Freebies and free stuff

There’s a free Home Depot newsletter that sends out random coupons and offers. Last week they sent out BOGO coupons for trees, which I thought was silly since everybody knows trees are free. Why just this weekend I took a few out of my neighbor’s yard. They weren’t too happy for some reason, so I tried to smooth things over by giving them a bouquet of flowers from their garden. I think I only made things worse.

Seeing as how the tree coupon was from last week, I’m not sure if we’ll get it as well or if we’ll get something new. Either way, if you enjoy doing yard or housework, you should sign up.

EDIT: This is no longer available.

There’s a new free John Frieda Root Awakening sample available from Walmart and I’m now naturally daydreaming of a world where it actually awakens roots in people’s heads. Some people get dandelions sprouting, others get full blown oak trees, and a lucky few get a fruit tree. My luck, I’d get a plum tree or crap grass.

Before I start today, I wanted to say thank you to everybody who sent their regards over the weekend. They meant the world to me and were sincerely appreciated. I’ve been around the Internet once or twice and I’m still amazed at the collection of folks we have here on HIF. Y’all are amazing and I couldn’t dream of a better group of readers.

So anyway, tons of magazines last week with only a few more traditional freebies. I enjoyed the Ritz crackers about 10 seconds after this photo was taken and I still have no idea what flavor that mystery Stride gum is. But all in all, not a bad week.

Freebies Received

• Ritz Munchables
• ASPCA wrist band
• Lever 2000 soap
• $30 Home Made Simple coupon book
• June 2010 issue of Muscle & Fitness
• May 2010 issue of Website Magazine
• May 2010 issue of Spin magazine
• April 26, 2010 issue of Forbes magazine
• March 2010 issue of Interview magazine
• May 2010 issue of Redbook magazine
• April 5, 2010 issue of eWeek magazine
• May 2010 issue of Ladies’ Home Journal magazine

I guess these free Lowe’s Build & Grow Clinic are every weekend now, because tomorrow from 10-11am they’ll be building a free flower planter. After your finished playing Bob The Builder, head over to Toys R Us from 11am 1-pm for a free Thomas the Tank Engine event.

Okay, I had to put my cat down this morning, so I’m not feeling the funny today. She was a fantastic, old kitty who loved sunning all morning, sleeping on our chests at night, and slyly letting the dogs get close enough to almost sniff her butt before smacking their heads at any hour of the day. In other words, she spent 19 years rockin’ out. She’ll be dearly missed in the Goob household, but damn, you could not have asked for a better cat.

M&M’s finally put together a professional Facebook page so now I feel comfortable linking to these free M&M’s pretzel candies. So now we can all go signup and … oh come on!

Their signup form is a bit wacky, as it’ll say “this account has already requested a sample” even if you haven’t. I wouldn’t worry though, because despite the message, I received an e-mail saying my freebies were on the way. I guess they want to keep up on our toes.

This free Skoal bottle opener is from a tobacco company, so the same stipulations that I mentioned last week apply. When I went to sign up, I found I already had an account despite never having posted a Skoal freebie before. I’m starting to think I sleep signup on websites. It’s like sleepwalking for people who hate exercising.

[thanks Zachary!]

I’m changing up the format of these Try Your Luck posts. Instead of posting 5 contest descriptions and 20-25 contests beneath, I’m going to just post 5 to 10 good contests and leave it at that. Also, I’ll be posting them not just on Thursdays, but whichever day of the week seems to be slow in terms of freebies.

Dove starts us off with a spin and match game based on Glee. You get three spins every day and can win Dove or Glee products. Ends 6/9.

The Real Food Project has an instant win sweepstakes that you can play every day. Prizes include a portable grill, Bobby Flay cookbooks, and free food. Ends 1/4/11.

Seventeen magazine always has some ongoing contests. Right now, you can win a $50 Cheese Cake Factory gift card, Carlos Santana (the baseball player?) heels, and ASUS netbook computer among others. Various end dates.

For anyone with a full set of sweet teeth, be sure to enter Betty Crocker’s Cake Mix giveaway. Each day, one winner will get a cake gift pack that includes a mixing bowl, apron, and 6-piece cake decorator set. The grand prize winner will receive 50,000 Box Tops for Education points to donate to their local school. Ends 4/30.

Marshalls is running a promotion on Facebook where the winner will unlock a a $5,000 wardrobe makeover. You have to earn keys, but for each key that’s earned, $1 is donated to the Dress for Success charity. Ends 4/28.

Purex is handing $20,000 to a grand winner with $1,000 going to daily winners. Ends 4/30.

M&Ms has a contest up where you could win $50,000 just by voting for your favorite M&M color. I don’t even remotely have a favorite color, but for 50 grand, I’d paint my body blue. Other prizes include an M&M guitar, travel mug, and gumball machine. Ends 7/15.

Amazon starts us off with their free Southern Lord: Resurrection album. What’s that, you ask? Exactly what it sounds like: head banging music! Wait, what?

Next up, iTunes is giving their Facebook fans a free 20 song Indie Sampler. iTunes actually gives their fans a new album every few weeks.

After grabbing your sampler, check out iTunes’ 2010 Spring Mixtape as well. It’s 20 songs from artists I’ve never heard of. [via Chel]

By now, some of you may be wishing for some country music or a slice of chocolate cake. Well I can’t help you with the cake, but I can point you towards People magazine and their 10 free songs from country artists. You’ll need iTunes for this one as well. edit: I posted this back in February, didn’t I? Whoops!

Finally, check out Walmart’s Easter 2010 soundtrack. Sure, Easter was well over a week ago and the album art for this has a creepy sad bunny, but who cares! Maybe you’ll like the tunes.

Here’s a new free Lever 2000 soap offer from Sam’s Club, bringing Lever’s freebie count up to three over the past three months. Do most people go through a bar of soap per month? How many showers a day are these people taking? Wake up, take a shower. Work out, take a shower. Take a shower, take a shower.

It requires a nine digit membership ID, so you know what to do.

After entering today’s Pampers Gifts to Grow code, getstartednow10, we need to follow its advice and get started. Now! I’m not sure what we’re supposed to be starting though. I have a stack of bills to pay, but who wants to get started on those? Maybe I should take out the trash or walk my dogs. Too bad this code isn’t putitoffuntiltomorrow.

If you’re already a member of Pamper’s site, then use this link to head straight to the log-in page. Otherwise, use the first link to sign up!