Freebie Friday

Freebies and the way of the internet have changed over time. For example, back in the mid 1990's you could get free packages of JellyBelly just for filling out your mailing address (no email was harvested to be sold to spammers). JellyBelly doesn't do that anymore, but that gesture still rings loudly for large family penny-pinching dads.

Most results when searching for freebies online take you to participation businesses. You sign up for 9 credit cards (along with your soul) and they (just might) give you an iPod. I've been instructed to be wary of such ventures.

Fortunately, there is a site which tracks down the old fashioned freebie forms, though most forms require eMail these days. Absurdly Cool Freebie Finder provides a list of sites where you generally enter in a short form and wait for the goods to roll in. Just like the good ol' days.

It's even cheaper than the $39 Experiment since you don't spend money on postage, though Tom Locke gets double-snaps for his humor and creativity. Someday I'll do the same with my children to teach them the value of humor and not being afraid to ask.

What makes Absurdly Cool Freebie Finder really stand apart is that it has a mixture of free Christian resources side by side with fizzy bath tablets, McGruff (the Crime Dog) Trading Cards and a Monkey Brains (oatmeal) goodies bag. Fun stuff for kids, useful stuff for families.

Read the instructions on each site for privacy policies and restrictions. For example, there's a limit of one Monkey Brains Goody bag per household, but each child's name may be submitted for the McGruff trading cards.

Have Fun!