There are a lot of sites that claim to offer free baby stuff but make you complete offers in order to get your “free stuff”. That’s too much work.

After all, as parents we don’t have much time to ourselves anyway.

Here is a list of 5 legitimate ways to get free baby stuff with no strings attached.

It’s a compilation of what I’ve found and used.

Hope this helps you!

1. Free Baby Formula – Get full size cans of formula, formula samples, and formula checks. Formula companies want you to get started on their formula so they’re willing to send you the first can.

2. Free Nursing Cover – Yes, the nursing cover is free but the catch is you’ll have to pay $9.95 for shipping. That’s cheap compared to how much nursing covers cost elsewhere – at least $30. I ordered one and got my nursing cover with no problems.

3. Free Stuff from Freecycle – You can find free baby stuff like used cribs, toys, clothes, and more by following your local Freecycle group’s emails.

4. Amazon Mom Free 2-day Shipping – Get free Amazon Prime shipping on diapers, formula, wipes, and more by joining Amazon Mom.

5. Amazon Credit Card Rewards – Sign up for the Amazon credit card and use your reward points to get free baby stuff. Amazon has the biggest selection of baby stuff and reviews of these products. Earn points instantly with no minimum to starting using them to buy stuff.

Check out Living Richly on a Budget’s Resources page for more free stuff and money saving tips.

Amazon recently announced that you may now use your Amazon credit card rewards towards purchases on Amazon.com. Yes, there’s now a way to get free stuff on Amazon.com!

I’ve had the Amazon visa credit card by Chase for a few years, since I frequently shop at Amazon.com for their great prices and fast shipping. I was so excited about this that I used my racked up rewards to buy something right away. It’s like getting free stuff on Amazon!

First, you have to set it up in your Amazon.com account to use your Chase Amazon credit card rewards for purchases. If your Amazon card is already stored in your account then it’s just one click.

After that, you can choose to use all or some of your reward points towards purchases. An instance of this is when you want to use an Amazon gift card and reward points in one transaction.

How to earn points:

• 3 points for every $1 spent on Amazon.com
• 2 points for $1 spent at gas stations, restaurants, drug stores, and office supply stores
• 1 point for every $1 spent

How to shop with points:

• Every 100 points = $1 towards your purchase
• Pay for all or part of your purchase – there’s no minimum

Amazon recently cut off all of its affiliates in California so that includes me. Sadly, I no longer receive affiliate income from them. This is just an honest review.

I still love Amazon and wanted to share this great rewards program if you’re a frequent Amazon.com customer.

Also, if you’re a parent or are expecting a child, check out Amazon Mom for deep discounts on diapers and baby stuff.

It’s nice to have a supply of baby formula if you don’t breastfeed, want to supplement, or just want a backup supply of baby formula. If you can get free baby formula and coupons, why not take advantage of it?

During pregnancy is a good time to apply to for free baby formula and formula checks, which are coupons for dollars off baby formula. Baby formula is expensive so everything helps.

Baby formula companies want you to buy their brand of formula so they are more than happy to send you free samples of full size cans of formula as well as formula checks.

How do you get free baby formula? Simply register your info on their site. Keep in mind that it may take at least 6 weeks to receive cans of baby formula and formula checks. That’s why it’s a good idea to register as soon as possible.

Baby formula companies will send you one or two cans to get you started. And formula checks can range from $3.50 to $11.50 towards your purchase of formula.

Here are the big 3 baby formula companies and registration info:

Gerber Good Start – get formula checks

Enfamil – get free cans of baby formula and formula checks

Similac – get free cans of baby formula and formula checks

Formula checks have your name printed on them and your ID may be required when using them. These checks are redeemed at the store like a coupon. Then the store deposits it like a check.

Also, after you deliver your baby, your hospital will also send you home with free baby formula.

Internet shopping has revolutionized the way Americans spend. Being able to shop hassle free, find specific products, compare prices, and examine the vast variety available with the click of the mouse have made it the preferred shopping method for millions of consumers. However, the exorbitant cost of shipping can halt any potential purchase in its tracks, and for that reason retailers are beginning to make it easier for buyers to dictate their own shipping price.

The 2010 Holiday shopping season saw retailers offering up incentives that included free shipping cost and according to comScore, Inc. certain weeks resulted in over half of all internet purchases being made with free shipping.

Retailers have learned that eliminating this fee can not only entice first-time buyers but also result in more sales for them. Being able to cash in on this realization is not limited to the holiday season, and with a little research and willingness to ask, shoppers can get free or reduced shipping costs on just about any purchase.

Massive varieties of Internet shopping sites mean there are numerous ways to score free shipping. Many of the more prominent online retailers offer “subscription” type services which means they charge an annual fee that in turn guarantees any items purchased through their website will not be charged with a shipping cost for the covered period of time.

Minimum purchase amounts are also frequently used by both large and small online retailers and some retailers will denote certain items as qualifying for free shipping. Holidays and various dates also seem to trigger free shipping; for instance an Anniversary sale or the introduction of a new product may mean zero out of pocket shipping expenses.

With so many various options for free shipping out there, it’s important to shop around for the best deal. Comparing and contrasting can often result in a good deal but it’s always a wise idea to pick up the phone and call a company to ask for possible free shipping options.

Speaking directly to the company and informing them of the items being purchased can help sales associates find an option that might be more cost effective. Perhaps they’re aware of a free shipping deal on a similar product or know of an upcoming free shipping day or code that will be available.

If they’re still unable to provide a solution, there’s no harm in telling them that buying the product may not be cost effective due to the shipping fee. Upon hearing the potential loss of a sale, they may jump at the chance to provide free or reduced shipping.

Mentioning loyalty, preference, and likelihood that future purchases may be made if they demonstrate a willingness to work out a reduced shipping cost, can also further their desire to help. With a simple phone call, money can be saved making the online shopping experience even more advantageous.

This guest post was written by Leah B, who is a contributor to the Eat Breathe Blog.

Photo Credit: cogdogblog

Did you know that if you register your Starbucks gift card, you can earn rewards? You can earn free refills for coffee or tea, free soymilk add-ons, and a free drink on your birthday!

All you have to do is go to Starbucks.com and register your card. The minimum balance to get started is $5.

How it works

Every time you use your gift card to make a purchase you earn a star. As you collect stars, you’ll move up to bigger rewards.

Once you register your Starbucks gift card, you are automatically eligible for a free beverage of choice on your birthday.

Green Level = 5 Stars

Once you’ve earned 5 stars, you advance to the Green Level.

Free Beverage with Whole Bean Purchase

Get a 12 fl oz beverage when you buy one or more pounds of whole bean coffee. Offer not valid with Pour Over, Starbucks Reserve™ or Clover® Brewed coffees or Starbucks Reserve™ whole bean coffees.

Free Trial Offers

Stay up to date with free trial offers from Starbucks.

Gold Level = 30 Stars

Collect 30 Stars and get the benefits of Gold level for one year. Earn another 30 stars keeps you Gold for the following year. You get all Welcome and Green level rewards plus:

Free Drink Every 15 Stars

You’ll get a free beverage with every 15 Stars you collect.

Personalized Gold Card

Receive a special Starbucks Card.

Personalized Offers and Coupons

Receive special offers.

Featured in Festival of Frugality #270: Spring is Coming (One of These Days) hosted by Money Beagle.

Birthdays aren’t about becoming a year older, it’s about getting free stuff! Yes, and who doesn’t love free stuff?

You are entitled, so don’t be afraid to let people know it’s your birthday, when you go out.

Here is a list of free birthday stuff to help you celebrate! Enjoy your special day and have a Happy Birthday!

Free Birthday Stuff

Baskin Robbins – Receive a coupon for a free scoop of ice cream and a discount off your birthday cake on your birthday when you sign up for their birthday club

Ben & Jerry’s – Get a free ice cream treat on your birthday when you become a ChunkSpelunker member

Benihana – Join the Chef’s table and receive a $30 Benihana Birthday Certificate to use during the month of your birthday

Bennigan’s - Join their e-club and get a buy one get one free entree coupon on your birthday and free brownie bottom pie coupon upon signing up

Cattlemen’s – Receive a free dessert on your birthday when you sign up for their E-club

Chevy’s – Get a free dessert and sombrero on your birthday

Claim Jumper - Sign up for their E-club and get a free dessert on your birthday

Dairy Queen – Get a free ice cream on your birthday and a buy one get one free coupon upon joining the DQ Blizzard Fan Club

Famous Dave’s BBQ – Join the P.I.G. (Pretty Important Guest) Club and receive a free food coupon on your birthday

Hana Japan – Get a free birthday lunch or dinner on your birthday when you bring 4 or more people

Hometown Buffet – Get a free birthday coupon to use on your birthday when you join their eClub

Houlihan’s – Join their email club and get a coupon for a free entree on your birthday, valid only in participating locations

IHOP – Get a free meal upon signing up, on your birthday, and on your membership anniversary when you sign up for the Pancake Revolution

Marie Callendar’s – Sign up for their e-club and get a coupon for $5 off your meal and a piece of pie during the month of your birthday

Outback Steakhouse – Get a free dessert when you go to Outback on your birthday

Panera Bread – Get the Panera Card and receive the Panera birthday surprise – a free pastry or sweet anytime during the month of your birthday and a treat upon signing up

Red Lobster – Join the Fresh Catch club and get a surprise for your birthday

Red Robin – Get a free burger on your birthday and a free gift upon signing up for Red Robin news

Round Table Pizza – Register on their site and receive a free personal pizza on your birthday

Sephora – Join the Beauty Insider and get a free beauty product during the month of your birthday

T.G.I.Friday’s - Receive a free appetizer on your birthday when you sign up for their e-club

Feel free to print this Free Birthday Stuff list by using the Print button next to “Share This” below.

What else can you get for free? How about free checking?

Featured in Festival of Frugality with Celebrations 267th Edition, hosted by Money Obedience.

Get the Free 2012 Hello Kitty Calendar!

It’s here again – a FREE Hello Kitty calendar for 2011! I’ve been searching for this since last December. It’s finally out today!

The Free 2011 Hello Kitty Calendar was such a popular post last year, I decided to share this again.

If you’re a big Hello Kitty fan like I am, you’ll want to download this. After all, it’s free, free, free!

I don’t know if I like this year’s design as much as last year’s calendar. Still, if you’re a fan of Sanrio, you’ll still like it. This 2011 calendar includes Hello Kitty and friends on every month. And the calendar portion is a lot smaller than last year’s, with less room to write stuff. Hint, hint, Sanrio. Hope they change it for next year.

Even though I have a digital calendar on my iPhone, I still love low-tech, paper calendars so I can see a month in full. Then I can see when bills are due and money is coming in. It helps with budget planning.

Featured in Festival of Frugality -26 – Get Stuff on the Cheap & Help the Earth hosted by Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance.

Being unemployed and pregnant, I have to really watch what I spend at the moment. Having a baby is expensive, not only with medical bills but with all the stuff that a baby needs.

Things that we needed were a crib, baby clothes, changing table, etc. Everything adds up. So I was on a mission to find free, gently used, baby stuff.

The first place that I turned to was Freecycle.org. It’s a nonprofit network of local Yahoo groups in your community, where you can post stuff you want to pass on or want. The purpose of Freecycle is to keep perfectly good stuff out of landfills.

What’s great about Freecycle is that the members are local, so you don’t have to drive far to pick up something that someone wants to pass on. Plus, you get a daily email digest of stuff people are giving away or want. Then you can contact the person to make arrangements.

Using Freecycle, I was able to get a barely used Ikea crib and a baby car seat. People give away everything under the sun.

It’s also a great way to get rid of stuff that may be difficult to sell. For example, the crib we got had stickers on it, which is not a big deal, but that’s why it’s free.

Find your local group at Freecycle.org. Once you are approved by the moderator, you can start looking through the forums and sign up for the daily email digest.

When you find something you want, be sure to contact that person right away. Good stuff goes fast!

This article was included in this week’s Festival of Frugality hosted by Spruce Up Your Finances.

Udder Cover, the maker of nursing covers, is offering free nursing covers! The catch? Only pay for $9.95 shipping and handling. This is a deal since nursing covers generally cost between $25 – $30.

What is a nursing cover? It’s a piece of fabric, much like an apron, that provides privacy for mothers nursing their babies.

I just ordered my free nursing cover and was able to use PayPal to pay, since I have some funds in there.

They are connected to Seven Slings, cloth baby carriers, who had a similar free deal. Also, Udder Cover is accredited by the Better Business Bureau.

Udder Cover nursing covers are usually $32 each. Use promo code “onefree” and get $32 deducted from your final total. Just pay for shipping. You can use this promo code unlimited times, but only once per order.

It makes a great gift for new moms!

Get your free nursing cover using promo code “onefree”.

Who doesn’t love free shipping? Avoid the holiday crowds and fights over parking.

Order your gifts online and get free holiday shipping! Most of the deals below don’t require a coupon code. Plus, a few sites offer free holiday shipping on all orders!

Amazon.com – Orders of $25 or more

Athleta.com – Orders of $50 or more

BananaRepublic.com - Orders of $50 or more

BarnesandNoble.com – Orders of $25 or more

BedBathandBeyond.com – Orders over $100, expires 12/16

Borders.com – Orders of $40 or more for nonmembers; $25 or more for members

ChefsCatalog.com – Orders of $49 or more. Or pay only $3 shipping on any order through Coupon Cabin.

Chocolate.com – Orders of $60 or more

ColorfulImages.com – Orders of $25 or more

CurrentCatalog.com – Orders over $40, receive 20% off, expires 12/1

CVS.com – Orders of $60 or more, receive $15 off and free shipping (promo code: CYBERMONDAY), expires 11/30

Drugstore.com - Orders of $25 or more

eBags.com – All orders (promo code: LINKFREES), expires 12/31 – special offer from Living Richly on a Budget

Gap.com - Orders of $50 or more

Kohls.com – Orders of $50 or more

LLBean.com – All orders

Macys.com – Orders of $99 or more (promo code: GIFTS) expires 12/20

OldNavy.com - Orders of $50 or more

Piperlime.com – All orders

Target.com – Orders of $50 or more

Walgreens.com – Orders of $25 or more

Zappos.com – All orders