Cheapin' Out | Life on the cheap, from the cheapest eats to clippin' coupons

Free Lactaid Sample

If you suffer from lactose intolerance, you'll want to get a packet of Lactaid. My younger sister suffered with lactose, which meant she got terrible stomach cramps every time she drank milk, ate cheese or consumed ice cream. Back in those days, my father had to purchase special lactose-free milk. Unfortunately, when you go out to eat, lactose-free products are not available. That's where Lactaid comes in.

Lactaid is a dietary supplement that works to break down the lactose in dairy foods. This means that you can still consume your favorite dairy products. You'll just need to take a serving size of the Lactaid with your first bite of food. No need to remember a half an hour before your meal, which can be hard to do if you are in-route to your favorite restaurant.

In order to get the free sample of Lactaid, you'll need to fill out a simple form on the Lactaid website. This is a great way to try the product before purchasing an entire box. The form requires you to enter your full name, mailing address, and e-mail address. You'll need to confirm your e-mail address, and then enter your age and gender by clicking on their drop-down menus. Finally, click on the button that says, “Get your free sample.”

When you request your free sample, you are also automatically placed on the company's list for receiving future promotions and information. This is helpful if you are newly diagnosed with lactose intolerance. I already sent my sister the link to this form. I know she will appreciate the option of consuming a supplement verses having to spend extra money on lactose-free products.

The Difference between Needs and Wants

Everything has to do with the mind. It is all mental!

If you watched the Suze Orman Show, she stresses the importance between knowing the difference between needs and wants. I am not going to give you an explanation of the difference between needs and wants here. I’ll leave that for you to Google.

What I am going to do here is to try and see how the mindset can really help you to see how you really don’t need that thing that you have always wanted. I know the whole idea of going without can be a bit depressing and I have never been an advocate of going without. But there are definitely some things that you really don’t need and others that you must spend like a great college education and a house in a nice part of town.

The psychology behind needs and wants is to actually live without something for a while. It is that saying that when you keep using something or having something in your life it becomes a luxury. The best way to decide what is really important is to actually try to live like someone poorer than you for may be a week or two. This way you will realize that a lot of things that you want to spend on are just wants that are not really necessary.

Another way to look at this whole thing is to actually look to interact with different types of people and experience different things. We often get caught up by hanging around with the same set of friends that we lose out on meeting other people that can make us look at things with a totally different perspective.

That is where a college education really came in handy for me. I went to a Big Ten school that had students from probably every country on this planet. Another interesting thing was that even the big football players used to ride around on mopeds. It was funny that in my hometown I used to be made fun of for riding a moped.

It is all in your mind. So break out!!

Happy Hour at Starbucks

Do you love Starbucks coffee? My daughter is a huge fan of their Caramel Frappuccino . Of course, they have many other delicious flavors to choose from. I myself happen to be a Plain Jane when it comes to coffee. Just give me cream and sugar and I'm good to go.

No matter how you like your coffee, Starbucks aims to please. This week you take the time to taste as many Frappuccino flavors as you wish during their happy hour promotion. Up until Sunday, May 13, 2012, Starbucks will be reducing the price of their Frappuccinos by a whopping fifty percent! In order to take advantage of this amazing deal, you'll need to come to the store between the hours of 3 and 5 p.m.

Fortunately for my daughter, she still has a gift card for Starbucks with a few dollars on it left over from Christmas. I have no doubt that as soon as I inform her of this week's upcoming happy hour promotion, she is going to want to use up the rest of her Starbucks gift card. She'll also appreciate that Starbucks will make the Frappuccino to order, and no ingredient within the store is off limits. The Starbucks commercial for the upcoming happy hour has individuals ordering a Mocha Cookie Crumple Frappuccino, a Mocha Light Frappuccino, a Mocha Coconut with extra coffee Frappuccino, and a Soy Strawberries and Cream Frappuccino.

Personally, I think since Mother's Day falls on the last day of the Starbucks happy hour promotion that my daughter should treat me to a Starbucks coffee. She won't have to pay full price, and she'll still get to benefit from the trip with her own personal frappuccino created to please her specific taste buds.

Visiting DC on a budget

I'm taking my two daughters to Washington DC this weekend, and we plan on keeping the cost of the trip as low as possible. In fact, I'm surprised at how cheap it will be for us to go. I thought I'd share my discoveries, so that others who may be thinking that a trip to DC isn't affordable will see that it actually is.

There isn't any way of getting out of paying for gas to get to Washington DC, but there are commuter parking lots available if you simply want to visit DC for a day. As for hotels, you have a choice. A few of my friends stay just outside of DC where the room rates are cheap. They make sure the hotel is near a subway station for easy access to the DC sites. I prefer to spend the money that would be spent on the subway on a hotel room within DC that is in walking distance to all of the attractions. I got an excellent rate by booking ahead and taking the no-refund rate. It's risky, but saved me over $200. The hotel also had an enormous free breakfast each morning and a microwave and refrigerator directly in the guest room. I'm bringing my own food.

Saving money on DC attractions is easy, as most of the attractions are completely free. Not only are 18 of the 19 Smithsonian Museums free to enter, but so is the Lincoln Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Franklin Roosevelt Memorial, Constitutional Gardens, Korean War Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The Washington Monument is free to visit, but does cost money to enter. Right now, however, you cannot enter the monument because of damage it sustained in an earthquake.

Parents who enjoy taking the opportunity to teach their children while visiting DC will appreciate the free Ranger Guide offered by the government. I printed this 24 page guide out for the kids. After they complete it, they will be given a ranger badge at the ranger's station.

Finally, there are also a bunch of free events that occur at the Washington DC Convention Center. We are stopping by for their 2nd Annual Science and Engineering Expo, which is entirely free!

Free Sample: TRESemme Split Remedy

TRESemme has a new product called TRESemme Split Remedy. Currently, TRESemme is offering a free sample of both the shampoo and conditioner that are in this line of products. According to their website, TRESemme Split Remedy repairs 80 percent of split ends on a daily basis. I have a ton of split ends, as my hair always seems to dry out so quickly. I was very excited to learn about this free sample and I can't wait for it to arrive.

I would encourage anyone that has had an issue with split ends in the past to give this product a try. You have nothing to lose after all, since the product is totally free to try. I know constant blow drying, curling, flat ironing, and styling can all lead to split ends. I blow dry my hair and use the flat iron frequently, so now that I think about it, maybe this is why my hair tends to be so dry.

In order to get the free sample of TRESemme Split Remedy, you'll have to head to Walmart's free sample page. There you will see a picture of the product that you must click on. TRESemme has additional information about the product that will pop up. Review this and then click on the button that reads “Watch a video to get a free sample.”

After watching a video of one of the three girls listed, you'll be able to fill out a request form for the product. You'll need to provide your full name, mailing address, e-mail address, birth year (to make sure you are over 18), and then fill out a short four-question survey. Finally, you'll need to click the blue button that says “Send My Sample.” You can expect the free sample to arrive within four to six weeks from the date of your request.

Free Sample: Lanacane Anti-Chafing Gel

Although I've never personally had a problem with chafing, I do have a friend that had this issue. The problem always seemed to arise with the use of a particular undergarment. Not only did the area become irritated and red, but it made wearing the garment almost unbearable. At the time, I didn't have very many helpful suggestions for her. She had tried petroleum jelly, but hated it because it was so greasy.

Currently, Lanacane is offering a free sample of their new anti-chafing gel. This gel won't wash off if it gets wet, and glides on nice and smooth. You won't have to worry about your skin rubbing against skin or clothing anymore. In addition, the formula won't stain your clothes like petroleum jelly would.

In order to get the free sample, you'll need to head to Lanacane's survey page. It is also being offered through Kmart's free sample page as well if you prefer to go through them. Take the time to fill out the entire survey, which includes questions about your experience with the product, what areas of your body chafe the most, your age, your gender, and your waist size. Lanacane uses this information for research purposes and won't sell it to any other companies. You'll also need to fill out your full name, mailing address, and e-mail address. Once that is all done, you can click “Submit.”

Free samples generally take a month to two months to arrive. If you request the sample now, however, you'll be sure to get it just in time for the summer.

Free Kimtech Touchscreen Wipes

Since my iPod Touch requires me to press different areas of the screen, it isn't long before it is covered in fingerprints. No matter how many times you wash your hands, the oil still makes its way onto the screen of the media device you are using.

Fortunately, Kimtech has created a new product that will make it easy for you to clean the screen of your iPod. These touchscreen cleaning wipes also work on eBook readers, cell phone screens and laptops. What's even better is that these touchscreen cleaning wipes come in individual packets that you can easily place in your wallet or purse. That means you don't have to wait until you get home to keep your media devices clean.

Another perk to the Kimtech Touchscreen Cleaning Wipes is that they are reusable. This cuts the amount of times you need to reorder the product down significantly. The cleaning wipes are effective against make-up, lint and oil.

In order to get your free Kimtech Touchscreen Wipes, you'll have to head to the Kimtech Touchscreen homepage. From there you need to click on the green button that says, “Get a Free Sample Now!” You'll see a short form that requires your name, mailing address, gender and age. There is also one question that you must answer with a yes or no. The question pertains to whether or not you have had a chance to purchase this product in a store. Click “submit” when you are all done.

Kimtech doesn't specifically say how long it will take for the sample of cleaning wipes to arrive at your house, but most samples take between four and six weeks.

Free Tums Freshers

It really pays to sign-up for store rewards cards. I often find myself grabbing something for free, or almost for free. Today, I discovered I could get a free sample of Tums' new product-Tums Freshers. In order to get this free sample, you must have a wellness+ card from Rite Aid.

Tums Freshers were created to do two things. First, they attack heartburn so that you can feel better quickly. Next, they freshen your breath. I think this idea is genius because the foods that often give me heartburn are in restaurants. Having something that I can quickly pop in my mouth after eating out is not only convenient, but it saves me from having to chew a piece of gum to keep my breath fresh until I get back home. I can’t wait to give this product a try.

To grab your free sample of the new Tums Freshers, head to the free sample request form. Once there, you will need to enter your Rite Aid wellness+ card number. Next comes the boxes for your full name and mailing address. This information is needed so that Rite Aid knows where to send the sample. Your e-mail address and birth date are optional, as is the two question survey. I don’t mind filling out these surveys because they only take an additional two seconds. Finally, the form asks you to check “Yes” or “No” to let them know if you are willing to review the product after you have tried it.

The submit button is at the bottom of the form. Once you are sure you have entered correct information, you can hit that button and sit back and wait for your sample to arrive in the mail. It may take between four and six weeks, which is the standard for free samples.

Free 128 Peroxide Sample

An environmentally friendly cleaning solution

I have been concentrating on finding more eco-friendly ways to clean my house. I’m finding out that a lot of natural products I own are actually great cleaning agents. It beats worrying about the health reports that are associated with cleansers that use harsh chemicals.

Concentrate 128 is currently giving away a free sample of their peroxide. This sample must be diluted with water before use. The amount you dilute the peroxide is based on whether you are just giving your house a light cleaning, or a heavy one. Dilution amounts are listed on the package, but the website does calculate a cost of about $.05 for every quart. That is a huge savings.

What I like best about Concentrate 128’s peroxide is that it is 100 percent biodegradable. The website lists that it is safe to use in buckets for use on floors, in spray bottles for use on counters, and even in carpet extractors. I’m already making a list of chores I want to use this product for.

In order to receive your free sample of peroxide, you’ll have to head to the Concentrate 128 free sample webpage. The fields that are required include your name, street address, city, state, zip code, country and email address. Simply click the “Submit” button at the bottom of the page when you are finished filling out your information. You’ll see a “Thanks” message appear afterward to let you know that your submission was received. Although this site doesn’t state how long it will take to get your free sample, you can assume it will be somewhere between four and six weeks. This is the standard amount of time for free samples.

Free Coffee-Mate Sample

This Friday, March 23rd, is being dubbed Free Flavor Friday by Coffee-Mate. The company is giving away a coupon for a free bottle of Coffee-Mate to the first 200,000 individuals who fill out the request form. The catch is that the request form won’t be available until 9 am PST on Friday. I know I’m marking my calendar so I don’t miss out on this offer.

Coffee-Mate flavors include French Vanilla, Hazelnut, Italian Sweet Cream, Peppermint Mocha, and Caramel Macchiato. Although I am more of a plain creamer-type coffee drinker, my daughter loves the flavor of the French Vanilla and the Peppermint Mocha. Many members of my family are big coffee drinkers and will be very excited about this offer.

If you are a little bit forgetful, Coffee-Mate has a few tools you can use on their countdown page to make sure you remember to grab your free coupon. First, you can RSVP to this event via Facebook. Facebook will then remind you of Free Flavor Friday first thing Friday morning. There is also a button to add this even to your personal Google, Outlook, or ICAL calendar. You can also refer back to the countdown page at anytime to keep an eye on the clock.

After clicking on the event details link, I found out that the coupon will be delivered within 2 to 3 weeks after you fill out the form. Of course, that is if you are one of the first 200,000 people to take advantage of the offer.

Pages