Who ever said you need to buy Christmas ornaments to decorate your home? I was sifting through this month’s issue of ReadyMade (an expired freebie), and found two great craft projects. Using materials you probably already have, you can get started on these right away.

Free airtime with Sugar Mama

I’ve been searching for what seems like forever, for a free cell phone plan paid for by advertising (like our friends across the pond have with Blyk). Apparently, we don’t have a service quite as innovative as that. So, until someone with enough foresight can launch a Blyk equivalent in the States,Virgin Mobile’s Sugar Mama plan is as close as we’re going to get to free service.

I Want Sandy

Okay, I’m not advocating putting yet another person on the unemployement line. But if you don’t already have an assistant, you can get by using some really cool Web 2.0 applications that can help you create the illusion of having a real live assistant. The applications below, will email or text you a rundown of your daily agenda, update your calendar of choice, and offer a host of other features absolutely free. One will address you in the email as your assistant, and will even send an appointment confirmation to a second party. Check out the descriptions below:

back to school

It’s Back to School season, and with the cost of everything skyrocketing, it’s necessary to get creative. Instead of spending money on certain necessities like pens, highliters, glue, post-its, tote bags, clips, etc., start collecting free office supplies.

source: ventana-hotel.net

We all love them. Those complimentary toiletries that come with your hotel stay. But how many times have you used what was inside, and thrown away the container. If you really stop to think about it, you could reuse those bottles and fill them will your favorite products for your next trip. You will not only be helping to reduce environmental waste, you’ll save yourself from packing too heavily. Here are some other ways you can reuse those teeny bottles:

birthday goodies

Everyone deserves to be pampered on their birthday. Here’s a list of free samples, certificates, food, and ideas that will help you have a fabulous birthday. Of course this will take some planning, so you can have an idea what offers to take advantage of when your birthday comes around. To get the most out of your free day, plan ahead of time with some friends with similar birthdays, or let your party know your itinerary ahead of time. Also, make sure you call the business and check locations beforehand to confirm they participate in these offers. If you are able to confirm these offers or you have some to share, feel free to leave comment.

**I will be updating this list over time, so be sure to check back for updates.

shopping time!

I’ve added many more freebies to the Freebie Tracker. Check out the list below, and click here to get the updated file. Have fun sample shopping!

Free Exercise DVD & elastic bands

Downy Total Care - Free sample

Working Mother Magazine

Two $5 Coupons from Kmart

Aearo E-A-R- earplug samples

Earplug sample from DSE Healthcare

Senseo Coffee Pods

Industrial Strength Hand Cleaner sample

Scoop Floral fragrance sample

Oatmeal Crisp sample from Walmart

Healthy To Go drink samples

Free T-shirt and mag subscription from Alpha G33k

Free Box of Cherrios and 6 $1 coupons

Free Hollywood Beauty Package

Gillette Shampoo sample

Fisher Price Geotrax DVD - free (for youngsters)

Free Travel Mug (need Business name)

Fisher Price Planet Heros DVD - free (for youngsters)

Free plastic travel pouch/bag from Trip Advisor

Free Borghese Samples

Generic Value Products

There’s probably a salon quality hair product that you absolutely can’t do without. Mine personal favorites are: Paul Mitchell’s Tea Tree Oil Shampoo and Sebastian’s Humectress. I’m always looking for products that will perform the same, without breaking my budget, but, I was never able to find equivalents in generic brands like Suave, or the "compared to" products you find in the drugstore.

photo credit: Free Music Zilla

Do you remember the days when you used to wait for your favorite song to come on the radio so you could record it on your tape deck? Now, it’s all about mp3s and the ability to carry your entire music collection in the palm of your hand. Just because times have changed, doesn’t mean your frugal ways have to.

Photo credit: Mozilla.org

Signing up for freebies can be tiresome. Having to enter the same information time after time may cause you to procrastinate and lose out on some really great freebies. I’ve certainly missed out on my fair share, until discovering a neat little Firefox extension called