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Frugal Free Samples in the Shower
By
Danelle Ice - Home Ever After |
June 25th, 2009 |
Category:
Uncategorized |
11 comments
We frugalistas work hard to get freebies and free samples! Free samples are a huge help to frugal homemakers in offsetting your grocery bill if they get used. To find out how we save money with freebies, read our Top 13 Free Things to Stop Paying For Now.
The problem with getting so many free samples is making sure they get used first instead of your full size bottles. Sometimes samples get shoved in drawers and lost underneath other things, they end up in baskets, containers, and all other fashion of out-of-sight places. How can you make sure that your samples get used?
Using Free Samples in the Shower
Make samples accessible to your family by putting them in a convenient location where they will be used! Shampoos, conditioners, and body washes go in the shower; toothpastes go with toothbrushes, etc. If samples are available for use WHERE they will be used, they’ll be visible and ready for your family to grab. 
The photos show how I’ve used this tip in my shower.
I’ve used three Ziploc Twist & Seal containers without lids. Any container will work as long as it fits on your shower shelf.
Each is labeled accordingly and filled up with samples: shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. (To keep the labels waterproof, use masking tape on the inside of the container and write on the adhesive side.)
I also usually remove most of the full-size products from the shower. This ensures that the free samples will be used up first. Only put your regular shampoos, conditioners, and soaps back in the shower when the samples are all gone (if you ever run out of them, that is!).
If you like the idea of saving money with free samples, read How to Save Money by Getting Almost Everything for Free.
For more frugal tips, check out Thrifty Thursdays at Amanda’s Cookin and Frugal Friday at Life as Mom.
This article was originally published May 16, 2008.
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That’s a great idea! Mostly I use them as basket fillers for Birthday and Christmas gifts, but I love your idea.
I have tons and tons of samples.. I love grabbing all the shampoos, sewing kits, shoe polishing kits, nail files, soaps, ect lol at the hotels.. I have tubs overflowing.. I think my husband gets a little embarrassed lol I guess I should probably use them LOL thanks for the tip.
Great idea! I have a tendency to put them up. I’m going to start using this idea. I also like the idea of putting up the regular size items so the samples will be sure to be used!
Love it!
Why didn’t I think of this? Great idea.
What a great tip. I do something similar but they are all together in a waterproof pouch…which was free lol.
Did you put drain holes in the bottoms of the containers? Do you have a problem with water filling up in the containers?
I never thought of doing this. Such a clever idea! I have a lot of free samples that have been tucked into a container in one of my cabinets. I want to use them but I always forget about them. With this idea, there would be no more forgetting.
Can’t wait to try this!
@Tami: I didn’t do drain holes, but you certainly could. My shelf is on the opposite end from the shower head, so any drops that get in the containers just evaporate. This saves me big $ from buying shampoo and conditioner, especially for my tween! So glad you’ll be able to try it out.
Barbi
Great ideas. I totally agree with putting where they will be used. I use a similar philosophy for organizing my kitchen cabinets!
That is such a smart idea. I know I have samples all put away. I am going to do this! Thanks for the idea!
I use mine in a “ready to go” shaving kit or cosmetic bag for travel. I have a bag ready for me with evertyhing I need for a trip ready to throw in to the suitcase or duffle bag. Sample size shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, toothpaste, even sanitary products. It sure beats running around to try and find everything at the last minute. I also use the sample sizes in my gym bag. No reason to carry those big bottles around.