Posts Tagged ‘cheap’

By Cameron McKirdy

I’m all about my freebies.  Maybe you remember all of the product samples I’ve scored, and blogged about in the past.  You can get free stuff easily by requesting trials online, and they will be delivered to you by mail.  When I’m not filling out forms like that, I’m in shops trying to get hook ups.  In Starbucks this week they were sampling out pasteries.  They weren’t on display yet.  The stash was sitting off into the corner on the counter, with a Manager’s note saying “Sample these.”  I politely asked an employee if I could have one of the items.  There was all sorts of muffins, bars, and scones to pick from.  On day one I took the pink cake filled lolly pops with sprinkles.  I didn’t eat them in public.

I went back to the coffee shop for more samples the next day, just in case they were still available.  Really, I just needed the WiFi to upload my previous video.  I scored the squishy coffee cake that day, but didn’t stop there.  I requested 3 honey packets too, since they don’t put those out at all Starbucks locations.  I swiped a few raw sugar packets as well.  Plus, I saw another sign saying I can request a free sample beverage using their coffee pods if I asked.  When I mentioned it, the worker said they haven’t used that set up to brew complimentary cups of fresh java lately, even though the machine, and sample pods where still on the front counter.  I didn’t have time for them to pretend to look for an extension cord, so I took samples for later consumption.

I like to visit the health food store weekly, and my last trip was really worth it.  They always have free tablets of Vitamin C to help yourself to, but there was more.  I found packets of food-grade Diatomaceous Earth, Natural Calm magnesium mixes in three flavors, Barlean’s Greens, one DHA pill, and a bag of tea.  These individually wrapped servings are perfect for my backpacking trips, and the small emergency caches I like to build to prepare for tsunamis.  If I can swoop up all of these freebies, than so can you.  Ask for a nibble when you’re in the food court, or browsing the deli counter at the grocery store.  It’s fun to see what you can get for asking.  Happy hunting Survival Bros.

0911141716These cake pops were amazing!

0912140806bFree coffee cake went well with peanut butter and strawberry jelly

0909141002Product Samples from my local health food store

By Cameron McKirdy

Survival Bros shows you all the stuff that is half off in the back of a Safeway grocery store.

Retail is for suckers. Don’t pay full price for anything, ever again. Store owners get everything wholesale, and you can too.

I often start my shopping trip by going to the back of the supermarket. That’s where you can always find items 50% off, because they are discontinued, damaged, or close to their expiration date. You’d think these products are no good, but I’ve found the sale goods are usually organic, and simply not well known, so they go unsold. Don’t be too good to save money. People pass on these deals because they are too proud, and must feel like the product is inferior to what’s on the regular shelves. It’s silly.

Think about getting a membership at a wholesaler like Costco. It will save you cash, and probably pay for the card on the first trip. Be on he lookout for an asterisk on the price sign at Costco. An * means the item is being discontinued, and it’s not coming back, so the price is usually reduced. Buy more then if needed. Not that I support big box stores, but it’s worth going just for the free food samples. I will have to produce a video on that. And my friends that work there seem to be happy.

You can also compare prices online. Additionally, I like to practice patience, and use eBay auctions to save money. Plus, check out smart phone apps like ShopSavvy that get you the best deal possible. The only time I pay jacked up full retail prices is when I’m buying local. Even then I will haggle. Prices are made up. Things are worth what you pay for them.

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The clearance rack at Safeway in the back