By
Reneé LaVoie
Wednesday, September 30, 2009, 04:15 AM
Category:
FREE Today
In my daily quest for freebies I spend a lot of time on Walmart.com, and was pleasantly surprised when I noticed they had updated their free section to include free online tools. I really liked the Over the Counter Medicine Finder. I don't know about you but when I am feeling sick, the last thing I want to do is try to make a decision about which of the four hundred potions and pills in front of me is going to be the one to make it all better. This tool takes you into a list of symptoms and then you can click on your symptom to find a list of recommended products - even a list of sub-symptoms. For instance, did you know there is a special medication just for nighttime leg cramps? (It's called Legatrin PM.) Who knows what you'll find!
There are also three great free tools for weight loss. A good first step is to get an honest look at your health with the BMI Calculator. Enter your weight and height and the calculator will not only show you your score but give you a guideline to help you evaluate your results. If you don't like the number you see, take a look at the Calorie Burn Calculator. Enter in the activity, how many minutes and your weight and the tool will calculate the amount of calories burned specific to you, not just an overall estimate. Choose from a list of activities from aerobics to dusting and see how much time it's gonna take to burn off that donut. Speaking of donuts, why not use the Food Swapper tool for great ideas on healthy and low-calorie snacks to replace indulgent favorites. One smart suggestion included munching a handful of fat-free popcorn instead of a handful of calorie-dense peanuts.
If your budget is what has you worried, get motivated to make some lifestyle changes with the free Fuel and Lunch Savings tools. See how much money you would save if you bought a more fuel-efficient car, or started packing your own lunch instead of shelling out money everyday to eat out. Seeing the numbers might make that peanut butter and jelly sandwich taste just a little sweeter.
So that's the news from Walmart - go on over and check it out. Whether you've got a cold, need to work on that fitness plan or tighten up your financial belt, this free Walmart resource will give you the right tool for the job!
--Renee
Photo credit: AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac
By
Reneé LaVoie
Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 06:09 AM
Category:
FREE Today
I had never really given the Coke Rewards Program much attention until I came across a free offer from the program for a free 18.5-ounce bottle of Dasani Essence, a free 32-ounce bottle of Powerade or a free 20-ounce bottle of Minute Maid. The thought of tediously collecting little code numbers for trinkets just didn't appeal to me, but what I realized once I had signed up is that there are ways to get points without collecting bottle caps. The freebie that we ran on FREE Today gave a person 25 points just for joining the T.G.I. Friday's email list. The other thing that impressed me was the quality of items you could get with points. You can get great things like free beverages, magazine subscriptions, free movie rentals at blockbuster, $50 hotel gift cards and more. Or you have the option to do a good with your points and donate them to great charities like the Special Olympics. The prizes were cool enough that the idea of quickly entering codes from my bottle caps into the online interface was no longer such a hassle. Let's face it: Coca Cola products are perhaps the most popular beverages on the planet. I drink Coke and Minute Maid beverages everyday - why not turn that habit into an ongoing stream of freebies? Saving on products you use everyday, whether it's Powerade or Kleenex, are always the most rewarding deals.
By
Reneé LaVoie
Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 01:24 AM
Category:
FREE Today
Healthcare is a matter of hot debate right now but when you're unemployed or uninsured, the issue is especially pressing since it directly affects your health and the health of your family. I was thrilled this week when I found the offer from AARP and Walgreens, who have teamed up again for the 2009 Wellness Tour for free health screenings and flu shots. The Wellness Tour is sending out nine buses to 2,000 communities in 300 different cities. If you are uninsured, you can get a certificate for a free flu shot when you visit an AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour Bus between September 17 and November 15. Follow our
link to find out the nearest location and date the Wellness Tour will be in your area. The health screening is on a first-come, first-serve basis and will check for high blood pressure, glucose levels (for diabetes), bone density, cholesterol levels, body mass index and waist measurement.
Taking advantage of free health screenings is important. I had diabetes that was undiagnosed for two years because I did not have insurance. What I did not know was that a free health clinic was available in my area and offered financial assistance with medication that whole time. If you are unemployed or uninsured, there may be free medical services available in your community that you are unaware of. If you need help, contact your local United Way or Department of Human Services. The available programs will vary from county to county and state to state, but you owe it to yourself and your family to find out what's available - like this free health screening and flu shot from AARP/Walgreens, it may be a pleasant surprise.
By
Reneé LaVoie
Wednesday, September 09, 2009, 01:07 AM
Category:
FREE Today
The
Good Neighbor Day flower giveaway by FTD on September 9 got me thinking about other ways to use freebies to spread cheery goodness. Sadly, freebies are often thought to be the domain of the miserly but this need not be the case. Sharing freebie love is an altruistic art whose time has finally come.
Free gifts with purchase are another gold mine of little "just because" gifts you can share with a friend who needs a pick-me-up. Gifts with purchase are especially noteworthy at Macy's, always a reliable destination for the best cosmetics. The current
"Touch of Paris" gift when you buy $29.50 worth of Lancome products is fabulous one: with a $110 retail value, it's packed with makeup items and comes in a cute makeup bag that's reusable as a travel pouch. Now that's a gift! Another good source is
Yves Rocher and
Sephora - they both have new gifts with purchase every month.
Even small gestures can bring happiness to weary hearts. Who doesn't like to get a tasty chewy
Nature Valley Granola Bar in the mail along with all the bills? Next time you see one of these "goodies in the mail" freebies, sign up a friend's address along with your own and share some tasty joy.
I feel happier already just thinking about it!
By
Reneé LaVoie
Wednesday, September 02, 2009, 05:16 AM
Category:
FREE Today
But before you go crazy with every new sample, here's few things to keep in mind:
~ Changing you dog or cat's diet too frequently will cause stomach upset and picky eating. The best way to use a pet freebie is either as an occasional treat or to try out a pet food you're considering switching to on a long-term basis.
~ Use the same amount of caution when giving a freebie to your dog or cat as you would your child. Try to stick to names you recognize and/or products that have premium, high-quality ingredients.
~ If your dog or cat is having a specific digestive or health issue, take him/her to the veterinary. Don't hesitate to ask for free samples of whatever the veterinary recommends. Just like doctors, vets get freebies all the time from different companies looking to promote their products.
There's plenty of pet freebies out there to keep your pet happy and healthy for a long time. But it's important to apply a little forethought to any and every sample you sign up for - you wouldn't take just any freebie for yourself so use the same logic for your furry friend. And pretty soon, your dog or cat will be just as happy when the mail arrives as you are!