Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

We all love freebies. I for one am not ashamed to whip out a coupon or ask if my points can be applied towards something. You may see a variety of deals for free items. However, it leads to loads of spam mail. So are there really no string attached freebies that exist out there? Let’s check it out.

1. Join Up for Rewards Cards

Just like earning rewards at Walgreens, CVS, and Jewel-Osco, you can sign up for rewards cards at your favorite restaurants and product manufacturers. TGI Fridays, for example, has their free Give Me More Stripes program. For every $1 you spend, you get a stripe. You are eligible for a free appetizer or dessert just for signing up!

Check out Godiva.com for free chocolate, AuntieAnnes.com for a free pretzel just for signing up, and DunkinDonuts.com for their Perks Rewards program. Drop into the Cheesecake Factory or The Clubhouse in Oakbrook and ask about their member programs for special discounts and freebies.

2. Sign Up at Discount Sites

There are tons of discount dining and entertaining sites available. Many times your purchases earn you points towards freebies. OpenTable.com is one of my favorite sites. I’m always eating out and here I earn points for just making and keeping my reservations!

3. Sign up for Events

If you attend an event, be sure to check out future events. For instance, if you are at a wine bar, they may have a local wine tasting event coming up. Art galleries frequently have public events with free appetizers and drinks.

4. Get Samples at Department Stores

Department stores are gold mines for freebies! The fragrance and cosmetic areas have loads of product samples available for you. And, of course, you can try out a few things while you are there.

5. Ask for Samples at the Doctor’s Office

Be sure to check with your doctor and dentist for freebies! My dentist always sends me and my kids away with a free toothbrush, floss, mouthwash, and coupons. I’m not too particular on the toothbrushes, but they are handy to have if a guest comes overnight and forgets theirs. Your doctor may be able to give you a few sample packs of medication they’ve prescribed you. It’s always good to try it out before paying for an entire prescription you can’t get your money back on!

6. Check out Deals on Social Media

Finally, don’t forget about social media! Most companies have social media pages, such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. You’ll find cool contests, discounts, and freebie offers there. Simply follow them and check in from time to time. You’ll also find many bloggers who advertize freebies that they find. I list them from time to time, and you can always find valuable discounts and coupons here as well.

For any of these deals, if it does come with consistent mailings or spam, simply create a spam email account. I have so many email accounts I can barely keep up. One for spam, my jewelry and other direct sales companies, my bills, consulting and writing business, dropshipping business, kids communications, etc.

What are your favorite discounts and freebies?