The Year of Free

Free stuff can brighten your day and save you money, but just how much does it save? This year I’m going to find out. Every time I get something for free that’s easy to assign a value to, I’m going to add it to a running total. At the end of the year, we’ll see just how much I saved. Will it be hundreds of dollars? Thousands of dollars? Post your guess in the comments. Then, bookmark this post to follow my progress throughout the year.

Want to see how much all those freebies save you? Join me for the challenge, and find out.

2013 Freebies

January

• (4) binders – free after Staples Rewards – $6
• (1) 12-pack of Mello-Yello – free after coupon – $3.34
• (1) Nivea shave gel and (1) Nivea after-shave – free after coupon and ECBs – $8.78
• (12) bags of Hershey’s Kisses – free after coupons – $11.88 (based on current clearance price)
• (1) Good n’Natural granola bar – free after coupon – $.99
• (1) package of mushrooms – free after coupon and reduced price – $1
• (1) 24-pack of Energizer AA batteries – free after Office Depot Rewards – $18.99
• (5) gallons of milk – free with cereal purchase – $16.95
• (1) Lipton iced tea – free after Register Rewards – $.99
• (3) lbs of organic apples – free with Tomato Bank rewards (Earth Fare) – $4.99
• (3) 1-lb bags of organic carrots – free with Tomato Bank rewards (Earth Fare) – $3
• (1) lb fingerling potatoes – free with Tomato Bank rewards (Earth Fare) – $3.26
• (1) 8-oz brie – free with Earth Fare coupon – $8.49
• (1) pair of garden pruners – free with gc from answering survey – $9.99
• (1) package of Carnation Breakfast Essentials – free with Kroger coupon – $4.29
• (4) grapefruits – free from a friend – $1.75
• (2) Greek yogurt cups – free after doubled coupons – $2.00
• (1) carton of Egg Beaters – free after Kroger digital coupon – $2.49
• (2) Dunkin Donuts coffees – free during grand opening month – $3.58
• (1) Oxo Fat Seperator – free after Amazon credit + CC rewards – $14.99
• (1) Schick Hydro Silk razor – free from a BuzzCampaign – $9.47
• (1) $5 Best Buy Rewards Coupon – earned by answering polls on their FB page – $5
• (2) cans of Progresso Soup – free sample requests – $2.98
• (2) $10 CVS gift cards – earned by shopping a promotion – $20
• (2) Heluva dips – free after doubled coupon – $1.98
• (1) Wholly Salsa – free after coupon – $1.49
• (1) copy Cyberlink Photo Director 3 software – free download from CNET – $149.95

February

• • (2) Wholly Salsas – free after coupon – $2.98
  • (1) pack of girls’ underwear – free after JCP coupon – $10
  • (4) frozen yogurts – Menchie’s – $15.96
  • (1) pretzel at Pretzelmaker – Facebook coupon – $4.49
  • (2) computer desks – curb-shopped – $109.76 retail
  • (1) farm table – curb-shopped – $150 estimated retail
  • (1) large Papa Johns pizza – Super Bowl coin toss – $11.99
  • (2) 2L bottles of Pepsi Next – free after coupons – $2.76
  • (1) 20-oz Coke – free with Super Bowl coupon – $1.58
  • (1) bag of Lindor truffles – free after coupons – $3.50
  • (1) box of Peanut Butter Toast Crunch – sent from myinsite – $3.79
  • (1) Colgate toothpaste – free after coupons – $3.99
  • (4) canisters of Quaker oatmeal – free after RRs – $6
  • (1) Yucatan Guacamole – free after coupon – $3.98
  • (1) Brookside Dark Pomegranate Chocolate 0.8 oz – free after ECBs – $.67
  • (2) tubes of Crest Complete toothpaste – free after ECBs – $5.34
  • (1) Colgate MaxFresh toothpaste – free after RRs – $3.49

March

• • • (4) individual serving containers of Yopa Greek Yogurt – free after coupons – $4
    • (2) Altoids Mints 1.76 oz – free after coupons – $2
    • (1) Neverkink Garden Hose 100ft – curb-shopped – $37.98 retail
    • (1) Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix 17.5 oz. – free sample request – $1.79
    • (1) Flower Seed Packet – free sample request – $.89
    • (1) pound of Mung Bean Sprouting Seeds– free after Amazon credit – $11.65
    • (2) individual serving containers of Yopa Greek Yogurt – free after coupons – $2

April

• • • (1) 6 ct. package of Nexcare waterproof bandages – free after RRs –$4.99
    • (2) 4 lb. bags of Morton Natural Epson Salt – free after RRs – $5.49
    • (2) 18 ct. boxes of Kotex tampons – free after coupons and RRs – $9.98
    • (1) tube of Colgate toothpaste – free after coupons and ECBs – $3.00
    • (2) bottles of Nivea after shave lotion – free after coupons and ECBs – $14.58
    • (2) 8 oz. containers of Valspar paint samples – free after coupons – $5.98
    • (1) 5 oz. bag of raisins – free after ECBs – $1
    • (4) Pretzelmaker Salted Pretzels – free on National Pretzel Day – $17.96
    • (1) pair of Victoria’s Secret undies – free after coupon – $10.50
    • (1) bottle of Victoria’s Secret body spray – free after coupon – $12
    • (7) Folgers Classic Roast Instant Coffee Crystals, 7-Count – free after coupons – $7

May

• • • (1) Simple Truth Nutrition Bar – free after coupon – $.89
    • (1) box of Belvita breakfast biscuits – free after coupon – $2.50
    • (1) 8-ct. box of tampons – free after RRs – $1.49
    • (1) 3.5 oz. tin of Royal Dansk Luxury Wafers – free after RRs – $.65
    • (2) bottles of Sally Hansen Nail Polish – free after coupons – $10.58

June

• • • • (1) bottle of fruitwater – free after coupon – $1.00
      • (2) 13 oz. containers of Sun-Maid Raisins – free after ECBs – $5.00
      • (1) 12 oz. bottle of body wash – free after coupon – $2.37
      • (1) 26 oz. jar of Farmer’s Garden by Vlasic pickles – free after coupon – $3.99
      • (1) pound of HoneyBaked Ham – free after coupon – $10.99
      • (1) 10 oz. jar of Vlasic sweet relish – free after coupon – $.98
      • (2) Reach toothbrushes – free after coupons and RRs – $5.98
      • (1) ream of Staples multipurpose paper – free after coupon and rebate – $8.99
      • (1) 16.9 oz. bottle of Filippo Berio Olive Oil – free after after coupon and ECBs – $3.99
      • (1) 1 L. bottle of Crest Pro–Health mouthwash – free after after coupon and ECBs – $4.99
      • (3) sticks of Arm & Hammer Essentials Natural Deodorant – free after RRs – $2.97
      • (1) Angel Soft 9–roll toilet tissue – free after RRs – $3.99
      • (2) tubes of Colgate MaxFresh toothpaste, 6 oz. – free afer coupons and ECBs – $5.98
      • (1) box of Lance Xtra Fulls crackers – free after coupon – $2.78
      • (1) Private Selection bread – free after coupon (part of a BzzZ campaign) – $2.98
      • (1) Private Selection dry rub – free after coupon (part of a BzzZ campaign) – $3.69
      • (1) Private Selection bread crumbs – free after coupon (part of a BzzZ campaign) –$3.69
      • (1) Private Selection preserves – free after coupon (part of a BzzZ campaign) – $2.99
      • (1) Private Selection syrup – free after coupon (part of a BzzZ campaign) – $7.59
      • (2) Charmin Basic toilet paper, 20-pk – free after Worklife rewards – $19.98
      • (1) Crayola Twistables crayons – free after Worklife rewards – $5.29
      • (2) Crayola crayons – free after Worklife rewards – $.50
      • (1) Foray lead pencil refills – free after Worklife rewards – $1
      • (1) ream of Staples assorted colors copy paper – free after coupon and rebate – $8.99

July

• • • • (1) roll of paper towels – free after coupon – $.79
      • (2) 5 oz. cup of cottage cheese – free after coupons – $2
      • (2) 12 oz. milk bottle – free after coupons – $2
      • (2) string cheese 12/pk – free after coupons – $7.98
      • (2) black plums – free after coupons – $1
      • 2.5 quarts of blackberries – foraged – $20 market value
      • (3) 2–Liter bottles of Soda – free after gift card earned on prior transaction – $3
      • (2) packs of notebook filler paper – free after gift card earned on prior transaction – $1.64
      • (1) Starbucks vanilla coffee, 11 oz. – free after coupon and ECBs – $1.50
      • (1) Reach Advanced toothbrush – free after coupon and RRs – $2.99
      • (2) tubes of Colgate toothpaste – free after coupons – $3.98

August

• • • • (4) packs of notebook filler paper – free after coupons – $6
      • (1) bag of Cheeto Puffs, 9.5 oz. – free after coupon – $3.19
      • (2) rolls of Charmin Basic Huge Roll toilet paper – free after coupons – $1.99

September

October

• • • • (1) 24 ct. 4 x 6 photo prints – free after coupon code – $4.99

November

• • • • (1) roll of paper towels – free after coupon – $.79
      • (1) Dole Fruit Smoothie Shakers – free after coupon – $1.89
      • (2) 8-oz. cans of Valspar paint – free after coupons – $5.96

December

• • • (2) chicken pastries – free after coupon – $8
    • (1) 1-lb. apples – free after coupon – $2.79
    • (2) Healthy Kids Meals – Kids Eat Free deal – $8.98
    • (1) 1 1/2 lb. container of chicken salad – free after coupon – $5.75
    • (1) box of Nabisco Rice Thins – free after coupon $#150; $1.99
    • (1) loaf of Pepperridge Farm bread – free after coupon – $3.49

Year-to-Date Total: $1056.78