Things I don't pay for

[2moretrees]

These are some of the things that I don't pay for because I can get them for free.

calendars
address labels
note pads
magazines
pens
matches

What other things do people get for free to make sure I'm not missing out on something

[mom-from-missouri]

classic movies--I get them on loan from the local library
magazines-I get them from the local library, or free thru points i have earned on various sites

[PrincessPerky]

Wrapping paper, DS and DD makes it all with free grocery bags from the store, though I would have to buy some more paint eventually.

[Susapalooza]

Lately, I've gotten lots of free shampoo...enough to share with several other people! And like 2moretrees, I've gotten free calendars the past couple of years. Some I found online, and another, from the local library.

[mom-from-missouri]

Our local banks give out free calendars, as well as the park and rec and the schools. Of course the ones from the park and rec and schools primary purpose is to show various scheduled events, but it is still a calendar. Our halmark store gives free purse sized calendars out

[mjrube94]

I find that I can get a ton of toiletries, especially shampoo, deoderant, and toothpaste, free or close to it, when they're on sale and I have a (double) coupon. I like to get everything free that I can, then I donate those brands that I normally don't use to the local food pantry. That way, I feel like I'm still contributing to charity even if I don't have the cash to help them out.

I got the idea from www.cutouthunger.org. They list the weekly sale items by grocery store, along with commonly available coupons. All they ask for in support of the site is that you donate some of the items to charity.

[mom-from-missouri]

*firewood
*plant starts (I always ask, dont just pick-most people will say yes, or will trade with me for some of what I have)
*walnuts-I pick them up from the park-the city says its ok
*batteries-double a and tripple a--disposible cameras use them and most photo places remove them from the cameras rather than put in the trash. they will give them out if you ask
*bottoms and sides of used wooden shipping pallets-we have a shipping company here in town that puts them in a pile for whoever wants them. If you get several, you can get quite a bit of lumber that way they are also nice to build a compost bin with, or a bin to hold your trash containers.
*mulch-our town has a dropoff site for used Christmas trees. Then in Feb you can go get the mulch after they are chipped on a first come, first serve base
*old tires -from our tire store--I use them to put around some new trees to protect them from the mower and weedeater.
*Coupons--if I like or dislike a product, I get online and tell them about it and include my name and address. More than half the time I receive a coupon in the mail from the company.
*lots of information, brochures, receipes, soil testing, water testing and training classes in a wide range of topics from our local extension office. Can also sometimes get the same type of info from the state department of conservation.

[Susapalooza]

I love those little purse-sized calendars, Mom! They keep me from scribbling important info on grocery receipts, etc. (and then losing them!). The last one I got was from our dentist.

[skipper]

thoothbrushes and dental floss dentist gives them free with every visit.

[terry1156]

Originally Posted by mom-from-missouri

*batteries-double a and tripple a--disposible cameras use them and most photo places remove them from the cameras rather than put in the trash. they will give them out if you ask.

How much life do the batteries usually have in them once they have been removed? I assume they are regular batteries and not alkaline, right?

[DivaJen]

Originally Posted by mom-from-missouri

*plant starts (I always ask, dont just pick-most people will say yes, or will trade with me for some of what I have)
*mulch-our town has a dropoff site for used Christmas trees. Then in Feb you can go get the mulch after they are chipped on a first come, first serve base

I get/transplant volunteers as well.

We make our own compost, and there is a place in town where you can go get your own mulch for free.

[mom-from-missouri]

Originally Posted by terry1156

How much life do the batteries usually have in them once they have been removed? I assume they are regular batteries and not alkaline, right?

Usually they last quite awhile. Most disposable cameras are 12-36 pictures. I use them in the kids games and kids flashlights--I buy the real good ones for my flashlight.

[shawni]

This may be a somewhat unusual "free" item, but working for a non profit HIV clinic, I have a never ending supply of condoms. Not having "saved" enough to start our family, they sure come in handy! I also bring home tons of pens, notepads, and random drug rep trinkets.

[DivaJen]

Originally Posted by shawni

This may be a somewhat unusual "free" item, but working for a non profit HIV clinic, I have a never ending supply of condoms. Not having "saved" enough to start our family, they sure come in handy!

LOL -I love it!

[jmjj215]

Riteaid has rebates that often get you the product for free - just have to be willing to send them in!

[loveofpets]

It's not just Rite Aid that has these rebates - that you send in electronically with data from your sales receipt, it's other stores:

Walgreen's
Happy Harry's (Drug store in DE)
Eckerd (hard copy only - they've not advanced to online submission)

Using this can usually guarantee that you'll be well stocked with toothbrushes, toothpaste, soaps, light bulbs, just to name a few products. I've not paid for any of these items for at least 10 years!

[mom-from-missouri]

Fish bait! We dig worms. Heard a lady complaining today about the price she paid for bait.

[momma4]

don't buy diapers and baby wipes monthly i make them'
use towels instead of paper towels
I rarely use paper plates even to a picnic i have three section plastic ones i bought for those.
premade salad mix (with my family so big it is cheaper and more healthy for me to cut everything up myself)
rarely buy shreaded cheese if you have a grader it seems cheese lasts longer.
don't buy napkins I make my own

[amomof4]

paper plates
plastic forks, spoons, cups
paper towels
window cleaners
ice

to name a few

[retire@50]

Printer paper from work. I collect the discarded paper that's only printed on one side and bring it home and print on the other side.

Bows - every Christmas I collect the bows that everyone else wants to throw away. I have a large grocery sack of bows that I recycle every year.

Rubber Bands from produce