Is my love for free samples an indication of frugality?
I am involved in an ongoing quest to determine if I am in fact frugal, or just cheap with aspirations of frugality. I do indeed aspire to be frugal, but I may in actuality being falling short of the mark. I’ve started to think about how I love free things, and what that might say about me. I must admit… I am addicted to free samples. And you know what? Since I have become a personal finance blogger, I find free samples to apply for every single day just by reading the blogs in my RSS reader. Apparently, I am not the only person who is a fan of free samples. Maybe it is a trait common to those who think about their money to love to get things for free. I don’t know. But I do love freebies, I always have. I once, when working a boring waitressing shift as a teenager, filled out about 100 entries to get a free 8×10 portrait. And I even won… and resisted getting 500 other pictures I had to pay for. Too bad I was short-sighted and got the portrait done of my then-boyfriend and I. That didn’t last, and I could have used it for my family. Ah, to be young and in “love”….
My love of free samples lives to this day. In fact, in the recent past I’ve filled out forms to get everything from granola bars to deodorant to facial cleanser to snack mix. And every day it seems I find something new and free in my mailbox. Today was Chocolate Chex and Greenies cat treats, in fact. I sometimes wonder what the mailperson thinks about this… what do all those freebies say about me? I have too much time on my hands? I’m poor? Cheap? Or is it an indication of my inherent frugality?
I’d like to believe I am being frugal, but maybe this is just more evidence that I’m actually cheap. I don’t apply for things we clearly will not use, but I do apply for anything we might use, no matter the brand. And I am building up quite a stockpile of free stuff, toiletries and personal items especially. I’ve even gotten free samples while grocery shopping. I may not have to walk down the personal care aisle for months. And that’s an expensive aisle! But then I might miss out on a free sample…. so I think I’ll have to at least take a peek when walking by.
I love free samples. Don’t you?
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August 22nd, 2007 at 3:49 pm
I love free samples. I find the best ones are toiletries like razors and deodorant and some high-value coupons. I have at least 5 mini “travel sized” deodorant sticks!
Where do you go for your samples? I am always looking for more.
August 22nd, 2007 at 5:55 pm
In most cases, the work required to get the free sample is not worth it. My wife was once sent a 10 page survey that would enter her for a CHANCE to win some lipstick or something.
The only time I really got into free samples was in college when we would cruise supermarkets that would have those tasting booths. Many days we didn’t have to spend any money at all on food - it would go directly to beer.
August 22nd, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Most of the free samples I have applied for lately were from links on other personal finance bloggers websites. Boston Gal’s Open Wallet (link in my blogroll) comes to mind as a big source of them, but there are others too.
have fun finding samples!
August 23rd, 2007 at 10:47 am
I’m a freebie junkie. Some weeks I think the maillady hates me as she has to stuff all these little boxes in my mailbox (and p.s. Brian, there are lots of legit websites to get free samples, especially when you go directly to the manufacturers website.) I do a friday freebies on one of my blogs every week. I started doing it because I would email friends and family all the time with my list and figured there had to be an easier way to do it.
I like to put the freebies in my travel bag, usually I have enough shampoo, conditioner, soap, razors, lotion etc.. to get me through a 2 week trip. And then I just restock when I get home.
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:09 pm
Must subscribe to your blog. Must get Friday freebies. Thanks!
August 28th, 2007 at 10:12 am
I know my love of samples is not the world’s most frugal thing. I get lots of freebies in the mail and get to try many items I might not necessarily buy given our families current tight budget.
My main thing is the mail. I love mail. I am like a freaky geek when I am home on Saturdays and the mailman comes up our walk. (My kids frequently sing the Blues Clues song about mail when I leap to get the mail- “Here’s the mail it never fails it makes me want to wag my tail- MAIL!” because my freakiness is legendary).
August 28th, 2007 at 10:20 am
Oooh I love the mail too! And that’s another thing…. lol
September 16th, 2007 at 9:06 am
I love my free samples as well! Every day in the mail, I seem to get 1 sample! I do spend a lot of time looking for them and post them each Friday.
September 16th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
And now I must visit your blog to check out Friday free samples. thanks!!