STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — With inflation at a record high, coupons and weekly sales are a shopper’s best friend. A $2 discount on mac-and-cheese? Yes, please. But how about an even larger discount? A selection of beauty products, baby gear or gently used clothing and furniture for free? According to lifehacker.com, there are a wealth of websites that are currently proffering “free samples from trusted brands” to those who request them. And while not every product is swoon-worthy (DeWalt drill bits?), there are some items that are worth all of the questionnaires and spammy email.
Here’s a look at 10 sites that are giving it away, literally.
Freebies.com. Visit the site daily and take some quizzes or participate in a poll to earn “ballots,” each of which counts as a chance at winning a giveaway — which includes items like Dove beauty products, MAC makeup palettes and slides from Victoria’s Secret. There are exclusive giveaways and coupons too — the more you participate in the site’s questionnaires, the more potential you have to earn the goods.
Buy Nothing Project. Founded in 2013 with the mission to build community by connecting people through hyperlocal gifting, this site has a strong focus on reducing waste and saving people money. Search “Staten Island Buy Nothing” on Facebook to access your local chapter (there are currently two groups, one for Midland Beach/Dongan Hills, another for Oakwood/New Dorp), and you can link up with like-minded residents in your community. Anyone with something to give away can post a message (usually with a photo of the item), and all you need to do to claim it is ask for it and arrange pickup. Many of the items offered include children’s toys and clothing, plus lots of furniture that needs a new home.
Just Free Stuff. Launched in 1997, Just Free Stuff features a lot of click bait, but ultimately connects consumers with companies willing to give away their product in hopes of landing a new, regular customer. Giveaway categories include clothes, books, baby accessories and more. There’s also frequent contests hosted here for premium products, ranging from an old fashioned ice cream maker to a Colorado family vacation.
The Penny Hoarder. Founded in 2010, The Penny Hoarder is one of the nation’s largest personal finance websites. Its purpose is to help people take control of their personal finances and make smart money decisions by sharing actionable articles and resources on how to earn, save and manage money. The best part of this site? Its handy birthday freebie list, which details 101 free offers to celebrate your big day. While most of these giveaways are food-related, you can also cash in on stuff like a free movie rental from RedBox.
Facebook Marketplace. The items on this site might not all be free, but there are an unlimited amount of “sellers” on this social media tool who are looking to get rid of some pretty impressive goods fast. Shoppers can take advantage of moving sales and deals on dining sets for $1.
GoodReads. Founded in 2007, this Amazon subsidiary offers frequent chances to score free books, both physical and digital copies, and an opportunity to get good feedback on tomes that are currently trending. Periodically check the giveaways tab for titles on offer; usually entering for a chance to win involves little more than clicking a button.
Krazy Coupon Lady. Two side-hustlin’ stay-at-home moms — Heather Wheeler and Joanie Demer – started this site after discovering the art of strategic couponing. Approaching their local cashiers with binders full of coupons and intricate stacking formulas that earned them both the title of “Krazy Coupon Lady,” the duo found the secret to lowering their escalating grocery bills — and then decided to share their passion with others. Featured on The Today Show and TLC, their site contains lots of coupon links and an impressive “freebies” tab. Sign up for their newsletter to access and learn how to get your hands on free food, beauty products and pharmaceutical goods.
r/freebies. Created in 2008 as a place to connect users to free products, this Reddit community is now home to over 800,000 members. Frequent freebies listed here include shirts, magazines, stickers and food. It’s a well-moderated community, so all posts are usually well-vetted.