.  What are you waiting for?

Too Many Choices

Once upon a time you could go shopping for what you wanted without having to make a lot of decisions. If you wanted clean hair, you bought shampoo. If you wanted a skin cream you bought a moisturizer. If you wanted an appliance, you just asked for one that did what you wanted it to do, and the salesman showed you the right model. Things have changed.  Now we are faced with entire walls of shampoos and skin creams and when it comes to appliances, well, it's too confusing for words.

There are not only a multitude of shampoo brands to pick from, you have to narrow it down to whether you want to build body, control frizz, repair damage, protect colour or even enhance grey. There are shampoos that are organic, sulphate free, offer thermal protection, are fortifying, nourishing, hydrating or clarifying.  There are shampoos for children, oily hair, thin hair and some that prevents hair fall. There are dandruff shampoos, dry shampoos, pet shampoos, and 2 in 1 shampoos that combine the conditioning with the cleaning power.

I'm thrilled when I get samples and find something I like without having to face that wall of decisions and take a chance on spending money on something not right for me.  I just have to locate the one I want next time I go to the store, though even that isn't always easy.

For face care there are cleansers, exfoliators, toners, serums, gels and  moisturizers.  There are day creams, night creams, eye creams, and throat creams. There are things called BB creams and CC creams. There are products that protect, nourish, clarify, lift, rejuvenate, brighten, illuminate, and erase blemishes and dark spots. Oh and let's not forget the ones that promise to prevent or diminish wrinkles.

A friend called recently to ask what I use on my face. She admitted that she was never one to use moisturizers and such, and had come to the conclusion that it was time to try to do something about what nature does to us all over time. I've been using moisturizers of one sort or another since way back when I even washed my face with Noxzema in my early teens. She said when she looked at the wall of products available, she had no idea of where to start.  I'm not sure any of us do. 

Really, I believe that more is not necessarily better, and that comes to choices too.  I can't tell you how many times I have considered trying a new brand of makeup and found that I couldn't decide on what to pick because there were too many brands, with too many different lines, and too many shades in each. I found this site where you could match the shade you currently use with others available on the market. It didn't work for me though as I've been using Yves Rocher products for years and that brand is not listed.

I'm not sure why any one brand would make so many different lines of things that do so many different things. Sure that would create something for everyone, but  I would think that would also cost them more in development, production, packaging and advertising than if they just created a few good products and put them where we all could find them. I'm sure that added cost gets passed on to us, the consumer.

Once again, I'm glad that so many samples are offered online these days. I've discovered some marvelous products over the past few years that I likely never would have purchased, or even known about otherwise.  Facing that wall of decisions every time I need to make a purchase has, on occasion caused me to walk away with nothing. I know I'm not the only one that has reacted that way. The companies can't make any money that way.

Keep it simple, I say. The population is aging, and there are days when we don't want to have to read a million labels just to buy some every day product.

Samplicious: Worth the Fee

Most of you know how much I love to get samples.  Up until recently they were free for the asking, and several of the things I tried as samples, or even prizes, are now frequently used products around my home. 

More recently some of the big companies have decided to send samples for a fee. The fees aren't large, and I suspect, with the popularity of these packages, the mailing costs just went through the roof with the latest postage increase.

I ignored the first offering from Kraft but last month I simply couldn't resist sending for their latest Samplicious Sample pack.  It cost me $9, but there was a lot for the money.  It came with full sized versions of various products, not just little downsized packets.  There was also two coupons for free items to pick up from the store.  I understood immediately why they didn't include these particular products in the shipment. They were both to be found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store and would not have withstood shipping by regular mail.

The package included:
1.  A  .75 pound package of coffee from Second Cup,  described as having a fruity, wine-like sweetness. I'm not a coffee drinker, so I have to rely on my hubby for an opinion on this.  After a couple of tries, he got the measurement right and declared it to be good coffee.  He has since served it to a sister-in-law, who accepted a refill when offered.  This product was included in the package as a way of letting us know that Second Cup Paradiso Medium Roast Coffee is now available at your local grocery store.

2.  Jello Instant Vanilla Pudding, 4 serving size. As this is not a new product, I imagine it was included because of Mixed Berry Shortcakes recipe that appears in the Samplicious booklet that had the coupons in it.  The pudding, of course, will not go to waste here.

3.  Kraft Peanut Butter with Chocolate.  What a treat!  I often make myself a peanut butter and banana sandwich and the addition of the chocolate makes it even better.  This product does not spread as smoothly on bread as regular peanut butter (unless it's toasted and the bread is still warm), but it spreads just like icing on a tortilla! The Kraft people knew what they were doing when they put this collection together. They wanted us to buy products we don't normally buy and they got me with this one. It will be a regular here in the future!  Heck, it's even better for me than the normal peanut butter as it has less fat and less sodium for the same number of calories. Sold!

4.  Crystal Light Liquid Drink Mix, has zero calories. The one I got was  Blackberry Lemonade, and while I like it, the package states that it has a shelf life of only one month from the time the container has been opened.  I think I'll stick to the crystals.  They are also easier to take with you, in case you decide you want to add some flavour to a bottle of water along the way.

5.  Kool-Aid Liquid Drink Mix brings back memories.  For some reason the booklet refers to it as "kids-only fun" and since I am busy using up the Crystal Light before it expires, I have not tried the Kool-Aid yet.  It also has a package suggestion that it be used within a month of opening.  That's too bad as it would be handy to have around when my grandsons visit, but it would never be used up in time.  I'm starting to wonder if the reason for the company introducing the liquid drink mixes is to make us use them up faster and keep buying more.  No way.  Give me the longer shelf life of crystals, or I'll find someone who does.

6. Kraft Dinner Spicy Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese.  Hmmmm......this family does NOT eat Kraft Dinner.  Oh, I have occasionally used it like hamburger helper to make some other dish, but never alone.  The idea that this one is spicier may make it taste better, or make it harder to use in the alternate way....I'm not sure which yet.  I checked out the recipes in both the booklet and the
(7.) summer copy of What's Cooking that came in the package.  I've always enjoyed the What's Cooking magazine and that's where I got the idea to use regular Kraft Dinner as an add in to other ingredients.  I didn't find anything in this one,or even on their website, suggesting a use for this new Kraft Dinner.  I have a feeling I won't be in a hurry to use it.  I passed the magazine to my daughter-in-law, as I already had a copy.

8. A coupon for a free Kraft Philadelphia Dip was something I couldn't wait to use.  I get the feeling I was supposed to try the onion dip, by the questions the follow up survey had, but it didn't specify that. We like the Dill Pickle Dip, but since the store was out of that when I went, and since I am, after all sampling, I decided to try the Ranch Dip this time.  Love it.  It won't be good for my waste line though, as I've already gone through a couple of bags of potato chips since that came into the house, and it isn't even half gone.  And no, I'm not wasting this treat on vegetables! 

9. The remaining coupon is for a free 300g package of Kraft Shredded Cheese with a touch of Philadelphia.  We go through a lot of cheese here, but I've never bought pre-shredded cheese before. As I recently had to shred and freeze half a brick of mozzarella that threatened to mould on me while we were on holidays, I have enough shredded cheese here at the moment, but I'm looking forward to collecting my free package of cheese when that's done.  The coupon is good until March 31st, 2015, and is good for any of Creamy Mozza, Creamy Herb & Garlic or Creamy Mexicana.  If any of you have tried any of these and have a favorite recipe using one of them, I'd love to hear from you!

So, there you have it.  Nine items plus a booklet, for $9.  On the back of the booklet I found an address where I was able to go and print off more coupons to reduce the price of future Kraft purchases.  You might want to visit that yourself. Go to:  kraftcanada.com/coupons 

I'm quite satisfied with this experience, and will be watching for the next one.  Maybe you will too.

Sampling Life

As many of you know, especially if you read the first 5 months of the blog postings last year, I get a lot of samples.  Today I decided to use nothing but samples and report what I learned.

I started my day by washing my hair, and used TRESemme Platinum Strength Strengthening Shampoo. (1)  A little of this product goes a long way. It lathers very well, even in our hard  water. 

I followed that up with the Conditioner from the same line (2).  You need to leave this product in for 2 to 3 minutes.  Personally, I prefer a 2 in 1 product, so I can condition at the same time as I wash my hair. It is good though, that the TRESemme people put the Shampoo in a Black bottle and the Conditioner in a White one.  You don't have to try to read the bottles, to grab the right one, when you may have soap or water in your eyes.

Next I used Olay's Moisturizing Body Wash (3) which is a 2 in 1 Cleanser and Moisturizer.  It has a wonderful scent of something reminiscent from my past.  A delicate version of Neutrogena's Rainbath, perhaps.  The package said to use it with Olay's soft cleansing puff, but I didn't have one handy. It says it will work into a lather, but using just my hands, that didn't happen at all.  Could just be our hard water.

Since I was into Olay products, I next chose their Total Effects Body Moisturizing Treatment. (4) I know the body wash was supposedly an all in one, but I have dry skin at this time of year and this product is supposed to fight the 7 signs of aging.  It says to concentrate on affected areas of the arms and legs. Well, the skin just above my ankles is dry and flaky and gets really itchy so, while I spread it everywhere, I did concentrate on there.  It absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy spots.  I like that.

Okay, so now my hair and body are clean and moisturized. Next I reached for a deodorant.  I used Dove Ultimate Supreme go Fresh Cool Essentials.(5)  It smells kind of like cucumbers, I think.  Fresh anyway.  It's a solid cake so it doesn't glide on as smoothly as my regular gel style deorderant, but it didn't leave any sticky residue either, so it passed that test.

Now the face.  I washed it with a product from Simple (the Sensitive Skin Experts) called Refreshing Facial Wash Gel (6).  It says it's kind to skin, and it is. I have rosacea.  This product is gentle and I use it often.  It leaves me soft and clean without any tightness upon drying.

Next I applied Mario Badescu's Aloe Lotion (7) with a cotton ball.  That was probably not necessary after the Simple Facial but I'm testing, right?  This is a clear lotion, not a moisturizer, but more of a toner, I believe.  Now my face if really soft and healthy looking.

Mario Badescu is a brand I just discovered in the past year. They have several products I'd happily use more of in the coming years. They have a drying cream you can dab on pimples and it just dries they up in no time. It is skin coloured too, so you could likely camouflage the spot if you wanted to use it during the day.  They also have a product called Bee Pollen Night Cream that I really love.  As night creams go, I don't remember ever waking up and feeling my face so soft and non-greasy. If I were to treat myself to one product tomorrow, this would be the one.

I brushed my teeth with Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief toothpaste. (8)  It left my whole mouth minty fresh.  My teeth are not normally sensitive, but I liked this product so much that I may just buy it anyway.

I finished off the face with Garnier Ultra Lift AntiWrinkle Firming Cream. (9)  I love this stuff.  I did the 28 day challenge when it first came out.  It not only firms but gives me a smooth non-shiny finish that seems to fill pores and make me look more youthful. At my age, that's a good trick!  I likely would have continued using it after the 28 days, but I still have other products on hand to use up first.

I'd have used some makeup about now, most days, but I'm sick, and not planning to go anywhere so I'll save that until the next time I do this sample testing thing.  Oh yes, I'll do it again as I've lots of samples here.  I'm not sure everything listed above still exists, as products seem to come and go so quickly these days, but I'll try to incorporate more recent acquisitions next time.

Oh, let's not forget the eyes.  One of the most recent sample products to come into my home is the Aveeno Fresh Essentials Anti Fatigue Eye Roller. (10) This leaves a nice cool feeling as the liquid rolls on by way of a metal ball.  No tugging fingers needed around the eye area with this product.  I think it will be a real treat, especially during the summer months, to feel that cool ball on my face.

By this time, I'm all clean, soft and moisturized from head to toe.  But I am, as I said, not well just now as I caught that nasty cold bug with it's accompanying cough, so I'm going to lay around all day with a stack of books and a pot of tea. 

At the end of the day, I did come back to tell you I tested some Garnier Anti-Wrinkle Firming Night Cream.(11) It's a rather thick cream but it's non-greasy and absorbs quickly. 

At the end of the day, my hair is still shiny and well behaved, even though I've been laying on it most of the day.  There is no sign of flaky skin around my ankles, my face is still soft, smooth and not greasy. It looks good, despite the fact that I had no makeup on all day.  I think this was a successful day of testing, and I look forward to doing it again sometime in the near future.
 

Freebie Friday - March 22

Did you know that you can get a coupon for $5 off Chapman's Ice Cream products once a year, just by asking for it?  I read that somewhere and decided to try it.  Sure enough, a coupon has arrived, and now I just have to decide what treat I want to spend it on.

The other thing I got this week was an envelope full of skin care products from Mario Badescu.  You may have never heard of this company before. I certainly haven't, but after doing their free skin care analysis, they list the products that would work best for your skin type, and then offer you a sample.  I did this on the 2nd of March, and the envelope arrive just 2 weeks later with not one, but 8 samples inside.  EIGHT!

The products came along with a catalogue, of course, so I can see that there are many more products available.  It also came with a list of my samples, and when and how to use them. That is really helpful when  you are suddenly faced with a lot of new things and not sure what order they should be used in.

The first, both morning and night, is the Orange Cleansing Soap.  It has a delightfully delicate orange scent, and though it doesn't foam on your face, it does leave you feeling soft and clean.  Next is an Aloe Lotion, which you apply with a cotton ball, to remove any residual dirt. I didn't find any, but it's good to know.  I wish this product had a bit of colour to it though as I found it hard to know how much I had on the cotton ball and probably used too much.  You follow this with the Glycolic Eye Cream and the Moisture Magnet (SPF 15) during the day or the Bee Pollen Night Cream at bedtime.

Other products that I found in the envelope were a Kiwi Face Scrub, to be used 2 or 3 times a week, and a Strawberry Tonic Mask which seems to be clay based, and is also to be used 2 or 3 times a week.  Finally, there is a product called Drying Cream, to use on trouble spots such as the tiny clusters of bumps that appear under the skin.  As I have rosacea I definitely have problems like that and really hope it helps.

While my skin does not normally like it when I change products, it has not complained at all this week. I especially like the Bee Pollen Night Cream and will likely be ordering some of that in the near future.  It makes my skin feel wonderful, even when I wake up in the morning.