Thanks to diaper manufacturers, not only were our children's bottoms covered, but their bodies as well! I received free tee shirts, shoes and caps. We were sent coloring books and crayons, cameras (believe it or not-3 instant Polaroids with film and batteries and I didn't have to even pay postage and handling), picture frames, audio-story tapes with toys to go with them.
Nowadays, the freebies are far and few between, but the savings still total up! Especially during the last decade or so when most stores doubled the savings. We have saved ourselves time as well. When the kids were young and had birthday parties, I'd save the required UPC codes and the matching coupons and have a stash of books and toys ready to be wrapped and presented. I can't remember what product it was, but we used a lot of it-their promotional item were free hot wheel cars. We had so many that I never went to a toy store for a boy's present until my son's friends turned 8. Those hot wheels—my son saved them, now our grandsons play happily for hours from those free cars.
Remember this story the next time you throw out a lowly coupon—it may help you retire a few years earlier. At the very least, it could go to a really luxurious vacation!
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