Make Money with Your Brain » Free Stuff

Free Groceries Don’t Have to be Junk Food!

Suzanne Wells — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 23:28:35 +0000

With the recent popularity of TLC’s Extreme Couponing show, a lot of people are wondering if they can save that much money themselves without dedicating their life to coupons – and without feeding their family only processed foods. Thankfully, it is completely possible to save a significant amount of money on healthy foods for any lifestyle. Couponing isn’t one size fits all – it can be adjusted to suit anyone.

Even if you choose to purchase the same foods you currently do, coupons can save you money. Plus, with the extra money that the coupons free up, you can likely afford to actually improve your diet (or put that money towards other goals). By spending only .25 for a box of (whole grain) pasta, you gain the option to buy organic spaghetti sauce or meat to go with it.

And if you don’t want to use coupons on food, just using them on health and beauty items can save you a good bit of money. Some of the best sales and coupons are for these items. It’s completely realistic to pay .50 or less for body wash, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, lotion, mouthwash, etc. And these deals aren’t rare – they happen every month. By shopping the sales at drugstores (CVS, Walgreens, or Rite Aid), you can build up a supply of these items in a short amount of time – and never have to pay full price again. That’s a huge savings.

If you’re bound to a lot of diet restrictions (only organics, no gluten, etc.), it will be harder to save as much as some people can couponing. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. Coupons are available for most specialty foods, especially organic items. As people have become more concerned about what they and their families are eating, manufacturers have taken notice and begun to offer more organic products and coupons. If this seems hard to believe, check out the sites below. They offer a selection of organic only coupons that can be redeemed at just about any store.

How to Get Free Kindle Books for the Android Phone

Suzanne Wells — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 04:19:51 +0000

You can take advantage of free Kindle books even if you don’t have a Kindle reader. Amazon has created applications for computers and Android phones. To add the app to your phone, go to the Android Market (on your cell phone). Do a search for “Kindle.” There should be a choice called “Kindle for Android” and it will say that it was developed by Amazon Mobile. Download the application and completely install it. After the download is completed, open the application. To view the various options, press your phone’s menu button. There will be a link that says “Kindle Store.” Click that link to be taken to the Kindle Store designed for use by Androids.

Once you’re in the store, look through the categories until you come to one called “Free Popular Classics.” Select that category and browse through the titles until you find a book you want. Click on the book. You will then be prompted to create a new Amazon account or sign in to your existing one.

Once you’ve signed in, you will be able to click on a “Buy Now with 1-Click” button. Check to be sure that the option is selected to have the book sent to your Android wirelessly.

After the download starts, click on the “Go to Kindle for Android” button. This will take you to your android application and you will be able to read your free book (or save it for later)!

How to Get Free Wii Points

Suzanne Wells — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 15:27:59 +0000

If you love video games and own a Wii game system, you have probably purchase Wii points to buy games and other extras. Purchasing Wii points on a regular basis can drain your wallet quickly. If you are in need of more Wii points, you may be wondering how to get free Wii points. Take these options into consideration to get Wii points without paying a penny!

Complete surveys and other special offers. There are many different websites that offer Wii points as a promotion. All you have to do is search for websites with these offers. After answering a few questions and filling out some forms, you will be eligible to win free Wii points. Based on the amount of surveys that you complete, you will begin to accumulate points that are redeemable for Wii points.

Refer your friends to these sites. If you have a friend who also loves video games, they too may be wondering how to get free Wii points. By referring your friends to these services, they will be able to begin to accumulate free Wii points. You will also benefit from referring friends and will continue to see your points grow. It’s a win-win situation!

Check out web contests. Many different websites and blogs offer contents to drive traffic to their website. Many of these websites are beginning to offer Wii points cards as contest prizes. Often, you can register your information within minutes so that you are entered to win these prizes.

The next time you wonder how to get free Wii points, take the above options into consideration. Not only will you be able to play more games and have a better Wii gaming experience, but you will be doing it for free!

Prescription Help – Get Free Prescriptions from Publix

Suzanne Wells — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 12:09:43 +0000

Many Americans need prescription help as the cost of medications continue to rise in spite of a slow economy. Did you know you can get some prescriptions free at your local Publix grocery store? This is a program that started back in 2007. 684 Publix Pharmacies nation wide offer the following oral antibiotics, free:

Amoxicillin, Cephalexin, Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim (SMZ-TMP), Ciprofloxacin (excluding ciprofloxacin XR), Penicillin VK, Ampicillin, and Erythromycin (excluding Ery-Tab).

You will still need a prescription from your doctor and can get these medicines regardless of your insurance program. Kroger and Giant Eagle grocery stores offer the same prescription help program and will provide a 14-day supply of these antibiotics as well.

Don’t expect the pharmacist to hand the meds over for free, though. You will have to ask for them to be free of charge. Free antibiotics will help many families who may not bother to get their prescriptions filled because they don’t have the money. So if you are in this situation, prescription help may only be as far away as your local grocery store.

5 Ways to Work Out at a Fitness Center for Free

Suzanne Wells — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:35:00 +0000

A gym membership is considered a luxury in today’s economy. But if you find working out a home, jogging along busy streets, or walking in circles around a track are not working for you, here are some strategies for working out at a gym for free!

1. If you are in the military and near a base, work out there. The drive to the base may be a little inconvenient, but you don’t have to pay dues to use the fitness center.

2. Check out free offers in the mail. Some gyms offer a free 1 week or 2 week trial. Take advantage of these! I get offers from Lifetime Fitness, Bally’s, Fitness 19, and LA Fitness on a regular basis. You may also be able to go online and print a free pass. If you live in a busy metropolitan area, you can work your way around to many different clubs.

3. Do you have friends living in an apartment or condo? Some have a workout room. Figure out a way to partner with friends who have access to a fitness center in their apartment or condo complex.

4. Another perk for those in the military and their families- the YMCA Outreach program. To qualify for a free membership at a YMCA participating in this program, you must be a family member of deployed National Guard or Reservists, family of active duty or relocated deployed active duty.

5. Negotiate. Smaller independently run fitness centers may be willing to negotiate. Rather than paying for a membership, you may be able to work on trade such as cleaning the gym, working in the child care room, working the front desk, or helping with sales and marketing. It never hurts to ask.

Trade Show Exhibits – Great Place to Get Free Stuff

Suzanne Wells — Wed, 19 May 2010 09:34:53 +0000

I live in Atlanta, a big trade show city. We get trade shows in all shapes and sizes – bridal shows, baby fairs, health expos, computer shows, and even pet expos. The is no cost to attend many of these expos and you can literally walk around the trade show exhibits and get all kinds of great freebies.

Pay attention to your local newspaper and television for upcoming trade shows and expos. If admission is not free, it still may be worth going. If it is $10 to get in the door of a good trade show, you can easily offset that fee by all the great freebies you will get.

Bring a something to carry your freebies in. I’ve seen people bring rolling suitcases just so they can fill them up with free loot. Be prepared to carry your treasures back to your car.

After you get into the show, visit all the trade show exhibits, even if they don’t really interest you. Their freebie might be a coupon for another item, or they might be handing out a neat promotional item that you can use – like a coffee mug or a nice pen. Some companies give away food or beverages.

Enter giveaways, drawings, and contests for prizes. Advertisers are collecting names for their mailing list so be aware of that. You may win a prize at the trade show or get coupons or free offers in the mail.

Take the time to complete or participate in surveys or focus groups. Some will give you with a gift card or free item in exchange for your time. Yes, this is bribery. I have scored some nice gift cards for spending five minutes taking a survey.

If you go to baby or childrens expos, take the kids. The vendors will have a kids area with fun things for kids to do. Trade show exhibitors love handing out things to kids.

Visit the trade show exhibits on the last day. The vendors won’t want to pack up everything and carry it back to their vehicle. Ask the vendors if they have anything they want to give away. You can score some serious stuff this way. Sometimes the vendors just leave extra items behind and you can help yourself.

Get Free Cable TV Channels Just by Asking

Suzanne Wells — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:56:07 +0000

Do you ever see newspaper ads or mailbox flyers advertising cable TV specials for new customers? Are you insulted because your cable company only extends these cable TV specials to new customers – not you, the loyal long term customer? Do what I do, ask for the same deal.

Recently I received a mailbox flyer from DirecTV. The ad was for a package deal at a lower price than I pay for the same channels. But, the offer only applied to new customers.

So, I called DirecTV customer service and asked for the cable TV special deal. They said no. I asked to speak to a supervisor. I said, “I am calling in reference to the current special you have of $29.99 a month for the basic package for new customers. I have been a DirecTV customer for 5 years. As a loyal customer, isn’t my business as important to you as business from someone who has never paid you a dime? I have paid over $3,000 for your service over the last 5 years. I should be eligible this special deal.”

The supervisor had to think about my comments for a minute, and put me on hold. Then she came back and gave me a free upgrade to a more expensive package. They didn’t lower my monthly bill, but I got some free stuff just for asking. Be polite but firm. You don’t have to get nasty – this is a negotiation.

Keep in mind that when you pay for services such as internet access, cell phone usage, or cable TV, you are the bread and butter of these organizations. They want you coming back month after month. Take advantage of this situation. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.