Facebook: Free sample packets of Mrs. Dash.

Could your life use a little excitement? How about a free sample packet of Mrs. Dash to spice things up?!

Oh, you were thinking more along the lines of a trip around the world? Sorry, I don't seem to have any of those today.

Free Crespo olives.

You can pick two free samples (2.5 oz each) of Crespo olives by taking this very short survey and saying that you've never tried them before. Which happens to be true, in my case!

I picked the herb and mixed cocktail flavors. Hope they arrive before the ice cubes in my Bloody Mary melt...

Feb. 28: Free pancakes at IHOP.

It's National Pancake Day at IHOP, and you can get a free short stack of pancakes at any of their locations today, Feb. 28! Well, you're just going to have to take my word for that, because their site looks pretty overwhelmed right now. Which probably reflects the size of the lines of hungry pancake lovers...

OK, who wants to go to Denny's?

Restaurant.com: $25-off certificates for $2.

Nothing new here, but if you're in the mood for dining out, Restaurant.com is having another sale on their $25-off certificates — most are just $2. Terms apply (usually it's $25 off a $35 purchase, and some have date restrictions or required 18% tip), but it can be a deal if you're looking to try somewhere new.

Use promo code MEMORIES to make the magic happen.

Panda Express: Free peppercorn shrimp Feb. 22.

Peppercorns, shrimp, and free: three of my favorite things! Print the coupon and head to Panda Express tomorrow, Feb. 22, for a free order of peppercorn shrimp. No purchase is necessary, but it's a single-serving freebie, so you may be tempted to order anyway.

Feb. 18-20: Free breakfast at IKEA.

I hope they still have IKEA when I'm retired, because I fully intend to go there and enjoy all their free breakfast promotions and sit in the cafe all day getting free coffee refills. This one is for Presidents' Day Weekend: stop in before 11:00 am and get yourself a free plate of bacon & eggs and some coffee. No coupon required.

This offer is limited to: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. So I guess I'll have to retire to one of those states.

Free Burger King onion rings Feb. 4-5.

A while back, Burger King was offering free french fries to spread the word about their newer, healthier (less unhealthy?) fries. I'm not sure if this onion rings freebie is along the same lines, but you can get your free "value-sized" onion rings in participating Burger Kings this weekend, Feb. 4-5.

It doesn't look like a coupon or purchase is necessary; the only restriction is that you can't get them during breakfast hours. Not that you'd want onion rings for breakfast anyway... would you?

Facebook: Free sample of Quaker Oatmeal Squares.

So you don't want to go all the way to IKEA for a free breakfast? OK, you can still start your morning off right with a free sample box of Quaker Oatmeal Squares. Just "like" them on Facebook and fill out the form to sign up.

Now we just need a milk freebie...

Free breakfast on Monday mornings at IKEA.

Did you know that IKEA offers free breakfast until 11:00 am on Mondays*? My grandma lives pretty near an IKEA. If I were retired, I would go there every Monday just to eat free breakfast and hang out... and maybe do some speed dating.

*This offer is limited to: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.

Free cup of Meow Mix Pate Toppers.

You know how to make smelly cat food more appetizing? Put even smellier moist cat food on top of it. (Then again, that's pretty much what paté is anyway, right?)

If this sounds good to you, sign yourself up for a free cup of Meow Mix Paté Toppers.

IKEA BYOF (Bring Your Own Friends) giveaways, free food, more.

IKEA is trying out something new next Saturday, Jan. 14. It's called BYOF (Bring Your Own Friends) and they're doing all kinds of free goodies and giveaways when you RSVP on Facebook.

RSVP to get a coupon for a free small breakfast before 11:00 a.m., a free blue tote bag, and BOGO free entree between 11am-4pm. They’re also going to be doing gift card giveaways and more.

Sounds like a full day of IKEA fun!

Dec. 16: Free "value" size fries at Burger King.

I've always thought Burger King had one of the better french-fry recipes in the fast food business... but starting in 2012, they're changing their recipe to be more "natural," whatever that means. However, on Dec. 16, they're giving away free "value" (aka $1 size) french fries, so you can try it for yourself and judge!

"The trend in french fries is toward more 'natural' offerings. That includes fries that are or appear to be made from fresh-cut potatoes and topped with 'artisan' toppings like sea salt."

I guess you just have to be there.

Seattle: Free Rudi's gluten-free loaf.

Hey Seattle gluten-haters, Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery wants YOU to try a free loaf of their GF bread. Just like them on Facebook and fill out the form, and you'll receive a coupon for a free loaf. Don't worry, you can find the bread at regular groceries, not just weirdo hippie stores.

Seattle: Free Dick's cheeseburgers for vets on Nov. 11.

Here's a local freebie offer for Veterans' Day: Seattle fast-food chain Dick's is offering free hamburgers or cheeseburgers to veterans who show their military ID, or show up dressed in uniform. Add it to your list for tomorrow!

80% off Restaurant.com coupons.

Just in time for the start of the holiday gluttony season, here's a special from Restaurant.com for 80% off their dining-discount coupons. A $25-off coupon (usually off a minimum $35 check; see restaurant's restrictions) will run you $2 when you use promo code HAM.

This offer is good through Nov. 15. Shop wisely, and you should have enough coupons to see you through an entire season of festive get-togethers...

Free can of Progresso Rich & Hearty soup.

If your morning commute was as chilly and rainy as mine, then there's no doubt in your mind that soup season is here. How about a free can of Progresso Rich & Hearty soup to start things off? Get a mail-in rebate for up to $2.68 when you buy one Progresso® Rich & Hearty Soup between 9/1/2011 and 1/31/2012. Fill in the rebate form and send in, along with the cash register receipt and UPC bar code symbol from can, postmarked by 2/17/2012.

Plus, that long, brisk walk as you attempt to find a mailbox or an open post office will warm you right up...

Restaurant.com certificates 80% off.

Restaurant.com certificates are 80% off again, using promo code TASTY. It's been a while since I ordered any, so I should probably check it out and see if any new places have popped up on the list lately. Or I could just order another coupon for my favorite Greek restaurant in West Seattle. Yeah, maybe I'll do that.

Facebook: Free sample of Dr. Tim's pet food.

Wow, it's turning out to be a great week for thrifty pets! Now we have a free pet food sample from Dr. Tim's when you like them on Facebook. I can't tell if it's just dogs or if they have cat food too - if you sign up for it, let us know!

Free sample of Rachel Ray Just 6 dog food.

Rachel Ray wants the best for your dog! Thus, she is offering a free sample of Just 6 dog food for your canine companion to enjoy. It's super-premium, evidently.

I've never known a dog that didn't like free food, so they seem like the perfect audience for a free sample...

Free Kerrygold cheese when you take a survey.

Have you guys had Kerrygold cheese? I really like the Dubliner flavor - it's sharp and creamy and excellent just by itself. So that's what I'll be getting with my coupon for a free Kerrygold product. Just take their short cheese survey and there's a signup form at the end so they can mail you a coupon. Say cheese!