How to identify a phony freebie site

 love freebies, but how do you differentiate between a free sample from a legitimate company that's trying to solicit new customers from a data harvester that will lead to lots of spam and never send you any freebie? Here are a few questions to ask about a site before you give them any of your information:

 1) Who runs the site? If there is no contact information or just a free email address, be suspicious - most places WANT customers to be able to contact them & order things, and real businesses don't conduct transactions via hotmail.   P.O. Boxes are also a red flag...most "real" businesses have an actual street address.

2) Does the site look shoddy?  Even small companies want to maintain a professional appearance. If a site has spelling mistakes or just an overall amateur appearance, be skeptical - it may have been thrown together that same week using a template & free stock images.  Grammatical errors are a red flag that the site creators are out of the country, looking for suckers.  Spam sites appear out of nowhere, collect as much data as possible in a short time, and then vanish before the authorities catch them. If a site is full of Google or popup ads, another warning bell should be ringing. If you were promoting something, would you have advertisements for a competitor on your site?

3) Why are they giving away things for free? A retailer or wholesaler may give something free as an incentive to get customers to buy more. A manufacturer may give something away for free to promote brand awareness & attract new markets. If a site isn't selling any products, it doesn't produce any products & it isn't an advertiser for a company that makes those products, how would it earn money by spending thousands on merchandise & shipping? Why would you buy 50,000 coffee cups then mail them to people all over the world that you were never going to hear from again? Here are a couple of sites where companies can be checked:http://www.whois.nethttp://www.uwhois.com

And now for some legitimate freebies!   

Free CookBook: Recipes for a Healthier Life

Recipes for a Healthier Life cookbook filled with diabetes-friendly recipes is offered for free by American Heart Association. At this time, the cookbook can only be mailed to U.S. addresses.

http://www.iknowdiabetes.org/enroll.html

Free 32oz Fountain Beverage at Pilot Travel Centers

Check out the NEW coupon for a FREE 32oz fountain beverage of your choice!

Limit one per customer. Offer valid at any Pilot Travel Center location.
Coupon Valid June 28,2010 - August 31, 2010
Visit Pilot Travel Centers facebook fan page and click on the "Coupon" tab to print your coupon.

http://www.facebook.com/pilottravelcenters?v=app_163849080647

Free Samples of Erik Prautsch's HAIRTRIGGERED Shampoo and Conditioner

Erik Prautsch's HAIRTRIGGERED is proud to announce that, for a limited time, users may sign up to receive a free sample of their newest products, SMOOTHSMOOTH Shampoo and Conditioner!

Please allow 6-8 weeks for shipping. Maximum one per household, available to residents of the United States exclusively.

http://erik-prautsch.com/smoothsmooth_sample.php

Free Field & Stream Magazine (Digital Subscription)

America's Number One sportsman's magazine, featuring in-depth articles on hunting, fishing, outdoor adventure, and conservation news. First-class fiction, and more. Field & Stream, editorial excellence for over 100 years. ~ FreeBizMag.com

Visit this offer to see if you qualify for a free digital subscription.

http://www.freebizmag.com/emailfieldstream01welcome.htm

Free Disney Character Calls - Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald

Have a favorite character call your home with a personalized message - they can even greet your child by name!

The call is free of charge. The only requirement is that you be a registered member of Disney Online.
There is a limit to 3 calls per phone number per week
Open to residents of the United States only. Currently, calls are not available to residents of ID, WA, GA, KY, MS, NE, TN and LA
*You must be 18 years of age or older to schedule a call

http://disney.go.com/charactercalls/piccolinismiles/

Have a great week!
CENTSerely,
Sister Thrifty

St. Patrick Day Freebies

In honor of March 17th, here is a list o' 17 St. Patrick's Day sites for FREE screensavers, craft patterns, recipes, children's worksheets and coloring pages, and a bit o' history about the holiday! We usually start the day with green pancakes or green eggs and spend the rest of the day celebrating our Irish heritage! Throw some corned beef and cabbage in the oven and HAPPY ST. PATRICKS'DAY to you all!

1) Holiday Page St. Patrick's Day

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/patrick/index.html


2) St. Patrick's Day Coloring pages

http://www.coloringbookfun.com/pat/index.htm


3) St Patrick's Day lessons and Work Sheets

http://www.edhelper.com/st_patricks_day.htm



4) St Patrick's Day Games, Puzzles and more!

http://www.blackdog.net/holiday/pat/



5) St. Patrick's Day Greeting Card

http://www.thepcmanwebsite.com/cards_st_patricks_day.shtml


6) St. Patrick's Day Crafts

http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/holiday_pat.htm


7) Free Shamrock Pin Pattern

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/fiber_arts/107026

8) Free Irish Hat Pattern

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/fiber_arts/89889



9) Free Medieval Irish Hood pattern

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/fiber_arts/98875


10) Gazillion St. Patrick's Day Recipes

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art8560.asp



11) Irish Creme Coffee and Pie Recipe

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art18030.asp



12) Free Kiddie Craft Patterns for St. Patrick's Day

http://www.babyzone.com/features/content/display.asp?topicid=9195&contentid=1327&scf=3020



13) St Patrick's Day History Article

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art1464.asp



14) More St Patrick's History and Projects for Kids

http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/patrick/



15) More St. Paddy's day Recipes from Nestle

http://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/



16) Free St. Patrick's Day ScreenSavers

There's about 17 different screensavers to choose from.

www.holiday-screensavers.com/stpatrick.htm


17) Free St. Patrick's Day Themes And Lesson Plans For Teachers

Lesson Plans, Thematic Units, Printables, Worksheets, and More from A to Z Teacher Stuff.

http://atozteacherstuff.com/Themes/St__Patrick_s_Day/

5/8/2007 Newsletter

"Deals that are nifty by Sister Thrifty"
Hi everyone! I'm busy finishing up a manuscript for my next book, so this e-newsletter is going to be SHORT! But sweet…

I just discovered this great FREE card that could possibly save your family tons of money on prescription medications. See if you qualify for it at http://tinyurl.com/3xg6y2

My hubby's birthday is coming up soon and I discovered a great web site that lists all of the restaurants in your area that will give you a free meal or dessert on your birthday. Check out http://tinyurl.com/3po8s Bluebell Ice Cream company will also give you a free half gallon of ice cream on your birthday by going to www.bluebell.com/Registration.aspx

Even if it's not your birthday you can get a free ice cream cone from Dairy Queen for joining their "DQ Crew" online at http://thedqcentral.com/

And finally, if you're busy planning a wedding this spring or summer, check out all these wedding freebies:
Free Sample of Wedding Magnetshttp://www.magnetstreet.com/request/requestweddingpack/market/517/
-Free Organic Wedding Invitation Sampleshttp://www.organicweddings.com/wedding_invitations/paper_request.html
-Free Samples for Brides - Join Mailing List http://www.romanticflowers.com/samples_freesamples.html
-Free Wedding Invitations by Dawnhttp://www.invitationsbydawn.com/Custom/DawnUS/DD_Samples.cfm
-Your Weddings Registryhttp://www.yourweddingsregistry.com/
-Invites Galore Free Sampleshttp://www.invitesgalore.com/samples.htm
-Bliss Weddings Tips and Checklistshttp://www.blissweddings.com/
-Free Wedding Guidehttp://www.worry-free-weddings.com/request.htm
-Free Wedding Plannerhttp://www.usbridalguide.com/local/associate.html
-Create a Free Wedding Websitehttp://www.mywedding.com/main/couple_sites.html
-Free Silk Rose Petalshttp://www.iblossom.com/_contact.html
-Free Samples from the Petal Gardenhttp://www.petalgarden.com/silk-samples.htm
-Free Flower Petal Samples - emailhttp://www.weddingflowersandmore.com/silk-rose-petals.html
email: samples@weddingflowersandmore.com
-Petal Press Handmade Paper Sampleshttp://www.thepetalpress.com/PapersPage.htm
-Free Wedding Favor Sampleshttp://www.sophiesfavors.com/samples.htm
-Free Wine Glass Name Tagshttp://www.imageryproducts.com/sample_request.html
-Now and Forever Free Invitation Samples and Cataloghttp://www.now-and-forever.com/ left side-Wedding Freebieshttp://freebies.about.com/OD/weddingfreebies/Wedding_Freebies.htm
OD /weddingfreebies/Wedding_Freebies.htm
-Free One Year Subscription to Marriage Todayhttp://www.marriagetoday.org/site/PageServerpagename=magazine_subscribe
Free Brides Guidehttp://www.bridesguide.com/subscribe.cfm
-Free Macy's Wedding Dream Bookhttp://wedding.weddingchannel.com/promo/wishbook/order.asp
-Free Nancees Designs Wedding Plannerhttp://www.nanceesdesigns.com/Forms/register.html
-Free Ring Sizerhttp://www.weddingbands.com/ringSizer.asp
-Free Wedding Plannerhttp://www.sf.pii.orders.com/Events/Marriage/RP_Marriage/
-Free Wedding Songs CD when You Registerhttp://www.theknot.com/may_locations.html


That's it for this week! Gotta run!
Happy Mother's Day to all of you magnificent women out there!!!

CENTSerely,
Sister Thrifty

4/21/07 Newsletter

"Deals that are nifty by Sister Thrifty"

Did you all survive tax season? Whew! Would you believe that roughly 50 million Americans pay no income tax? You might assume that it's the rich who aren't paying, but you'd be surprised. If you make about $50,000, you've paid all of your taxes to the government after you've worked til April 30. If you make $100,000, you are done paying federal, state and local taxes on June 20. If you make $1 million, you're done paying August 3. So, if you look at people who make more than $100 grand, they're paying taxes at least about half of the year!
Does this week's Dow news mean anything?
Big news in the financial world is the Dow Jones Industrial Average hitting an all-time record. But what is the Dow and should it make any difference to you? First of all, the Dow is not the stock market. It's a historical symbol that is not really important to regular investors. It represents the value of the 30 largest companies in the U.S. The S&P 500 is much more important in terms of financial outlook of the company. The most important thing is that you are diversified in your investments. Too often people go after one industry or what's considered the hot money trail, meaning "emerging markets." Back in the 90s, the hot thing was tech stocks. Then, we hit 2000, and people saw their stock values drop as much as 99 percent. You have to decide whether you are an investor or a gambler. A lot of people in the financial world want you to think it's too confusing or hard to figure out what to do with your money. The best thing to do is diversify: put your money in index funds, real estate, and actual gold & silver you can hold in your hands. Don't forget to keep some cash in a fire safety box somewhere in your home for emergencies too.
I just discovered this great web site where you can find free attractions anywhere in the country. Find out where to take the family for free near you or where you plan on going on vacation! Check out http://www.free-attractions.com/
Check out this article on how to save money on gasoline for your car: http://www.SavingSecrets.com/article_gasoline.html
There is an article in last week's Los Angeles Times that says the average person in the US consumes about 12 pounds of chocolate per year. (They haven't met some of us!) The article goes on to say that two confectioners, See's Candies and Guittard Chocolate Co. (with the support of Chocolate Manufacturers of America), are battling with the FDA to be allowed to put cheaper ingredients into their chocolate, like vegetable oil instead of cocoa butter and milk protein concentrates instead of whole milk. They say it won't taste "much" different but that it wouldn't be as intense and will have a waxy taste. Who needs it? Chocolate lovers arise! Go to http://www.dontmesswithourchocolate.com/ by April 25 and express your opinion to the FDA.
And now for some fun freebies!....
Don't forget Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's nationwide on April 25th!
Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors is holding their 31 Cent Scoop Night on May 2nd nationwide from 5 pm - 10 pm. http://www.baskinrobbins.com/Promotion/31cent.aspx
Free Smoothie at Smoothi King! http://www.fishbowl.com/clt/smoothie/lp/join/join.asp
If you live near a Sonic you can print out this coupon for free Tater Tots http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/681/cpnprttotsbdrb0.jpg Sign up your children for their Wacky Pack Birthday club and you'll get a free kid's meal for your child's birthday at http://wackypack.kidsbirthdayclub.com/sign_up.cfm

Free stuff for Troops anbd their families at www.operationhomefront.org/Info/info_troopstuff.shtml
Check out the free summer camps for deployed parents at www.nmfa.org/site/PageServer


Clinique will give you a free Purse Size Perfume Spray (US) when you send an e-card:
http://www.clinique.com/happy_ecard/happy_video_landing.tmpl


Free 14-Day Supply Of Nature Made Multi Complete Multivitamins
http://www.naturemade.com/specialcoupon/entry.asp?ID=11&A=MEMBER
Free samples of Dove Cool Moisture shampoo & conditioner http://tinyurl.com/yq4osy

Get a free toilet scrubber (not that you WANT to scrub the toilet) at http://scotchbright.com/

Free Samples of Mountain Green All Natural Laundry & Cleaning Products
http://www.mountaingreen.biz/sample.html
That's it for today!
Have a terrific week!

CENTSerely,
Sister Thrifty