There was a great promo at Safeway a few months back that you could get Barrilla pasta sauce for free (after coupons). The promo was going on for several weeks, but of course by the first couple of days the sauce was gone. I received a great suggestion to ask customer service to order more so I could stock up (I bought 6) without emptying the store shelves. CS loved the idea, I got my extra sauce, and left plenty for someone else.

There is a fine line between stocking up for your family, becoming greedy, and hoarding all the freebies/products for yourself.

april’s last blog post..Frugal Fridays

Also, I am relatively new to stocking up on certain items, but last month, it came in handy to have full-sized, unopened toiletries ready to go. A friend stopped by who had to leave home quickly without grabbing the things she’d need to be away for a few days. I was able to load her up with basic toiletries right then because I had them on hand.

Like Carrie said, in situations like Katrina and world-wide disaster relief situations, it is easier for organizations to use cash. For my church’s food pantry/assistance program (small scale, local program), they take donations of actual product and so when I can get items for free or very inexpensive, it helps them out a lot!

http://themamahoodsgoods.blogspot.com/

the mama hood’s last blog post..FREEBIES AND GIVEAWAY LINKS!

There are many homeless people that come through the shelters. I recently had 40 tubes of toothpaste and about 25 bottles of shampoo that I paid under $5.00 for. These items are real expenses that the shelter has – so they greatly appreciate the free toothpaste and shampoo. Who knows maybe they would prefer the $5.00?

Also, I do save freebies throughout the year and make baskets for a womens rehab. The women love getting them and often they come in without any of these items. I purchase some dollar store baskets, cellophane and ribbon – add free shampoo, conditioner, hair products, razors etc. My mom did the same thing for graduates at the church going to college. She made huge baskets full of freebies .. the kids loved them and certainly get good use out of them.

So I do think some good can be done with freebies. I am not suggesting being greedy and clearing the shelves, but I don’t see anything wrong with getting one or two things free each week that I will donate.

Shannon’s last blog post..Get Free Products with Tryology

don’t fool yourself. the charity would be better off with the cash you would have spent on that item, then they don’t need to pay for transportation, storage, organization and management of all the donated items. your cash, even the tiniest bit will probably do a lot more good. this was particularly brought to light during the katrina aftermath, the charities could do a lot more good buying the things they actually needed as close to where they needed to distribute them as possible.

Carrie’s last blog post..Farm Fresh to You Produce Service