Pocket Your Dollars’ reader Kristen wrote us about how she and her daughters (ages 8 and 11) took a “Freebie Day” last summer to see how many free products they could get in one day. (Yes, I know this post is months overdue, but getting it done was a New Year’s Resolution. I can check that off my list, yay!)
Kristen told us: “My older daughter was so excited about this that she spent three days sorting coupons and going through the Happenings Book [these are now called Entertainment Books]. She actually created the list of places we need to go and ordered them based on location and proximity to our house so we didn’t have to do any extra driving!”
Now for the results:
First, the night before their “Freebie Day,” they used a few gift certificates to Little Caesars that Kristen’s older daughter had won at her 5th grade party. The next day, they picked up as many freebies as they could get and were amazed at how much free stuff they got.
Kristen and her family stopped at Cub Foods, Kwik Trip (twice), CVS, Walmart, Penzey’s Spices, Canes Chicken, Taco Bell, Half Price Books and Once Upon a Child.
And here’s what they were able to get for free:
- 1/2 pint orange juice
- 1/2 pint chocolate milk
- Old Spice deodorant
- Old Spice body wash
- Colgate toothpaste
- McCormick taco seasoning packet
- Lunchable
- 2 boxes of Always maxipads
- Always pantiliners
- Canes Lemonade
- Taco Bell Fruitista Freeze
- Taco Bell Cherry Limeade
- Carefree pantiliners
- Herbal Essence travel size shampoo
- Reach dental floss
- 2 boxes of Kotex liners
- Dove deodorant
- Dove body spray
- 3 Little Buddy sodas
- 1 loaf of bread
- 2 small jars of Penzey’s Spices
- $8 in free books from Half Price Books (since they sold $8 of books to them)
- $5.50 profit from selling clothes to Once Upon a Child
Total value of freebies for the day = $59.39!
I love the idea of doing a once-in-awhile Freebie Day where you run errands, get freebies, make memories and enjoy time with your kids. Thanks for sharing, Kristen!
We love sharing results stories from our readers. Whether you have reduced or eliminated debt, found an amazing deal on something you needed, or helped teach others what you’ve learned about frugality, we’d love to hear from you. Email us a short summary of your story and you may be featured on Pocket Your Dollars.
Your turn: Have you ever done anything like this before, say on a birthday or day off from school? How do you make saving money fun for your kids?
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About Carrie Rocha
Good for them! I try to make everyday a freebie day!
What a great story! I also have been teaching my kids about coupons. My daughter has figured out they are a great way to talk me into getting her some gum! :-)
Maybe this summer when we have more free time I will try to create a fun day like this…
Hi Carrie,
I love Kristen’s story. Last year in May there were a lot of freebie offers for Moms in honor of Mother’s Day. My birthday and my friend’s birthday are just a few days apart in the middle of May, right near Mother’s Day. I printed coupons for us to use and we spent the day together having lunch, dessert, a hydro massage and a mini manicure, all with coupons. We also were able to get free lotion, shower gel and chocolates. Then on Mother’s Day, my husband, son and I used coupons for lunch, dessert and various freebies at the mall. I took some pictures, I’ll have to get them together and send them to you with our full story.
Jeanne – I look forward to hearing from you!
My favorite freebie day is my birthday. I try to take advantage of as many freebies that day as possible. It’s always easier when my bday is during spring break. Fun challenge :)
I get a good amount of freebies or B1G1 free offers emailed to me for my birthday. I don’t usually take advantage of all of them, but this year I used the ones for a free truffle at Godiva, free lunch at Noodles & Company, and free dessert at McCormick & Schmicks.
Love this idea! My 5 year old twins love it when I get things “for free”: what a great idea to do it all in one day~~kind of like a scavenger hunt :) We’ll be doing this soon! Thanks, Kristin!
It is a great thing to share with your family. What a fun time!