FREE Today

New Customer Exclusive Double Freebie Offer: Drugstore.com/Restaurant.com

Sometimes you just need a nudge in the right direction to get you going. This fantastic offer at Drugstore.com is just one of those moments! For a limited time only, first-time customers at Drugstore.com receive free shipping plus a $50.00 Restaurant.com Gift Card  when they spend $25.00 or more. Drugstore.com and Restaurant.com both offer an array of benefits that far exceed this (incredible) offer. Here's an overview of both these sites, and the frugalicious benefits they offer.

DRUGSTORE.COM:

--Free Shipping:

In addition to the convenience of having direct to home shipping on everything from chlorine free diapers to indoor grills and cold/flu medicine, you'll receive free shipping on any order of $25.00 or more.

Select items always ship free. When you purchase these items, the entire order will ship free automatically.

Prescriptions orders receive free shipping. Pay the same amount you would pay the local pharmacist with the added benefit of home delivery.

--Other Ongoing Perks and Freebies:

Drugstore.com always has several free gift with purchase offers like free Visine Total Eye Soothing Eye Wipes with purchase of select Visine items, free 2-Hour Whitening Kit & Rembrant Intense Stain Whitening Toothpaste with $25 Rembrant purchase at Drugstore.com or a free pack of Jumbo Marshmallows with every Marshmallow Fun Company Purchase. 

Online instant coupons like this one for $20.00 off one Select Bayer Contour or Breeze 2 Diabetic Meter Testing Strips.

Money saving deals on multiple item purchases like $5.00 off when you purchase ten Gerber baby food items.

RESTAURANT.COM

Over the last ten years, Restaurant.com has changed the way consumers think about dining out. Once you get your $50.00 free gift card, you'll be hooked.

Restaurant.com offers gift cards for dining at local restaurants at a discounted rate. So you can purchase a $25.00 gift card for only $10.00 (their standard deal). Keep an eye on their site for special offers, we have seen deals as low as $3.00 for a $25.00 gift card. Never pay full price again!

They have a database of over 15,000 restaurants nationwide, so unless you live in a secluded rural community, chances are good you will find a great selection in your area.

Once you place your first-time order of $25.00 or more with Drugstore.com, your Restaurant.com Gift Card will arrive via email within seven to ten days of placing your order. You can then redeem your gift card at Restaurant.com by selecting from participating restaurants in your area.

--Renee

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Navigating FreeFlys

FreeFlys is a recent addition to the FreeToday repertoire with an extensive list of freebies once you join, but there are a few tricks to navigating their site. We've had a few comments lately from frustrated frugalistas, so we wanted to share a few tips to help you take advantage of this rich freebie resource.

The most challenging task is the initial sign-up. As always, you will want to read the privacy statement in detail. You may wish to use a Yahoo or Gmail free email account just for your FreeFlys sign up. They do ask for your phone number, so you may also wish to use a free "voicemail only" phone number from International Telcom. You will initially be presented with a few pages of offers from various partners, but you can opt out of any that don't appeal to you. Then you will find your way to the freebies, and it's much smoother sailing after that. The good news is you only have to go through the additional offers the FIRST time you sign up. After that, you can get straight to freebie-hunting when you log in.

After your initial sign-up, you won't see the Free Section listed on the top menu bar when you log in; instead, look down at the bottom of the page and you'll find another group of navigation links. Choose "free stuff" to start cashing in.

FreeToday will keep you posted on the latest additions to the FreeFlys freebie collection, but spend a while on your own looking through each of their categories and all the free goodies they have to offer. They have six jam-packed categories including Featured, Food, Beauty, Children, Health and Other.

You'll also find a forum, coupons and pharmacy coupons on name brand medications. 

We hope this makes your FreeFlys experience a happier one. Make sure to check out these hot new freebie offers:

Free Sample of Nature's Select Dog Food at FreeFlys

Free Sample of Ronco Spaghetti at FreeFlys

Free Aveeno Nourish+ Shampoo/Conditioner Sample at FreeFlys

Free Coupon for Nutro Dog Food at FreeFlys

Free Sample of o.b. Tampons at FreeFlys

Free Samples and Coupons for the New Baby at FreeFlys

--Renee

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The Four Noble Virtues of Freebies

Over the course of time, we have noticed recurring frustrations with free offers. Freebies can be fulfilling, but you must beware of blindness and deceit . Follow these four truths and you too can find the path to freebie enlightenment.

LITERACY

Read ANY and all fine print on the free offer, as well as thoroughly reading the offer details and privacy statement. We really cannot emphasize this enough!

Take the three extra minutes to read the privacy policy of every site before you sign up for a free newsletter, freebie or trial offer. Yes, it does take an extra step to click on the privacy link at the bottom of the page but it's worth it! Most people don't read the privacy policy, and are then surprised when their email is full of spam and they start getting telemarketers. If they say they will share your information with their partners, they *really* mean other advertisers. 

Wondering why your freebie didn't come? Sometimes freebies require additional steps, like answering an email to verify your interest. Sometimes they will have requirements to qualify. Save yourself the frustration and make sure you fill out all forms and follow directions completely.

PATIENCE

Don't expect your freebie to arrive next week. Most freebies take four to six weeks to arrive, and some take as long as 10 to 12 weeks. The best company we've found for quick turnaround is Walmart. Whenever we have requested a Walmart freebie, it always arrived within three to four weeks.

GRATITUDE

Remember that a freebie is a gift, and NOT an entitlement. The company has chosen to bless you with something free of charge. If they run out, or decide not to send it -- you haven't lost anything.

Don't bite the hand that feeds you -- if you abuse companies that offer freebies, they will simply stop the offers. Trying to trick the system to get multiple freebies is short-term gain and a long-term loss.

WISDOM

If you don't want to be called, don't give out your real phone number. If you don't want spam, create a Yahoo or Gmail email account just for freebie offers. If you don't want to be charged, don't give out your credit card number -- that includes free trial offers! If you sign up for a free trial and give out your credit card number, billing will begin automatically after the free trial is over. So if you want to take the risk, remember to cancel three to five days BEFORE the offer is over to stop billing. The sooner the better.

The greatest wisdom of all: check in daily to FreeToday for all the latest freebies and special offers!

--Renee

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Back-to-School Freebies

Is your back-to-school budget stretched thin? We've been out scouting deals to help you get ahead. Check out this list of freebie-flavored back-to-school offers for bonus gifts with purchase, free shipping and more.

Free Tote Bag + Four Books Just 99 Cents Each When You Join Early Moments Dr. Seuss Book Club

Feed your child's enthusiasm for reading with the Dr. Seuss Book Club and score a free tote bag, plus pay only 99 cents each for the first four books.

Back-to-School Special: Save Up to 50% + Free Stickers & Poster at Zoobooks

Zoobooks is another great way inspire your kid's thirst for knowledge. Save 50% on regular issues with great information on animals, plus get free stickers and posters. Join during the month of August to get in on their Back-to-School special and save 20% on all exchanges.

Back-To-School Special: Join ThredUP for Free and Save 20% On All Exchanges

ThredUP lets you exchange boxes of your kids' outgrown clothing for other families' gently used children's clothing and pay only shipping charges!

Purchase Any Backpack $49.95 Get a $10 iTunes Gift Card + Free Shipping at ***'s Sporting Goods

Why buy just a backpack when you can buy a backpack, plus get a $10.00 iTunes Gift Card and free shipping! You'll also find free shipping on all footwear.

Back to School Special: Pay Only Shipping & Handling on Select Items at VistaPrint

Follow the link to a variety of freebies including customized calendars and other great back-to-school items and pay only shipping.

Free Shipping on College Electronics at Walmart.com

When you're buying big ticket items like computers, dorm refrigerators, or stereos, shipping can be nearly as expensive as the item. Shop Walmart.com for the lowest prices on electronics -- plus enjoy free shipping.

Back to School Freebie: Protect Your Teens w/ Free Report from SafetyWeb

You've covered flu shots, vitamins, hand sanitizer and a lecture on not talking to strangers -- don't forget cyberspace protection. Try a free report, you might be surprised at what you find.

--Renee

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Free Financial/Healthcare Services and Information

Want more from your freebie than enticing little bottles of shampoo, fragrances or cosmetics? We have plenty of free offers for your inner adult as well as well as your inner child! With these offers you can take control of your healthcare, pursue education, manage your credit score and protect your child's identity. Here are a few of our favorites:

Free Booklet: "Health Insurance Scams Exposed" from Healthcare Watchdog:

If you have ongoing health issues further complicated by ongoing battles with your health insurance company, this deal is vital. Even if you are not currently having difficulties with your insurance provider, the free booklet will give you important information to keep you prepared. An important booklet for any one.

Free Health Insurance Quotes from eHealthInsurance:

After you are well-armed with your "Health Insurance Scams Exposed" booklet, take on the beast and find a health insurance provider you can trust. Get free health insurance quotes from top providers at eHealthInsurance. Look for individual or family insurance with live online quotes and connect with some of the best plans in the industry, including HSA plans.

Free Resources and Loan Comparisons at Simple Tuition:

If you, your child or someone you love is pursuing a higher education, a trip to Simple Tuition is in order. Use their glossary to understand legal terms on loan applications, tap into their guide on student loans and financing, and FAQ section packed with all kinds of important information and handy tips. Plus, you can compare and search for student loans based on factors that matter most to you, such as interest rates, monthly payments, and total cost of loan.

Free 30-Day Trial of Identity Guard

Are there things going on in your credit score you don't know about? Try Identity Guard free for 30 days to receive unlimited access to your three credit scores, updates when a change occurs to your score, email alerts for high-risk changes and one million dollars of insurance (with no deductible). FYI: If you decide to not continue, make sure to cancel your account -- billing of $14.95 per month will begin automatically after your 30 day free trial is over

Free Daily Financial Advice for Women from Daily Worth:

This free resource is vital to today's woman in the know. The next time you run into some arrogant male who thinks women spend all their money on shoes and handbags, show him your stock portfolio and leave him weeping in the corner. If you have the motivation, Daily Worth has the information to keep you on top of your game.

--Renee

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Why Free Shipping IS a Big Deal

Why are we excited about free shipping? You may think of free shipping as an afterthought but with today's shipping costs, free shipping is as important as the sale discount. For instance, Lane Bryant has a $7.00 flat shipping fee -- which is a good deal for shipping -- but for every sale item you buy, you have to calculate that seven dollars back into the cost to find the real savings. Whenever you are shopping online, check the site for a free shipping minimum. Many sites will give free shipping once a certain purchase amount has been made. Here are a few stores we have found with great free shipping offers:

MyWinesDirect.com: EVERY ORDER SHIPS FREE! This is especially important with an item like wine. Shipping costs could easily exceed the cost of the product. If you haven't checked out the incredible selection of premium quality wines (many for under $15.00 a bottle), you are missing a treat. And with free shipping, it's an affordable treat to share with friends and family. They also have an excellent Free Online Wine Guide with information on wine storage, serving wine, tasting wine, food and pairings, using wine in recipes and more.

Drugstore.com Drugstore.com offers free shipping on all prescription orders, and free shipping on regular orders when you spend just $25 or more. This is important when buying small items online because if you are buying household items, the cost of shipping can cancel out any savings. 

Beauty.com: Sister site of Drugstore.com that features beauty, makeup and skincare -- Beauty.com also offers free shipping after $25.

Fragrancenet.com: Buying perfume online can rack up shipping costs, but with savings of up to 70% off designer brands and free shipping with orders of $70.00 or more, you can save big on your fragrance purchases.

Home Depot: Shipping fees can really set you back when you buy major ticket items online like a washing machine, or a patio set. Home Depot ships major ticket items FREE. So you get to keep your savings!

Keep checking the site -- we will keep you posted on new free shipping offers when we find them!

--Renee

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Trend with Benefits

You check in to CheapToday and FreeToday to find the latest deals and freebies, but do you ever hunger for more? One of the hottest trends in the world of frugalistas is newsletter membership to your favorite stores. These email newsletters usually give you access to exclusive deals and freebies sent especially for you. Because these great offers are customer-specific, you won't find them anywhere but in your own email inbox, so if you don't sign up you lose out. Restaurants are great, many have free birthday treats for members and other fantastic special offers throughout the year. Don't limit yourself though; many other stores have great programs too. Here are a few of the programs we have found that really deliver.

BEAUTY.COM: This one never fails to deliver! About three times a month, you will receive awesome free gift with purchase offers that you won't find on the site. Plus, if you join Ebates you will get cash back whenever you shop Beauty.com!

OMAHA STEAKS: If you love the offers you see for Omaha Steaks on our site, just wait til you start getting your own offers! About three times a month, you will get mouthwatering deals --  quite often with bonus burgers and almost always with free gifts!

NEW YORK & COMPANY: If you simply must be fabulous, sign up for New York & Company's eList.  They are great about keeping you up-to-date on their many fabulous sales, plus you'll receive special offers not on the site!

Other stores that we have found to have excellent member offers include Bath & Body Works, Victoria's Secret and ProFlowers.com.

These are just a few of the stores that have GREAT membership benefits for newsletter subscribers. Sign up for your favorite stores and start cashing in on this shopping trend with benefits!

--Renee

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Do You Feel Lucky?

Most of our freebies are a sure thing. You sign up and you get something -- it's very simple. Usually it's something small like a free shampoo sample, perfume sample,  or a free gift with purchase. But recently we have added a fun option that lets you live dangerously with much bigger rewards like free vacations. It's not a sure thing you'll win if you enter, but it IS a sure thing you won't win if you don't. There are two sizzling hot contests right now, both with free vacations for the winners, plus when you sign up for the Dollar General Savings Zone, you'll have the chance to enter their occasional sweepstakes. So do you feel lucky?

Chance to Win a Colorado Vacation for Four at Colorado.com: If you love beautiful country and an activity packed vacation, this contest is for you. The lucky winner will receive a five-night, six-day Colorado Trip Giveaway for four people. To enter, answer the question on the home page and then fill out the form. This trip promises a host of adventures including whitewater rafting with Echo Canyon River Expeditions, a visit to the rock formations of the Garden of the Gods at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, and an excursion on the historic Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad. Air, car rental and lodging are included plus much more. Follow our link to sign up and read all the details.

Zantac Beat the Heat Sweepstakes: Enter to Win 7-Day Trip for 2 to a Man v. Food Destination:  Adam Richman has made a huge hit with his show "Man v. Food" on the Travel Channel as he travels around the country entering eating contests of all kinds. If you win, you'll have a choice to vacation in one of two cities featured on his show. Plus, everyone who enters gets a $3.00 Zantac coupon, so even if you don't get the vacation, at least you won't have heartburn. Follow our link to learn more and enter for your chance to win. Entries must be received by September 30, 2010.

Sign Up for Coupons, Specials and Occasional Sweepstakes with Dollar General Savings Zone:  Did you think it wasn't possible to get prices lower than the Dollar General? Signing up for the Dollar General Savings Zone will not only give you access to additional savings and updates on specials, but they also have occasional sweepstakes with chances to win prizes. This offer is available in select states only; follow our link to see if yours is on the list. Just go to the drop down box next to "State". There are 20 states on the list, so you have a pretty good chance of getting in on this excellent savings opportunity.

These are the contests we have posted right now, visit the site often for other chances to spin the wheel of fortune!

--Renee

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Three Flavors of Freebies

When you see the word "Freebie," you may be thinking instant gratification -- but it rarely works that way. The art of Freebie is one of patience. But understanding the different "flavors" of freebies and which ones are the quickest will help you find inner tranquility as you wait by your mailbox.

COUPONS: The coupon freebie is the fastest. Usually a coupon is sent directly to your email, or you can print it off directly from your computer. Make sure to check the expiration date -- you often have only a few days to use the coupon. To avoid embarrassment and frustration, call ahead and make sure your local store will be honoring the coupon. The exception to the "speedy delivery" of the coupon freebie is the coupon that is sent snail mail. In that case, it can take anywhere from four to eight weeks to arrive

SAMPLE SENT VIA SNAIL MAIL:  If you like samples you can taste, touch, use and smell -- this is your kind of freebie. It's a great way to try out new foods and cosmetic items before you buy. But there will be a wait because this freebie relies on snail mail. An average sample takes around six to eight weeks to get there, which can be fun because by the time it arrives, you have forgotten you requested it so it's a special treat! There are two exceptions: Walmart and Brand Name Samples on Facebook.  Walmart freebies are some of the best and arrive within two to four weeks as a general rule. We have also noticed that Facebook freebies from major brand names such as Kraft, Proctor & Gamble, General Mills and others arrive in about four weeks. Of course, it varies from brand to brand, but we have had very good results from Facebook-based freebies.

REBATES:  If you have the patience of Job and pit bull tenacity when it comes to saving each and every dime -- you can get money back with rebates. Manufacturers offer rebates because most people just don't have the patience, so they can look generous without having to deliver. Rebates offers require EXACT conformity to the terms of the offer, and usually take three to four months to arrive. 

Here are some absolutes to be successful in the rebate game:

• You must have your original receipt, not a copy. The item to receive a rebate must be highlighted.
• Keep a copy of the receipt for yourself along with ALL paperwork sent.
• You must print the rebate form, READ IT, and follow it's instructions directly.
• The UPC code from the product will be required, so don't throw the package away. READ the terms of the rebate to see how the manufacture wishes to have the UPC included. Many times they want you to cut the code right off the product packaging.
• Put it ALL in the envelope you are mailing and check twice to make sure you have receipts, rebate form, and UPC codes all included.

RELAX -- its gonna be three months. But a penny saved is a penny earned.

You will see a mixture of all three flavors of freebies on the site. Pick the ones you like best, there are always more on the way.

--Renee

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Where the Freebies Are

Most companies now offer eLists, email messages that let you know when they're having special promotions or includes an occasional coupon. If you have a favorite restaurant, it is definitely worth your time to sign up for their list. But some companies have programs that stand out from the herd, offering free samples, promos and deals on a regular basis. Here are a few we have found that stand out from the herd.

P&G EVERYDAY SOLUTIONS BY PROCTOR AND GAMBLE: P&G Everyday solutions is Proctor & Gamble's eClub and they do not disappoint. There are new freebies every month, plus great coupons. P&G is the parent company of brands like Oil of Olay, Tide, Febreeze, Downy and Iams.

RED PLUM: This is an outstanding site for a number of reasons: you don't have to register, the coupon selection is great, and the freebies are frequent and fabulous.

COOL SAVINGS: For coupons galore, daily  hot deals and free samples, you can't go wrong with Cool Savings.

PPGAZZETTE.COM: In addition to a wide variety of coupons, you'll find recipes, tips, articles and even an occasional free sample.

COUPONS.COM:  Not only does this site serve up the coupons on brand name items, you'll find free samples and other goodies to keep your wallet happy.

BEAUTY.COM:  We signed up for the Beauty.com newsletter and were very impressed with how many free gift with purchase offers we received that were exclusive to newsletter subscribers. The newsletter comes about once a week, and there is always a fantastic free gift with purchase or impressive discount inside.

OMAHA STEAKS: If you love meat, this one you simply must have. This is another one we signed up for, and the freebies with purchase are fantastic. Our favorite is the free six burgers, cutting board and six-piece knife set that comes along quite frequently. This newsletter comes about three times a month and always has something tasty with huge discounts and free gifts with purchase.

FREEFLYS: This freebie-focused website has a full deck of freebie offers to choose from. You do have to register, and the initial registration is rather time-consuming. Make sure to read each page and offer very carefully -- you may wish to pass on some of the options. However, once the sign up is completed, the freebies are really quite good with a huge selection of daily freebies and coupons for beauty products, food and grocery items, healthy samples, stuff for kids, even hand-selected featured freebies.

HONORABLE MENTION

WALMART: It's not a "club" exactly but they are without a doubt the gold mine of all resources when it comes to freebies. They always deliver a nice sample and you don't have to wait forever to get them. We are always surprised at how quick they show up.

--Renee

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ThredUP Social Network: Exchange Kids' "Hand Me Downs"

Here is one of our favorite new ideas: social networking for parents who want to exchange their kids' hand me downs!  In the past, larger extended families had a built-in resource for hand me downs. In today's culture, families are smaller and often separated by long distances, so a support system isn't always there. ThredUP is simple to use and helps bring this time-honored practice into the modern age. ThredUP started only a year ago, but quickly shot off the charts in popularity and has been featured on WXIA-TV and Urban Baby.com.

The program has been streamlined for quick easy use. No standing in line, no dragging boxes of clothes across town to the donation box or to the post office-- instead used clothes go to work for you!  Go onto the network, find a box of clothes your child needs and pay only for the shipping ($13.00). Then prepare a box of clothes your child has outgrown, and send it in for free-- they even pick it up!

There are two levels of membership: free and paid. The paid membership is only $29.99, a fantastic value for the savings you will see. Free and paid members both get to create user profiles, have a circle of friends (five for basic membership, unlimited for paid) and see basic content of boxes. Paid membership allows multiple child profiles for larger families, an unlimited circle of friends, and detailed descriptions of each box content.

If you have friends and family separated by long distance, you can exchange boxes of "hand me downs" quickly and easily, since doorstep pickup is a part of all membership levels. Or if you don't have your own friends and family, tap into the vast resource of parents across the country. When you find a particular member you really like, you can add them to your inner circle to get a heads up when they post a new box.

Quality is a priority concern with ThredUP and every box is reviewed and rated by the receiving member (just like eBay) so you can pick the members that have the best reviews. Any member who sends items below quality standards is reported, and will be terminated from the site. Also, from time to time, the Quality Assurance Team may ask you to send in a random "hand me down" to show the quality of your boxes. This is done to all members to assure consistently beautiful clothes because you still want your child to have the best!

Starting out with a free membership to try out the program is an excellent idea, and then once you start to get spoiled by the convenience and savings, jump in for the full nine yards. Paying full price for kid's clothes is insanity -- now you won't have to!

--Renee

Image courtesy of ThredUP

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Protect Yourself From Spam

It's the dark underbelly of the freebie world: spam! One day you're happily munching on a free yogurt bar and the next, you're getting telemarketing calls and enough yogurt-based email promotions to last a year. But you could have protected yourself if you had known the risk. Anytime you sign up for a freebie, newsletter or special offer (including ones you find on FreeToday), always take a few quick minutes to read the privacy policy.

According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission Fair Information Principles every website should post a privacy policy giving customers notice of what information will be collected and how, give customers a choice to participate or decline, and to take reasonable steps to protect customer information collected from unauthorized use.

Usually you will find a link to the sites privacy policy at the bottom of the front page.  If for any reason you cannot find the privacy policy -- RUN AWAY!

The best way to understand what to look out for is to review some examples of actual privacy policies.

WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE:

We will allow employees, agents, and contractors to access your personal information only when they have a legitimate business reason for doing so. We may share your personal information with outside contractors or agents who help us manage our information activities (e.g., sweepstakes, administration, order fulfillment, statistical analysis), but they may use your personal information only to provide a specific service and not for any other purpose.

or 

Presently, we do not sell, trade or rent your personal information to others. We may provide aggregate statistics about our customers, sales, traffic patterns, and related site information to reputable third-party vendors, but these statistics will include no personally identifying information.

These both show an example of a site that may share some information, but only for legitimate reasons such as helping the site complete a transaction or host a sweepstakes contest, and not to use your info for third party marketing. You should be safe from telemarketers and spam.

WHAT YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE

When you supply us with your postal address or phone number you may receive periodic mailings or phone calls from us and you may receive mailings from other reputable companies.

or

When you register with us, you may receive offers from us or our marketing partners. Our marketing partners may use this information to make offers to you in your areas of interest or other offers.  We may also use outside companies to execute the marketing campaigns on our behalf or on behalf of some of our marketing partners. We will share your e-mail name or other contact information that is necessary for these third parties to provide these services

These companies are telling you in no uncertain terms that telemarketers will be calling, and they are going to sell your information to "reputable companies" and "marketing partners" aka spammers.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:

• READ THE WHOLE PRIVACY POLICY: Don't just read the first paragraph where the company tells you they value your privacy. Read the whole thing where they describe in detail what they will be doing with your information, and what your options are.
• USE A "DUMMY" EMAIL ACCOUNT: When you are signing up for an offer, an email newsletter, a freebie or purchasing a product, use an email that you have set up specifically for online activity. You can set up a free email address from Google or Yahoo within a few short minutes.
• NEVER GIVE OUT YOUR PHONE NUMBER: You can get a free alternative phone number that is a message only number here. Use this instead of your personal number online.
• CLEAR YOUR CACHE FREQUENTLY: Your browser collects cookies from almost every website you visit. Not all cookies are bad, however clearing your browsers cookies daily will help protect your privacy and keep your computer working smoother.

Don't let this information put a damper on your freebie frenzy -- knowledge is power! Once you have protected yourself with an alternative email and phone number, and know what you're looking for in the privacy policy, you can continue shopping and freebie surfing with confidence. At FreeToday, we use great disgression in selecting our freebies with that assurance...combined with your own awareness, you should have great expectations.

--Renee

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The Inside Scoop on Coupons

Clipping coupons is all the rage among the ranks of the frugal. But to a newbie, it can be tricky. Here are a few pointers to help you get the hang of it. 

Coupons have two basic categories: manufacturer coupons or store coupons. Both can indicate a name brand, but the way you tell the difference is the source. If it comes from an ad page with a specific store's name on it, it's a store coupon. If you found the coupon in a magazine, through an online coupon resource or on the manufacturer's website, it's a manufacturer's coupon. Even though you redeem a manufacturer's coupon at a local store, it's actually the manufacturer that "pays" for the discount. The discounts you find in flyers and ads from specific stores -- whether it's Walmart or your local grocery -- are supplied by the store itself.  

Manufacturer's Coupons:  A manufacturer's coupon you can use at a variety of stores, as long as they honor coupons and carry the product. That extra flexibility can be a lifesaver if you shop several different stores or are traveling. The best use of these coupons is to get the premium quality of a brand name item at the price of a generic label item. For instance, if you are just wild about Maxwell House Coffee, keeping an eye out for manufacturer's coupons can keep you stocked with your favorite brew without having to shell out the extra dough. Gone are the days when the only source of coupons was the Sunday paper -- you can keep yourself swimming in coupons by surfing the Internet. Some resources require you to register but are free to join, such as Cool Savings,  Coupons.com, and  Proctor & Gamble Everyday Solutions. Red Plum is another great coupon site, and no registration is required.

Store Coupons: Both local and national stores offer their own coupons. Sometimes the discounts you can score with these coupons are a little deeper, though not always. Some store chains with great coupon sections on their websites include Kmart, CVS Pharmacy, Kroger, Hy-Vee and Safeway, to name a few. You can also get great Home Depot coupons when you sign up for their free Home Depot Garden Club or Home Depot Home Improvers Club.

In-Store Rebates:  Another way to save when you're shopping is to keep your eyes open for in-store rebate offers. These are attached to the packages of the product that gets the rebate. Common items for this kind of discount are hair care, skincare and household cleaning items. We love in-store rebates because they are so much less hassle than the traditional kind where you had to mail in receipts, forms and UPC codes, then wait for four months to get your $5.00 back. With these, you just point them out to the cashier and they run the rebate coupon through their system.

Double Coupon Jeopardy: This tactic is for the brave of heart. Occasionally, a store coupon and a manufacturer coupon will run concurrently. Say for example your local grocery store has a coupon for $ .50 cents off Pillsbury cookie dough, and you find a Pillsbury coupon for $ .75 off in a magazine. You can present both coupons at the grocery store for a possible total discount of $1.25. It should be noted that not all stores will honor both, but it never hurts to ask! Many times you can get items free by using this double coupon strategy.

Hopefully, this guide will help make sense of the coupon world maze, which can be confusing and contradictory at times. We have new coupons and coupon sites showing up every day, so follow FreeToday to stay posted on the latest in savings!

--Renee

Image courtesy of momlogic.com

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Spreading the Freebie Love

One of the best parts of being a die-hard frugalista is getting to share! Sometimes a freebie can provide a vital service. Here are a few of our picks that can have a great impact on friends and family when you remember to share the freebie love. It's just a few extra clicks and it doesn't cost anything -- but the benefits can be ongoing!

HEALTH

--If you have a friend or family member who is immobile and suffers from the limitations and discomfort of a traditional wheelchair because they don't think they can afford better, make sure you tell them about the Hoveround. Follow our LINK to a free informational DVD on the Hoveround. If they have Medicare, it is possible that they can get the Hoveround for next to nothing.

--Do you know someone who is diabetic? Diabetes is an expensive disease. If they live next to a Publix pharmacy, they can get their Metphormin (one of the most common diabetic medications) for free on a monthly basis. 

--If you have someone you love who is constantly forgetting to renew prescriptions, or to pick them up on a regular basis, make sure they know they can get their prescriptions at Drugstore.com shipped directly to their home with no shipping fees. This is an especially great arrangement for the elderly, or people who live in rural areas who have a challenge getting to the pharmacy.

--A great offer for people who are struggling to pay for their prescription medications is the Pharma Card from the Pharmacy Discount Network. This card is accepted by pharmacies nationwide, and provides discounts on prescription medications up to 75%.

WEIGHTLOSS

*This is one you must approach with delicacy -- sisters, family members, and very close friends are the best candidates for this type of freebie referrals.

--If you know someone who has been considering Jenny Craig, give them a heads up on this LINK to get a free consultation with a diet specialist to find out all the details about this program. Regardless of their eventual choice, at least this will empower them to make an informed decision.

--If you know someone who prefers to go it on her own, give her a heads up on FaveDiets.com. There are resources, recipes and a long list of various diet plans.

--Another great resource is this free download for  the "40 Healthy Snack Recipes" eBook. Strategy is half the battle, and this will arm your friend with a slew of great snack ideas.

NEW BABY

--If you know someone who just had a baby, Olan Mills offers a free baby portrait for babies three months or younger!

--This offer is great for new mothers who are choosing a formula: they can get their choice of one of three Enfamil free samples to help get them on their way.

--Another freebie for new moms from Enfamil is the free kit for breastfeeding mothers.

These are just a few of the fantastic freebies available. You'll find new hot deals popping up everyday, so visit often and remember to share!

--Renee

 Image courtesy of DivanShubatra.com

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Free Summer Reading Programs and Rewards

According to ReadingRockets.org, research has shown that children who don't read over the summer can lose up to three months of their reading skills. Over time, that starts to add up. Keeping little minds active during summer months helps keep them in learning mode, so going back to school isn't such a shock. You'll find a host of free resources on the Reading Rockets site, including reading guides with handy tips and important information for parents with young readers.

Another great place to find free learning resources and summer reading programs is your local library. Kids will have a great time picking out cool books and getting to mingle with other munchkins. Many times there will be a story hour for smaller children, which is a great way to foster an interest in reading when kids are still toddlers.

But how do you motivate kids to read during summer months when watching hours of TV, spending all day at the pool and tormenting their siblings seems so much more fun? Kids are just like the rest of us -- they love a reward! That's where FreeToday comes in! We found three great rewards programs with freebies to give kids something to work for:

Barnes & Noble: When kids read eight books, they get one free. Follow our link to the site to find the form. Kids fill out a form with a brief description of each book they read (keep those little ones honest), and once they read eight books you can take them to Barnes & Noble to pick out their free book (from a selected list).

Borders: The Borders program is very similar to the Barnes & Noble reading program, but kids are required to read ten books instead of eight. They also have a form to download, and kids get to pick a free book from a selected list at the store. If you have both a Borders and a Barnes & Noble in town, teach your kids the power of a double freebie!

Chuck E. Cheese: Chuck E. Cheese has several motivational calendars for different goals, including reading. Rather than getting a freebie based on number of books, this form will reward for number of days that your children have met their reading goal. You get to set the goal for your child, so it gives you more flexibility as a parent. Once your child has met their goal for 14 days, they get 10 free tokens (when Mom springs for a pizza).

The best reward you can give a child is your own attention. Joining your child in reading for 15 minutes a day will give you time together and keep them on track. Of course, a tasty treat like the BOGO free Milkshakes at Sonic is also an added bonus. Keep checking the site for other fun freebies to reward your aspiring reader.

--Renee

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