Enhancing Your Life Via the Freebie

Years ago I read a novel about Hollywood in which an aging star managed to live high on the hog despite financial difficulties, by negotiating freebie deals in which he/she (I don't remember) bartered for gratis services in exchange for use of their name in PR. They described how an elegant soirée was "financed" that way. Well, think of the goodie bag the stars get at award ceremonies. It got so bad that the IRS decided to TAX them!

But even if you aren't a "star" in that sense, you can still be on the receiving end. On a small scale there are all the freebie sites online, which feature free samples of all sorts of products. I have gotten pens, calendars, office supplies, skin care products, shampoo, deodorant, greeting cards, books, Cd's and all sorts of gadgets - including one to keep my champagne bubbly from Chandon, the champagne people. There are a lot of freebie sites, but my favorite one is Freaky Freddie's, and I find if I go back there regularly that I get pretty much all the good samples out there. Be quick about signing up for new freebies, because it seems as the freebie sites multiply, the samples are running out sooner. Oh, and Walmart.com has free samples, too. So check them out regularly. Just got a greeting card from them...

I have found that the better in touch you are with things, the more often you will run into freebies, so keep your eyes peeled at all times! You will find free concerts in museums and in libraries, for example. I went to a lovely classical one in Santa Barbara last year, which I found on the event part of the local newspaper. There are also events in local book stores - so I sign up for their mailing lists and email newsletters. To go back to libraries, they often have informative events - so check them out regularly. I have also attended free classes from time to time. Years ago I went to a free assertiveness training, in which I was the star, because everyone else couldn't leave the HOUSE - but it did help. And I have just enrolled in a local Emeritus College class in Santa Monica, where I have found that all the classes are free, and if there is room, they really don't mind if you are a senior or not. Seniors, of course, get lots of freebies. So admit your age! Lots of colleges around the country have similar programs for seniors - mostly without credit. My old college lets you audit any class you want if you are an alumna. And music schools routinely give free student concerts that are totally professional.

I have gotten free theatre tix for donating blood at a theatrical blood drive - and practically free tix from an online ticket bargain website (had to pay a $5 service fee) for a big time rock and roller. There are times when they want to pack the house, and if you know the right people, you can get free seats. For a long time, the Mark Taper Forum in L.A. used to have free seats for their premieres, which they announced on the Actors Equity hotline (altho you didn't have to be a member) - but alas, that's gone. I have also had free tix passed to me for musical events. Got to go to the Hollywood Bowl several times this summer on the house. And an old friend used to give me her unused jazz concert tix. I have also gone to "pay what you can" matinées and paid a buck, because I really was broke!

There are cases where the entrance fee is a "suggested donation," and if you really can't afford what they suggest, you can give them little or nothing and they really can't keep you out. That's the case in the Metropolitan Museum, which for all the years when I was growing up, didn't try to charge anything. Museums also have free days - usually monthly - so check that out. Museum admissions have gotten so pricey. There are also concerts series at museums, sometimes classical films and lecture series. Years ago I went to a marvelous art lecture series conducted ted by a famous art historian at the L.A. County Museum, which I still recall as being an extremely stimulating experience.

By now, you are probably getting the idea that artsy culture is easier to get than the pop sort. But there are movie giveaways. and there are sites for free movie screenings. Try moviemetro.com - My husband and I saw a really good movie recently that way - and they gave out free popcorn and soda, too! (FYI you have to show up early for those.) And there are lots of concerts outdoors in the summer - of music of all types. Your local newspaper and cultural website will list those - Get on those mailing lists! Also enter any contests you can find. I have won tix, too.

Years ago, I read an article saying that the best odds for winning were in local contests, and since then I have entered everyone I come across and actually started to WIN things. I have gotten Cd's, cups, hats, tickets, books, a necklace, and so on. Nothing huge, but it's funny, anyway.

There are also all the giveaways at conventions and fairs and so on. Even at a humble local event I look for pens and pencils, note pads, sticky notes, cups, visors, key chains and so one. I have gotten nice straw hats, sunscreen and all sorts of "giftie" things. I also have gotten vitamin samples at gatherings and at health food stores themselves. Some have places where they regularly place their samples, and I always check them out went I visit the store. I have gotten lots of skin samples, and vitamins. The small packages are good for traveling. And nowadays, even minor parties have gift bags. I have gotten hats, fancy hair products, throwaway cameras and such, not to mention the nice bags. I usually take one for me and a guest, and if there are a few left over, I snag those, too. But don't be too greedy., it's tacky.

The philosophy of the giveaway, frankly, is that you don't NEED it. They are giving you samples to encourage your future custom with them. Don't you see offerings at more upscale venues? I got a free dinner in a swanky Beverly Hills restaurant once. And glasses of champagne and hors d'oeuvre at upscale stores. So dress the part!

There are even some medical freebies, such as screenings at health fairs. I got a gratis bone density screening for osteoporosis at such an event. You can also volunteer to be a "guinea pig" for dental students for their exams or even dental hygienists. I had my whole mouth scoured in such a dental hygienist class. It took a long time, and I had to watch out for stumbles, but it was worth a LOT and done exactly according to the book. When I was really broke, I went to a free local medical clinic, and I did have to wait on line, but I got good care and even free prescription medicine. I also went to therapy at their associated clinic, and as it was on a sliding scale, and I was struggling, I went gratis for a while, and even after that it was way below market rate. It takes some research to find those clinics, but they are out there - although more so in urban areas.

As for computers, freebies there are called "freeware" or "shareware." Check out what is available for the application you want - like anti-virus - and you may very well find a free program that will serve. I found a free software program on line for a friend who had just gotten a notebook that didn't come loaded with word processing software, to use until he could buy Word. Do you know you can download free books on the net? And free music - both mp3s and even sheet music? I also have found free instrument instruction manuals....Surf a bit and see what comes up, you would be surprised.

Another way to get free stuff is to write about it. Book reviewers get paid in free books, and writers in entertainment get free press passes to events. I have a friend writes travel articles, and is always going off on free junkets sponsored by local Tourist Agencies. They include air fare, hotel, food and events, but you have to keep to the time table you are given. On his last trip to Paris he was given a lovely Izod bag (worth $100) which he passed on to me, mostly because it was lime green and girly.... I did go to a small travel faire with him and got lovely spa samples, and a large colorful umbrella! If you don't want something, take it anyway, if offered. You can always make a gift of it. Another friend who went with us refused his umbrella, and I should have urged him to take it, so I could have it afterwards to give to someone. I did make gifts of the healing stones from that event, and the little boxes of sunscreen and lip balm.
They were also in nice gauzy bags, which could be recycled for other gifting.

I could go on and on - but by now I think you have the idea. Just don't pig out! After my divorce I dated a journalist from the infamous Hollywood Foreign Press Corps, who are known just to show up at events for the food and goodies! This guy had an apartment filled with gift bags and lived on packets of salted peanuts. His idea of a date was a happy hour with good food! I still hold to the philosophy of dressing up and fitting in at any event, and I have heard that some people have made a hobby of going to galas. My friend organized a charity gala I helped him with and I got skin care stuff and even a free magazine subscription. But it was all the glitz that was the most fun.

Sure, it may involve a bit of fudging or playacting. You don't' want to stand in the middle and shout, I am here for the free stuff! That sort of behavior leads to freebies drying up. So behave yourself while hobnobbing with people who otherwise might never talk to you, and don't be an obvious piggy - which could mark you as not belonging.. And as I said before, dress the part as much as possible when showing up in person. Often a dress code is required, or implied - even for the movie screenings. And then relax have yourself a ball!

Heaven knows how much this will add up to, and I have to tell you that you should tell the IRS all about it - especially if you land something big. But the small stuff usually goes under the radar. I only know that I have lots of nice stuff, get to see plays, movies and hear music, and always have a gift on hand for unexpected occasions!