Just because something is free, it doesn't mean it's actually good. That's something many companies forget when they're loading up their customers with free keyrings or coasters, or pompoms with eyes and feet.
In fact, there's an astounding amount of junk given away under the guise of 'free gifts' and I get fed up with it. So I've found five freebies that have real value — and here they are:
1- Free insulation for your home
Most energy suppliers will offer customers free insulation if they're aged 70 or over, or receiving certain benefits. But British Gas and EDF Energy have gone one step further.
They're both offering free loft and cavity wall insulation to a limited number of customers. Applications need to be in by December 22 for British Gas and March 31 for EDF.
If your home doesn't have insulation already, the Energy Saving Trust estimates that this could save you an impressive £175 plus a year.
Not a bad something for nothing.
Value
Cavity wall and loft insulation will usually cost between £100 and £350 each, including installation. You can insulate your loft for much less yourself though.
What's the catch?
Not every home is suitable for this kind of insulation, so you have to have a free survey carried out by the company before it agrees on free installation.
Clearly these companies are hoping this will encourage new customers to sign up — and you'll have to switch before you find out if you can get the freebie. But most people can save money by switching, so compare prices to see if it's worth it anyway.
2- A free make-up lesson
One for the women — if you want a new look or some more sophisticated make-up tips, then it's very easy to bag a free lesson.
Head to any big pharmacy or department store and you'll be able to arrange a free make-up lesson at one of the cosmetic counters. Just explain that you want some tips and ask for a lesson.
Value
I phoned a few make-up artists for quotes and was told it would be around £60 for an hour of one-on-one tuition.
What's the catch?
Obviously the reason these make-up stands are willing to offer this kind of service is because they hope to sell you the make-up that they use. To them, it's effectively a sales pitch.
It's important to stay in control and not feel pressured into buying any products you don't want or think you could get cheaper online.
3- Free stuff
If you haven't discovered Freegle or Freecycle yet, then you're missing out. These local online communities bring together people who need to get rid of stuff and people who need it.
Rather than throw out things that could have value for someone else or filling up landfill unnecessarily, you can give it away through your local group. Similarly, you can request items you need and, if someone has it lying around, you might get it for nothing.
Value
Just because people are giving it away doesn't mean it's not valuable. One person I know received a legally-compliant gun cabinet, worth around £80. The owners had found it in their new house and couldn't be bothered to sell it.
What's the catch?
There's really no catch, this is just a wonderful community initiative. One tip though — don't make endless requests for stuff. Make sure you're passing items on occasionally too.
4- Free money!
Yes, I thought that one would get your attention… Banks have found that it's so difficult to persuade customers to switch current accounts that some now offer cash incentives to do so.
All you have to do is qualify for one of the accounts and use the bank's own switching service to turn it into your main account — i.e. the one your direct debits go through.
In order to qualify for this kind of premium account, you'll usually need to be moving a minimum amount of money into your account each month.
Value
Right now Santander and first direct are offering new customers £100 to switch to their main current accounts, while Halifax's Reward Current Account pays £5 each month, as long as you pay in at least £1,000.
What's the catch?
Banks are businesses and, very clearly, they would not be offering cash incentives like this if they didn't think they'd earn more money from you once you're a customer.
You need to make sure you're moving to an appropriate bank account, for example, most premium accounts like these charge a very high rate of interest.
Also, in order to get this perk, you have to move current accounts, something we Brits are very reluctant to do.
5- A free photo shoot
Most photographers don't make their money from the shoot; they make it by selling you expensive pictures afterwards.
That means that many companies — particularly the larger chains — offer free studio time and even free pictures. They want to have a chance of selling you other, more expensive pictures.
For example, the Master Photographers' Association offers new parents the chance to have their baby photographed as a newborn, a six-month old and a toddler, and gives them three free pictures.
But there are plenty of different studios offering freebies like this, just run a web search for your local area.
Value
The cost of having professional pictures taken varies massively — you could pay from £20 to thousands, depending on where you go. However, it's photography firms at the cheaper end offering freebies.
What's the catch?
The catch is that you have your shoot, you're given your freebie and then there are 40 other beautiful pictures that you desperately want, some costing upwards of £50.
If you're going to benefit from this kind of freebie, you need to be really firm with yourself about how much — if anything — you're willing to spend. Otherwise this isn't a way to pinch pennies, it's a way to spend hundreds of unnecessary pounds!
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