Maximizing Your Free Samples

I wanted to mention a few ways to maximize your enjoyment of getting something without paying for it. 

• Companies often ask for personal information when you sign up for things.  They are essentially paying for your demographic and contact information by sending you a mini-me of their product.  You will usually have to provide an email address and birth date.  I recommend setting up a 'junk' email address with a free provider such as Yahoo or Gmail.  Use this email address lest your 'good' email address be overrun with newsletters and spam.  Although it wouldn't take Sherlock Holmes to find out my birthday, I don't feel the need to offer it.  On the free sample forms, I enter a date that is close to my actual birthday to give them the correct demographic information.
• Look for and file the coupons that come with the free sample.  The free sample offering may well be part of a larger marketing and advertising campaign.  Therefore, in the near future you may find the item on sale, and you could pair this coupon with a promotion to maximize your savings.
• Let your children get the mail.  As I've already mentioned, the gremlins cat-fight over the cellophane covered presents that come out of the mailbox.  Not only are you getting a free product, but free entertainment as well.  And lets face it, my heart skips a beat, too.
• Actually use your samples.  You didn't spend a minute of your precious time to fill out a form for no reason.  When the sample arrives, put it in its place or consider using it first to eliminate clutter.  Use the little products when you travel for business or pleasure.
• Give them away.  If you have a whole box of shampoo/conditioner samples as pictured above, give them to a college student.  Make a sweet gift-basket for a friend with lotion, coffee and tea samples.  Donate excess samples to charity.