We all like FREE stuff right? When I first starting looking for deals, couponing, and signing up for samples, I was surprised at how much you can get for FREE. However, I also knew that it was extremely important to safe guard my personal information, so I want to highlight a few tips I’ve learned when requesting FREEBIES so that you can find the best deals.
Tip #1: Sign up for a FREE alternative email address through gmail, yahoo, etc. so that you can use that address when requesting FREEBIES. You’ll start to get A LOT of email from companies so the 2nd address will help keep your personal box free of clutter.
Tip #2: Make sure it is a legitimate offer. Before I request any FREEBIE, I check it out to make sure it is a legitimate offer by looking at the web address. Is it directly from the company? Are there any hidden shipping costs or additional steps that I need to take? Do you feel comfortable with the website? Sometimes I just have to follow my gut, and won’t request something if it looks fishy.
I always try to make sure an offer is legitimate before posting on the blog, however, I am human, and make mistakes, so I will try to correct anything that doesn’t seem right. Even though I’m signing up for these FREEBIES, too, please use your own judgment about a deal and if you find something is fishy, just let me know.
Tip #3: Don’t give your personal information. You should never give your SSN, and I recommend that you don’t give your real birthday or phone either. I don’t want a ton of marketing calls, so I won’t give my real phone number. You can also register for the National Do Not Call Registry (and register your cell phone, too).
Obviously, to request a FREEBIE you’ll need to give your address, but if you aren’t comfortable with that, you could always open a PO Box. I haven’t found the necessity to do that, but again, you should do what you feel comfortable with.
Tip #4: Watch FREE Trials. Some great FREEBIES come from FREE trials, but if you sign up for these, make sure that you know what the subscription is and how you can cancel. Some of these will require credit cards, so I recommend that you have just 1 credit card that you closely monitor to make sure there aren’t extra charges.
Again, many great products come from FREE trials, but just know what you are signing up for before giving any of your information.
Tip #5: Facebook Freebies. I know that more and more companies are giving away FREE products and coupons on Facebook when you become a fan. However, if you feel like you are getting too much stuff from the company, simply un-fan them and you won’t have to be bombarded with a ton of updates from them.
Tip #6: Use good judgment. I know, I mentioned this earlier, but truthfully, if you don’t feel comfortable with a deal or FREEBIE, just skip it. There have been plenty of deals that I pass just because I’m not sure and I don’t want to get you or me scammed. I’ve learned that there are plenty of deals out there and my safety is not as important as a FREE product.
These are my top ways to stay safe and enjoy FREEBIES. I hope these tips will help you and I’d love to hear if you have other tips and/or questions about FREEBIES.
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