Have your say and get rewarded - Sample Review Sites

So there are a bunch of sites like this, and just to try, I've signed up for three. In the short time I've been on these sites I've received an offer from two of them. 

Basically the premise is that you get either free samples or points for reviewing products. Easy right? 

Influenster 

This one is all over the Internet, the most popular one I've read about. So far though, not a great fit for me, as I am not on every single social media system there is. I am on 4 of the 7 they ask you for, and my "reach" is only medium. The idea here is that the more you are a social media influencer, the more "campaigns" available to you. This site seems to work off points and badges, points for completing questions and posting reviews, and badges for milestones. I'm not sure I understand it all, but I'm still poking around. They have just come out with an app, maybe I'll give that a try. From the sounds of it by others, there's a lot of initial work to build up your numbers before they offer you a bunch of samples. 

ChickAdvisor

They want your product reviews, and that's the simple description. They will have various offers that you can apply for and they will choose a set number from the applicants. Sometimes it's trade show passes, sometimes it's product.. Their breadth of offers has been kind of random so far. 

SocialNature

This is a group that offer natural, holistic, human/environment-friendly products. Basically you go through their current list of products and select the ones you "want" and that puts you in a pool of applicants that they then choose to offer samples to. You receive the sample and review it, and that's it. I would be open to more sites like this as it is easy and simple to understand!

A quick search on the web has given a bunch of similar programs to both Influenster and SocialNature. For a more detailed understanding of Influenster and 2 other sites to give a try (the Smiley360 is for Americans only it looks like, but the other two are next on my list to sign up for and see if Canadians can get them) check out http://brokegirlrich.com/?p=721 

Where to find coupons?

Okay, so this post will be edited a million times as I go along, remembering where I gather all my savings from.

On product - these are usually cereal boxes, cases of pop, cleaning supplies, and starter kits. I always check the packaging in store before I buy, seeing if there are any different boxes that might have a contest or coupon inside the box, or a swing tag or stuck on coupon on the outside. Always worth a look. 

Bottom of receipts - I've noticed this happening more and more. Sub shops and Petsmart have been best examples of this I've seen, usually offering a deal if you come back in a certain time period. Also, check the back/bottom of your receipts for the "fill out our survey and get.." offers for freebies (like Subway gives a free cookie for doing theirs). 

Free sample requests and emailing - so this'll be a separate blog post but request any free samples you can, which usually come with coupons attached, and also join samplesource for quarterly sample boxes in a couple clicks. Even just writing to a company telling them you like their product and do they have any samples/coupons they can send, usually they will (like Chapmans ice cream will send a free product coupon once a year if you ask).

Store tear pads - many grocery stores have tear pads in the aisles for new products and such. My favourite store for tear pads is Zehrs, as they have two big coupon boards when you first walk in, which saves all the wandering aisles. Mind you, I don't really shop at Zehrs as they won't price match, but they'll be my first stop to grab a bunch of coupons before I head off to a different store. 

Coupon websites - another blog post to come for this, but for example websaver and save.ca have coupons and there a so so many brand websites that host "secret coupons" through them. Make an account, click on the coupons you want, then press print. 

"Brand" websites - again, there's a list of these but I use P&G Everyday and Walmart online who host coupons to print. 

Mail to home sites - these are becoming a little more scarce, but there is a few sites that will still mail you physical coupons if you request. Websaver has just switched their mail to home program, which I'll review when I get my first bundle from them. 

Home mailers - these come in your newspapers and are popular for their free product mail-in rebates, buy one get one deals and fast food booklets of coupons. These are great to gather from friends and family who don't coupon, and can help start your mini-stockpile. 

Email subscriptions - everybody and their mother offer email subscriptions, so it's knowing which ones to join. I've joined a tonne under my non-primary email to see who sends coupons, and I'll try to do a post to update who I've found and liked. I also suggest you sign up for freebie notification subscriptions, like freebiefrenzy, which helps easily keep you on top of free samples and offers. 

Free magazines - Walmart one is the first one I can think of, but there are free recipe books, calendars for food and etc that you can pick up in stores for free. Usually, vendors have a bunch of coupons inside.