Maybe it's because I'm a thrifty girl, but I love signing up for free samples. It's also fun to find them in the mailbox instead of the usual bills or junk mail. Let's face it, there aren't many things in life that are free - at least free without any strings attached. So, any time I see a free sample floating around that I'd like to try, I grab it! In some small way, I think that free samples can save you money. (Hey, every penny counts right.) Here's what I mean!  

 

Trying new products can help you determine whether or not you'd like to purchase the full-size product before you ever spend a dime. Of course, the manufacturer's hope is that you'll fall in love with their product and add it to your cart the next time you're at the store. (And trust me, it works. Trent has fallen in love with many samples that we've received.)  

 

We all know that coupons are like free money, and since I'm no longer collecting the weekly coupon inserts, I'm always looking for a great coupon! Case in point: The feminine product samples usually come with $1 off coupons. Most of the time I can find Carefree or U by Kotex pantiliners for right around $1. Since this is already an item that I would purchase, it's a win-win!  

 

Quite often there are shampoo/conditioner samples. Each time you use those samples you save on your full-size products. Or, if you travel a lot, these types of samples can save on having to buy travel-size products. For years I signed up for free samples and hung on to them. But I've learned that they're meant to be used. If you decide not to use them for yourself, make a sample jar and leave it out for your guests to enjoy, or donate travel-size samples to the Salvation Army (they give them to the people that stay overnight).