With all the rules in Canada couponing here isn't near what it can be in the US. It makes it much harder to get free items when you can't stack your coupons, or use them on sale items. This has lead me to find new ways to still enjoy free items and learn about new products.
When purchasing regularily used items, you can sometimes find them packaged with other items you've never tried before, or if you are extra careful and things work well, with items that you use all the time. This is especially true at the beginning of the school year and at Christmas. At these two times of the year they offer student packs that include several daily use items (ie shampoo, lotion, toothpaste, etc) plus a booklet or sheet of coupons neatly packaged into a carrying bag. They are marketed for students who may be going away to school, or who are just looking to grab extras with their back to school shopping, and are useful at Christmas as gifts. These usually are sold at a cost that is close to the cost of just one item included in them. I see these as a great opportunity to get products at a great price and also get more coupons for next time. You can often locate razor's packaged with shaving lotion. These are frequently priced to match the cost of the razor alone so allow you to get a shave lotion pretty much free. Need the shave gel but not the razor? Use it as a gift or stocking stuffer. I recently found packages of the body wash I use with a deoderant and body spray in a basket for about $3-$4 more then what I would usually pay for just the body wash. Should I choose not to use the body spray it will be a good stocking stuffer or a small gift, but I still get the wash and a deoderant for the price of just one item. Sometimes shampoos come with a free conditioner. These are all items that will not spoil, so feel free to stock up when you find them!
I have recently begun looking online to find samples of items for free as well. There are several sites you can create an account in and have samples mailed right to your door. Some of my recently used ones are:
-P&G Brandsavers
-P&G Try it before you buy it
-Sample Source
-Visit the Facebook pages of items you use or enjoy, they often have free samples or coupons
-Use buy one get on free coupons
When purchasing regularily used items, you can sometimes find them packaged with other items you've never tried before, or if you are extra careful and things work well, with items that you use all the time. This is especially true at the beginning of the school year and at Christmas. At these two times of the year they offer student packs that include several daily use items (ie shampoo, lotion, toothpaste, etc) plus a booklet or sheet of coupons neatly packaged into a carrying bag. They are marketed for students who may be going away to school, or who are just looking to grab extras with their back to school shopping, and are useful at Christmas as gifts. These usually are sold at a cost that is close to the cost of just one item included in them. I see these as a great opportunity to get products at a great price and also get more coupons for next time. You can often locate razor's packaged with shaving lotion. These are frequently priced to match the cost of the razor alone so allow you to get a shave lotion pretty much free. Need the shave gel but not the razor? Use it as a gift or stocking stuffer. I recently found packages of the body wash I use with a deoderant and body spray in a basket for about $3-$4 more then what I would usually pay for just the body wash. Should I choose not to use the body spray it will be a good stocking stuffer or a small gift, but I still get the wash and a deoderant for the price of just one item. Sometimes shampoos come with a free conditioner. These are all items that will not spoil, so feel free to stock up when you find them!
I have recently begun looking online to find samples of items for free as well. There are several sites you can create an account in and have samples mailed right to your door. Some of my recently used ones are:
-P&G Brandsavers
-P&G Try it before you buy it
-Sample Source
-Visit the Facebook pages of items you use or enjoy, they often have free samples or coupons
-Use buy one get on free coupons