Sunday, January 13, 2013

Mommy Tip: Ask for FREE Toothpaste...No Coupons Needed!


I never would have thought to look for toothpaste here!

We took the kids in for their 18 month checkup about five months ago. The checkup went well, and on the way out, we stopped by the front desk to make sure that everything was in order before heading out the door.

As I was checking us out, I glanced over the product samples that were sitting on the front desk. The nurse caught me looking at them and asked if I wanted to take some children's toothpaste to try.

"Sure!" I said grabbing four of them.
"Do you want to take that whole stack?" the nurse followed up.
We had been practicing with the toothbrushing at home, but maybe adding some flavor would help the kids get a little more excited about it. "Really? That would be great!" I grabbed the whole stack and shoved it in a diaper bag.
The nurse was visibly getting excited now, "If I were to go get the rest of the toothpaste samples in the back, would you take all of those too? And how about a bunch of bar soap and body wash?"
"Uh....yeah...we could use all of those..."

I kid you not, we ended up taking a box of toothpaste, two containers of body wash, and a box of bar soap. Holy moley! Score!

Once I took all of the toothpaste samples out of the little packets, I had at least 75 samples and 75 high-dollar coupons. At our kids' age, toothbrushing is more about learning good hygiene and less about using gobs of toothpaste, so those samples are still going strong at our house. I'm hoping their pediatrician's office might have more the next time we go for a checkup. It's so much easier than watching sales, clipping coupons, and hoping I get the last two loss-leader items before they are gone!

The nurse explained that they are constantly getting samples and often can't get rid of them fast enough. It's definitely worth asking about at the front desk of your pediatrician's office. While I wouldn't walk in expecting to get boxes of samples, I would certainly see if there are at least a few individually wrapped samples you could take home and enjoy. Every little bit helps!

Where is the more unique and hassle-free place that you have found a freebie?

10 comments:

  1. That is so true. Every little bit does help. Our pediatrician helped us with formula samples which made a big difference. The company did not lose too much as we bought plenty too. In our case, their uncle is their pediatric dentist and he gives them each a whole tube at every visit (and his other patients too). As you said, they don't use much at this age, so a whole tube lasts a while.

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    1. Those samples are invaluable! Our doctor was nice enough to give us formula samples also. Our formula was $27 a can, and with us going through a can a day, we needed all the samples we could get!

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  2. Our 2-year check-up is in a few weeks. I need to remember to ask!

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    1. Definitely do that!...I just hope we don't have the same pediatrician because ours is in a month. :)

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  3. We also got a lot of formula samples from our pediatrician's office, which was awesome! Another unexpected freebie was from a company called "One Step Ahead" where my mom bought inflatable travel beds for our twins. The bedding came in several shipments and in every box, there was a tube of all-natural children's toothpaste! Also, as a new mother of twins, I wrote to companies that I heard give freebies for mothers of multiples and got a whole case of formula, free sippy cups, diaper coupons, etc. That was awesome! I've also done surveys where they have sent products for me to try, including shampoo, teething gel, etc. -Rustie D

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    1. I also do the product review items to help cut costs! That's a great way to get extra items that work for the whole family too!

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  4. We saw those at the dentist office as well, but the samples were fluoride toothpaste and if the kids aren't old enough to spit out the toothpaste it can be harmful. So be careful and only use small tiny portions and be sure to wash their mouths out. It took forever to get our four to learn how to spit. The training toothpaste was so expensive and only came in a small tube. Now we can get big tubes and the samples at the dentist office.

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    1. Hmm...I didn't even think of that. Thanks for the caution!

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  5. When I worked for a gastroenterologist practice we got samples of EVERYTHING. It is always good to ask. Even about meds when they are prescribed. My doctor saved me money when I couldn't afford a prescription by giving me samples.

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    1. That's a great tip! You are right that they often get medicine samples. That's something I definitely need to ask for in the future!

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