Get More, Pay Less (Or Nothing): How To get More Stuff For Free Or Really Cheap

A guy at WalMart once told me, "If it's free, it's for me!". True, true words, aren't they? How exactly do you go about getting stuff for free without stealing it? Well, with the internet, it's pretty easy.

Sign up for store's loyalty cards, given they're free to sign up for.
Stores like Aeria, Sephora, Victoria's Secret and Bath and Body Works will all give out freebies if you join their special clubs. Sign up for the Aerie A-list at an Aerie store and get a punch card to redeem monthly on Thursdays for a free mini gift like a little perfume or gym bag. You also get a new gift on your birthday. Apply in store at Sephora for a Beauty Insider card; you can of course use it for points to redeem for free samples when you shop, but even if you never buy anything you can still get a free gift on your birthday. Victoria's Secret's e-mail club will send coupons to redeem for free panties, lipgloss, etc, and if you subscribe for real mail, you get more of those coupons. Bath and Body Works is the same deal as Victoria's Secret, just, bath stuff.

Check out other blogs directed towards freebies.
I really like the blog, http://itsallfreeonline.com/, because it's constantly being updated with freebies. Become their fan on Facebook too. I've gotten everything from free DVD rentals to free tank tops to free shampoo. Also check out: http://absurdlycool.com/, http://instoresnow.walmart.com/In-Stores-Now-Free-Samples-And-Tools.aspx. Walmart offers free stuff including music downloads all the time.

Become a fan of your favorite companies on Facebook.
Coach gave out vouchers for a free box of cute Coach poppy pencils once.

Check out some 'win-its' sites.
http://winit.intouchweekly.com/?origin=madberries will let you enter daily to win cool prizes!

Ask.
I model, and I once asked a hairstylist if I could have some of the shampoo she had. She gave me two brand new bottles of salon-size TIGI Catwalk root booster and volumizing leave in conditioner spray.

***How To Get Stuff For Cheap***

Shop At Discount Stores.
Consignment shops, TJMaxx, Marshalls and if you live in Massachusettes try Building 19, or Maine try Marden's. These stores are prohibited from selling counterfeit merchandise, actually nobody is allowed to sell counterfeits. I've found Versace marked down to $20. TJMaxx is great if you love Betsey Johnson and Steve Madden or Ralph Lauren. In big cities you can find used Louis Vuitton or Marc Jacobs in upscale consignment stores.

Don't Pass Over The Clearance Section.
I found a $60 leather biker-chic jacket for $18 the other day. It fit perfect, and makes any girly outfit look cooler. I found a Ralph Lauren blazer on clearance for $30 once.

Look For Coupons.
Yes, you feel like a cheap-o doing it, but some people (look it up on Youtube) are master coupon varsity-leaguers. I once got two Revlon eyeliners for free combining a bogo sale, CVS extra bucks and a coupon.

Weekly Blog - Jan 16th 2009

Sunday:
Finally back to church! After weeks of bad weather making it unsafe to drive out there, (My church is only the next city over, but when you live in New England, frost heaves, black ice, hills and swerves and crazy other drivers become big parts of the equation. We drew a picture of a boy on the church circular, and make all these arrows and demands for my dream man and gave it to my Pastor. He promised at the church Christmas party that he'd help find me a man. After church we redeemed my $2 winnings on my scratchcard and watched 'The Hangover''.

Monday:
Went over my buddy Peter's house. If you don't have a guy best friend, get one, it's nice to have a dude you can snuggle with and it's not weird.

Tuesday:
Singing practice at church. And hellooo American Idol is back! I forget, whether it was Tuesday or Wednesday that the kid from Derry, NH was on. Well, I'm just happy someone from my local area was on TV. When you're from a small town, any national news coverage is exciting. (Think, that plane that landed in a NH Wallyworld parking lot or old man of the mountain falling, or first in the national elections.)

Wednesday:
Idol is back! I can't wait to see Ellen as the permanent host! Went to the craft store today too. I'm an art major, and I also have a commission portrait to finish.

Thursday:
My friend wanted me to go to kareoke night with her, but honestly I was outta money. I crave restaurant food though. I can't wait for The Office to return next week! Jim Pam baby can't come soon enough.

Friday:
Got my wisdom teeth out, yeah, that was fun. NOT! I was on the crazy gas. Apparently I threatened to kick my dentist, spoke French the whole time and was walking around like a loopy baby. Had the hiccups twice that day afterward. My friend Rachel told me her brother's cute friend thinks I'm attractive. Well, this is indeed a glorious ending to a bad day afterall.

Saturday:
Hiccups twice so far today, on round #2 right now. Apparently it's a side effect of the surgery. Peter said he might come bring me some raspberry sorbet today. These pills for my surgery taste yucky.

Photos Of The Week Ending Jan 16th 2010

Outfit of the day: Jacket, $20 (got it for $18 with my employee discount) TJMaxx. Dress, $10 H&M. Clutch, $10 Walmart. Shoes, $40 Guess. Yeah, note, as of now I've cleaned my mirror.

New Makeup: The new Covergirl shadows rock, and I'm so overjoyed to use the nail art brushes. The ELF kit will be great for traveling and the 'glosses' are more like matte lipsticks, which rocks because for one I'm a lipstick girl, not gloss and I'm really into matte lipsticks right now.

At my friend's house Monday night, his kitten Lucy kept sitting in the plates. Cute!

I know white nails are a little white-trashy, but I figured the metallic swirls would look 2010 and futuristic, not trailer park. I'm real proud of the swipes on that thumbnail. The white polish is Essie in Blanc. I know most people like Essie in Marshmallow, but I like a true white. That, and it was on sale at TJMaxx. I did do orange nails earlier but it turned out I didn't do my acrylics right so I re-did them to look like this. I still love orange polish though and will try again.

I got four wisdom teeth out yesterday and I'm on a baby food and overcooked fettuchini diet until normal food is okay. Luckilly I don't mind baby food.

Photos Of The Week (Jan 3rd 2010-Jan 10th 2010)

I ordered this liner from Sephora and it finally came in the mail! Yayy! It's Urban Decay's 24/7 Liner in Flipside. AW! What a color, right? I haven't seen another liner quite like it, and it goes on so silky. Can you believe it's my first Urban Decay liner? Well, pencil liner at least. Also, check out my sparkly black nails! Sinful Colors in Black...whatever. Yes, I'm too lazy to go up to my nail shelves thing and check.

Here's a closeup of the swatch.

Not long after my black nail pic there, it was time to change nails. This is OPI Fi Fi Fo Plum with a sparkly clear silver Wet N Wild thing over it. I'm redoing my nails now as I write this. I got compliments on these nails and I personally feel like the color is super flattering on my skin tone. I got this polish as a treat for myself once. I love purple nail polishes!!!

Outfit picture! Snow Leopard Faux Fur Jacket: H&M, White Top: Forever 21, Grey Skirt: Charlotte Russe, Leggings: Uhhh...I got them at TJMaxx, Boots: Juicy Couture. I need to clean my mirror!

My first scratchcard and I won $2! Woo I got my money back +1. I feel a new addiction starting. I can totally see myself becoming a compulsive gambler.