April 2011: What freebies have you received?

[MadClikr]

April showers bring May flowers.... and hopefully, lots of freebies! Have you received anything recently?

I've been using a lot of coupons recently, taking advantage of store specials and the like. DH and I are saving up to buy a new house, and every little bit helps! I also received a coupon good for a free appetizer at a local restaurant after I filled out a survey on our last trip there.

[MadClikr]

Today, I received a free pop up bowl of Orville Redenbacher's popcorn and an Earthbound Farm coupon in the mail. I also bought up some all natural candy at Whole Foods - buy one get one free!

[mspete]

I received the Orville Redenbacher popcorn, too. A few days ago I received some little things, I'm not sure what they are! They look like knitted armbands but they are only large enough to fit on your fingers. There is a set of 10 in different colors, some with letters spelling chrome and four with little designs on them. I'm not sure how they are to be used, but they are cute!

I use coupons every time I go grocery shopping. Twice recently I did the "double coupon" thing at a local store. The first time the amount was $104.00 and when I paid for them it was $41.00. Last week the amount was $39 and when I paid it was $21. The only thing I buy that we do not use are a few toilet articles (toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, etc) that I give to the church for the missions basket.
Many of the samples I get (diapers, sanitary napkins, tampons, depends, etc) go to a residental hospice. They use these to give to people who are visiting patients and may not have brought some of these. I also give them freebies of crayons and coloring books that Publix gives free. I buy children's books at the thrift store, often as little as $.15 and give them to hospice also. Not much but I hope it helps.

[MadClikr]

I remember when we used to volunteer with a food distribution center which helped victims of abuse, usually women and children, start back out on their own. We would pick up the food (some of which we bought, some was donated) and then deliver it to people's homes. Seeing women and children staying in a reduced income apartment with no furniture, sleeping on the floor, really puts things in perspective. Every little thing helps when you have so little to start with.