how much money have you saved, from freebies?

[markio26]

hey:
this applies to anything from this year, that you can recall.... we have saved over $2000 in patio block supplies that were free from our friend Jakie... we have 66 more patio block to move yet to our home from his dock.....
we have installed a viranda, sidewalk all around our home, and a side patio.. we will be adding more sidewalk from the back patio to the other side of the house and then the south side of the house.. it makes our landscaping more defined.... thanks jakie....
this same friend jakie sold us us dodge ram 250 van about 3 years ago for a couple of thousand... he is one of the lil millionaire friends that we like...

[kimiko]

nothing so far

[getforfree]

I am sure I saved some money by buying less because of free samples. But I think i saved more because of rebates and coupons. I never counted it, but I never buy, unless it's free, shampoo, deodorant, lotion. I also got some bodywashes, soaps and lots of feminine products so far.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Probably about $60 worth of full rebates from Walgreens.

An adjustable height aerobics stair-step worth about $20 or $30 from Freecycle.

A hand cranked meat grinder from Freecycle. Uncertain of value. $30?

A two piece suit from Freecycle. About $150

A few freebies recieved by mail, learned about here. Value perhaps $12.

About 45 large bags of neighbors' leaves or grass clippings which I use for garden mulch and compost. Free soil builders! Value--who knows?

Various seeds received by trading my excess. Some were somewhat exotic, I'd estimate value at $80.

Sodas with full rebate, $40 (the spring Olympics game winnings + $10 rebates twice.) DH openned last bottle tonight.

Bottle Dove shampoo $6 because I reported to the company an error in the labling on their freebie sample packet.

Small box of blood glucose test strips $25, again because I reported a product defect.

Blood glucose meter $60 full rebate from manufacturer.

Engineering math text, Freecycle, $123.

[PRICEPLUS]

I really have not kept track as well as I should have so it is hard to tell!

[fairy74]

This is a good question Markio---I need to keep track better too, but just off the top of my head $300-400 in rebates, $50 in samples, $300 or so in furniture that people just dumped when they moved out of our complex (very nice stuff by the way and in some case brand new). This is an interesting category that I had not thought to keep track of!

[Staceyy]

I received a free after rebate desktop computer (Emachines Brand)

I received a free grant to go to culinary school (These schools typically cost between $25,0000 and $30,000. There were no income restrictions for applying for this grant.

Many internet freebies. This month I received a free Glucose Monitoring System and 12 free bottles of Boost (a drink for diabetics) I estimate these to be a $75 value.

I also receive free airline and hotel points which I use for travel and merchandise. Free soap, shampoo and conditioner, coffee, tea and newspapers.I was a corporate traveler for years and dh is a long distance truck driver. He stays in motels most nights and he also accumulates points which he can use for travel, restaurants or merchandise. We went to Hawaii on vacation,using points for the airfare and hotel.


I should add that I did not receive these all this year. The computer was several years ago as was the culinary grant. Its hard to put a value on all of this. All total I'd say we've probably received about $50,000 worth of freebies over the past 5 years plus we average about $42 a day ( per diem which is tax free) while we are on the road to pay for our meals. I was laid off a year ago but still have unused airline points and hotel points. Now when I want to travel, I travel for free with dh. Its not the same as airline travel, but I'm not complaining, I'm happy to be with dh, and happy to be traveling for free, no matter what mode of transportation.

So to answer your question, I guess between the freebies and per diem, we get about $20,000 per year in freebies. If I were working, it would be about $35,000 a year.

[Ima saver]

Wow, I have saved some money, but not that much. I don't sign up for any free stuff unless it is something I will use. I like the free bags of dog food and free dishwashing liquid that I have gotten.

[nanamom]

So far I received a sample of shampoo for curly hair, mine is straight. That adds up to zero.

[lrjohnson]

If we are talking from the manufacturer freebies, very little, maybe $10 to $20 over the years. Tampons are the only freebies that I would definitely buy if I didn't get the sample; the shampoos and stuff are not significant in that I buy very cheap shampoo and conditioner. (I'm lucky enough to have good hair, I guess). I used to get lots of samples; now I generally get cleaning products and bathing products only.

If we are taking freebie from hand-me-downs, then I've saved quite a bit. People have shared things form cereal to underwear (never worn) to wallets to clothes with me. In turn I have passed on a lot of items. It's a part of my never be ashamed of frugality lifestyle.

And then there is freecyle....love it. Got a huge bag of clothes and accessories once, very usable, and it inlcuded a sterling silver ring I wear all the time. Got some peanut butter and oatmeal. Have also given away books and plants.

[baking23]

Originally Posted by markio26

hey:
this applies to anything from this year, that you can recall....

A friend cleaned out her cupboards for whenever I move out and I got tons of kitchen stuff. I'm sure that saved me a few hundred at least.

[markio26]

i am talking about any freebies that you have received... i have noticed that i am a giver and
once i started taking notice.. i receive more than i give alot of times...we donated a living room suite to goodwill.. they sold it for $200.
we are invited to alot of home dinners at other ppl's homes, we don't have time to go, and if it is out of our area, gas is too high.. i quit playing cards with my friends.. it was 6 hours of my time and they wanted to start playing at 7pm.... it made me too tired the next day... they talk way too much.. the enjoyment left for me...now, i use the time to read magazines, or do a chore...