My list of things I’ll never pay for again is slowly growing as I learn more about coupons and focus on running a frugal household. I thought it might be entertaining for you to see my list. Of course we will all have different lists based on the stores we shop at (and their coupon policies) and the needs of our household. I began focusing on using coupons almost one year ago and have learned that many coupons will be reissued again and again – so I really can get all of these things for free all year long. But of course it is all about having the right coupons and timing the sales right. I’ve included some key resources to help you find freebies at the stores you shop at.
BBQ Sauce & Mustard – Use Coupons When on Sale for $1
We don’t go threw these items very quickly in our house, but I’ve been able to stock-up on them for FREE when they are on sale at Kroger for $1 and I can use coupons that will double or triple to give me $1 off. French’s Mustard has those magic 50 cent coupons here and here that are great to take to a store that doubles them (you can only print these once, so if you’ve printed them before the coupon will not show up as an option to print). Here’s a Bull’s Eye BBQ sauce $1 coupon, but you’ve got to time it with a sale. The Grocery Gathering is a great way to match-up sales with coupons and is updated twice a week by lots of frugal bloggers who specialize in different stores.
Body & Hand Soap – Use Coupons, Do the CVS & Walgreens Deals
We are now getting most of the soap we need in our house for free. I buy SoftSoap Hand Pumps when they are on sale for $1 at Kroger and I have a manufacturer’s coupon to save 35 cents (my Kroger triples this coupon). This coinciding sale and coupon happens on a regular basis – so hand soap is always free with this deal. The boys love the Johnson’s Buddies Soap, which is normally priced at 99 cents at most stores and there is always a $1 coupon (from Sunday ad inserts, parenting magazines, or printables here and here) that I can use to stock-up when it is FREE. I’m enjoying free body wash that I buy at CVS or Walgreens that is free after sales, coupons, rebates, extra-bucks – the deals can get complicated to do but I’ve done enough to know there will be another body wash deal just around the corner (Hooray for Free-bates and Money Saving Mom are telling me about these deals). For my hubby, I try to catch the CVS or Walgreens deals on Irish Spring bar soap – or at least use coupons that my Kroger will triple. So, for the most part our household’s soaps needs are met without spending much of the green stuff (or getting it back as a rebate). We’re also getting all our fluoride toothpaste and adult toothbrushes for free as well.
Perfume – Use Free Samples
I don’t wear perfume every day, only once in awhile – so the free samples I get of perfume suit my needs just fine. I’ve blogged about them before – but here are the direct links for my new readers to those samples still available (Coty Collection, Lacoste Touch of Pink, Vera Wang Princess, Covet Sarah Jessica Parker, Elle Yves Saint Laurent, Nina, Hugo Urban)
Razors for Him & Her – Use Free Samples, Do CVS & Walgreens Deals
There are actually a surprising number of free razor samples, so between the ones we get in the mail and the ones I get at CVS and Walgreens for free – I never need to buy razors for myself or my husband. You just can’t be very picky about what type you use – and you pick up the free razors instead of buying the refills.
Travel Size Toiletries – Use Free Samples
I get a lot of free samples for toothpaste (like this Aquafresh), lotion (like this Dove), shampoo & conditioner (like this Sunsilk), and body wash (like this Caress). These are often in cute little bottles and are the perfect size for travelling. Not that I travel much – it’s a rare thing for me right now – but if I did travel, I would never have to buy these things because I get them in the mail for free all the time.
Magazine Subscriptions – Only Subscribe if it’s FREE
I used to pay for magazine subscriptions. Then I realized that I get enough free subscriptions to magazines that interest me, that there is no reason why I should ever pay for a subscription again! I love magazines because they are a quick read, often have coupons in them, are great for getting new ideas, and are essential to take to any place where you are stuck in the waiting room. So, don’t miss Marie Claire!
Greeting Cards – Send Electronic, Get Free Cards, or Make It
I am a big fan of the free version of Smilebox and of the free Hallmark ecards. I send most of my greeting cards electronically now. I do still mail some greeting cards, but I take advantage of free offers for photo cards (like the recent Shutterfly offer) or Hallmark samples from Walmart or I make my own cards.
Ok – I admit that my list ended up being longer than I thought it would be! Now, time for you to share, leave a comment and tell me what you will never pay for again in your household!
THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS WEBSITE,YOU HAVE SAVED ME A TON OF $$…I HEARD ABOUT YOU ON INSIDE EDITION,AND IM GLAD I DID…THANKS:)
when will you be getting more of the sunsilk products?
Thanks for the great info.
I saw you on Inside Edition too…and have been having so much fun ordering the samples and coupons…picked up my free 8×10 photo from Walgreens yesterday!!!! Thank you so much!!!!! Victoria
I am new to Freebies4Mom and I am having sooo much fun ordering the free samples….I can’t wait until they come; it will be like Christmas! Thank goodness I watched Inside Edition and saw you on there! Thanks for the help and the savings……..and for sharing!
I always new about all the freebies. But now that I hear other women are getting things free by doubling their coupons that just stinks. In my home town no store doubles coupons. They do In houston where my parents live though :(.
There are tons of different problems that your computer can encounter when trying to print coupons. My general recommendation is to try using a different internet browser, like Mozilla Firefox (free to download and use). Otherwise, visit my “Need Help Printing?” post you’ll find in my right sidebar under “Coupons 4 Mom” – read the comments to find out what is working for other readers.
I love your site it is great. but I have a question. I am trying to print the aquafresh coupon. but I can’t get it to print. when I went to the help thing it said that when you hit the print coupon button if you don’t have that coupon printer it will prompt you to instal it. but it wont do that for me. do you have any suggestions. otherwise I don’t know how I am going to get the coupons to print.thanks again for everything !!! :)
I always buy Scott. A single roll has 115 sq. ft.so divide the ft. by the number of rolls to make sure each one has 115 ft. You can get them on sale for about $$.55 to $.62 a roll, depending on the number of rolls and the sale price. It seems to last the longest also.
I’d LOVE to know how to get TP and paper towels for free (as posted by Aphrodite). I’ve yet to get more than 4 rolls free (at a one-time Kroger sale with a doubled 50 cent coupon when TP on sale for 99 cents). ANY tips you could offer would be greatly appreciated.Anyone know which TP brands are the best deal? I can’t figure out the one play/two ply/this many sheets craziness. Is anyone else as confused as I am about finding the best deals when the prices and number of rolls are the same?Thanks so much for your help!
Things I don’t pay for: Shampoo/Conditioner, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, air fresheners, shaving cream, razors, most household cleaners, candles, pain relievers, cough medicine, cereal, and more that I can’t think of right now! Plus, I sell a lot of my stockpiled items at garage sales, and so far this year I’ve made about $400 from selling my free things! We’ll be using some of that to replace our broken grill! :)
I never realized how much you can get for free untill just recently and I am hooked!!!
I get the Johnson’s Buddies soaps (.94c) at Walmart without a problem. It rings up as $1 so there is 6c overage. Also I have learned to pick my cashiers. I also learned to watch coupons carefully as they can’t seem to handle too many at once and many of my coupons were never rung up on larger orders.
I love your list! Many of the things on your list are things I stopped buying also. I’m going to make a list too… what a great idea!Thanks, Homemaker Barbi
Great to hear, amphritrite. I’m assuming you are shopping the deals at CVS and Walgreens and rolling your extra bucks or rebates each week?
I don’t pay for TP, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, razors, laundry soap or paper towels (although, the last, I only buy and use if/when they’re free – I prefer cloth towels). As a matter of fact, I don’t pay for a lot of food, either. Go fig :)
The French’s mustard coupons are there – but if you’ve printed them before they will not show up in the list – you can only print them once. I’ve updated my post to clarify this.
I tried your link for the frenchs mustard – it took me to other coupons – not frenchs – just wanted you to know. Thanks – I enjoy your blog!
Thanks for leaving comments, Jan, Megan, and Crystal. Megan – I buy the Johsnon’s Buddies soap at CVS and Kroger. Usually the cashier just overrides the coupon to make it work (because the soap is priced one penny below the coupon value). But today when I was at CVS buying them, the cashier adjusted the price of my coupons to make it work so I get it for free with no overage. Sorry they gave you a hard time at Target, it all depends on what cashier you have!
I have been able to get so many wonderful freebies!! I will be trying out new toothpastes for a while! I will try out lotion and even have a new LARGE sized bottle of Air Infusions to try out!! I am loving it – I even have a new book, Captured By Grace! I have received great discounts on food (Sonic, Smoothie King,) and discounts on Sensio coffees for me! THANK YOU so much Heather! Sorry my post is so long – I just had to fill you in on some “things I’ll Never Pay For Again”!!!
Oh, what a great list!!! I often look at my cabinets and see multiples of the exact items you listed. I also don’t pay for any pain relievers–they’re always free!!! My husband asks for a particular brand and I can normally pull it out of my stash; if I can’t, I tell him to stop being brand loyal :-)One question: on the Johnson Buddies, where are you picking them up? I tried to get them at Target (97 cents) and use the $1 coupon and they gave me a really hard time…I’d rather not go through that again. Does Kroger just push the coupons through?
I won’t be paying for toothpaste or toothbrushes or lotion!