Nine Great Uses for Free Samples and Trial Sized Products

Some people seek out free samples and trial sized products for various reasons. Others may accumulate quite a collection of such smaller sized products through sheer happenstance. Regardless, there are multiple reasons why free samples and trial sizes can be useful for anyone.

Discover a New Favorite

Some of the best products I ever came to buy regularly are those I was able to sample first. Even if the regular price is a little more than that of competitor's products, if I really like the product, its worth paying a little extra.

Being able to sample a product first allows consumers to try things they normally would be too afraid to spend the money on. Samples expose consumers to great products that are worth the money - and to the stinkers that are a waste. A great use of samples for me is to help identify the best products to buy with my hard-earned money.

Budget Booster

Free samples and trial sized products help stretch the budget by providing a little bit more of needed food and other products. Three extra days of shampoo and conditioner or an extra snack bar here and there all add up over the long run.

Guest Baskets

A fun thing I like to do for overnight guests is provide a little goodie basket filled with samples and trial sizes of various products they might have forgotten to bring or might want to pamper themselves with. Of course, a few full-sized items are in the basket, as well. Additionally, I include treats and snacks in case they get a midnight snack attack. Some of these things are items I got through free offers.

My guests are welcome, of course, to use and take anything and everything in the basket. Every guest thus far has commented on how much they have loved the goodie basket and more than one was relieved to find things in it they forgot to bring from home.

Travel

Two important things to remember when traveling are to 'pack light' and the security rules of airports regarding the amount of certain items you can carry onto the plane and pack in your checked baggage. Both of these factors make sample and trial sized goodies perfect for travel.

Another good thing about using samples and trial-sized goodies when you travel is that you don't bring them home. This adds up to a little more space for souvenirs and other great finds from your travels.

Emergency Kits/ 72-Hour Kits

Something that is highly recommended is to have an emergency or 72-hour kit in case of disasters. You can have one in your home and one in your car, or just keep one in an easily accessible place. Food and water are crucial to have in your kit, as are first aid and hygiene products. Gum, candy and small sources of entertainment are also helpful to have. Sample products are great space-saving items to pack in emergency and 72-hour kits. Be sure to check expiration dates and to rotate products in and out of your kit for optimum freshness and usability.

One 72-hour kit I have made had everything you needed in a clean half-gallon milk carton. Milk cartons are hard to come by now, but this example illustrates how little space is needed for such a kit. Sample products and trial sizes are especially helpful with creating small emergency and 72-hour kits.

Camping/Backpacking

Camping and backpacking are instances like travel in which you really need to 'pack light'. Samples and trial sizes naturally work well in these situations. Some containers and wrappers may even be safe for burning in a campfire. Whatever you take, make sure to pack your trash back out with you unless there is a proper place for disposal on site.

Snail Mail Surprise

One of the fun things I have done over the years is send fun little surprises in cards and letters to friends and family. With postal security concerns, you need to check the rules before you mail items domestically and internationally, but if they can be mailed to you, you should be able to mail them to others in many instances.

To a friend who was feeling down in the midst of stormy weather season I sent a funny card and a package of "Sunshine" Punch Kool-Aid. There are plenty of 'punny' sample inserts you could use to cheer a friend, celebrate any achievement or just show you care. Who doesn't like getting a little something in the mail that isn't a bill?

Gifts

Sometimes free items are full-sized. This makes them even better items to give as gifts. Add them to gift baskets or give them alone. Using full-sized freebies in gift giving can really help stretch the budget. It can also help you give unique items as gifts.

Donations

Many places accept donations of samples and trial-sized products. Those little soaps and shampoos from hotels also qualify as trial-sized products. Homeless shelters, women's shelters and food pantries are all places that accept such items. Check first before making the donation. Senior care centers, church groups and community groups also may take these items for their various service products.

One project I participated in accepted smaller sized hygiene products for kits made for natural disaster victims. The Red Cross and similar agencies may have programs in need of smaller items for such kits and use.

Free Samples Etiquette

Though free sample etiquette dictates that you only request free samples and trial sized items you will actually use, it is still quite possible to accumulate products you won't use or don't like. One such way is when the sample or trial size accompanies a full-sized product you have purchased. Rather than throwing these items away, consider the aforementioned ideas instead for your unopened products. Reducing waste and helping others are great things.