Kiplingers 2015 Guide To Free Product Samples And Promotional Offers

The pursuit of quality goods and services without cost continues to be a popular goal among savvy consumers. Kiplinger's Personal Finance has long been a trusted source for identifying valuable freebies, and their 2015 compilation offers numerous opportunities for consumers to obtain products and services across multiple categories without spending money. This comprehensive guide examines the various free samples, promotional offers, no-cost product trials, brand freebies, and mail-in sample programs available, with a particular focus on those relevant to beauty, baby care, health, food, and household goods.

Free Product Samples and Brand Freebies

Kiplinger's 2015 list highlights numerous avenues for obtaining free product samples across various categories. The publication points to several manufacturer-sponsored programs that regularly distribute samples and full-sized products to consumers. Major consumer goods companies including Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, and Procter & Gamble maintain ongoing sample distribution programs, offering consumers the opportunity to try products before making a purchase commitment.

For personal care items, consumers can request complimentary samples of toothpaste, shampoo, mouthwash, and deodorant through various channels. These samples typically come in small trial sizes but provide sufficient quantity for consumers to evaluate product effectiveness. The publication specifically notes that while many sample programs are legitimate, consumers should exercise caution with offers that require payment for shipping, as these may not represent true freebies.

Beyond personal care, the list extends to free samples of books, magazines, food items, and clothing. Several websites specialize in curating these offers from multiple sources, including Hey, It's Free! and Mr. Free Stuff. These platforms aggregate current sample opportunities from various manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers with a centralized resource for discovering new free products.

Free Food and Restaurant Promotions

Food-related freebies represent a significant category in Kiplinger's compilation. The publication identifies several ways consumers can enjoy complimentary food items, from restaurant promotions to manufacturer samples. Many national restaurant chains offer seasonal freebies, with specific examples including treats at IHOP, Starbucks, and Chick-Fil-A during certain times of the year. These promotions often align with holidays or special events, providing additional value to regular customers.

For families with children, KidsMealDeals.com offers a valuable resource for locating restaurants where kids can eat free. This service allows users to input their location and receive information about local establishments with children's meal promotions, helping families reduce dining expenses.

Beyond restaurant promotions, manufacturer-sponsored food samples represent another avenue for complimentary products. Companies regularly distribute samples of their food items through various channels, allowing consumers to taste new products without commitment. These samples often come through mail-in programs, in-store demonstrations, or direct requests to manufacturers.

Free Baby Care Samples

Parents of infants and young children can access numerous free baby care products through various programs identified in Kiplinger's list. Formula manufacturers offer complimentary samples of their products, with Similac specifically mentioned as providing free infant formula samples. These samples allow parents to test different formulas to determine which works best for their baby's needs.

Gerber provides free baby nutrition kits through their sampling program, offering parents a selection of baby food samples and educational materials about infant nutrition. Diaper manufacturers also maintain active sampling programs, with Pampers offering free samples of their diapers and wipes. While Sam's Club previously offered free samples of their diapers and wipes, the publication notes that this particular promotion appeared to be on hold at the time of writing.

Retailers also provide baby-related freebies through their registry programs. Parents who create baby gift registries at Target or Amazon receive complimentary samples and coupons related to baby care products. These programs not only provide immediate value but also offer ongoing savings through targeted coupons and special offers for registered parents.

Free Financial Services and Tools

Kiplinger's expertise in personal finance naturally extends to numerous free financial services and tools available to consumers. The publication identifies several resources that would typically charge fees but are available at no cost. For stock trading, fee-free online platforms such as Loyal3 and Robinhood allow consumers to buy and sell stocks without traditional broker commissions. Even more established brokers like Fidelity and Charles Schwab occasionally offer promotions that eliminate trading fees temporarily.

Income investors can access specialized resources at no charge, including Closed-End Fund, InvestinginBonds.com, EMMA, and TCW. These platforms provide millions of pages of free information, reasoned discussion forums, and hard-to-find financial data that would otherwise require expensive subscriptions.

For retirement planning, Fidelity.com offers a free retirement planning tool accessible to all users, regardless of whether they have accounts with the institution. This tool helps consumers assess their retirement savings needs and develop strategies to achieve their financial goals.

Free Credit Monitoring and Financial Tools

Credit-related services represent another significant category of free financial tools. AnnualCreditReport.com provides consumers with a free copy of their credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus once per year, with no strings attached. This service represents one of Kiplinger's all-time favorite freebies, as it empowers consumers to monitor their credit history at no cost.

Beyond credit reports, several websites offer free credit scores and monitoring services. CreditKarma.com and CreditSesame.com provide complimentary credit scores and monitor consumers' credit files, notifying them of any significant changes. Additional sites like Credit.com, Credit Karma, Credit Sesame, and Quizzle offer various combinations of free credit reports, scores, and monitoring services.

For investors concerned about portfolio diversification, Morningstar.com's Instant X-ray tool provides a free portfolio checkup. This service helps investors determine whether their investments are as diversified as they believe, offering insights that would typically require expensive professional financial advice.

Free Technology and Digital Services

The digital realm offers numerous free services that consumers would otherwise pay for. Computer security represents one area where significant savings are possible. Kiplinger recommends Avast Antivirus and Microsoft Security Essentials for Windows, both of which receive good reviews and offer basic malware protection at no cost. These alternatives can save consumers $70 or more annually compared to paid security software solutions.

Cloud storage provides another avenue for free digital services. Windows Live SkyDrive offers 7 gigabytes of free, secure digital storage space, while Amazon Cloud Drive provides 5 GB and Dropbox offers 2 GB. These services allow users to share files and protect them from computer crashes, theft, and natural disasters.

When technical issues arise, consumers can access free tech support through resources like Techguy.org and 5starsupport.com. These platforms provide assistance with computer problems without charging for their expertise.

Free Educational Resources

Educational opportunities abound through various free programs identified in Kiplinger's list. Several colleges offer free tuition through unique funding models. Berea College in Kentucky covers the entire $20,900 annual tab for all students through a combination of grants, scholarships, and work-study programs. Cooper Union in New York City grants full-tuition scholarships to all students valued at $150,000 over four years. College of the Ozarks in Missouri offers a work-study program in lieu of tuition, while Alice Lloyd College in Kentucky also waives tuition requiring students to work instead.

For those seeking professional development, public libraries often offer courses or software at no cost. Additionally, American Job Centers, services provided by the U.S. Department of Labor, offer free resume help. Community centers, libraries, and colleges frequently host workshops on various professional development topics.

Free Entertainment and Media

Entertainment options are surprisingly accessible without cost, according to Kiplinger's compilation. The public library emerges as the best place to find free books, music, and movies, offering extensive collections that would otherwise require significant expenditure to own.

Digital entertainment also offers free alternatives. Several websites provide free access to digital content, though the specific services vary. The publication references a "Fabulous Travel Freebies" link on kiplinger.com, suggesting additional free entertainment options related to travel.

Free Shipping Offers

Online shopping costs can be reduced through various free shipping promotions. Some online retailers offer free shipping on every order, eliminating a significant barrier to online purchasing. BlueNile.com for jewelry and Zappos.com for shoes specifically maintain free shipping policies on all orders.

Conclusion

Kiplinger's 2015 compilation of fabulous freebies reveals numerous opportunities for consumers to obtain quality goods and services without cost. From product samples and baby care items to financial services and educational resources, the list covers diverse categories that appeal to various consumer needs. The publication emphasizes that these are not mere trinkets but valuable products and services that consumers would typically pay for. By taking advantage of these free offers, consumers can save money while still accessing quality goods and services. The key is identifying legitimate offers and understanding any associated requirements or limitations, such as potential shipping costs or sign-up procedures. With careful selection and regular monitoring of available offers, consumers can maximize the value they receive from these complimentary programs.

Sources

1. Fort Lauderdale Blog - Fabulous Freebies You Can Get Now
2. BankScoop - 64 Fabulous Freebies Kiplinger
3. Zinio - Kiplinger's Personal Finance June 2015
4. KTUL - Kiplinger's Fabulous Freebies 2010
5. Kiplinger - Awesome Things You Can Get for Free