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Support the reader economy: Giveaway #4.

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I hesitated to post another “Support the Reader Economy” giveaway so soon after my most recent giveaway, which was a $15 Starbucks gift card on June 20. Then I realized:

(a) That was several weeks ago (so easy to lose track of time during an Alaska summer), and also

(b) People are being slammed by inflation, so why not offer a little help right now instead of waiting?

In the grand scheme of things that help is rather small: A $25 gift card to the winner’s retailer of choice. On the other hand, it’s always fun to win things – and even though $25 is chump change these days, in some cases it could make a big difference.

For example:

You’re coming off a spell of unemployment and playing catch-up.

You’re in the middle of a spell of underemployment, and have more month than money.

You’re having one of those years where everything that can go wrong did go wrong, from major repair bills to high medical co-pays.

Will $25 fix any of those situations for good? Of course not. But it might provide gas to get to work, some Payless Shoe Source sneakers for your fast-growing youngest kid, or some milk and bananas to balance out this month’s food-bank offerings.

The giveaway was never meant to be a solution to a major problem. It’s more like a slice of serendipity, an e-hug from me to the winner to encourage them to keep fighting.

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How to get free stuff.

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Once upon a time, it was easy to get free stuff. In the early days of Internet marketing, companies vied with one another to give away everything from candy bars to condoms.

Of course, this free stuff came at a cost: The manufacturers would spam you, and your info would likely be sold so that other people could spam you, too.

But for a little while our mailboxes turned into piñatas, spilling out stuff like protein bars, breakfast cereal, T-shirts, pet food, feminine hygiene products, fabric softener, cosmetics, snack foods, energy drinks and all sorts of over-the-counter medications. Those were the days.

Marketing has changed, and most of the folks who used to run freebie sites either sold their URLs or dropped outta the blogging business. But when asked to find out what’s still there, I found enough to write about for Money Talks News. “6 of the best websites for finding free stuff” notes that times have definitely changed:

“(Some) so-called ‘freebie’ sites are more about items that are free if you:

  • Use coupons and rebates.
  • Pay upfront and then get a loyalty program credit or an online rebate.
  • Jump through multiple hoops, such as creating an account, installing an app and linking your social media account.
  • Enter a drawing for a chance at getting the free item.
  • Take surveys and then use the points you earn to get “free” stuff.

“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with taking surveys; it’s one way of earning extra cash. Nothing wrong with rebates, either. But sometimes you just want to click it and claim it.”

I did come up with more than half a dozen legitimate ways to score gratis goods. (A couple of extras are tucked in as also-rans.) The article also includes pro tips and caveats. Have a look, and score some free stuff of your own.

A few other pieces I’ve done for Money Talks News lately:

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The frugal sybarite.

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(As promised during this no- or low-spend February, I have run a Throwback Thursday post to encourage frugal pursuits. This week’s choice is designed to remind us to take care of ourselves – without breaking the bank. The piece originally ran on July 15, 2015.)

Some habits that I consider opulent would make other people sneer. To each her own, I suppose. Myself, I happen to think taking a long, hot bath with a good book in (dry) hand is a tremendous luxury – especially if there’s a glass of iced tea or a Diet Coke handy.

(Hint: Even if the soft drink is already cold, put it in the freezer for 15 minutes or so before you run the bath. The contrast of the hot-as-you-can-stand water and the icy beverage is delightful.)

Hanging our laundry to dry in the sun leads to another luxury: falling asleep surrounded by the fragrance of the sun and the wind. Some people would say the sun has no odor. I beg to differ.

DF and I sometimes joke about being “frugal sybarites.” The fact is, a sumptuous lifestyle doesn’t necessarily require a lot of dollar signs.

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Need something? Buy Nothing.

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(Happy Throwback Thursday! Now that the no- or low-spend February is underway, I thought this post could help some of you avoid spending and/or declutter. It was originally published on Aug. 5, 2018. Ever since then I have been using the heck out of Buy Nothing, both to give and to receive. With luck, your local group will be a great year-round resource to you as well.)

I got a free mini-fridge yesterday. Not for me, for a friend. (Seriously!)

While clearly secondhand, with a couple of scratches and dings, it smells freshly washed on the inside and will help someone out.

Helping people out is the stated purpose of the fridge’s source: a Buy Nothing Facebook group.

Sort of an intensely local Freecycle, this page is a great way not just to keep things out of the landfill, but also to connect with your community.

I’ve gotten so much good stuff from this site, including but not limited to:

  • A waffle iron that had been used just once (and it has a beeping timer – no more scorched waffles!)
  • A never-before-played “Game of Thrones” board game, which became a Christmas gift
  • A pair of slippers for DF’s grandchild to wear when she visits (this is Alaska, and shoes go off at the door)
  • A wraparound-style fleece poncho (very soft and cozy)
  • A bright-red colander (which I use to drain my homemade yogurt)
  • Plastic storage totes
  • Lots of food: apples, powdered milk, flour, dried beans, yeast, lentils, baking powder, pasta, split peas, and canned vegetables, fruits, fish and Spam (some of which we donated to a food bank)
  • Dig-your-own horseradish roots (always looking for new garden challenges)
  • A huge roll of parchment paper (a crucial ingredient in making that ridiculously simple, ridiculously delicious rustic bread)

It also helped me find an elementary school teacher who was delighted to take some empty Altoid tins off my hands. She’s also stoked about receiving fidget spinners, slap bracelets and any other fun items I bring back from . (Teachers are always looking for things for their classrooms.) DF and I have given away a bunch of other things, too, such as books, clothing and fresh rhubarb.

My niece has been able to find new homes for some decorative items (she’s changing décor), some outgrown toys and kids’ clothing, and a big bag of shredded bedding for pet cages (her snake died). Recently she picked up a big bag of clothing for her younger son, and also a major holiday gift (again, can’t say exactly what in case the kiddo is reading). She and I both check the page regularly, to see if anyone’s giving away something useful.

Or looking for something useful – the Buy Nothing group runs both ways. If you don’t see what you need, you can ask.

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Win a $100 Old Navy gift card.

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Enter for a chance to win a $100 e-gift card to spend at Old Navy!

Savings.com is at it again. This time, the coupon/deals website is giving away five $100 e-gift cards to Old Navy. 

Although this is being billed as the #OldNavyFallLooks giveaway, I’m thinking “holiday shopping.” You could do quite a bit of damage with $100 at Old Navy, especially if you check the clearance racks and/or wait until Black Friday.

Then again, Old Navy is known for fun clothing and accessories that are affordable even when they aren’t on sale. 

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Giveaway: A box of (mostly) Alaskan stocking stuffers.

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Very glad I started this giveaway series in time for the holidays. Judging from the response I got to the previous one, so are a whole lot of readers.

While gift cards are easier to send (especially if they’re e-gift cards), my original intent was also to give away some Alaska items in order to support the local economy this holiday season. Hence the current giveaway: the small flat-rate box of (mostly) Alaskan stocking stuffers.

Don’t celebrate Christmas? Give them as “just thinking about you” presents. Donate them to a shelter. Or keep them all to yourself. Who’s gonna know?

A bunch of these items are courtesy of my BFF, Linda B., who is conducting a fairly ruthless purge of Stuff. Like many of us, she has come by sooooo much Stuff. Even if you have a biggish house (which she does), there’s only so much Stuff you can display/use.

Linda has been finding good homes for a lot of the Stuff through our local Buy Nothing Facebook page. Art, outerwear, jewelry, tchotchkes…It’s been fun to watch. And, occasionally, to participate in, as I was able to snare some things for the mostly Alaska stocking stuffers.

That box includes but is not limited to:

 

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Giveaway: Two $10 Starbucks gift cards.

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Hot enough for ya? Some cities are broiling right now and a cold, cold drink could be just the thing.

Up here it’s still a fairly chilly summer, and in parts of Alaska it’s always chilly. A hot, hot drink would be soothing.

Then there are those who believe in drinking hot tea in the summer to cool themselves off. I refrain from comment.

But two lucky will have their first $10 worth of Starbucks beverages covered.

 

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Win a $100 gift card via #MayAtMacys:

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Win a $100 e-gift card from Macy's.
(Note: As a Savings.com DealPro, I will earn a very small affiliate fee for each person who enters the Macy’s gift card drawing.)

Want to win $100 worth of buying power at Macy’s? Now’s your chance. Savings.com is giving away five $100 gift cards during its #MayAtMacys promotion.

Obviously I can’t win, but maybe you can get a $100 head start on things like:

  • Graduation gifts
  • Baby- or wedding-shower presents (even if the parties are virtual)
  • Buying women’s or children’s underwear and socks to donate to the family shelter
  • New summer clothes
  • A bit of advance holiday shopping (never too early to get started)

This is a fairly quick-turnaround giveaway. You have until 11:59 p.m. PDT Thursday, May 7 to throw your name into the hat.

 

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Giveaway: $50 worth of gift cards.

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I haven’t had a giveaway in quite a while, so I decided to put a $25 gift card up for grabs.

Then I changed my mind.

“Why don’t I give away three $10 cards?” I thought. “That way three people can win.”

And then I changed my mind again. Or, rather, the owner of the I Pick Up Pennies website  — aka, my daughter, Abigail Perry — changed it for me.

“I’d be glad to kick in a $20 gift card,” she said. “That way, you can make it an even $50.”

That’s the end of the mind-changing. The first-place winner will get a $20 gift card, and three other winners will each get $10 gift cards.

Even a $10 gift card can be helpful when times are a bit tight, whether you use it to buy rice and beans or to order yourself (or someone else) a little treat to brighten the day.

And if money isn’t an issue right now? Lucky you, and consider passing along the card to someone in need, or in need of a treat.

What kind of gift cards? That’s up to the winners.

Well, to some extent it’s up to the winners. The scrip options are Amazon, Walmart or Target. I can send them electronically or have them mailed. Your call.

 

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How to get free stuff at the dollar store.

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Editor’s note: Some readers ask me to post periodic “read me elsewhere” updates. It’s been a while (errr, three months) so here is some of the stuff* you missed.

What’s better than finding name-brand stuff at the dollar store? Not having to pay for it, that’s what. In an article for Money Talks News called “The secret to getting dollar store items for free,” I show how shopping/coupon bloggers do the legwork for you.

Specifically, they match virtual coupons – plus any available rebates – to items found at Dollar Tree, Family Dollar and Dollar General. While the lineup varies from week to week, you can expect to find free stuff regularly (and almost-free stuff, too).

Some recent examples of completely free items: Excedrin, Purina Dentalife dog treats, Atkins frozen entrees, a three-bar pack of Zest soap, Airborne products, 3M Command Hooks, Splenda sweetener, Bounce or Downy dryer sheets, Keebler crackers, Theraflu, Advil PM, Super Pretzel Bites, Breathe Right strips, CeraVe diaper rash cream, Bic razors, Texas Pete hot sauce, Seeds of Change sauces, Suave Kids hair care products, A&D Ointment, Sucrets, Alka Seltzer Allergy, and Frigo string or shredded cheese.

The bloggers also spell out any rebate deals. Sites like Ibotta, SavingStar and Checkout 51 offer cash back on an ever-changing list of products. With coupons plus rebates you might even earn money on certain purchases.

Dollar store coupon policies vary, of course. For example, Dollar Tree lets you use a coupon with a face value of more than $1, but it will not return the difference to you in change. Family Dollar, on the other hand, will not accept a coupon with a face value greater than the price of the item. Know your store’s policies before you shop.

It’s unlikely you could take care of all your household’s needs this way. Your mileage may vary in other ways, too. Some dollar stores are smallish. Some don’t have frozen or refrigerated items. And if you live in Alaska, you don’t have personal access to dollar stores at all.

In other Money Talks News (see what I did there?):

 

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