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Friday, July 31, 2009

Free in-flight wi-fi with GoGoinflight.

The one thing I didn't like about my recent flight on Virgin America was that they were charging like $10 for wi-fi access while on the plane. Seriously? $10? That just seems like... a lot.

If you're flying between now and August 31, though, you can get FREE wi-fi on any plane that uses GoGoinflight. Here's how:

"While on board, select the Gogoinflight network on your computer. Next, go to a (any) website to get to the gogoinflight page. Create a new account with gogoinflight.com. When you arrive on the payment page, enter the promotional code: 159flt3161."

Then you can watch your OWN movies on Netflix, instead of paying $8 a pop to the airline.


Free Glam Camp bag at Rite-Aid.

Generally I don't have much use for Rite-Aid, which I consider one of the grosser drugstores, but this offer might change my mind... a little. Get a free Glam Camp duffle bag stuffed with beauty samples when you buy three of any of these products:

• Sally Hansen Products
• Maybelline Products
• Clearasil Products
• Veet Products
• got2b Products
• New York Color Products
• Love’s Products
• Phisoderm Products

NY CO is that cheapo brand that occupies the cosmetics niche that Wet 'n' Wild used to fill, so you could easily get a few 99-cent nail polishes and be done. But you have until September 26 to make your purchases at Rite-Aid, so there's plenty of time to finish off those almost-empty face cleansers and restock.


Free chocolate melts just as fast.

Yep, it's Free Chocolate Friday once again, although considering Seattle's recent heat wave, this may not be the time to get yourself a piping-hot bar of melty chocolate. Unless you plan to eat it within 30 seconds, I guess.

Personally, I'm loving the Dove with Almonds flavor, which I only tried because these free coupons kept showing up in my mailbox, so I guess their fiendishly clever campaign is working after all. Curses!


Thursday, July 30, 2009

Free museums this weekend through B of A.

B of A customers, this weekend you can get into a bunch of museums for FREE. And, you know, museums usually have air-conditioning. I'm just saying. Present your ATM, credit, or check card, and get in free! That's it!

Seattleites, you may have free admission to these museums:



Another Borders super-coupon.

If it's a day that ends in Y, then there must be a Borders coupon or five... and today is no exception. Today's super-coupon has many offers, including:
  • $10 off a hardcover book over $35
  • $10 off a computer book or Blu-Ray disc
  • $5 off one cookbook
  • $5 off a history book
  • $5 off a CD
  • $5 off a DVD
  • $2 off a magazine
  • $2 off a fiction book
  • $2 off a kids' book
  • Buy a bag of coffee, get a medium beverage free

Surely with all those offers, there's something you want... even if it's just to scoot into an air-conditioned store for a while until the "stagnant air" alert ends, right, Seattleites?




(Two Free) Taco Tuesday at Jack in the Box.

Taco Tuesday is the best day of the week... especially when those tacos are free! Print this coupon and head to Jack in the Box on Tuesday, August 4, for your free tacos. To be honest, I haven't had JitB tacos for many years, but I remember them being kind of greasy and gross. Maybe they've improved since the last time I tried them? It might be worth a shot.

Let's hope this doesn't go the way of the KFC free chicken or other fast-food promotional disasters...


Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Seattleites: beat the heat at SAM.

Now that we've set an all-time temperature record here in Seattle, the Seattle Art Museum wants to do its part to shelter the tired, sweaty masses and give 'em a little culture while they're cooling down. Check out their "Beat the Heat" promo this week:
  • Pay-what-you-can admission
  • Open late Thursday and Friday
  • Free iced tea with any purchase at TASTE Restaurant
  • Crappy hour specials (I'm not that impressed with their happy hour "deals")

I wasn't aware that SAM was pay-what-you-can, so that's pretty cool, I guess. In more ways than one! HAW HAW HAW

....Ohhh, the heat is getting to me.




Free wi-fi at all Barnes & Noble stores, starting now!

Finding free wi-fi in the city can be surprisingly hard, as I've recently learned. Barnes & Noble just made it a little bit easier, with their announcement this week that they will be providing free wi-fi to anyone who walks in the store, starting now. Their hope is that you'll download their B&N iPhone app or their e-reader, but you don't have to.

There is this slightly irritating paragraph, though (emphasis mine): "The existing AT&T Wi-Fi network at Barnes & Noble has been available to customers since 2005. Now, anybody walking into a Barnes & Noble store anywhere in the country will have complimentary and unlimited access to the network at all store locations." Wait... isn't anyone who walks into a store a customer? Just because you're not buying something at that precise moment doesn't magically make you NOT a customer, or less special.

I was about to feel a bit guilty for diverting all my business to Borders because they're so generous with the coupons and free beverages, but... not now! I will help myself to B&N's free wi-fi from now on, though, even though I'm evidently not a customer.


Lots of freebies at Ulta.

Ulta's going a little nutso with their freebies right now - it must be the terrible heat. As always, you can get $3.50 off a $10 purchase with promo code 22959, plus you can get a free clutch with the purchase of 2 Ulta bath items, plus a deluxe sample bag (which includes a brush and 10-day sample of Bare Minerals Hydrating Mineral Veil) with any $25 online purchase. Plus, you can choose 3 free samples with any order, and so on and so on.

Check out the full list of their special offers here, and remember, their stores are fully air-conditioned... aahhhh.


Free El Baton cigar.

My goodness, the den-of-vice freebies have been all over lately. First there was the Diamond Vodka sample, and now this one for a free El Baton cigar. Click on the link at the bottom right, and it will take you to a short survey, and when you complete that, you get a coupon for a free cigar.

Well, that's how it's supposed to work in theory, anyway, but right now it says the site is "under maintenance." Could it be that the Freebie Vice Police have caught on to their debaucherous giveaway?


$10 off $10 at Things Remembered.

All right, so I admit I don't go into Things Remembered very often (or the malls that they inhabit, either). Still, sometimes you just need an engraved set of champagne grails. Or a personalized Footprints in the Sand throw. Or a monogrammed golf club pen set.

For those times, why not save $10 off a purchase of $10 or more with this coupon? Good through September 30, so there's plenty of time to get that memorial tree water globe order in.


Tuesday, July 28, 2009

20% off Virgin Mobile phones through August 9.

Just in case you're a cheapskate Virgin Mobile pre-paid cellphone user like me: Virgin is having a 20% off sale on six of their pre-paid phones through August 9. Just enter the promo code “EXTRA20” on the checkout page and click “redeem.”Your 20% discount will be applied to your shopping cart.

Of course, I'm still using the same trusty clamshell I've had for almost 3 years now, which I realize makes me an embarrassingly antiquated anomaly among consumers. What can I say, I watched that horrifying documentary about disfigured and sickened Chinese disposal workers scrounging through heaps of electronic trash to strip out wires and components, and vowed to use my phone until it broke...


30% off one item at Borders.

Well, now I'm a little mad that I went and used that 20% off coupon at Borders from yesterday, because today there's a 30% off coupon. Borders, you just don't quit! Buuuut I can probably find something to buy for 30% off, if I try really hard.


Smithsonian Museum Day is September 26!

OK, I know this is WAY advance notice, but I thought you should know that Sat., September 26, is Smithsonian Museum Day, where you can print a free admission card to hundreds of participating museums around the country. Looks like pretty much all of the museums in the Seattle area are part of this offer, so you'll have plenty to choose from.

The admission card isn't available for download yet, but I'll remind you again as we get closer to the actual day. Free culture, everyone!


BOGO Jamba Juice.

It is hot as crap here in Seattle, and probably where you are too. I can't even THINK about turning on the stove/oven right now, so I'm only eating cold food... which means this BOGO Jamba Juice coupon will be good for at least two dinners. I mean, I guess you could take a friend and share, if you're that kind of person.

I might actually pour both of them into the tub when I get home and just lie there until they melt, though.


Monday, July 27, 2009

20% off one item at Borders.

A Borders coupon is very much like a penny on the sidewalk - so common, they're not even worth bending over to pick up. But just in case you have a book-buying occasion pop up on your radar, you can save 20% on any one item through August 4. Do I hear some trashy beach reading calling my name? I think I might.


Last LAST chance for your digital TV converter boxes!

Attention, past-dwelling non-cable-havers: you have ONE LAST CHANCE to get your digital TV converter boxes before the program expires really for reals this time on July 31! This doesn't apply to most of the civilized world, of course, but if you're a tinfoil-hat-making hermit like me and you didn't get your coupons yet, this is your last chance. You have been warned!


Free ShamWows when you complete a survey.

Admit it, you've always been curious about ShamWow, haven't you? Wouldn't you secretly like to try one if you could have it for free? WELL NOW YOU CAN. And all you have to do is fill out a short li'l survey!

I admit, the down-home, folksy tone of the survey page sent up a little red flag ("You don't pay a cent, not even for Shipping and Handling! We don't ask for any credit card information or any nonsense like that"), but I checked out their privacy policy and terms of use and it doesn't appear that they store or sell your personal information. Just remember to uncheck the box so you don't get their email newsletter, and sit back and relax while you wait for your free ShamWows to be sent to you.


Free Origins mini-facials and facial cleanser.

I'm always a little suspicious of these "free makeovers" or "free facials" at fancy cosmetic counters, because I feel obligated to buy something afterward, even if they don't put the hard sell on you (which they often do). And that's not really free, now is it?

Well, nevertheless, if you're feeling tough, you can get a free mini-facial at Origins retail stores, and get a free facial cleanser when you buy any Origins skin care product afterward. If you were planning on buying something at Origins anyway, and don't mind strangers touching your face, then this is the offer for you. There's a store locator at that link, too, so you can find the closest one to you.

Free Dunkin' Donuts coffee sample is back!

The first time Dunkin' Donuts posted this sample, they ran out in just a day or two, but the offer is back again. Get your free sample bag of Dunkin' Donuts coffee when you sign up here. I got the original blend and it turned out to be a pretty decent-sized mini-bag, so it's definitely worth getting if you're a coffee drinker.


BOGO Pollo Bowl at El Pollo Loco.

Are you feeling crazy for chicken bowls this week? Stop by El Pollo Loco with this coupon and you can BOGO their Pollo Bowls through August 1. Unless you live in Seattle, that is, in which case you'll have to journey to Oregon if you want a free bowl of crazy chicken.


Free sample of Total Blueberry Pomegranate cereal.

What better start to your day could there be than a bowful of free, vitamin-packed, blueberry-pomegranate cereal? It's impossible to imagine. Therefore, you should sign up for a sample of Blueberry Pomegranate Total cereal posthaste. All those nutrients and antioxidants are just begging for a chance to healthify you - let them work their wholesome magic on your insides.


$5 concert tickets through Subway.

Man, Live Nation is all over the place lately with their discount ticket deals - could it be that the people's enthusiasm for paying full price to see Motley Crue and Poison is waning? Surely not!

Well, anyway, you can get $5 tickets to select events through this Subway promotion. Enter promo code subway$5tix at checkout. Oh, and look! There are STILL tix available for Crue Fest 2 at the White River Amphitheater. What are the chances?


Free, ahem, Magic Spice.

I know, I know, I got your hopes up with last week's free vodka sample, but it's not what you're thinking... this is a totally legit, completely legal "magic spice" that you're actually supposed to enhance the flavor of food with. Get your free sample bottle, which is called "Your Magic Spice" because they customize it with the name you enter on the form.

Obviously, this system is totally open to hilarious abuse for gag-gifting or self-amusement purposes. Looks like I'll be receiving a bottle of "magic spice" for Dr. Y. Not Smokeabowl...


Friday, July 24, 2009

$20 off 39-dollar glasses.

You've probably heard of 39 Dollar Glasses, the online discount sweatshop for specs. Now, you can save even more with $20 off! Use the sensibly-named coupon code 20bucksoff when ordering. Coupon expires today, though, so you'd better hustle if you want your cheapo glasses for half-off.


3 free Atria books.

There have been a ton of free book offers out there lately, although they all seem to get snapped up pretty fast. This one is particularly good - request up to 3 free Atria galleys - which means, depending on where these upcoming books are in the production process, you might get galleys, advance copies, or actual finished books.

This freebie is really intended for booksellers and reviewers/media, so be kind, not greedy!


Free L'occitane sample set.

I bet you didn't know that "L'occitane" means "The expensive" in Fronch. Well, it does. But you can outwit them by requesting your free set of 5 beauty product samples, just by signing up for their email newsletter! No purchase required; for new subscribers only.

First one's free, mon petit...


50% when you buy 2 or more at Cost Plus.

Well, here's a slightly unusual coupon... 50% off when you buy 2 or more of these qualifying products at Cost Plus:

1) Assorted Mugs (Excludes Sets)
2) All Hand Soaps (Liquid & Bar)
3) All Regularly Priced Jewelry
4) All Glass Kitchen Storage
5) All Lindt Chocolate Bags 20/40 ct
6) All Alex® Toys
7) All Gia Russa Pastas & Sauces
8) All Illy Coffee

I guess that's sort of like BOGO if the two items are roughly equal in price. I can't really tell if it's a mix-n-match (i.e., buy a mug, get a necklace free) or if the two items have to be the same (buy a bag of pasta, get a bag of pasta free), but if you've been wanting to stock up on overpriced "artisanal" housewares, this is your big chance. Valid through July 26, so get shopping!


If that's free chocolate, then it must be Friday.

This is getting out of control. I have coupons for free chocolate all over my house, my cubicle, my purse... they're everywhere. And it's not like I haven't been using them. They just keep coming! Limit of four, limit of schmour.

Free Chocolate Friday - to infinity and beyond!


Thursday, July 23, 2009

Discount Wild Waves tix through Seattle Parks.

Everybody loves a water park, right? RIGHT? Of course you do. Don't be silly. But they are usually pretty expensive, even when you consider the nonstop day full of watery fun you'll be enjoying. I mean, come on, Wild Waves, $36 for one adult admission? Seriously?

Not if Seattle Parks has anything to say about it! You can buy discounted Wild Waves tix through them for $21 a pop, and feel smug because you're supporting Seattle Parks & Rec teen programs. Tix are available at five locations in Seattle, and are good through September 7. Lazy River, here I come!


Channel your consumer rage with the free Consumer Action Handbook.

I don't know if you read Consumerist as obsessively as I do, but I get a thrill out of hearing about ordinary consumers who are sticking it to The Man by not letting The Man stick it to them. But not everyone is equally savvy about how to be a strong, empowered consumer and not get screwed by Big Business, so here's a handy reference guide: the Consumer Action Handbook. You can read it online, download a PDF, or request a print copy (though it is currently being reprinted).

"This everyday guide to being a smart shopper is hot off the press and chock-full of helpful tips about preventing identity theft, understanding credit, filing a consumer complaint, and much more. In the 2009 edition, you'll find updated information about filing for bankruptcy, finding a lawyer, and planning a funeral, along with many other useful topics."

Never be fleeced again!


Free backpack at Borders with $50 purchase.

This may or may not be a deal, but if you're a student who has some required reading to buy (and they're the type of books you can find at Borders), you can get yourself a free backpack with a $50 purchase through Mon., July 27.

Or, since retailers are trying so desperately to push "Xmas in July" to stimulate crappy recession sales this year, maybe you can get an early start on your holiday gift shopping and snag an extra backpack gift while you're at it. They've also got a buy 4 books, get the 5th book free deal going on all books, AND it appears you will also earn $5 in Borders Bucks (aka store credit through their rewards program) with a $50 purchase.

So, to recap... you could buy 4 books, and get a 5th one free, plus $5 in store credit and a free backpack. Xmas in July, people!


Free Estee Lauder Night Repair samples today, 5:00-9:00 pm.

Well, this is an unusual freebie offer... it's only good today, July 23, from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. Department stores across the country will be giving away 10-day supplies of Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair cream (see the nighttime tie-in?) at their Estee Lauder counters. Beware, though, that page is so slow-loading it's like time-traveling back to 1993. Which may be a good thing for your complexion, I guess.

Free Cinnabon and coffee... at Schlotzsky's?

Well, this one has me stumped. I'm not sure why you'd go to a Schlotzsky's to find Cinnabon, but evidently now you can, or at least on Sat., July 25, from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. They'll be offering a Cinnabon "tasting" (which I think is code for "stingy small samples") and free cups of coffee, unless they don't have coffee, in which case they'll give you a fountain drink. Personally, there's nothing I like better with my cinnamon rolls than a nice Mountain Dew... sometimes I pour it over the bun, just to start the digestion process a little sooner. If you know what I mean.

Find your local Schlotszky's!


5 Dermalogica samples for free + 99-cent shipping.

Another two-step freebie offer, this one for Dermalogica skin care samples. The samples are normally $1 each, but if you put 5 in your cart and apply coupon code mem5 for $5 off, they're free. 99-cent shipping is still a pretty decent price for five samples, although it seems to me that I had a big handful of these lurking in my bathroom cabinet, so, you know, I can give you mine for free.


Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Avon BOGO sale w/free shipping.

Ah, Avon, purveyor of discounted beauty items, dubious miracle cosmetics, and religious-themed tchotchkes. Now, today only (since that's our theme today), you can BOGO these items and get free shipping on your order when you shop with an eRepresentative. Which means, apparently, that you place your order online with a local rep, and then they bring you your stuff WHEREVER YOU COMMAND. Feel the power!


Free Baja Fresh burrito w/drink purchase, July 22.

Wow, there's a lot of today-only deals this morning... and here's another. Today only, get a free Baja Fresh burrito with the purchase of a drink when you present this coupon. Click here to find a location near you! Alas, Seattleites, the closest one to here is in Bellevue.


Get two free highlighter packages at Walgreens.

So here's how this one works... Walgreens is currently having a sale on Bic Brite Liner highlighter packs for 49 cents. Aaaaaand there's a coupon here (should be the first one on the upper left-hand side) to save $1 off two Bic products. So you print the coupon, buy 2 packs at Walgreens, and they're free!

Free vodka samples!

And not a moment too soon on this bleary Wednesday morning. Click here and get a free sample of Diamond Vodka, in your choice of glittery, sparkly flavors! Well, they all taste like blissful oblivion, so maybe I mean your choice of bottle designs. Hic.


BOGO Live Nation concert tix, today only!

Live Nation is offering a BOGO concert ticket special at selected venues around the country. Today, July 22, only, buy one ticket and get one free!

Seattleites, the one participating venue here is the White River Amphitheatre in Auburn, and you may choose between Crue Fest 2 and Def Leppard with Poison. I know, it'll be a tough decision... but since it's BOGO, you can get them both! SOLVED.


Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Free "Free" book, for free.

I've been hearing a lot about this Free book by Chris Anderson, Wired editor and author of The Long Tail. If you're curious too, you can take advantage of several options for reading Free for free (courtesy of Consumerist). They even include some audiobook options if you don't like looking at words.

Or, you know, you could just get it from the library. But far be it from me to poop on newfangled high-tech freebies.


Starbucks free pastry offer update.

SBUX pastry update: so last week, I posted an offer for today where you buy a coffee at Starbucks before 10:30 am and get a pastry free. Like many corporate freebie offers, that's sort of true and sort of not.

I went to a Starbucks in our office lobby, which is a fairly tiny location and usually not that busy. They had some pastries in their case, but told us that they had received a special box of promotion pastries for the free offer, and once that was gone, they weren't honoring the coupon (although it wasn't yet 10:30). We went up the street to the 4th & Seneca location, where they had long since run out of their free pastries, but had decided to honor the coupon and just give away everything in their pastry case until it was empty rather than enrage coupon-holding customers.

In conclusion, it probably would have been better if Starbucks had phrased it "Free pastries to the first 100 customers" or whatever, so it wouldn't seem so misleading for customers who held up their end of the bargain and got denied. These corporate marketing wizards, they never learn...


Friday, July 17, 2009

Infinite quantities of free chocolate.

I'm convinced that they're not tracking these free candy bar coupons at all, even though technically you're limited to four free coupons per household. They just keep sending them and I keep cashing 'em in, though, so who am I to argue?

In related news, the Dove Milk Chocolate with Almonds bar is pretty darn good. Especially when it's sprinkled with free sauce.


Free St. Ives apricot scrub.

Be one of the first 13,000 entrants and get a free 1 oz St. Ives apricot scrub! Use UPC code 7704310360 to make the magic happen.

Free blueberry donut at Tim Horton's, July 21.

Ah, Tim Horton's, Canadian donut chain and maker of delicious Timbits. Apparently they've got a new blueberry donut, and they want you to try it for free on July 21 from 6:00 to 10:00 am! The Blueberry Bloom donut is actually pretty cute - it's flower-shaped with purple sprinkles on the "petals" and a blueberry jam center. I would eat that.

Find your nearest location here, although once again Seattleites get screwed by the lack of nearby franchises. SIGH.


Free backpack at Staples... kind of.

This one is sort of complicated, so bear with me. If you're a Staples Rewards member, you can buy ANY backpack at Staples from 7/19 to 7/25 and receive the full purchase price as a rebate check. But they send out their rewards checks quarterly, so you won't get it till October. Aaaaand they're actually more like gift cards to Staples, not actual checks you can cash.

Looks like they have some cute Dickies backpacks (I like the '80s paint splatter one), so if you needed a bag anyway, I guess you may as well sign up for the free Staples Rewards program and get your gift-card rebate a few months from now. You needed ten boxes of ballpoint pens and Wite-Out, right?


Free Starbucks pastry when you buy coffee on 7/21.

Here's a Facebook offer that you don't have to become a fan to use: on July 21, buy a coffee at Starbucks before 10:30 am and get a pastry free. Just print out that coupon and take it in for your complimentary treat. Morning buns, here we come!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Free Vaseline Aloe Fresh lotion - not just for Costco members!

This freebie has been kicking around for a while, but previously it was only available to Costco members, which is lame. Now it is available to everyone, which is cool. Sign up and get your free sample of Vaseline Aloe Fresh lotion. And you don't even have to buy a 24-pack of paper towel rolls to get it!


Free Ashley Tisdale party pack.

I don't know who Ashley Tisdale is, but evidently she is a musical performer of some kind, and she wants YOU to throw a release party for her new CD. You can do this by filling out the form, in exchange for which you will receive "5 Ashley Berry Lip Glosses, 15-20 Guilty Pleasure posters, 5 sticker packs, 1 Guilty Pleasure CD, and 1 Note from Ashley!"

Feel the excitement! Hairbrushes to sing into while jumping on your bed not included.


Borders coupon: buy a hardcover, get a paperback free.

Borders is getting ever more inventive with its constant streams of coupons. This is a new one: buy a hardcover book for $24.95 or more, and get a paperback book (up to $8) free. I'm kind of opposed to buying hardcover books on principle, so this offer doesn't thrill me, but I thought I'd put it out there just in case you couldn't wait to pre-order the new Dan Brown book or something.


Pick Up Stix coupons aplenty.

Here are some coupons for Pick Up Stix, if you're in the mood for quasi-Asian fast food: there's a BOGO entree, $5 off $20, $4.99 chicken wok combo, and more. Find your location here, although us Seattleites are out of luck - there isn't one within a hundred miles.


One-penny MENERGY.

Lately I've been hearing about this book called Free: The Future of a Radical Price, by the editor of Wired magazine, which argues that "information wants to be free" and that, in the digital global economy, the best price is $0.00.

A review of the book mentioned a study in which participants were asked to choose between a 1-penny Hershey's Kiss and a 15-cent truffle. Most people took the truffle, presumably because it was better quality. But when they reduced the price of each candy by one cent - making the Hershey's Kiss free and the truffle 14 cents - the results flip-flopped: suddenly everyone wanted the Hershey's Kiss, just because it was free. There's something irresistible about "free," even compared to a token payment; that's also why a French version of Amazon's Super Saver Shipping, which offered shipping for the equivalent of 20 cents with a minimum $25 order, bombed, whereas the American version, which offers FREE shipping with a minimum $25 order, has sucked us all into adding on items to get to that magical total.

Anyway, that's what I thought of when I saw this not-quite-free offer for a new energy drink for one cent at AM/PM stores. Sure, a penny is such a pitiful amount that most people wouldn't even bother to bend over and pick one up off the ground; but it still creates a psychological barrier when cashing in freebies. What do you think - is $0.01 too much to pay for 16 oz of manly power? Your thoughts on free vs. cheap, in the comments!



Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Free Feline Fresh kitty litter, up to $6.

Crazy cat ladies, I got you covered too... you can get a rebate for Feline Fresh kitty litter, up to $5.99. Print out the form and send it with your receipt and UPC and you'll be fresh-smelling and clump-free in no time! The offer's good through December 31, so there's plenty of time to work up the nerve to leave the house and deal with those smart-mouth whippersnapper kids down at the drugstore.


Free Rachel Ray Nutrish dog food sample.

Here at the HTN, we don't discriminate against species... we believe that all living creatures enjoy freebies, especially free things you can eat, and our mission is to promote the freeness for everyone. In that spirit, may I present the Rachel Ray Nutrish dog food sample for your favorite canine companion.

I've never seen this person's television program, but I understand she's something of a polarizing food-network personality whom you either love or hate. Well, either way, she'll feed your dog for free, which is kind of cool of her. Though I do think the name is kind of dumb.


2,000,000 e-books for free!

Two million books, you say? Yes, it's true! The World eBook Fair is making several lifetimes' worth of books available online for zero dollars, now through August 4. One of the organizations contributing to this is Project Gutenberg, the online public-domain library of the classics that sustained me through many a boring job (and broadened my horizons on 18th-century gothic novels).

If you've been toying with the idea of an e-reader but didn't want to pay through the nose for reading material, worry no more! There are many other options for free e-books out there, but this one sounds like a bonanza, so you may as well go nuts with the downloading.


BOGO iced beverages at Peet's through 7/17.

Print the coupon for a BOGO iced beverage at Peet's, now through July 17! Man, I wish there was one closer to my work, because Peet's has been sending out a lot of good coupons lately. I could really go for two iced lattes right now...


Tuesday, July 14, 2009

40% off a DVD or BOGO book 50% off at Borders.

These Borders coupons just aren't that exciting this week, but I'm posting anyway in case you find it useful. Right now, there's a coupon for 40% off a DVD, or buy one book and get one 50% off. Kind of meh, I know, but we've gotten spoiled by Borders' many excellent coupons, so a just-okay one really isn't that impressive anymore.


Your choice of naughty Durex freebies.

We're getting a little crazy here on a Tuesday morning... spice up your life with some dirrrty Durex freebies. Your choice of "lubricant sachets," "vibrations pouch," massage oil, or boring old condoms. You'll also be entered to win a giant gift basket of safe sex supplies, so be sure to enter your work address on the contact form.


Reminder: today is Free Baja Fish Taco Day at Long John Silver's.

And you don't want to miss THAT, am I right? Stop by your local Long John Silver's today until 2:30 pm for your free Baja Fish Taco. No purchase necessary, no coupon needed, one per customer. Batter-fried fish tacos aren't really my thing, but if you were planning on stopping in for some hush puppies anyway, you may as well get your fish on.


BOGO at Sweet Tomatoes.

Yep, it's another BOGO coupon at Sweet Tomatoes... buy one meal and two drinks, get the second meal free. And no, we still don't have one in Seattle. That is all.


Amazon's huge magazine sale!

Yesterday I posted an offer for a $5 one-year subscription to Real Simple, but it turns out that was just a small part of the Amazon Summer Promotion magazine sale. Don't be fooled by the prices - there's an extra $3, $5, or $10 off when you click through to the actual item.

Some highlights:

Entertainment Weekly - 1 Year for $15 After $5 Automatic Savings
Spin -1 Year for $4.95 After $5 Automatic Savings
Marie Claire - 2 Years for $5 After $5 Automatic Savings
Esquire - 2 years for $7 After $5 Automatic Savings
Country Living - 1 Year for $5 After $5 Automatic Savings
Seventeen - 2 Years for $5 After $5 Automatic Savings
Real Simple - One Year for $5


Sale and free breakfast at IKEA, July 18-19.

At IKEA's Seize the Days sale July 18-19, you can get 50% off Markor solid wood furniture, plus a free small breakfast and coffee. Print the coupon at the bottom and make sure to verify what hours your local store is doing the free breakfast offer. Looking at the sale page, the Markor stuff looks pretty nice... unfortunately, I'm allergic to large crowds and Eddie Bauer strollers, so I pretty much always have to stay 500 feet away from IKEA.


Monday, July 13, 2009

How it works: the Aveda free b-day gift offer.

A while ago, I posted an offer for a free birthday club at Aveda - you sign up, and they send you a postcard near your b-day good for a free Pure-fume customized product worth up to $25. Mine dutifully arrived a week or so ago, and I cashed it in this weekend. In case you're curious, I thought I'd tell you how it went.

I went to the Aveda store at U-Village, our schmancy open-air mall, and as soon as we walked in, a carefully groomed young man greeted us with cups of fancy licorice tea. I showed him my postcard and asked how it worked, and he took me over to a little set-up in the corner, where I was supposed to sit quietly in a chair and go through 12 different essential oil fragrances, breathing deeply whenever he instructed me to do so and saying "Yes" or "No" to each one. The "Yeses" went into a finalist round, and from there I narrowed it down until I had one I liked. I ended up with #12, a mint-eucalyptus-orange scent that coincidentally just so happened to be his favorite, too. What are the odds?

They ask you what you would use most (body wash, lotion, or body mist) and I chose body wash, so he dripped some into a bottle of unscented wash and shook it up, and presented it to me. I stuck around for a little bit to be polite, and he did keep showing me things and telling me about their products, but not in an excessively pushy way - but I'm not the kind of person who can be shamed into buying a $21 lotion just because I'm getting a freebie. They were actually very nice and service-oriented, and managed to hide their disappointment when I walked out without buying anything, though I do get the feeling that the b-day offer is intended to reward loyal customers (tip: don't be like me and blurt out, "I've never been in this store before!").

I was probably in there for about 15 minutes total, and I'm pretty pleased with my full-size free body wash. If you can put up with the "experience your sensory journey" spa-talk and a medium-hard suggestion sell, then you'll enjoy a very nice free gift from Aveda on your b-day.

Free Wienerschnitzel chili dog or small cone, July 14.

It's true, chili dog enthusiasts: you can visit your local Wienerschnitzel tomorrow, July 14, between 5:00 and 8:00 pm for a free chili dog or small ice cream cone. You can find your nearest location here, although Seattleites get burned again - the nearest one is in Everett.


Free McDonald's Mocha Mondays through 8/3!

Today and every Monday through August 3, you can swing by your local participating McDonald's for a free hot (8 oz) or iced (7 oz) mocha. The offer is good from 7 am to 7 pm, so there's plenty of time to fuel up before work, get yourself a post-workday treat, or slip out of the office to enjoy the afternoon and a free beverage. And, if you choose your location wisely, some free hobo-watching too. (3rd & Pine, I'm looking at you.)


Free Bodycology sample at Walmart.

Walmart brings us yet another free body care sample from Bodycology. They've done this one before, but they have different fragrances this time: Cherry Blossom or Raspberries & Cream. Yum! The sample I got before was a 3-fer with shower gel, body lotion, and body mist, so it's actually a pretty nice offer if you happen to like those scents.


$5 Real Simple subscription at Amazon.

I know I said I wasn't going to subscribe to any more magazines, but really, who can resist a $5 one-year subscription to Real Simple? Well... not me. Obviously. It's not really relevant to my lifestyle at all, but I like to gaze rapturously at the pristine, clutter-free home interiors and dream of a life where finding the precise style of woven rattan magazine basket was my greatest concern.

Sign up and wallow in a year of type-A eco-yuppie porn!


Friday, July 10, 2009

Free slurpees, discounted concert tix on 7-11 at 7-11.

Remember, tomorrow is 7-11, aka Free Slurpee Day at 7-11. You can stop by your favorite 7-11 convenience store for a delicious free Slurpee, but there's also a new element this year: discounted concert tix. Your Slurpee cup will have a promo code, which you can enter online from 7 am to 11 pm and have a chance at winning a $50 gift card to a Live Nation concert venue. All entries will also receive a promo code good for $7.11 concert tix to selected Live Nation venues throughout the summer; you have until 7/12 to use your promo code.

Whew! Sounds complicated, but it might be interesting if there's a good concert coming up near you. Anyway, at the very least, you should swing by for your free cup of sugar slush.


Free Lollapalooza iTunes sampler.

On the off chance you have any interest whatsoever in Lollapalooza (I was sort of under the impression that it stopped happening sometime last century), here's a free download of an iTunes sampler that apparently features some representative acts from this year's bill. I've actually heard of a few of these bands, so who knows, maybe Lollapalooza is still relevant? I'm kind of over the multi-day crowdtacular chaos, though. Because I'm old. TURN THAT RACKET DOWN!


Free street fair: West Seattle Summerfest, July 10-12.

OK, time for a little West Seattle pride: this weekend is the West Seattle Summerfest, starting today and going through Sunday. They've closed off the Junction and put up a bunch of booths for arts 'n' crafts vendors, and there will be free live music, food, and performances from belly dancers, Rat City Rollergirls, and I don't know what all. You just have to come and see.

I'll be there tonight by default, since the buses have been rerouted around the Junction, so if you go, maybe I'll see you there!


Free Tea Freddo at Peet's today, July 10, 2-3 pm.

Personally, I think Peet's new Tea Freddo has one of the dumbest names I've heard in a while. It makes me picture a plastic cupful of a big, doughy, gratingly cheerful neighbor who's always watering his yard and saying things like, "TGI Friday!" Alternatively, I guess it could be a small plastic cupful of a hairy gnome who seeks to protect the world by destroying an evil magical ring.

But I digress. At Peet's today, July 10, from 2 to 3 pm, you can get yourself a free 8-oz Tea Freddo, whatever that means to you.


$5 off + free flip-flops at E.L.F.

E.L.F. continues their fifth-birthday celebration with more promo codes. This week's offer is a $5 gift card with a $5 or more purchase, plus a free pair of flip-flops. Use promo code 5for5flip to snag your deal.

They have a lot of $1 makeup items, plus some fancier stuff like mineral makeup, so you can actually get quite a lot for your $5. The only downside is that their shipping is pretty high, but still - dollar makeup spree right from your computer!


Redbox free movie rental code... perhaps.

Hmm, well, I don't quite know what to make of this offer, because Redbox promo codes usually come out on Monday and are usually good for that day only, whereas this one's out on a Friday and says it's good through July 15. Mysterious.

Well, if you feel like giving it a whirl, today's code is W5TXQR2. And here's the Redbox explanation guide from HeyIt'sFree.net to refresh your memory on how the whole thing works.


Thursday, July 9, 2009

Free manly NIVEA body wash.

Wow, NIVEA has been working it overtime lately with the free samples. Men, now's your chance to get in on the showering good times with this manly NIVEA product that is shampoo, body wash, and shave gel all in one masculine blue package.

Well, I mean, the guy in the ad could be grinning with delight or he could be grimacing after slicing his lips off with inadequate shampoo-shave-gel, but let's give them the benefit of the doubt.


Free meal at Chik-Fil-A July 10.

As if you've forgotten... tomorrow is Cow Appreciation Day (aka free chicken meal day) at Chik-Fil-a, for the small price of your dignity. That is, you dress like a cow, you get a free meal. Lucky for you, they've made shame downloadable and printer-friendly, so you can just print this handy kit and prepare for your free feed.

Find your closest location here, but Seattleites needn't bother, because the closest one is in Bellingham. Darn, and I was really looking forward to dressing like a cow.


Free Starbucks gift card for a Microsoft survey.

Get a $10 Starbucks gift card when you complete this Microsoft survey. It's about cloud computing and your server needs at your business... you know, that IT business you have that requires remote servers. That one.

Just a few questions and you're 4-6 weeks away from your free gift card!


Free photo notepad & 50 free prints at Snapfish.

New customers, you can sign up at Snapfish and get a free photo notepad and 50 free prints. I signed up like a chump the other day to investigate a different offer that turned out to be dead, so... I'll just have to be crafty and find some other way to make this happen, I guess.

This offer is good today only, and the photo credit expires on July 13, so you've really got to get moving if you want your free pics. But I was thinking about making a vacation photo collage anyway, so I'm on it.

UPDATE: This is the second time now that I've tried to sign up as a new customer only to have the offer magically disappear and get replaced by a less-good offer for 20 free prints. Still not bad, I guess, but don't be surprised if this doesn't work correctly for you.


Jones Soda Free Soda Fridays.

Seattleites, this one's for you! Jones Soda is having a Free Soda Friday launch party to celebrate their lucky 13th anniversary (or something) on Friday, July 10. Whatever - don't ask questions. Just take the free soda!

Their headquarters is at 234 9th Ave. N., and the event is tomorrow (Friday), July 10th, from 8:00 to 5:00. Subsequent parties will be happening July 17 and July 24 at Metropolitan Market in Queen Anne (1908 Queen Anne Ave N.), so you have many chances for free soda.

If you don't live in Seattle or can't get to the party, you can print a coupon for BOGO bottles of Jones Soda. In Seattle, individual bottles are available at Metropolitan Market, and I think Safeway as well.


Free 3-piece Aveda 'poo sample.

You can get a free 3-piece Aveda sample pack of 'poo, conditioner, and style prep smoother, whatever that is. Just print out the coupon and take it to your local Aveda salon to cash in. (Seattleites, there's one at Pacific Place downtown, plus U-Village, Bellevue Square, and Alderwood. I love options!)


Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Call for your free box of Lipton tea.

Remember before there was the Internets, when people would actually "call" companies using a "telephone"? Me neither, but you can try out this quaint tradition AND get a box of free Lipton tea if you're feeling nostalgic.

Call Lipton to request your free box of Lipton Tea at 1-888-435-3639. It's an automated call, and you'll have to submit your birthdate, address, and phone number in order to receive your coupon for a free box of Lipton Tea in 6 to 8 weeks. I still think it's weird that they don't just have a website, but maybe it's a new marketing initiative from their Chief Grandma Officer.


Free advance copy of The Weight of Silence.

I've never heard of this book, but apparently you can get a free advance copy of The Weight of Silence by filling out the request form. Actually, you can read about it here - sounds like it's a teen/young adult novel, which means it's perfect for my summertime reading level.

You do need to fill in a company name and phone number on the form, though, so it's possible they'll be calling to verify that "Cheapo McThriftwad" is in fact your business's name.


Free Ziploc Pack-n-Go pack.

Summer is the time of "simple," "carefree" day trips and outings that, in reality, require TONS of prep, packaging, and schlepping to make happen. Just the other day, I was part of a four-person BBQ that needed three grocery bags of supplies plus a big cooler!

Ziploc wants to make your life easier with a free Pack-n-Go offer for the first 10,000 respondents. That's one full pack of Ziploc® Brand Sandwich Bags and one small Ziploc® Fresh Shield® Twist 'n Loc® Container - not a bad deal! Just imagine all the Goldfish crackers and raisins you'll be able to carry around with you for your sticky little relatives.


Tuesday, July 7, 2009

20% off coupon at Borders.

Borders has me trained now; if you wait long enough, they'll send out a really good coupon, plus those free-drink ones that I love so much. So 20% off isn't really enough to pique my interest. But if you have something you need to buy RIGHT NOW, I guess 20% is better than nothing. You can also see the cover of the new Dan Brown novel, if that is of interest to you, although it looks exactly like all his other book covers to me. What it needs is a giant Tom Hanks head on it.


Free sample of NIVEA Touch of Sparkle body wash.

Come on, be honest: don't you want a touch of sparkle in your morning shower? Just a touch? Now it can be yours with NIVEA Touch of Sparkle body wash, which apparently has real diamond powder for maximum carbonic exfoliation.

Not to worry, there's a hint of calla lily in there too, to offset all the diamond-shard scrubbing your poor hide will get. I've requested samples from NIVEA before and they actually give you a pretty generous little mini-bottle, enough for a couple of uses, so they're good to throw in your overnight bag for a weekend trip.


Free Dove deodorant sample.

Man, those Dove sample freebies en español just keep on coming. Now you can get a free sample of Dove Ultimate Clear deodorant (although it seems that there may be a limit of one Dove sample per household per month, so if you just requested yesterday's sample, you may not be able to do this one).

The translating is a little wonky, but don't let that stop you from getting your antiperspirant on.


Free Fiber One cereal bars and coupon.

I know it seems like I have a weird fiber obsession, but they just keep offering these fiber-related freebies, and who am I to say no to digestive health? Sign up here for two possibly-delicious Fiber One cereal bars and $5 in fiberrific coupons.

I may never have to buy a cereal bar again, at this rate...


Medieval Times online coupons for ye royal feast.

Okay, yes, I'm mostly posting this because I enjoy mocking pseudo-Renaissance and medieval re-enactors, but also because, who knows, you might have a royal banquet in your future and want to save some farthings. Here are some Medieval Times coupon codes for thee, fair reader!

Coupon code: KTFWEB09, Exp: 09/09/09 (one free child or Teen (18 and under) admission with a purchase of reg. / full priced Adult admis.)


Coupon code: ROYAL09 (free upgrade online, enter the promotional code) - "Free Royalty Upgrade! Get the royal treatment as you partake in the King's Feast at Medieval Times. With the purchase of each full-priced admission, receive a free upgrade to the Royalty Package (over $20 value plus preferred seating). The Royalty Package Upgrade includes: Preferred seating, knights cheering banner, "Behind the Scenes" Medieval Times DVD, commemorative program."

Coupon code: 105WEB9 ($10 OFF Adult and $5 OFF Child admission(online only))

Go on, treat the white knight or blushing damsel of your choice to a greasy, dripping turkey leg and some fake jousting. Aren't they worth it?



Monday, July 6, 2009

Free foldable water bowl for pets.

Yet another Facebook fan offer... become a fan of Cloud Star on Facebook and you can get a free foldable water bowl for your thirsty pet. Just send them an email to facebook@cloudstar.com saying where you want them to mail your bowl. But act now - it's a "while supplies last" kind of deal, and your pets aren't going to water themselves.


Free mystery gift from Coach.

Man, these Facebook-fan-freebies are all the rage now. This one is from Coach, and they want to reward their Facebook fans with a mysterious free gift at any Coach store. (Seattleites, there just happens to be a Coach store at Pacific Place and one at U-Village, so we have options.)

No word on what the free gift is exactly, but the signup form shows a box of pencils, so it's probably that. I plan to swing by and check it out, so I'll keep you posted.

Update: OK, I went there and now I know what it is! You do indeed get a set of pencils in a little colorful gift box, inside a nice gift bag, along with a catalog. You kind of have to stand there for a minute acting like you actually care about their new line of bags, but they're very nice about handing out the freebie!



Free herbal candle.

Headed to Colorado anytime soon and need some spa treatments? Or do you just feel like getting a free herbal candle? Either way, here's the link for you. I assume they'd prefer it if you lived in Colorado or had some intention of giving them business someday, but they don't actually say that.


Xmas in July at JC Penney's.

JC Penney's is having a big jewelry sale that they're calling "Xmas in July," although if your birthday is in July (like mine), you may wish to think of it more as "Self-Gifting B-day Spree in July."

Save an extra 10% off items that are already 40-60% off, and get free shipping with orders of $49 or more with coupon code BEST723. It's only good through July 7, so if you've been planning to splurge on sparkly trinkets, now's the time!


Free pint of Starbucks ice cream.

Okay, so this one is kind of complicated. First you sign into Facebook, and then you click here to allow the Share a Pint of Starbucks Ice Cream app access to your profile and contact info. Not sure exactly what this will do, but here's the description of the widget:

"Surprise a friend with a coupon for a complimentary pint of new Starbucks® Ice Cream. Up to 20,000 free coupons for pints of new Starbucks® Ice Cream will be shared every day through July 19, quantities are limited to just over 800 pints per hour."

I think I'd rather surprise myself with free ice cream, but if you're feeling generous (and/or make a pint-sharing pact with a friend), this may work out just fine for you.


Free sample of Hugo Boss Orange for men.

Fellas, this one's for you... I know I don't do as many guy-oriented samples, but now you can whoop it up with this one: a free sample of Hugo Boss Orange. Apparently it's a "scent that you can wear with passion," so who knows, maybe it will change your life. Or give you your RDA of vitamin C.


Free Redbox code, July 6 only.

Attention, savers with no Monday night plans! The Redbox code is out... one of the last few one-day-free rental codes they'll ever issue, so smoke 'em if you got 'em.

The code is 4J7LF6 and you can use it today only to get a free one-night rental. Read the handy guide on HeyIt'sFree.net if you don't know how it works, but basically: free movies.


Prueba Dove Energy Glow gratis, por favor.

How was that? My high-school Spanish sounding pretty good out there? YEAH. Well, what I meant to convey was that you can try a free sample of Dove Energy Glow moisturizer, but you have to fill out the form in Spanish, for some reason. Google will do an auto-translate if need be, though it does create some interesting hybrids like, "Permítanse up to 8 weeks for delivery." You can probably figure that out, though.


Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Free AMC movies for original Depression survivors.

If this isn't your first Depression, you may be eligible to enjoy free movies at AMC theaters! Tuesdays are Senior Days, and you can get free or discounted admission at participating theaters. There's also a Student Night every Thursday, and on Mon-Thurs., you can have unlimited soda and popcorn for $5.

As always, check with your local AMC theater before heading down to claim your discounts, but it could be a good way to beat the heat and stuff yourself with sugar and salt on the cheap this summer.


Free subscription to Maxim magazine.

I've never seen the appeal myself, but my dad likes Maxim magazine, so if there's a guy in your life who enjoys scantily-clad actresses, gadgets, and obnoxious man talk, perhaps you should hook him up with a free one-year subscription. You do need a code, and the secret code is YSON, which has nothing at all to do with the fact that this is a Sony promotion.

Evidently this was originally a "buy this DVD, get a subscription free" deal, but we know better than that, don't we?


B3G3 at Bath & Body Works.

Well, it's not exactly a BOGO, although it kind of works out to one, but bear with me... Bath & Body Works is having a big sale, where you buy 3 signature collection products and get 3 free. No code needed - put them all in your shopping cart and it will update when you checkout.

There are also some other deals like $5 lip gloss and $3 haircare, so if you need to stock up on girly bath products, now's your chance to set yourself up for the rest of 2009.


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