Why Samples Rock My World

Oh, do I ever love them (and coupons that arrive in the mail too!).

Today's mail haul was only a sample of Degree deodorant, but it will come in handy for DH to have in his locker at work.

I love that I can sometimes try a new product before I decide to buy it, especially when it comes to hair care products (DH has benefited from lots of stuff I deemed only made my hair dry or straggly, etc - luckily he doesn't care much what he uses on his hair!)

I can sometimes make gift baskets with them. At one point, there were several coupons in the Sunday paper for free chocolate. I combined this with several free popcorn samples I had received and a cheap movie, and I had a really nice gift basket for someone.

They come in handy when we travel. Our family is at different points of the country, so it's nice to have the small sizes that will fit into our carry-ons that are TSA approved - and especially not have to pay for them.

We have an "emergency/what if the car breaks down somewhere" bag that we keep with several things in it, including a change of clothes for each of us (which we change out seasonally), a well stocked first aid kit, and several samples including deodarant, sunscreen, and lotions. (Actually, this idea was started for us when my husband worked on one side of the bridge, and we lived on the other. The first time it was closed due the weather we went ahead and put this together just in case he was stranded)

DH keeps H&B samples in his locker at work, as well as in a small bag he carries with his change of clothes. He also benefits from any snack samples that walk in the door (his favorite!)

And best of all, if I run out of something from my stock pile, the samples can help us hang on until the next planned shopping trip. This usually happens with shampoo (which almost happened again, had I not been going to Rite Aid for the FAR Colgate toothbrush, I probably would have forgotten DH's shampoo!)

I keep all my health and beauty samples organized via several clear shoe box size totes - 97 cents each at Wal-mart. (This also works with full size smaller products like toothpaste and deodorants) I have them stacked on the shelf in the bathroom and I can easily find what I am looking for. This way the samples get used, and not hidden in drawers and corners where I will forget about them until the next time we move. ;)