So I thought I would start keeping track of the Free stuff I receive. This will include items I receive in the mail, Gift cards and cash.

I use different sites for different things.

Mypoints.com. I use the click thrus for points and then redeem for gift cards.

Cashbaq. Used for buying items and receive cash back.

Winster.com. Game playing to receive coupon codes for different items. My latest was $8.00 off a Papa Johns Pizza

Inbox Dollars. Used for cash back.

Pincone Surveys: Cash for doing surveys.

Hot Coupon World. Used for freebies and just plain ole good advice for using coupons, rebates and sales.

So far this week, I have gotten Free:
*Gardening Bag from The Nature Conservancy
*$8.00 Papa John's Pizza coupon code (We are getting pizza tonight for dinner)
*$25.00 Gas Card from Mypoints
*$13.00 redeemed from Cashbaq.
*$6.00 from Pincone
*$5.52 sitting in my Inbox Dollars

Waiting to receive:
*Silver key chain
*DVR for switching from ATT to Comcast
*Doggie sleeping bag
*Reusable Shopping Bag
*Marlboro T-shirt with my hubby's initials
*Snugi Blanket

That is all I can think of right now.

I got to thinking the other day, when one of my kids asked if I would like her Christmas List.

Which brought on this thought. My daughter mentioned we needed a DVR, so that she could record certain shows while she is at college; and my youngest (starting 9th grade) would like a laptop or computer for gaming for his room.

There are also some services that need to be changed around here or items I might need to purchase in the near future.

So my thinking is: I could get a free DVR or Dell Netbook if I changed around my tv/internet/phone provider to a different one.

At one point, Art Van, was offering a Free HDTV with a purchase. I do need new mattresses for myself

If I open a certain checking with a different bank and stick to the terms, they are offering a Garmin nuvi 1200 GPS. This would be a great gift for my oldest child.

So, my thinking is to see how many great gifts I can get for free, just for using services or buying items I actually need.

I will keep you posted on how I am doing.

I use a couple of online sites to earn money back or points.

mypoints.com
ebates.com
mrrebates.com
Pinecone

Just yesterday, I joined a new one. Cashbaq.com. I was able to get the Entertainment Book for my area at the 7.99 price on 2009 books. Shipping is just $1.99, total cost $9.98. I get back $8.00, plus $5.00 for signing up, a total of $13.00.

If anyone is interested, here is the link for that:

http://www.cashbaq.com/?refer=492996

I just redeemed some points and was able to get a $10.00 Panera Bread Gift Card, along with a $15.00 FTD card for using some of my points before January 15, 2009.

I also have on hand:
*Free Cheese Pizza from Buddy's Pizza
*$5.00 gift coupon for Buddy's Pizza
*$8.00 gift card for Papa John's Pizza
*Two Game Works game cards
*Two Dave and Buster game cards
*$100 Gift Card for Home Depot
*Free Appetizer at Red Knapps American Grill
*Free Chips and Salsa at Chili's
*$25.00 gift coupon for the Sherwood Brewing Company

I am armed and ready. Looking forward to more gift cards and cash earned from using points through mypoints.com, winster.com, ebates.com, visa redemption points and my debit card redemption points.

So I was able to find some great deals on the internet (Boscov's) for my neice and two nephews. I got two laptop computers, originally $89.95, on sale for $19.99 each, a Thomas the Tank travel thing and a Thomas the Tank sticker book with 100's of stickers. Original cost of all $206.96, but it only cost me $54.96 shipped. That is a savings of $152.00.

I will add that to my $20 Challenge
Prev. Balance $3,168.10
Add Savings $152.00
New Balance $3,320.10

So I just did this Omaha Steaks bargain. I got the information through:

http://thecoupongame.blogspot.com/2008/10/amazingly-great-omaha-steak-deal.html

I ended up with the $25.00 gift card to use, then I ordered the steak burgers and got the cutlery set and carving board for FREE and it only cost me $1.98.

I also got a Kohl's $5.00 coupon/gift card to use at Kohl's for signing up for their e-mail which I should receive in the mail.

I also registered all our birthdays at Red Robin restaurant and got a $3.00 off purchase to use in my e-mail; and every time one of our birthdays rolls around, we get a FREE burger. We rarely ever go there, but it might be nice to do on our birthdays.

Plus, I found my son's Van's Snowboard Boots (brand new in box) on E-bay for Christmas. They are originally $109.99 with tax of $6.60, totaling $116.59. I got them for $50.11 shipped, saving me $66.79. I am adding that to my $20 challenge

Prev. Total $3,101.31
Add savings $66.79
New Total $3,168.10

So, because I need to stay creative and keep us from going crazy while staying within my "Base Pay Budget Plan" I talked about in an earlier post, I found some great deals to use when the weather is sucky or we are just bored out of our minds.

Dave and Busters. If you register with them, you can get a Free $10.00 play card. Cool, we registered all of our e-mail addresses.

Game Works. If you register with them, they will add 100 extra points to your already existing rechargeable cards.

Walmarts free things just for the asking; or filling out of their forms online. I have been using this for a long time.

I have also used this Christmas as a form of entertainment. My youngest is getting snowboard pants, goggles and boots and our local ski hill offers a great discount to our homeschooling group, so I am buying him a discount card. My middle child had specific things she asked for which included a broadway play (This is for her birthday and just her and I going to it) and a Classic I-pod. My oldest is getting an awesome digital recorder to use when he is performing, so he can put the whole performance on his myspace or youtube pages. My husband is getting some new clothes (cause his are trashed and gift cards to his favorite gas station and store). I am also looking for snowpants and gear for all of us to go sledding (the kids are getting new sleds) and snowshoeing, just to get through the winter. I have some other ideas in mind, so this should be a fun winter.

Got my youngest free spirit son his Sessions Alpha Star Snowboard Pants. They have been out of stock, but found a pair on e-bay. Originally they cost $110 plus tax, but got them for $70, plus S&H, total cost was $82.46, saving myself $34.14. Now I am working on his boots, goggles and gloves (and maybe a jacket). He got one last year, and I am hoping it still fits him for this year.

Also found my Darling Daughter an awesome Franco Sarto Purple Patent Purse/Bag. If you know anything about Franco Sarto, they are expensive, but awesome purses. They last forever. This purse probably cost around $78.00, if I go on the lower side. I got it for $14.00 shipped, saving myself $64.00.

Total savings $98.14

$20 Challenge
Prev. Total $3,101.31
Add savings $98.14
New Total $3,199.45

I am working on a few more deals, so stay tuned.

Bought a Dell Flip Digital Camcorder w/flash card. Originally $149.99, minus $100 online coupon and Free S&H, with tax, it cost me $52.99.
$149.99 Camcorder
$4.99 S&H, and
$3.00 Tax, totalling
$157.89, minus what I actually paid
$52.99, saving me a whopping $104.99.

I am putting that towards my $20 Challenge:

Prev. Total $2,996.41
Add $104.90
New Total $3,101.31

Spent $9.20 on participating items and the stamp to mail in my rebate and recieved 4 - $25.00 gift certificates to a full-line spa.

Got a Coach I-Pod Shuffle Case with the tags still on it from E-bay. Originally $68.00, total for me $7.98. So cute. My daughter is going to love this.

Clothes for my oldest son, on sale, totalling $21.00 and a pair of Vintage Vans Shoes from e-bay for $19.95. These are way cool. I missed out on another pair cause I wasn't home to bid on it.

Large Box of Dale and Thomas Popcorn for $8.00 shipped.

This is just the tip of the ice berg. I am having so much fun getting awesome gifts and saving money at the same time. Let's see if I can beat last year's total for Christmas and still have a great year.

I do have some large totals coming up to purchase, but hopefully, I will find codes for $$$ off, free shipping and I am using all my coupons.

Merry Christmas and Happy No New Debt Year

Two of my Christmas Shopping deals of the week.

Victorias Secret.com. I bought a sweater on sale, and got a hat, scarf, gloves, lip gloss and another makeup item (can't remember)for free. Total cost of my order was $21.15, using different codes.

And, I just got a MP3 player for $27.98, shipped. Here is the link. http://www.graveyardmall.com/. It should be the deal of the day.

I have also clipped all my coupons and combined them with the sales for an eventful run-around spending, but actually savings day. My shopping will take place at Walgreens, CVS, Rite-aid, Meijers and Kroger. I will post how much I spent and how much I saved.

So, I went to Walgreens today because they have a promotion. When you purchase Wyeth participating products at Walgreens this month and send in your rebate form, you earn spa rewards. If you purchase two participating products, you earn $50 in spa rewards. If you purchase 4 participating products, you earn $100 in spa rewards. Well, I went online first and printed out 4 coupons for the Advil and bought the lowest price Advil I could find, totally $8.79 and now I get a $100 spa gift certificate for a really nice spa in our hometown. You can go online to check it out.
http://www.walgreenssparewards.com/how_it_works.cfm

This is going to be a nice gift for someone on my Christmas List.